By Susan B. Steen
It was a difficult decade in Romania during the 1980’s. Despite the war-torn land there, beautiful music was still being made and shared. It was 1983 when Stefan Petrescu and Daniel Nedelcu first came to the United States, touring with the Romanian Symphony. It was on their second tour, in 1989, that the two men chose to risk it all, asking to defect and to make the United States their home. They could not communicate in the English language, but as is commonly understood about music–it transcends many language barriers.
With families waiting to join them, they found Murfreesboro to be a place that welcomed immigrants. When they first arrived, they stayed with board member Patricia (and Matt) Ward’s family. It is a beautiful story of two men who not only wanted a better life for their families but who were in danger of losing their lives had they returned to their country, and two Americans (along with the help of another Romanian family) willing to give them shelter and a new beginning. From learning to speak English to learning to drive a car, America offered opportunities for both men.
More than a year later, they were able to bring their families over from Romania and have enjoyed life in America ever since. Mr. Petrescu can be found at TSU and Fisk, the Nashville Symphony, and a number of other musical locations. Mr. Nedelcu lives in Alabama and is busy in symphony work there, as well as in Mississippi and right here. It is an honor and a privilege to have these men with us still and we are grateful for their continued presence and influence in our symphony.
We spent some time visiting with Mr. Petrescu, and he shared his belief in the importance of hearing live music. “Hearing music from a cd is listening to fabricated sounds as compared to hearing an orchestra or soloist play live. There is phrasing and intonation that is missed in recordings, and the best recording still cannot give you the feeling you get in a concert hall.”
We agree with Stefan and invite you to enjoy a season of live music, filled with music from many instruments as the literature on the page is brought to life in the hall. As Stefan said from years of orchestral work, “No orchestra in the world can make its money from the tickets and the seats. It takes sponsors, businesses and individuals, to stand behind the symphony’s work.” He invites you, as do we, to make the MSO a part of your life and make yourself a part of the MSO.