Departed Moldovan composer would have turned 70 years

Chisinau, 20 July /MOLDPRES/ - Composer, pianist, orchestrator, author of the musical arrangement of Moldova’s National Anthem from 1995, People’s Artist  Valentin Danga would have turned 70 years today.

Valentin Danga was born in the Mandresti village, central Telenesti district, on 20 July, 1951. He finished the Chisinau-based Stefan Neaga music school and then studied at the Gavriil Muzicescu Arts Institute from Moldova (presently the Music, Theatre and Fine Arts Academy) during 1982-87. Danga composed the first song at the age of 16 years, which launched on stage in the beginning of 1990s. His first success was in late 1960s, when he launched the song titled, A castle on sand, along with singer Stefan Petrache. He distinguished himself as author of music for films, theatre plays, songs which became hits.   

According to the National Calendar, Valentin Danga debuted in cinematography in 1974 at the Telefilm-Chisinau Studio, by composing the music for the documentary, My City, Chisinau.  

The hits composed by Danga were awarded prizes at various national and international contests and festivals, such as: Golden Orpheus from Bulgaria, Lira from Bratislava (Slovakia), international festival of young light music singers from Jūrmala (Latvia), national light music festival from Mamaia (Romania), international light music festival and contest from Sochi (Russia). In Moldova, the composer’s works were sung at the festivals, Banks of Prut, Two Twin Hearts, the Star of Chisinau. The composer had creation tours in Russia, Romania, the USA, etc.   

Danga was member of the Moldovan Composers’ Union, Union of Cinema Men and Union of Musicologists from Moldova. In 1991, he was awarded the honorific title of Master in Art and in 2010 - the one of People’s Artist. He also got the Civic Merit medal.   

Valentin Danga died on 28 February 2014.