On June 18, 2023, Romanian composer, conductor, and musicologist Cornel Țăranu passed away at the age of 88.

Born on June 20, 1934 in Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, his father was a violinist and he began to study music from a young age. He studied at the local conservatory, and in 1955 made his debut as a composer with his “Trio for violin, viola, and cello.” He also studied music theory at the Conservatoire de Paris under Nadia Boulanger and Olivier Messiaen, as well as the Darmstadter Ferienkurse where he furthered his studies on conducting, analysis, and percussion.

In 1968 he founded the Ars Nova chamber orchestram which he conducted and directed; the group performed and recorded prominently throughout the region, and brought their music to other European countries through their tours.

Among his works are two operas, “Secretul lui Don Giovanni,” and “Oreste-Oedipe,” as well as numerous orchestral and film scores, chamber music, and more.