“Doina Rotaru’s personal, unique and easily distinguishable style is based on an archetypal aesthetic that uses sound and timbral models that return to the primary Romanian and universal transgeographical folklore, as well as structural principles with symbolic value and function (circular and spiral shapes, sacred numbers, etc.).” (Irinel Anghel)
Titles such as Spiritul Elementelor [The Elements’ Spirit] (Water, Earth, Fire, Air), Himere, Cercuri magice [Magic Circles], Uroboros, Tempio di fumo, Spiralis, Crystals, Lumina [The Light], Umbre [Shadows] or Japanese garden show composer Doina Rotaru’s preference for assimilating archetypes and symbols, which she carefully weaves into liquid heterophonies, combining archaic Romanian influences (especially in the type of ornamentation or through the frequent use of the flute) with contemporary techniques and structures.
Born in 1951 in Bucharest, Doina Rotaru has so far written numerous solo, chamber, choral and orchestral works, including three symphonies and 15 solo concertos. Her music has been performed in numerous concerts and festivals around the world. She has received commissions from the Warsaw Autumn International Festival of Contemporary Music, Radio France, Radio Graz, Suntory Hall Foundation – Tokyo, the French Ministry of Culture, various ensembles and soloists from Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland.
Doina Rotaru was awarded the Romanian Academy Prize (1996), 15 prizes of the Union of Romanian Composers and Musicologists, as well as the First Prize at the GEDOK International Competition – Mannheim (1994). She has been invited to give lectures on her music in Germany, Holland, Great Britain, Japan, Iceland, Sweden, Poland, Italy and Spain. Since 1990 she has been teaching at the National University of Music in Bucharest. (www.doinarotaru.ro)
