Hora Primăverii: Moldova's soul through music
On January 31, 2025, the conductor visited Radio Moldova to speak to us about "Hora Primăverii" (Springtime Hora) and "Vladimir Petrovici," also known as Vladimir Radu, the song's composer.
I mentioned over the phone that we'd also discuss "Joc" (The Play/Dance), "Speranța" (Hope), "Fluieraș" (Little Flute), and the songs preserved in our archives. He smiled and said he'd come. He spoke to us about folklore, values, and the music he always held dear. It was the last interview with the artist and man, Gheorghe Șevcișin.
"Hora Primăverii" – The identity of the Romanian people
Before we discussed all the orchestras he worked with and his own melodies, I asked him about "Hora Primăverii" and its composer, "Vladimir Petrovici." He knew the origins of this piece and its enduring path. The conductor explained that the soul and conscience can be awakened through song, and "Hora Primăverii," now known worldwide, speaks to our identity.
"The person who named it is a genius. It awakens us to life. Just as Enescu's Rhapsodies and Porumbescu's Ballad have remained vibrant, so too will 'Hora Primăverii' remain alive," Gheorghe Șevcișin declared.
Then, in the dead of winter, he came to Radio Moldova to remind us that always, even after the cold and harshness of difficult times, the faintest whisper of folklore brings life and continuity.
The "Joc" Ensemble – The University for Transforming an Ordinary Person into an Artist
Gheorghe Șevcișin began his career as conductor of the "Speranța" Folk Instrument Orchestra at the Children's Palace in Chișinău. In 1979, he was hired as a țambal (cimbalom) player, and in 1980, he became the conductor for the "Joc" National Academic Folk Dance Ensemble Orchestra. It was precisely during this period that the Orchestra recorded its first folk music album. In 1983, a second album followed, including melodies such as: "Sârba de la Slobozia," "Doina," "Bătuta," "Răzășeasca," and "Sârba lui Foca," all preserved in the Radio Moldova archives.
"I had wonderful years with the 'Speranța' orchestra. Then came my work with 'Joc.' It was an entire university for me, a transformation from an ordinary person into an artist. Those were both tough and beautiful times. I remember at one show, the 'Joc' Ensemble was closing the program, and the Russians complained to the director: 'Moldovans again at the end of the show?!' The director replied curtly and clearly: 'You first learn to dance like them; then we'll talk,'" the maestro recounted.
Subsequently, he worked with the "Fluieraș" Folk Music Orchestra, led by violinist Serghei Lunchevici. He then returned to the "Joc" Ensemble's Orchestra, enriching its repertoire with new works: "Suite of Melodies from the Orhei Codri Region," "Dobrică's Hora," "Mărțișor Hora" by Grigoraș Dinicu, "Miorița Ballad," "Folk Dance from Oași," and "Bucovinean Suite."
"Man, time, and song have changed"
I asked Gheorghe Șevcișin why songs from the 60s or 70s seemed to possess more sensitivity. He replied simply: "Whether we like it or not, the world was different and people felt things differently. Something changed in human thinking, and evidently, that influenced the songs too."
He was pleased to discuss these changes and how folk creation came to be several decades ago. He smiled warmly and concluded his thoughts with hope: "Let's not fear the times to come, but let's be careful to preserve what we have. We need to discern what is beautiful and what is bad."
The artist always believed in divine power. He often said that our path through life depends on it:
"Our plans and God's are different. He directs us. In heaven, He's also the master. But let's never lose hope, because God knows what He's doing. He wants humanity to continue doing good on earth. God hasn't gone bankrupt; He is always developing," the conductor confessed.
"A person who makes music is happy"
Gheorghe Șevcișin dedicated his entire life to the stage and to music. He created over 400 musical arrangements – including dances, doinas, romances, folk songs, and orchestral works for vocal soloists and instrumentalists. He was the first to orchestrate for the symphonic stage Grigoraș Dinicu's famous works, such as "Hora Staccato" and "Ciocîrlia" (The Lark). These were successfully performed worldwide, alongside other pieces like "Apel de bucium" (Call of the Alphorn), "Hora" (Traditional Dance), "Chindia" (Traditional Dance), and "Hora Fetelor" (Girls' Hora).
"A person who carries music in their soul their entire life is a happy person," the maestro told us, his eyes radiating the warmth of a folk song.
Gheorghe Șevcișin was a conductor, cimbalom player, People's Artist, Knight of the "Gloria Muncii" (Glory of Labor) Order, a prominent figure in national musical culture, and an emblematic figure of the "Joc" National Academic Folk Dance Ensemble.
We parted cordially, thinking we'd meet again, still at Radio Moldova, to talk more about folklore, great people, and life... A few days later, he called me to say that it was truly significant to discuss the creations preserved in our archives and Vladimir Radu's "Hora Primăverii." "That way, others will also know that a song can awaken a person's conscience..." Gheorghe Șevcișin told us.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova announced Maestro Gheorghe Șevcișin's passing in a Facebook post.
"Through his talent, dedication, and artistic refinement, Gheorghe Șevcișin left behind a model of professional excellence, collegial generosity, and human dignity," the Ministry of Culture's post noted.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
