Ovidiu Marinescu, one of the outstanding musicians of his native Romania, was chosen to play at Carnegie Hall for Romanian President Constantinescu on an official visit to the United States. Soon after, he made his debut with the New York Chamber Symphony in Beethoven's Triple Concerto, followed by recitals in Merkin Hall (New York), Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. After his debut with the National Radio Orchestra of Romania in the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto, which was broadcast live across Romania, he returned several times to perform works by Mozart and Iorgulescu. This season he returns as soloist and conductor in Shostakovich Cello Concerto no. 1, and works by Beethoven and Glinka. Other notable appearances include Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and the Slobodkin Center, Elgar Concerto with Helena and Newark Symphonies, Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, Shostakovich with the Cleveland Philharmonic, and Mozart Concerto with Orquesta de Extremadura in Spain. His critically acclaimed first recording "Fiesta Latina" was followed by a recording of the complete Miaskovsky cello works with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Kenneth Boulton released by Cambria. His recording of the Bach Cello Suites, released by Navona Records, has received international critical acclaim.

Marinescu has performed at festivals in Luzerne, Bayreuth, Chautauqua, South Bohemia, Orlando and Brasov, the New Hampshire Music Festival, and Magie Barocche in Italy. Active as a chamber musician, between 1995 and 2002 Marinescu was a member of Adirondack Ensemble, a year-around resident group in New York State that performed over 200 concerts, presented school programs and founded Adirondack Music Camp. Currently he is a member of Trio Casals.

A product of the illustrious Romanian National Academy of Music, he won first prize and Music Critics' Award in the George Dima Cello Competition. In the United States, he studied with Wolfgang Laufer at the University of Wisconsin, and with Orlando Cole, at Temple University. Marinescu has been honored in Romania with invitations to perform with many renowned orchestras including the orchestras of Cluj, Iasi and Brasov. In addition, he has toured with Bucharest Symphony. Mr. Marinescu premiered with Newark Symphony a new work for cello and orchestra, "Anecdote," by Hilary Tann, and he presented the first performance of “Ostinato” by Liviu Marinescu with “Orchestra 2001” in Philadelphia. Penn Presents featured Marinescu in a multi-media program at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia, in works for solo cello, film and electronics by four local teams of composers and filmmakers. Marinescu is on faculty at West Chester University.

Equally outstanding as a conductor, Marinescu combines a precise technique with great musical inspiration. He is the Director of the West Chester University Symphony, which under his leadership made a sold out debut at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and embarked in its first European tour. Subsequently, the orchestra was invited to participate in the prestigious Catania International Festival in Sicily, Italy. He served as the conductor for the Wilmington Orchestra, the Music Director of the Immaculata Symphony and Manalapan Orchestra in New Jersey, and Principal Conductor of the Goppisberg Festival Orchestra in Switzerland. His guest conducting includes the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow, the Bacau, Craiova, Ploiesti, Botosani, and Brasov Philharmonics in Romania, Filarmonica de Gaia in Portugal, and Orquesta de Extremadura in Spain, both as conductor and soloist. Marinescu led the Delaware Chamber Orchestra in its first tour abroad, with performances for the South Bohemia Festival in the Czech Republic. Marinescu has conducted the world premiere of the ballet Helen Keller by The Rebecca David Ballet Company in Philadelphia. He has developed several programs for young audiences, including a narrated version of Lt. Kije by Prokofiev.

Known for his powerful interpretations of orchestral works by Russian composers, Marinescu was invited to record Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 5 and Marche Slave with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow. Other conducting recordings include orchestral music by Samuel Barber, Michael Cunningham, Rain Worthington, Stephen Limbaugh III, David Laganella, and Andrea Clearfield, also recorded in Moscow. A Parma Recordings artist, Marinescu has embarked on a long term recording project with the Russian Philharmonic featuring American orchestral music.

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania: Associate Professor (since 2003)
• Immaculata Symphony - Music Director 2008-2011
• Wilmington Community - Conductor, 2002 – 2007
• Manalapan Symphony, NJ - Music Director, 1997 - 2000
• Goppisberg Festival - Switzerland, conductor, 1997 – 1998

Guest Conducting

• Russian Philharmonic Orchestra (regular guest conductor)
• Orquesta de Extremadura (Spain)
• Gaia Philharmonic (Portugal)
• National Radio Orchestra of Romania (May 2012)
• Bacau, Ploiesti, Craiova, Botosani Philharmonics (Romania)

