Culture is Europe’s Resilience!
When we first dreamed of a concert dedicated to European values at the George Enescu International Festival, Maestro Cristian Măcelaru immediately named Christian Reif as the conductor. Yesterday, that vision came alive — and it could not have been more fitting.
✨ On 16 September 2025, in front of more than 3,000 people, Christian Reif led the Romanian Youth Orchestra and the George Enescu Philharmonic Choir in a program that carried us from Grieg’s Piano Concerto with Simon Trpčeski to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 — Ode to Joy, the anthem of our Union for 40 years.
It was not just a concert, but a celebration of unity, hope, and the power of culture to bind us together.
Christian Reif is one of today’s most inspiring conductors — versatile, bold, and deeply human in his artistry. His journey from Salzburg and Juilliard to San Francisco and now the Gävle Symphony Orchestra reflects not only talent but dedication. And his awards — including a 2024 Grammy — speak to the impact he already has on cultural life.
🌍 Last night, his charisma and vision reminded us why culture is not an ornament, but infrastructure of resilience and democracy. In music’s harmony we find Europe’s strength: the ability to turn diversity into symphony.
And yes.. he may have conducted this concert with an injured ankle (hence the conductor chair), but as you can see from the photos, you would not know unless I told you, which is another testament to his utmost professionalism!
Photo: Alex Damian and George Enescu International Festival & Competition