George Enescu
After World War II, the institution diversified its activity by creating the Academic Choir, a nucleus of soloists (such as Maria Kardas Barna who was a permanent piano soloist until 1971), and several chamber ensembles. After the death of George Enescu in 1955, the Philharmonic was renamed "George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra" in his honour. Likewise, the Orchestra is, by tradition, the first to play at the George Enescu Festival.