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Founded two decades ago, The Black Sea Philharmonic Orchestra gave its first concert on March 5, 1979, under the baton of Paul Staicu.
The core of the orchestra was the ensemble "Camerata" , a group of students from the Music University in Bucharest. Under its original name, The Symphony Orchestra of Constanta distinguished itself in its earliest performances for its homogeneous sonority and professional interpretation, becoming one of the best young orchestras in the country, and even in Eastern Europa. Significatly, during its first year the orchestra made an international tour, and its success its on the Spanish stage was so great that it was invitated for return engagements nearly year through 1992.
Among its most important achievements was a tour of the major cities of the United States in 1984, under the auspices of the prestigious Columbia Artists
Management in New York. Favorable audience and press responses resulted in a second tour of the United States and Canada in 1989. This has been followed by numerous tours not only in Europe, including Italy, France,Greece, Germany and Belgium, but also South Korea and Bermuda .
In 1991, Radu Ciorei became the permanent conductor and Artistic Director of the orchestra, succeding Aurelian-Octav Popa. From that moment the orchestra began to move in new directions, creating significant international festivals in cooperation with the United States, Belgium, Greece, South Korea, and Turkey, among others.
Through these efforts, the concert audience of Constanta, as well as its many tourists, have enjoyed the opportunity to hear many foreign artists performing Romanian music, as well as numerous contemporary works other countries, many in their premiere performances.
These activities have resulted in a number of CD recordings, currently being distributed internationally.
In recognition of its achievements, the ensemble received the designation of Philharmonic Orchestra in 1996, and was renamed The Black Sea Philharmonic.
It was continued to grow both in size and quality, recently adding a concert choir,
which has brought another new dimension to its repertory.
The current season lists more than 70 programs, including both symphonic and chamber concerts. The fine musicians of the orchestra continue to distinguish themselves through committed interpretations of a tremendous variety of music.
The Black Sea Philharmonic, under maestro Radu Ciorei , continues to embark upon new, creative, ambitious projects as it reaches a broader and audience.
PRESS EXCERPTS
"LAS VEGAS" - U.S.A. - 1983
"...Although young, they produce a mature and polished up sound, that of ten sounds as if it would come from a bigger ensemble. The sweet, flowing, profuse tone..."
" THE WORLD " - U.S.A. - 1983
"The Symphony Orchestra of Constanza is one of the best chamber orchestras of Europe".
"LA NOUVELLE GAZETTE" - BELGIUM 1992
"The brilliant Symphony Orchestra of Constanza, Romania, refined and generously involved has revealed remarkable the emotional freshness of music".
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG 1994
"The Symphony Orchestra of Constanza...during its first great tour in Germany, with a program of musical rarities, has confirmed the expectations of the audience... The sounds performed by the orchestra were harmonious, full of color ".
BERMUDA FESTIVAL 1999
"Musically, at least, the Festival let its hair down on Thursday night as an enthusiastic and packed audience gave a rousing welcome to Romania's "Black Sea" Philharmonic Orchestra in a program dedicated to the genius of Austrian composers and entitled "A Night in Old Vienna".
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