Interlochen Public Radio highlights Cristian Măcelaru's journey from Arts Academy student to leading the world's greatest orchestras

Cristian Măcelaru performing as the concertmaster of WYSO in the summer of 1998 (Photo CreditL Interlochen Center for the Arts)

Interlochen Public Radio highlights Cristian Măcelaru's journey from Arts Academy student to leading the world's greatest orchestras

By Amanda Sewell
Interlochen Public Radio
August 20, 2020

Cristian Măcelaru was surprised when he learned he'd been admitted to Interlochen Arts Academy because he thought he'd filled out the application for Interlochen Arts Camp instead.

At the Academy, Măcelaru discovered conducting, an experience that would change his life completely.

On this edition of the Interlochen Collection, we talk with Măcelaru about his path from concertmaster of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra to conductor of many leading orchestras in the world, including the WDR Sinfonieorchester, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

We also listen to his Grammy Award-winning recording with violinist Nicola Benedetti and the Philadelphia Orchestra of the Violin Concerto by Wynton Marsalis.

Program details

Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony no. 5 (first movement); Mark Russell Davies conducting the World Youth Symphony Orchestra (1998)

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Marche slave; Cristian Măcelaru conducting the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra (May 1999)

Sergei Prokofiev, selections from Romeo and Juliet; Cristian Măcelaru conducting the World Youth Symphony Orchestra (2015)

Wynton Marsalis, Violin concerto (Rondo burlesque movement); Cristian Măcelaru conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra with soloist Nicola Benedetti

To read the full article and listen to the chat, click here.