NICOLAE GRIBINCEA
Nicolae Gribincea, about his "Plăieșii" on their 28th anniversary
Nicolae Gribincea has 37 years of stage activity, and his beloved group, the Ethno-Folkloric Ensemble "Plăieșii", recently celebrated 28 years since its founding.
In an interview given to JURNALUL, the folklorist talks about the wonderful atmosphere that reigns within the ensemble, how the group was created, the three generations of "Plăieși", and about their upcoming performance on May 25th at the "Serghei Lunchevici" National Philharmonic.
This past February, Nicolae Gribincea and the "Plăieșii" held a wonderful concert on the stage of the National Philharmonic. Tickets sold like hotcakes, and the hall was too small to accommodate all those who wanted to attend. The artist and the members of his ensemble promised at the time to organize another concert — and they didn’t keep the audience waiting for long.
Nicolae Gribincea and the 15 "Plăieși" are preparing a brand-new program, and the upcoming folk performance promises to be truly remarkable.
In an interview given to JURNALUL, the folklorist talks about the wonderful atmosphere that reigns within the ensemble, how the group was created, the three generations of "Plăieși", and about their upcoming performance on May 25th at the "Serghei Lunchevici" National Philharmonic.
This past February, Nicolae Gribincea and the "Plăieșii" held a wonderful concert on the stage of the National Philharmonic. Tickets sold like hotcakes, and the hall was too small to accommodate all those who wanted to attend. The artist and the members of his ensemble promised at the time to organize another concert — and they didn’t keep the audience waiting for long.
Nicolae Gribincea and the 15 "Plăieși" are preparing a brand-new program, and the upcoming folk performance promises to be truly remarkable.
"During the February concert, we also launched two CDs of the ensemble. At that time, the first part of the event featured cheerful songs, while the second part was focused on love ballads. This time, however, we are preparing a show with songs about traditional occupations — shepherding, outlaws — as well as love songs and songs of welcome. And since the instrumentalists stood out at the last concert, this time the focus will be on the soloists. It’s a way to give young performers the opportunity to shine and discover their own potential. It’s good for their morale and for their desire to stand out," Nicolae Gribincea told us.
Police officers, engineers, drivers, doctors
Currently, the ethno-folkloric ensemble consists of 15 "Plăieși," including seven instrumentalists. Among the 15, three are students, while the rest — although they work in fields unrelated to music, such as police officers, engineers, drivers, or doctors — all become true artists once on stage.
This year, the ensemble led by Nicolae Gribincea celebrated 28 years since its founding, and this marks the third generation of young "Plăieși."
"What remains behind is history, beautiful memories, and great accomplishments, as we managed to release several CDs. This ensemble is an effort to keep young people connected to the beautiful world of folklore and traditions — to inherit them and carry them forward.
Of the three generations of 'Plăieși,' the first one stood out, but especially the current one, which I’m proud of. It differs from the previous two in that it includes professionals — some of the members have been part of the ensemble for 18–20 years! We have a professional group, part of the Chișinău Municipal Council, and most of the members have musical studies and are ready to pursue careers in this field. And some fathers even bring their children to rehearsals," the folklorist tells us proudly.
Currently, the ethno-folkloric ensemble consists of 15 "Plăieși," including seven instrumentalists. Among the 15, three are students, while the rest — although they work in fields unrelated to music, such as police officers, engineers, drivers, or doctors — all become true artists once on stage.
This year, the ensemble led by Nicolae Gribincea celebrated 28 years since its founding, and this marks the third generation of young "Plăieși."
"What remains behind is history, beautiful memories, and great accomplishments, as we managed to release several CDs. This ensemble is an effort to keep young people connected to the beautiful world of folklore and traditions — to inherit them and carry them forward.
Of the three generations of 'Plăieși,' the first one stood out, but especially the current one, which I’m proud of. It differs from the previous two in that it includes professionals — some of the members have been part of the ensemble for 18–20 years! We have a professional group, part of the Chișinău Municipal Council, and most of the members have musical studies and are ready to pursue careers in this field. And some fathers even bring their children to rehearsals," the folklorist tells us proudly.
Once they stepped through the doors of the ensemble’s rehearsal hall, the members became “infected” — with its repertoire, the atmosphere that reigns in this big family, and the Romanian folk song. All they want is to stay, and the only thing that can drive them away from the group and their homeland is the chaos in the Republic of Moldova.
So says Nicolae Gribincea, who confesses that recently, due to the lack of job opportunities after graduation, seven members of the ensemble have gone abroad. “To make something of their lives,” the artist adds.
Among the ensemble's old guard are Eugen Străistă-Burlac, a cobza player and musical director, vocalist Sergiu Telebea, a member of the group for 20 years, Vlad Vasiliev, and others. Most of those who were trained in the “Plăieșii” school have gone on to form their own ensembles, including Mihai Leon, Mihai Simenică, Valentin Golovatiuc, Ion Glodea, Dorin Belous, Alexandru Donos, and many more.
Even Ileana Lazariuc was once a “Plăieș”He proudly praises his disciples at every opportunity, saying they are true lovers of folklore, who feel a deep need to come to rehearsals and sing. And because the ensemble’s repertoire is wide and diverse, every member finds something of themselves in it.
