Biography
The Romanian / Finnish composer, violinist and conductor Teodor Nicolau was born on 16th of March 1947 in Turda – 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.
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.
Teodor Nicolau has played as a second violinist for 36 years in the Helsinki Philharmonic Orkestra (1976-2012). During this period he was a member of "Finlandia Sinfonietta" as well.
As conductor T. Nicolau has appearred in Finland, Romania, Rep. of Moldova, Macedonia, Estonia.
Teodor Nicolau's compositions have been performed in Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Estonia, Russia, Spain, France, Sweden, The Nederlands and Romania.
Discography as a composer:
- CD “Carbonara” – among others, Teodor Nicolau op. 5 - “Mississauga-Suite” for flute solo and chamber orchestra. Estonia Chamber Orchestra conducted by the composer, Matti Helin solo flute (1994)
- CD “Quaranta” – among others, Teodor Nicolau op. 8 - “17 Miniatures for string quartet”-(nr. 7,9,10,11,12,15,17) (ISRC - FIHM8 9800011 to 17) (1997)
- CD “Virtuoso” – among others, Teodor Nicolau op. 13 - “Fairy Tale for a Duo” (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:
- Two special awards at the III “Uuno Klami” Composition Competition 2014 - Finland
(The prize of the City of Kouvola and The audience prize for "Mioritic roots" op. 12b for orchestra)
- The 6th prize at the “Crossover Composition Competition” Mannheim – 2009 - Germany
("Fairy Tale for a Duo" op. 13)
- Special mention at the "2nd Ravel Composition Competition" 2016 - Italy
- Finalist at the composition competition "Cita` di Udine" 2016 ("Echoes II op. 23b for mix piano quintet)
- Semifinalist at the Villiers Quartet Composition Competition 2016 - United Kingdom (Distant Echoes op. 24 for string quartet)
