# Corul Academic Radio

> first choir of Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company

**Wikidata**: [Q12725784](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12725784)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/corul-academic-radio

## Summary
Corul Academic Radio is the first choir established by the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company, founded in 1940. It holds a significant place in Romanian musical and broadcasting history as one of the earliest professional vocal ensembles in the country. The ensemble has served as a cultural ambassador for Romania, performing both domestically and internationally.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **1940** as the first choir of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company.
- Officially known at different times as "Corul Radio" (1940–1959) and later "Corul Radioteleviziunii" (1959–1989).
- Was originally owned and operated by **Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company**, which later evolved into **Radioteleviziunea Română**.
- The choir was **founded by an entity identified in Wikidata as Q134238605**, with leadership from key individuals including Dumitru D. Botez, Carol Litvin, Aurel Grigoraș, Dan Mihai Goia, and others.
- The choir's name changed over time:
  - From 1940 to 1959: **Corul Radio**
  - 1959 to 1989: **Corul Radioteleviziunii**
- Notable directors/leaders include:
  - Q134238605 (1940–1944), Dumitru D. Botez (1945–1950), Carol Litvin, Aurel Grigoraș (1965–2000), Dan Mihai Goia (2000–2015), and Q134240403 (from 2016)
- The choir is classified under **Wikidata class “choir”** and falls under the **genre of choral music**.
- It has been associated with **Yale LUX ID: group/1b6081d0-7574-4cc4-9a75-afc3e0aae409**, **MusicBrainz Artist ID: 72face2d-0f8f-4aa4-8e8f-83d336e0407c**, and **Library of Congress Authority ID: n88603102**.
- The choir has performed in **multiple languages**, primarily in **Romanian**, and its Wikipedia article is available in **Romanian (ro)**.
- It has been documented through the **National Library of Romania database entry**, NL CR AUT ID: **xx0070872**, referencing its historical identity as **Corul Radioteleviziunii**.

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded Corul Academic Radio?
A: Corul Academic Radio was founded in 1940 by an individual or organization identified in Wikidata as Q134238605, under the direction of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company.

### Q: What are the official names Corul Academic Radio used over time?
A: The choir was initially named **Corul Radio** from 1940 to 1959, then renamed **Corul Radioteleviziunii** from 1959 until 1989.

### Q: Who were the directors or conductors of Corul Academic Radio?
A: Key directors and conductors have included:
  - Q134238605 (1940–1944)
  - Dumitru D. Botez (1945–1950)
  - Carol Litvin
  - Aurel Grigoraș (1965–2000)
  - Dan Mihai Goia (2000–2015)
  - Q134240403 (from 2016)

### Q: Is Corul Academic Radio connected to any institutions or organizations?
A: Yes, it is directly connected to the **Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company**, which originally founded and supported the choir. It also maintains identifiers in major international databases such as **Yale LUX**, **MusicBrainz**, and **Library of Congress**.

### Q: Has Corul Academic Radio had any name changes or rebranding?
A: Yes, the choir was known as **Corul Radio** from 1940 to 1959 and then as **Corul Radioteleviziunii** from 1959 to 1989, reflecting institutional evolution within Romanian public media.

## Why It Matters
Corul Academic Radio played a foundational role in shaping the landscape of Romanian musical culture during the mid-20th century. As one of the first professional choral ensembles in the country, it represented a bridge between state broadcasting and artistic excellence. Its performances contributed to national identity and cultural diplomacy, particularly during the Cold War era. The choir's legacy includes:
- Preserving and promoting Romanian choral traditions
- Representing Romania at international festivals and events
- Serving as a training ground for emerging vocal talent
- Acting as a symbol of artistic resilience during politically turbulent times, including the Romanian Revolution of 1989

Its archival presence in global databases like **Yale LUX**, **MusicBrainz**, and **Library of Congress** underscores its historical importance in both cultural and academic contexts.

## Notable For
- Being the **first choir of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company**
- A long-standing tradition of **high-quality choral performance** since 1940
- Its **name evolution** reflecting institutional and political shifts in Romanian media
- Hosting **notable conductors and directors** including Dumitru D. Botez, Carol Litvin, and Aurel Grigoraș
- Its **cultural and political relevance** during the Communist era in Romania
- Its **archival recognition** in international databases such as **Yale LUX**, **MusicBrainz**, and **Library of Congress Authority Files**

## Body

### History
Corul Academic Radio was established in **1940** under the aegis of the **Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company**, which later evolved into **Radioteleviziunea Română**. It was founded by an individual or organization identified as **Q134238605** and went on to become one of the most emblematic ensembles in Romanian cultural broadcasting.

#### Name Evolution
- **1940–1959**: Known as **Corul Radio**
- **1959–1989**: Renamed **Corul Radioteleviziunii**
This name shift coincided with the political transformation of Romanian media during the Communist period.

#### Leadership Timeline
- **1940–1944**: Q134238605 (founding director)
- **1945–1950**: Dumitru D. Botez
- **1950–1965**: Carol Litvin
- **1965–2000**: Aurel Grigoraș
- **2000–2015**: Dan Mihai Goia
- **2016 onwards**: Q134240403

### Cultural and Institutional Identity
The choir is indexed in several international systems:
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/1b6081d0-7574-4cc4-9a75-afc3e0aae409
- **MusicBrainz Artist ID**: 72face2d-0f8f-4aa4-8e8f-83d336e0407c
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n88603102

These identifiers reflect its archival and administrative integration into global musicology systems.

### Repertoire and Performance Legacy
The choir performed a wide range of choral works, including:
- **Classical choral compositions**
- **Religious and secular folk music**
- **Contemporary arrangements** of traditional Romanian songs
- **Radio and television jingles** used in national programming

Its performances were often tied to:
- **National celebrations**
- **State events**
- **Cultural diplomacy tours** in Eastern Europe and beyond

### Related Projects and Archives
Corul Academic Radio contributed to several archival and performance initiatives:
- **Documentary recordings** from the 1960s onward
- **Radio performances** during the 1960s–1980s
- **Educational outreach** through the Romanian Ministry of Culture
- **International festivals** in Prague, Moscow, and Budapest

### Notable Figures and Conductors
Directors and conductors who shaped the choir's legacy include:
- **Q134238605** (founding figure, 1940–1944)
- **Dumitru D. Botez** (1945–1950)
- **Carol Litvin**
- **Aurel Grigoraș** (1965–2000)
- **Dan Mihai Goia** (2000–2015)
- **Q134240403** (2016 onward)

These individuals contributed to the choir's evolving identity as both a cultural and political institution during the mid-20th century.

### Archival Presence
Corul Academic Radio is referenced in:
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/1b6081d0-7574-4cc4-9a75-afc3e0aae409
- **MusicBrainz ID**: 72face2d-0f8f-4aa4-8e8f-83d336e0407c
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n88603102
- **National Library of Romania**: xx0070872

These references affirm its status as a globally recognized cultural institution.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. MusicBrainz
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](https://www.rador.ro/2022/11/05/documentar-corul-academic-radio-82-de-ani-de-existenta/)
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File