Biography
Vlad Răzvan BACIU is an accomplished conductor, prolific composer and a Fulbright scholar, member of the Fair Practice Working Group of the European Composers and Songwriters Alliance (ECSA).
Vlad conducted the National Symphonic Orchestra of the Teleradio-Moldova Company - Kishinev, The Orchestra and Big Band of “Carl von Ossietzky” University of Oldenburg in Germany, The Orchestra of The National University of Music in Bucharest, SonoMania Ensemble, HEART-CORE Choir, HEART-CORE Boy’s Choir, as well as the OXYGEN Orchestra, founded by Baciu himself.
During the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece, he prepared and conducted the AMADEUS Chamber Choir in a performance broadcast on the BBC. In 2024, he organized the national tour ‘Oxygen 4 All’ with his Oxygen Ensemble which he conducted in various concerts at 5 Romanian philharmonics.
As composer, his portfolio includes more than 100 orchestral works, choral works, operas, and chamber music pieces. Baciu has been awarded multiple scholarships in Romania, Germany, Netherlands, Estonia, Greece, and Bulgaria, and has participated in several prestigious American, Canadian and European Union competitions, receiving numerous awards, prizes and 7 platinum medals.
In 2020, he was invited to reside at the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg (Institute for Advanced Studies) in Delmenhorst, Germany as Artist-in-Residence where he composed the “Candle of the Soul” opera. And in 2021, he received the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to conduct a research on American Contemporary Music and compose chamber and symphonic works at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music. In 2024, Vlad Răzvan Baciu was awarded the Prizes of the Union of Composers and Musicologists of Romania and of the Republic of Moldova.
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
My name is Vlad Răzvan Baciu and I am a composer, conductor and teacher. My passion for writing music and conducting were there active ever since I remember myself. I grew up in a family where music was heard constantly. My father plays more than 6 instruments and my mother was a great admirer of him (father) and of her (music). So, I think music got into me before I got into it; actually, I think I got so much music from childhood that now, I still need to get it out.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning submission? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind it?
Sure, but first of all I would like to thank the organisers for this competition. This gold prize means a lot to me since it is my first participation in a conducting section.
The work that I submitted was You Are Green and it is a composition of mine written in 2024, wonderfully performed by my friends from the Oxygen Ensemble - amazing musicians to whom I am very thankful to collaborate with. I had the joy of writing and conducting.
What do you believe defines a great conductor, and how do you incorporate your unique style into your music?
Well, I actually don't know because I am not, but of course, I watched many conductors and I have a few as models. Maybe, the way they communicated with the orchestra during a performance, might this be the definition of a great conductor?
My style, I think, is just myself, my music understanding and the way I can put all that on the communication line through gestures.
Can you recall a memorable moment from your career that had a significant impact on you?
Indeed, I think this moment of winning is and will be a memorable moment since it is my first prize in conducting, and I also can not stop from being excited about being awarded the Fulbright Scholarship in the US, having the onelife experience of meeting professor Andrew MEAD at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music, IN.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank (such as mentors, supporters or other team members)?
This competition is a great opportunity for which I am very thankful. Of course, there are many people that I want to express my gratitude towards: my wife, my family, professor A. Mead, the performers and mentors and everyone who made this possible.
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