The “Gheorghe Dima” National Academy of Music in Cluj-Napoca was founded in 1919 as a state institution, amidst a vigorous process of modernization of the entire Romanian education system, driven by the exceptionally dynamic climate of building the new post-war Romania. However, institutionalized artistic education in Cluj dates back to 1819, the year when the Hungarian Conservatory of Music was established, where courses were conducted in German and Hungarian. The establishment of the Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Art marked the beginning of the modern era of higher musical education in Transylvania. The Conservatory opened its courses with the following departments: Theory and Solfeggio, Harmony, Counterpoint-Composition, Singing, Piano, Violin, Cello, Diction, and Declamation. Later, other disciplines were introduced: Solfeggio, Double Bass, Wind Instruments (horn, trombone, trumpet, and bassoon), Instrument Theory, Musical Form Theory, Aesthetics, Music History, Chamber Music, Acoustics, Orchestra. In 1922, a section for training music teachers was established, which became a faculty starting in 1933.
Among the professors who contributed to the institution’s renown are prominent figures of musical creation and interpretation, as well as Romanian musicology – including two members of the Romanian Academy: composers Sigismund Toduță and Cornel Țăranu. Doctoral studies in music and the high title of Doctor of Musicology were founded in Romania precisely at the Cluj Conservatory of Music, as early as 1971, through the decisive contribution of the aforementioned Sigismund Toduță. Many of the most valuable musicians from all over the country proudly hold the title of Doctor obtained in Cluj.
With the political changes triggered by the events of December 1989, it became possible within the Romanian academic space to establish international relations within the TEMPUS, ERASMUS, LONG LIFE LEARNING, DAAD, and FULLBRIGHT programs. These gained a new dimension after Romania’s accession to the European Union.
After the establishment of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the “Gheorghe Dima” Academy of Music in 1992, those who have accepted this title include notable personalities from Romanian and world musical life, such as Mariana Nicolesco, Iannis Xenakis, György Kurtág, Krzysztof Penderecki, Yehudi Menuhin, Robert Levin, Christoph Bossert, Pascal Bentoiu, Ștefan Niculescu, David Ohanesian, Ioan Holender, and other illustrious names, once again demonstrating the prestige enjoyed by our institution.
