Applications Open for the Lumières d’Europe Session of the George Enescu Festival

Under the artistic direction of David Grimal, the course will offer young musicians the opportunity to rehearse and perform with seasoned professionals, as well as attend lectures on philosophy, literature, science, and history

Founded in 2021 by violinist and Artistic Director David Grimal, Lumières d’Europe is a multidisciplinary project that seeks to unite music with the humanities, particularly literature, the history of ideas, philosophy, and the sciences. Inspired by the spirit of the Enlightenment, the initiative aims to contextualize music within its broader historical, social, political, and scientific frameworks.

The fourth edition of Lumières d’Europe will be held under the High Patronage of UNESCO as part of the George Enescu Festival in Bucharest, Romania, from September 1 to 10, 2025. This year’s session will explore the theme “Resistance and Freedom," reflecting on how music and intellectual thought have served as powerful expressions of defiance, resilience, and liberation throughout history.

Fifteen talented young musicians will be selected to engage in intensive chamber music rehearsals and performances alongside renowned professional artists. The 2025 invited faculty includes pianist Itamar Golan, violinist David Grimal, violist Natacha Tchitch, cellist Leonid Gorokhov, and composer-in-residence César Viana.

In addition to their musical work, participants will attend lectures led by philosopher Paul Audi, composer and musicologist César Viana, and political philosopher and essayist Nicolas Tenzer. The repertoire for the session will feature works by Mozart, Shostakovich, Enescu, Schnittke, Silvestrov, Schulhoff, and Weinberg.

A highlight of the program is that selected young artists will perform in public concerts alongside senior musicians as part of the George Enescu Festival.

Applicants should provide a short video of their playing, as well as a brief biography and a headshot. There is no fee to attend: the course is paid for by Les Dissonances. Only students from European countries are eligible to apply.

You can apply for the course here by May 31, 2025.