NICOLAE GRIBINCEA
Leader
"Music and I are one – it is the soul’s greatest necessity."
NICOLAE GRIBINCEA
Leader
"Music and I are one – it is the soul’s greatest necessity."
Nicolae Gribincea was born on October 20, 1961.
1979–1980 – studied at the “Elena Sârbu” College in Soroca, specializing in choreography.
1984–1988 – studied at the “Gavriil Muzicescu” Institute of Arts, Faculty of Culturology.
1984 – joined the folk ensemble “Tălăncuța.”
1988–1999 – worked as a ballet artist in professional folk music and dance ensembles such as “Lăutarii,” “Floarea Moldovei,” and “Fluieraș.”
He has performed in Romania, Austria, France, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine.
He is a laureate of many international festivals.
1989 – founded the folkloric studio Plăieșii at the Romanian-French Theoretical High School “Gheorghe Asachi.”
1996–2002 – launched the popular military-style ensemble Salvatorii.
1997 – Head of the Youth, Culture and Sports Department at the Buiucani District Office.
1999 – held the same position at the Botanica District Office.
2000 – pursued postgraduate studies at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Moldova.
Conducted folklore expeditions, both individually and in groups (in Bukovina and Southern Bugeac).
1990 – awarded the “Gheorghe Asachi” Prize by the Ministry of Education.
1994 – received the Special “Ethnos” Award from the Ministry of Culture.
He has recorded over 30 folkloric pieces for the National Radio and Television and participated in numerous television programs.
1996 – initiated the Winter Customs and Traditions Festival Florile dalbe.
1997 – organized the Easter Folk Song Festival Pentru Tine, Doamne! (“For You, Lord!”) and the Military Folklore Festival La onor la datorie (“Honor to Duty”).
2006 – published the book Învrednicește-mă, Doamne (“Make Me Worthy, Lord”).
2007 – published the books Tăpănuța cea de aur (“The Little Golden Dancer”) and ABC muzical (“Musical ABC”).
2010 – awarded the honorary title Master of Art.
2013 – awarded the Order of “Glory of Labour” for his long-standing and outstanding work in the field of culture, contribution to the preservation and promotion of the national folkloric heritage, and intensive organizational activity.
1979–1980 – studied at the “Elena Sârbu” College in Soroca, specializing in choreography.
1984–1988 – studied at the “Gavriil Muzicescu” Institute of Arts, Faculty of Culturology.
1984 – joined the folk ensemble “Tălăncuța.”
1988–1999 – worked as a ballet artist in professional folk music and dance ensembles such as “Lăutarii,” “Floarea Moldovei,” and “Fluieraș.”
He has performed in Romania, Austria, France, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine.
He is a laureate of many international festivals.
1989 – founded the folkloric studio Plăieșii at the Romanian-French Theoretical High School “Gheorghe Asachi.”
1996–2002 – launched the popular military-style ensemble Salvatorii.
1997 – Head of the Youth, Culture and Sports Department at the Buiucani District Office.
1999 – held the same position at the Botanica District Office.
2000 – pursued postgraduate studies at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Moldova.
Conducted folklore expeditions, both individually and in groups (in Bukovina and Southern Bugeac).
1990 – awarded the “Gheorghe Asachi” Prize by the Ministry of Education.
1994 – received the Special “Ethnos” Award from the Ministry of Culture.
He has recorded over 30 folkloric pieces for the National Radio and Television and participated in numerous television programs.
1996 – initiated the Winter Customs and Traditions Festival Florile dalbe.
1997 – organized the Easter Folk Song Festival Pentru Tine, Doamne! (“For You, Lord!”) and the Military Folklore Festival La onor la datorie (“Honor to Duty”).
2006 – published the book Învrednicește-mă, Doamne (“Make Me Worthy, Lord”).
2007 – published the books Tăpănuța cea de aur (“The Little Golden Dancer”) and ABC muzical (“Musical ABC”).
2010 – awarded the honorary title Master of Art.
2013 – awarded the Order of “Glory of Labour” for his long-standing and outstanding work in the field of culture, contribution to the preservation and promotion of the national folkloric heritage, and intensive organizational activity.
“What are Nicolae Gribincea’s songs, really? Psalmic reverberations? Celestial melodies? A purity and inner balance that settles over the nation, coming from both sunrise and sunset? Soulful chants rising in harmony toward the heavens? A divine lament of vowels that builds within us what we call hope in the One Above? – Gribincea’s songs are hymns for the third millennium. Whatever they may be, in creating them, their author remains with all his being in the Galaxy that has, since the beginning of beginnings, been the foundation and meaning of human life on earth – faith in God. Nicolae Gribincea creates in the name of this faith, inspired by the greatness and generosity of the Divine. The modern, updated, and transfigured style in which these songs are composed does not diminish their aura. They remain a beautiful result of sowing light into the spiritual darkness that so often engulfs us.”