Solo with Orchestra

• New York Chamber Symphony: Beethoven Triple Concerto
• Russian Philharmonic Orchestra: Miaskovsky
• National Radio Orchestra of Romania: Saint-Saens, Mozart, Shostakovich no 1 (solo andconducting)
• Orquesta de Extremadura (Spain): Mozart
• Bucharest Symphony: Mozart
• Moscow Chamber Orchestra: Haydn
• Helena Symphony: Elgar, Prokofiev, Beethoven Triple
• Newark Symphony - world premiere of "Anecdote" by Hilary Tann, Elgar Concerto
• North Penn Symphony: Eldar
• Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven Triple, Shostakovich no. 1
• Cleveland Philharmonic: Shostakovich no. 1
• Orchestra 2001 – world premiere of “Ostinato” by Liviu Marinescu
• Independence Sinfonia (Philadelphia): Schumann
• "Transylvania" Philharmonic, Cluj-Napoca (Romania): Boccherini
• Iasi, Bacau, Brasov, Ploiesti, Constanta, Oradea, Craiova, Ramnicu-Valcea Philharmonics (Romania)
• Delaware County Symphony, Immaculata Symphony, Wilmington Community Orchestra
• Cleveland State University Orchestra, Temple University Chamber Orchestra, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Symphony (Concerto Competition winner), West Chester
• University Chamber Orchestra

Recitals

• Carnegie Hall
• Merkin Hall
• Steinway Hall (New York)
• Rachmaninov Hall - Moscow Conservatory
• Bucharest Conservatory
• Paris, Rome, Venice, Bruxelles, Nuremberg, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Washington DC, Smith College, Northwestern University, Orange
• County Performing Arts Center (CA) – Artist in Residence, Allegheny College, West Chester
• University Visiting Artist Series, Russell Library (CT), etc.

Festivals

• Bayreuth (1985), Orlando -The Netherlands (1990), Chautauqua (1994), New Hampshire Music Festival (1992) , Goppisberg (1997-98), Luzerne (1995), South Bohemia (2001), Vysocina - Czech Republic (2001), Brasov – Romania (1990,91, 2001-3), Catania-Italy (2004), Magie Barocche – Italy (2005), Gaia – Portugal (2010)

Recordings

• J. S. Bach – Six Suite for Unaccompanied Cello (Parma Recordings – winter 2010-11)
• Music of Michael Cunningham, Rain Worthington and Pete Toushend – Russian Philharmonic Orchestra (Parma Recordings) – March 2010
• Tchaikovsky orchestral music (with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Stephen Limbaugh III orchestral music (with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Music of Samuel Barber - June 2007, Moscow (with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra) – WCU Faculty and Guests.
• Orchestral works by Andrea Clearfield and David Laganella (with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra)
• "Fiesta Latina"
• Miaskovsky complete cello works (with Kenneth Boulton and the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra) – released by Cambria Recordings
• Adirondack Ensemble – "Hopelessly Romantic"
• Crossroads – with Sylvia Ahramjian

Prizes, Awards, Grants

Chamber Music America Grant, Delaware Professional Artist Grant, G. Dima International Cello Competition (Romania) – First Prize, Cohen Memorial Award – West Chester University, Service Award – Wilmington Music School, University Fellowship – Temple University, Pennsylvania Sate System of Higher Education, Samuel Barber Foundation

Leadership

• ADIRONDACK ENSEMBLE - Founder, cellist, board member, VP - Board of Directors. Performed over 200 concerts, Developed Adirondack Music Camp, budget development to $250k/year: 1995-2002
• BLUE MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL - Artistic Director and Founder
• SAMUEL BARBER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL at West Chester University – Founder and Artistic Director 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011

Radio and TV

Live and recorded appearances on the North Country Public Radio, WRTI, Romanian National Radio and TV, Mediterraneo Televisione – Italy, Comcast Cable and other American TV stations.

• Feature radio show and interview on WRTI will host Jill Pasternak
• WHYY Creative Campus with Jim Cotter: TV miniature features: "Why we teach," "The accidental cellist," "Awareness"

Compositions, Arrangements, Musical Editions

• Three Songs for Baritone and Orchestra (2008) no public performance, No 1 and 2 recorded with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra and Randall Scarlata (not-released)
• Toccata by C. Widor (arranged for full orchestra). Premiered by Immaculata Symphony December 2009, second performance with the West Chester University Orchestra.
• Ritual Fire Dance by M. DeFalla (arranged for three cellos). Performed by the WCU Ensemble spring 2009
• Dans taranesc by C. Dimitrescu (arranged violin and cello). Recorded with Sylvia Ahramjian. Multiple performances
• Hora Staccato by G. Dinicu (arranged violin and cello). Recorded with Sylvia Ahramjian. Multiple performances
• Pastorala and Joc by V. Jianu (arranged violin and cello). Recorded with Sylvia Ahramjian. Multiple performances
• Balada by C. Porumberscu (arranged violin and cello). Recorded with Sylvia Ahramjian. Multiple performances
• Devil's Trill Sonata by G. Tartini (arranged violin and cello). Multiple performances
• Sonata by Leclair (arranged violin and cello). Multiple performances
• Hungarian Rhapsody by D. Popper (arranged for two cellos). Premiered at WCU Sprig 2009
• J. S. Bach – Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello (EDITOR) – Published by International Musicians Network, Fall 2010

Articles, books, etc.

