OVIDIU MARINESCU, Music Director (2008-2011)
Conductor Ovidiu Marinescu, one of the outstanding musicians of his native Romania, brings to the podium a precise technique and great musical inspiration. In addition to being the Music Director of the Immaculata Symphony, he is also the Director of the West Chester University Symphony, which under his leadership made a sold out debut at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and embarked in its first European tour. Subsequently, the orchestra was invited to participate in the prestigious Catania International Festival in Sicily, Italy. He served as the conductor for the Wilmington Orchestra, Music Director of the Manalapan Orchestra in New Jersey, and Principal Conductor of the Goppisberg Festival Orchestra in Switzerland. His guest conducting includes the Ploiesti, Bacau, Craiova, Botosani and Brasov Philharmonics in Romania, the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow, and Orquesta de Extremadura in Spain, both as conductor and soloist. Marinescu has conducted the world premiere of the ballet Helen Keller by The Rebecca David Ballet Company in Philadelphia.
Known for his powerful interpretations of orchestral works by Russian composers, Marinescu was invited to record Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 5 and Marche Slave with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow. Soon to be released are CD’s with orchestral music by Stephen Limbaugh III, David Laganella, and Andrea Clearfield, also recorded in Moscow, and orchestral music by Samuel Barber. A Parma Recordings artist, Marinescu has embarked on a long term recording project with the Russian Philharmonic featuring American orchestral music. He has developed several programs for young audiences, including a narrated version of Lt. Kije by Prokofiev.
Equally outstanding as a cellist, Marinescu was chosen to play at Carnegie Hall for Romanian President Constantinescu on an official visit to the United States, followed by appearances with debut with the New York Chamber Symphony in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, and recitals in Merkin Hall (New York), Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. After his debut with the National Radio Orchestra of Romania in 2001 in the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto, he returned to perform “Ipostaze 3” by Adrian Iorgulescu, and his own arrangement of the Mozart Violin Concerto in G Major. Most recently, Marinescu played Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and the Slobodkin Center. Other performances include appearances as a soloist with the Helena Symphony in the Elgar Concerto. His critically acclaimed first recording “Fiesta Latina” was followed by a recording of the complete Miaskovsky cello works with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Kenneth Boulton released by Cambria. His recording of the complete Bach Suites for Cello is available from Parma Recordings.
ROMAN PAWLOWSKI, Music Director (1987-2008)
With 21 years serving as Music Director, Roman Pawlowski was the inspirational force leading the Immaculata Symphony to ever greater musical success. As the university itself moved into a new era of growth and development, so too did the Symphony under his widely acclaimed artistry and musical experience. Taught by such masters as Mehli Mehta, Pierre Monteux, Max Rudolph, and Erich Leinsdorf, Maestro Pawlowski’s dual role as teacher and performer derives from his belief that the art of music offers a link between all of life’s experiences. As music director, and guided by his philosophy, he has broadened the musical horizons of performers and audiences alike. Maestro Pawlowski was also music director for the Delaware County Symphony and the Newark Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he appeared frequently as a guest conductor.