The 30th edition of the "George Georgescu" International Music Performance Competition took place in Tulcea on the 16th-19th of May. Ioana Rațiu Răileanu, daughter of the renowned conductor George Georgescu, talks about the events:

Mrs Ioana Rațiu Răileanu, the 30th edition of the George Georgescu International Music Competition ended on the 19th of May. What are the main aspects that you took into account in organising this anniversary edition?

It was important that these 30 years of the competition's existence and, at the same time, 60 years since my father's death should be highlighted in a certain way. Underlined by two elements that we brought in addition to the competition. We brought to Tulcea the exhibition that we did at the Athenaeum in January, during the commemorative concert organized with the help of Maestro Marin Cazacu, with conductor Măcelaru and Sarah Nemțanu - soloist, so that everyone could see the photos. It's different when it's an abstract name, George Georgescu, nobody knew him from Tulcea, but when you see photos, when you see animation, when you see texts... it still illuminates the character. And in addition, we had the offer of Grafoart Publishing, which specialises in scores, to reissue the book written by my mother, "George Georgescu", to make a third edition; we launched it at Casa Avramide and offered it to each member of the competition, which gave them great pleasure. I made the presentation of the book and add some colour to it.

Looking back, how would you describe the interest of young musicians in the George Georgescu Competition?

It is clear! There is a great interest, because if there are 405 competitors at the 30th edition, it means several things: 1. The Tulcea Competition is interesting for young people, it is a platform to launch and get to know them; 2. The fact that the president Marin Cazacu and all the teachers on the jury are very well known; 3. The selection is severe, but precisely because it is severe it has more value.

What significance do these events dedicated to the memory of the renowned conductor George Georgescu have for you?

Enormous. You should know that if an artist is not commemorated, if he is not talked about, he no longer exists in people's memories. My father died in 1964. Almost everyone who knew him is gone. The "George Georgescu" contest in Tulcea was a local initiative. It is the school, it is the teachers who thought of making a contest dedicated to a local personality. And as my father was born in Sulina, they chose the name George Georgescu. I was living abroad, my mother was not aware of this event. After several years, she found out because the teachers came to her (they didn't know of my mother's existence either), and so we joined the organizers and my mother started giving the grand prize that I continue to give every year.

This year, she was a special pianist and I was very pleased that she is from Târgoviște, from "Bălașa Doamna" Art High School. Her name is Barbara Sara Antonia and she played Stravinsky's three movements of Petrushka with great distinction. I was very happy that such a talented girl could take the Grand Prix.

There were 10 of the best young musicians at the gala out of all the young musicians who entered. It was really hard to choose the best.