• THE INSTRUMENTAL CONCERTI OF SAMUEL BARBER: THE COMPOSER-PERFORMER RELATIONSHIP – To be published by the Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Brasov, Winter 2010-11
• Lionhead – Film script (unpublished): co-author with Tom Smith (2009)
• The Adventures of Dr. O in Music Wonderland – A children’s book. (unpublished): co-author with Tom Smith (2009)

A Ravishing New Recording of Bach's Cello Suites by Ovidiu Marinescu

July 21, 2011
by Grego Applegate Edwards

Ovidiu Marinescu, Bach Cello Suites (Navona)

But then you get beyond that for some of the finest of the small-forces Bach and Maestro Marinescu really comes into his own. This is a warm, vibrant, expressively empassioned version of the suites and it is a true joy to hear. Plus if you put the disk on a computer you get nice extras, like a full set of scores to follow along with, a digital booklet and etc.
If you are in the market for some glorious Bach, this one comes through. It's ready-to- hand (just came out, after all) and it will brighten your space dazzlingly. Very recommended.

Classical Candor CD Reviews

March 14, 2011
by John J. Puccio
Ovidiu Marinescu, Bach Cello Suites (Navona)

You may recall that last year I reviewed a fine, two-disc set of Bach's Six Cello Suites by Zuill Bailey on Telarc. At about the same time, Romanian cellist Ovidiu Marinescu recorded his own renditions of the suites for Navona Records, just recently released and reviewed here. They make another provocative and welcome addition to the Bach catalogue of Suites, and they join the ranks of not only Bailey's recording but those of Rostropovich, Ma, Casals, Fournier, Schiff, Starker, Gendron, Tortelier, Mork, Isserlis, and others. One of the most remarkable things about the Suites is the composer's ability to make the single cello sound like several instruments, with melody and accompaniment, which Mr. Marinescu executes as well as anybody. Marinescu's renderings of these works struck me as reasonably relaxed, stylish, and refined, yet with much personal character. While the soloist seems to place a premium on precise execution above all else, there is also a sense of pleasure and animation in the performances, with clean articulation and rhythmically dynamic cadences. In the process, Marinescu catches Bach's varying moods of joy, meditation, lyricism, amiability, swagger, exuberance, solemnity, and regality at least as well as most of his competition (even giving us two alternative endings to the Prelude of Suite No. 2). Navona recorded the music at Rose Recital Hall in the Fisher-Bennet Hall, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in 2009-2010. The sound they obtain is crisp and clear, fairly close up, with excellent definition. There isn't a lot of warmth to the sound, however, so it's mainly the disc's clarity we can appreciate here. Still, the sound is seldom too forward, bright, or edgy, and it comes across with great immediacy and realism if played back at an appropriate level.

Kathodik CD Reviews

July 22, 2011
by Philip Fiery
Ovidiu Marinescu, Bach Cello Suites (Navona)

L’interprete in questione, Ovidiu Marinescu, se la cava egregiamente, fondendo tecnica e rigore da un lato, con pathos e trasporto emotivo dall’altro, e aggiungendo anche un tocco personale al già corposo e intenso suono del violoncello. Un musthave cd per tutti gli appassionati di musica.

Strings Magazine

February/March 2000
Edith Eisler

Romanian cellist Ovidiu Marinescu gave a recital at Merkin Hall, partnered by the splendid pianist Kenneth Boulton. In a varied, imaginative program, he displayed a fine technique, a focused, even, expressive tone, an ability to identify with all styles and idioms, and a strong musical personality. Poulenc's Sonata had lots of dynamic, textural and emotional contrast; three pieces by Faure had a lovely lyricism and brilliant lightness; Schumann's Fantasy Pieces, op. 73, were beautifully romantic; and Piazzolla's Grand Tango was an invitation to dance. The novelty was the Quodlibet Sonata for solo cello by Marinescu's brother Liviu, a big piece whose most startling moments come in the opening. The work was performed with great flair and authority."

Times Union (Albany, NY)

Ron Emery

"Marinescu played with poetry and polish. The intensity of the opening movement lent a kind of grandeur to the performance. The third movement was the most moving, characterized by an inner sadness. The final movement's apparent bounciness turned properly sardonic in this terrific performance."

THE STRAD

March 2000
Dennis Rooney

"Cellist Ovidiu Marinescu displayed an appealing platform personality...some real expressive power and attractive rhetoric."

New York Concert Review

Edith Eisler

"A solid, relaxed technique secure in all parts of the fingerboard with a good deal of virtuoso flair when called for, but always used in the service of the music."

The Saratogian (USA)

Judith White

"Romanian born Ovidiu Marinescu gives a grand display of his solo and duo capabilities. He quickly establishes his ample technique, musicality and capacity to choose music with a vibrant kick."

Donau Zeitung, Germany

"...gripping excitement, warm tone, and total technical control over his instrument."

The Journal (Wales)

Keith Davies Jones

"Marinescu's masterly performance, given from memory, identified and expressed the heart and soul of this music with eloquence and grace."

The Chronicle (USA)

"Cello solo played with gorgeous expression by Marinescu."

Actualitatea Muzicala (Romania)

"Exceptional collaboration with cellist Ovidiu Marinescu: unity of feeling and musical phrasing as well as complementing sonorities. To these Ovidiu Marinescu added fantasy."

13-year-old audience member at Merkin Hall, New York

“Cooler than Metallica.”