“Conductor Valentin Radu approached the work with an awareness of the tone painting, the drama and even theatricality of the writing…He built relationships to challenge the mind and ear.” Philadelphia Inquirer 
“The orchestra played with style and passion, all under Radu’s demanding baton.” Michael Caruso, Chestnut Hill Local
“He conducted his singers with a sure hand…” The New York Times
“Radu paces the able Ama Deus chorus increasingly well and elicits solid results!” David Shengold, Opera News

Throughout his career, Romanian-born conductor Valentin Radu has led numerous orchestras and vocal groups in Europe and the United States. He is the founder of VoxAmaDeus, now in its 33rd season, and throughout that period has conducted programs ranging from motets, madrigals and oratorios to authentically staged Renaissance operas and large-scale masterworks from the Baroque, Classical and Symphonic Jazz genres. Maestro Radu’s specialty is authentic historical performance style, emphasizing original context, including use of period-specific instruments and vocal techniques, infused with passionate interpretation and bountiful driving energy.

Maestro Radu began his music studies at the age of four. At age six he made his concert debut as piano recitalist at the Bucharest Philharmonic Hall, and at age nine, he made his debut as concert soloist with the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra.

Radu holds both Doctorate and Master of Musical Arts degrees from the Juilliard School and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Bucharest Academy of Music. In 1976, he founded and conducted the Juvenes Musici chamber orchestra (under the auspices of the Bucharest Philharmonic). In 1980 he founded The Juilliard Bach Players chamber orchestra and the Bach at Juilliard concert series at New York’s Lincoln Center.

His credits include the award of first place in the prestigious Rome International Piano Competition in 1973, the Silver Medal (Gold Medal was not awarded!) at the Bach International Competition in Leipzig (East Germany) in 1980, and the Golden Apple awarded in 1997 by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

In 1998, Maestro Radu conducted the 107-member Bucharest Philharmonic in its Gershwin Centennial Gala, and in 1999 he was honored as Musician of the Year by the Romanian Music Critic’s Association. That same year he was invited to participate at the historic visit to Romania of Pope John Paul II.

In April 2003, Maestro Radu was bestowed the title of Honorary Citizen of the City of Bucharest. In 2005, Radu was knighted and received the prestigious title of Grand Officer of the Order of Legion of Honor by the President of Romania.

In 2008, the Maestro was invited to perform in Philadelphia for Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, when the former Soviet Union President came to the city to receive the Liberty Medal.

In addition to his busy performing and conducting schedule, Dr. Radu has served as music director and faculty member of Devon Preparatory School in Devon from 1995 to 2016, as well as Fine Arts Department chair, 2001-2016. Maestro Radu currently serves as organist and choirmaster at All Saints’ Church in Wynnewood. In addition, he regularly appears in Europe as solo organ recitalist and guest conductor with the Bucharest Philharmonic and the Sound Jazz Group (in Romania), as well as at major summer music festivals throughout Western Europe.