On Monday, March 17th, 2025, the Romanian Athenaeum will host a concert titled "In memoriam Dinu Lipatti", performed by students of the "Dinu Lipatti" National College of Arts in Bucharest. Venera Babeș, the director of the institution, shares more details in a conversation with Ioana Țintea.

Ms. Venera Babeș, let's start by outlining the significance of Dinu Lipatti's legacy in the artistic development of the young musicians at the national arts college that bears his name. Do the students feel inspired by his personality in their musical journey?

Lipatti, for them and for all of us in the musical world, is a benchmark. He was a poet of the piano, as he is often called, a consummate musician, and a role model for all the students in our school and beyond. In previous years, our concert activity has included compositions by Lipatti, which we have presented in various auditions, recitals, and concerts - even on the Athenaeum stage we've performed a concert. So Lipatti is a model, and our students are proud, but at the same time, they feel a responsibility to excel in our school's specialization - music.

The concert on March 17th at the Romanian Athenaeum is undoubtedly a special moment for the students of the "Dinu Lipatti" National College of Arts. What does this opportunity to perform on one of the country's most prestigious musical stages mean to them?

They are very motivated to perform on the Athenaeum stage, which they, and all of us, deeply respect. And since Lipatti was born on March 19th, we, as a school bearing his name, felt it was important to highlight this occasion, to plan related activities throughout March, and to mark it as our school's celebration day. It's a coincidence, if I may say so, that Mr. Cazacu encourages us to have a concert in March - a tradition that has been going on for nearly 20 years. I must also mention that last year we had an anniversary concert at the Athenaeum, celebrating the 75th anniversary of our school's founding. It is the first music school established in Bucharest.

Please tell us more about the works that will be performed on the stage of the Bucharest Philharmonic. We know the program includes pieces by Webber, Wagner, and Beethoven. I'd also mention the Fantasy for Piano, Choir, and Orchestra, a challenging piece even for experienced musicians. How do the students approach such artistic challenges?

They're especially motivated for a vocal-symphonic concert, which is something special. For instance, they attend extra rehearsals with great enthusiasm and responsibility - they study their scores diligently and truly enjoy the experience. This is the very reason they come to "Lipatti" - to be on stage, in front of an audience, to be applauded.

The program includes: Webber's "Euryanthe Overture," the 4th movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Wagner's "Tannhäuser," and Beethoven's "Fantasy for Piano, Choir, and Orchestra." The soloist for the fantasy is a 10th-grade student, Andreea Carmen Racovițeanu, the orchestra will be conducted by Andrei Ștefan Racu, and the choirs have been prepared by Lăcrămioara Pauliuc and Emanuel Pecingină.

It will be a very valuable concert - for the students, their parents, the audience, and all the young people who will see that young performers can create a high-quality artistic event on the Athenaeum stage, with a youthful emotional energy that should not be overlooked.

Are there other events planned to mark 75 years since Dinu Lipatti's passing?

Yes, there is another major event - the graduates' concert, which will take place in May, on the Conservatory's stage. It will also be a symphonic concert, where the 12th-grade graduates will be the soloists.