— Andrei Tamazlâcaru, folklorist
— Andrei Tamazlâcaru, folklorist
Nicolae Gribincea was born on October 20, 1961, in the village of Mingir, Hâncești district. He is the fourth of eight children. He inherited his love of singing from his mother and his passion for dance from his father. His father had a deeply artistic nature, although he was more reserved and didn’t express his talent for dance openly. His mother, on the other hand, had a powerful singing voice that could be heard across the whole neighborhood.
He grew up listening to the repertoire of Nicolae Sulac. He used to climb onto a fence post at the gate and sing to the passersby from the repertoire of the great folk singer. In the fourth grade, he sang on stage for the first time, and the specialists from the village cultural center confirmed to him and his parents that he had a good voice.
He regrets not having had access to a folk school during his childhood, but from the fourth to the ninth grade, he sang in the traditional folk band (taraf) of Mingir.
He grew up listening to the repertoire of Nicolae Sulac. He used to climb onto a fence post at the gate and sing to the passersby from the repertoire of the great folk singer. In the fourth grade, he sang on stage for the first time, and the specialists from the village cultural center confirmed to him and his parents that he had a good voice.
He regrets not having had access to a folk school during his childhood, but from the fourth to the ninth grade, he sang in the traditional folk band (taraf) of Mingir.
He confesses that music is the remedy through which his soul seeks to express itself in artistic dimensions, with song being the most suitable form of expression for his inner self – both human and creative.
At times, music haunts him like a storm; other times, it moves him to tears. Songs and musical pieces, especially those with a religious character, are the mirror in which Nicolae Gribincea's soul reflects itself – this brave son of the nation who came into the world to nurture his soul and share the wealth of his spirit through artistic creation.
Nicolae Gribincea’s soul is always vibrating, always singing, always searching for new treasures! Whenever he feels burdened, he hums a doina (a traditional Romanian lament). He sings for himself, to soothe his soul.
"I hold in great affection those who bear the cross, like Nicolae Gribincea – because they are truly exceptional."
— Iulian Filip, writer
At times, music haunts him like a storm; other times, it moves him to tears. Songs and musical pieces, especially those with a religious character, are the mirror in which Nicolae Gribincea's soul reflects itself – this brave son of the nation who came into the world to nurture his soul and share the wealth of his spirit through artistic creation.
Nicolae Gribincea’s soul is always vibrating, always singing, always searching for new treasures! Whenever he feels burdened, he hums a doina (a traditional Romanian lament). He sings for himself, to soothe his soul.
"I hold in great affection those who bear the cross, like Nicolae Gribincea – because they are truly exceptional."
— Iulian Filip, writer
The tireless Nicolae Gribincea, who started as a dancer and became a performer, lyricist, and author, has done so much for our culture that he deserves all our gratitude. His greatest achievement remains the ethnofolkloric ensemble “Plăieșii,” which he has kept united and close to him for 30 years. He has always believed that true value never loses its authenticity, regardless of place or time.
Responsibility is a defining trait for him, an essential condition for success. “In life, emotion matters,” says Nicolae Gribincea, “those who lack emotionality cannot create.”
He trained as a choreographer in the Soviet school of dance and performed as a dancer for three years with the “Flotskie rebeata” ensemble in Sevastopol. After his military service, he attended the Art Institute in Chișinău and was fully immersed in the world of dance. Before joining “Tălăncuța,” he was a ballet artist in professional folk song and dance groups such as “Lăutarii,” “Floarea Moldovei,” and “Fluieraș.”
Meeting Andrei Tamazlâcaru and becoming close to “Tălăncuța” changed his direction, leading him to focus on singing. Nicolae confesses that those who go through folklore never forget their roots and kin because folklore is a true generalizer that elevates you to a deeper understanding of things, placing you in a specific space, time, and place, and offering you a new perspective on the world and your own identity.
His first encounter with Mr. Tamazlâcaru took place at a concert, where Nicolae did not perform to his own expectations. The next day, he went to his office and asked for help in finding good models. He was given a recruitment song, then another. He danced during his military service, at the Academy, and with “Miorița,” and wanted to work on traditional choreography within the “Tălăncuța” ensemble, but was not fully successful because the already established artists did not take him seriously.
Andrei Tamazlâcaru guided him towards authentic, native songs little known to the wider public. His first folklore expeditions were done alone in his native village, Mingir, then continued in Voinescu, Horjești, and Regina Maria (then Semionovca). These attempts were part of his desire to build his own repertoire. In Mingir, he discovered from Tomiță Munteanu the “pruncului” dance, a part of children’s folklore.