“I try to support and guide them. Because in the Republic of Moldova, it’s hard to make a name for yourself — but even harder to gain recognition in the artistic world,” he says.
So says Nicolae Gribincea, who confesses that recently, due to the lack of job opportunities after graduation, seven members of the ensemble have gone abroad. “To make something of their lives,” the artist adds.
Among the ensemble's old guard are Eugen Străistă-Burlac, a cobza player and musical director, vocalist Sergiu Telebea, a member of the group for 20 years, Vlad Vasiliev, and others. Most of those who were trained in the “Plăieșii” school have gone on to form their own ensembles, including Mihai Leon, Mihai Simenică, Valentin Golovatiuc, Ion Glodea, Dorin Belous, Alexandru Donos, and many more.
Even Ileana Lazariuc was once a “Plăieș”He proudly praises his disciples at every opportunity, saying they are true lovers of folklore, who feel a deep need to come to rehearsals and sing. And because the ensemble’s repertoire is wide and diverse, every member finds something of themselves in it.
“I try to support and guide them. Because in the Republic of Moldova, it’s hard to make a name for yourself — but even harder to gain recognition in the artistic world,” he says.
Nicolae Gribincea founded "Plăieșii" while he was employed at the "S. Lunchevici" National Philharmonic, where he worked as a dancer and choreographer for the ensemble "Lăutarii."
At that time, he took a group of children and teenagers under his wing, and over the years, many have passed through the "Plăieșii" school — including Ileana, the daughter of Anastasia Lazariuc; Nicu Timofti, one of the sons of the former President of the Republic of Moldova; Bogdan Zumbreanu, head of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA); and many others.
At that time, he took a group of children and teenagers under his wing, and over the years, many have passed through the "Plăieșii" school — including Ileana, the daughter of Anastasia Lazariuc; Nicu Timofti, one of the sons of the former President of the Republic of Moldova; Bogdan Zumbreanu, head of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA); and many others.
„Some lucky ones”
At the beginning, the ensemble consisted of 30 children, and today it has 15 truly professional members.
“I have beautiful memories of those extraordinary children who now enjoy their achievements. I realize that I put my heart and hard work into raising them well. With many of them, I’ve formed friendships, and back when I wasn’t married yet, I used to play football with them and travel together. Today, I can say that my 15 ‘Plăieși’ and I are a family.
We feel in the group that sense of love and friendship, even of a healthy family, where people respect each other and try to express themselves and find their place. Those who pass through this school, where they learn about tradition, customs, songs, dance, and theatrical play, become part of a wonderful world. They are lucky, because they shape their souls in a way only tradition can,” Nicolae Gribincea tells us.
At the beginning, the ensemble consisted of 30 children, and today it has 15 truly professional members.
“I have beautiful memories of those extraordinary children who now enjoy their achievements. I realize that I put my heart and hard work into raising them well. With many of them, I’ve formed friendships, and back when I wasn’t married yet, I used to play football with them and travel together. Today, I can say that my 15 ‘Plăieși’ and I are a family.
We feel in the group that sense of love and friendship, even of a healthy family, where people respect each other and try to express themselves and find their place. Those who pass through this school, where they learn about tradition, customs, songs, dance, and theatrical play, become part of a wonderful world. They are lucky, because they shape their souls in a way only tradition can,” Nicolae Gribincea tells us.
The costumes worn by the ensemble members are sewn by the artisans from Casa Cristea, following consultations with Varvara Buzilă, an ethnographer, museologist, and doctor of philology. Besides concerts, the artist and "Plăieșii" are invited to perform at private events as well as at local village festivals.
"We sing wherever we are invited — for us, this is the primary and most important source of income," the folk singer emphasizes.
About the other activities of Nicolae Gribincea
For 15 years, alongside his work with “Plăieșii,” the folklorist has been teaching choreography at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the State University of Moldova. He also leads two other ensembles: “Haiducii” and “Baștina.”
“However, my main job is as head of the Culture, Youth, and Sports Department of the Botanica Sector Pretura. Of course, I try not to forget my creative work. In recent years, I have published a book of romances with lyrics by Galina Furdui, and after field expeditions, I have released several CDs with ‘Plăieșii.’ Every summer, we travel through Moldovan villages to collect folklore, so I am often away from home. It’s true that sometimes my family suffers because of this, but this is my work, and my wife and children understand. I have a beautiful activity, and I love what I do — maybe that’s why I manage to do it all,” concludes Nicolae Gribincea.
"We sing wherever we are invited — for us, this is the primary and most important source of income," the folk singer emphasizes.
About the other activities of Nicolae Gribincea
For 15 years, alongside his work with “Plăieșii,” the folklorist has been teaching choreography at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the State University of Moldova. He also leads two other ensembles: “Haiducii” and “Baștina.”
“However, my main job is as head of the Culture, Youth, and Sports Department of the Botanica Sector Pretura. Of course, I try not to forget my creative work. In recent years, I have published a book of romances with lyrics by Galina Furdui, and after field expeditions, I have released several CDs with ‘Plăieșii.’ Every summer, we travel through Moldovan villages to collect folklore, so I am often away from home. It’s true that sometimes my family suffers because of this, but this is my work, and my wife and children understand. I have a beautiful activity, and I love what I do — maybe that’s why I manage to do it all,” concludes Nicolae Gribincea.