Biography
The Finnish / Romanian composer, violinist and conductor Teodor Nicolau was born on 16th of March 1947 in Turda – Romania.
Teodor Nicolau's compositions have been performed in Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Estonia, Russia, Spain, France, Sweden, The Nederlands and Romania. His works was prized in Finland, Italia, Germany, Austria.
As conductor T. Nicolau has appearred in Finland, Romania, Rep. of Moldova, Macedonia, Estonia.
Teodor Nicolau has played as violinist for 36 years in the Helsinki Philharmonic Orkestra (1976-2012). During this period he was a member of "Finlandia Sinfonietta" as well.
Between 1976-1979 he studied at conductor’s class of J. Panula at Sibelius Akatemia in Helsinki. In 1977 Teodor Nicolau followed also the master-classes of Sergiu Celibidache in Germany.
During his conductor studies in Helsinki, the composer Einar Englud, his instrumentation professor, guided Teodor Nicolau into composition as well.
Teodor Nicolau played as violinist in George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra (1971-1975). Between 1967 and 1971 he was the 2nd violin in "Academica Quartet" and than in "Athenaeum Quartet", both from Bucharest - Romania.
He studied violin in Cluj (Liceul de muzica) and in Bucharest (Academia de Muzica) and received his graduation diploma at Avy Abramovich’s violin class in 1971; he also studied violin in France (Christian Ferras).
During his early years in Romania, he studied composition with Celestin Cherebetiu in Cluj, and was an active audient student at Anatol Vieru’s composition class at Academia de Muzica of Bucharest.
Discography as a composer:
- CD “Carbonara” – among others, Teodor Nicolau - “Mississauga-Suite” op. 5 for flute solo and chamber orchestra. Estonia Chamber Orchestra conducted by the composer, Matti Helin solo flute (1994)
- CD “Quaranta” – among others, Teodor Nicolau - “17 Miniatures for string quartet” op. 8 - (nr. 7,9,10,11,12,15,17) (ISRC - FIHM8 9800011 to 17) (1997)
- CD “Virtuoso” – among others, Teodor Nicolau - “Fairy Tale for a Duo” op. 13 (LC 09114 - EMM - 100109.01.0028.011) (2011)
- CD "Oboe Carnevale" - among others, Teodor Nicolau "Intrada" for oboe d'amore. (EAN 6419369094539) - Fuga (2016)
Music awards as a composer:
- 2nd Prize at the International Composition Competition organised by The New Symphony Orchestra, Vienna, Austria in 2020, for the symphonic poeme "Mioritic Roots" op. 12c for big symphony orchestra.
- Special Mention at the Film Music (Soundtracks) Competition 2016 Italy (Contemporary Category) for "Le Crèpuscule des pensées" op. 17 for small orchestra.
- Semifinalist at the Villiers Quartet International Composition Competition in 2016 - United Kingdom for "Distant Echoes" op. 24 for string quartet.
- Finalist at the International Composition Competition "Cita` di Udine" 2016 with "Echoes II" op. 23 b for mix piano quintet.
- Special mention at the "2nd International Composition Competition "Maurice Ravel" (Category C) 2015-2016 - Italy for "Two Pieces for big symphonic orchestra" op. 14 & "Echoes" op. 21 for string orchestra.
- Two special awards at the 3rd “Uuno Klami” International Composition Competition in 2014 - Finland. (The prize of the City of Kouvola and The Audience prize for "Mioritic roots" op. 12b for small symphony orchestra)
- The 6th prize at the “Crossover International Composition Competition” in Mannheim – 2009 - Germany for "Fairy Tale for a Duo" op. 13.