The first expedition together with Andrei Tamazlâcaru and Iulia Osoianu took place in 1989, in Satul Nou, Odessa region, where he met beautiful, sincere, genuine people — true bearers of traditional culture.
Mr. Tamazlâcaru asked him to study traditional dance alongside singing, noticing Nicolae’s desire to perform vocally. Thus, he learned the styles of regional performers and that’s how the artist Nicolae Gribincea was born. Everything happened gradually. He developed a distinct artistic taste, a unique repertoire, and learned to showcase it through the ensemble he leads.
He remains deeply grateful to his mentor, Andrei Tamazlâcaru, who has always supported him, both with repertoire and timely advice.
Responsibility is a defining trait for him, an essential condition for success. “In life, emotion matters,” says Nicolae Gribincea, “those who lack emotionality cannot create.”
He trained as a choreographer in the Soviet school of dance and performed as a dancer for three years with the “Flotskie rebeata” ensemble in Sevastopol. After his military service, he attended the Art Institute in Chișinău and was fully immersed in the world of dance. Before joining “Tălăncuța,” he was a ballet artist in professional folk song and dance groups such as “Lăutarii,” “Floarea Moldovei,” and “Fluieraș.”
Meeting Andrei Tamazlâcaru and becoming close to “Tălăncuța” changed his direction, leading him to focus on singing. Nicolae confesses that those who go through folklore never forget their roots and kin because folklore is a true generalizer that elevates you to a deeper understanding of things, placing you in a specific space, time, and place, and offering you a new perspective on the world and your own identity.
His first encounter with Mr. Tamazlâcaru took place at a concert, where Nicolae did not perform to his own expectations. The next day, he went to his office and asked for help in finding good models. He was given a recruitment song, then another. He danced during his military service, at the Academy, and with “Miorița,” and wanted to work on traditional choreography within the “Tălăncuța” ensemble, but was not fully successful because the already established artists did not take him seriously.
Andrei Tamazlâcaru guided him towards authentic, native songs little known to the wider public. His first folklore expeditions were done alone in his native village, Mingir, then continued in Voinescu, Horjești, and Regina Maria (then Semionovca). These attempts were part of his desire to build his own repertoire. In Mingir, he discovered from Tomiță Munteanu the “pruncului” dance, a part of children’s folklore.
The first expedition together with Andrei Tamazlâcaru and Iulia Osoianu took place in 1989, in Satul Nou, Odessa region, where he met beautiful, sincere, genuine people — true bearers of traditional culture.
Mr. Tamazlâcaru asked him to study traditional dance alongside singing, noticing Nicolae’s desire to perform vocally. Thus, he learned the styles of regional performers and that’s how the artist Nicolae Gribincea was born. Everything happened gradually. He developed a distinct artistic taste, a unique repertoire, and learned to showcase it through the ensemble he leads.
He remains deeply grateful to his mentor, Andrei Tamazlâcaru, who has always supported him, both with repertoire and timely advice.
“For me, as a performer, it is important to sing sincerely, authentically, and with a rustic spirit. Singing is not a profession; it is something else: a passion, a state of mind, a kind of protective shield that guards me against mediocrity and stupidity, which, unfortunately, know no bounds and cause much harm. A valuable song is like a personality: it has its own character, presence, mood, and dignity.”
— NICOLAE GRIBINCEA
— NICOLAE GRIBINCEA
The repertoire of lullabies holds a special place in Nicolae Gribincea’s creative work. Tender songs, cradle songs, play melodies, and other ethnopedagogical forms have been his focus for many years. Carols, military songs, recruitment songs, songs of longing, estrangement, and love are also constantly in his attention. His mentor, the folklorist Andrei Tamazlâcaru, directed his focus toward this entire treasury.
Nicolae Gribincea has a special relationship with the Divine. He believes that in the relationship between the individual and God, the time, place, emotional state, and the intonation with which one addresses prayer are very important.
Nicolae Gribincea has a special relationship with the Divine. He believes that in the relationship between the individual and God, the time, place, emotional state, and the intonation with which one addresses prayer are very important.
“When we say God, we mean an energy that connects things. God is love, beauty, light, and we must nurture this spark of divinity within ourselves. Together with ‘Plăieșii,’ I do this through art. I also teach them that the mind, if you don’t know how to stop it, carries you everywhere. It is said that between two thoughts, the pause itself is divinity. If we could stop these thoughts and descend from the mind into the heart, we would meet the Divine part within ourselves and find our moral and spiritual balance.”
— NICOLAE GRIBINCEA
— NICOLAE GRIBINCEA
