Weekly Roundup: Moldova Bids Farewell to Eugen Doga. Moldova Matters. 9.06.2025

Legendary Moldovan Composer Eugen Doga Has Passed Away

On June 3rd Moldovan composer Eugene Doga passed away at the age of 88. In his career he composed dozens of symphonic pieces as well as soundtracks and scores for over 200 works of cinema and theater. His most famous pieces is a waltz that was an original composition for the 1978 Soviet romantic drama film "My Sweet and Tender Beast.” Ronald Regan called it “the waltz of the century” on a visit to Moscow and UNESCO declared it one of the 4 musical masterpieces of the 20th century. His music was played at the opening events of the 1980, 2014 and 2022 Olympic Games.

Listen to the waltz on youtube here.

Doga was buried on June 5th which was declared a national day of mourning. At his funeral, which was held at the National Palace, family as well as officials and cultural figures gathered to pay tribute to his life and career. Prime Minister Recean spoke at the event saying:

"The maestro is gone, but his music will resound through time. […] Eugen Doga united us all here, in this hall, and everywhere. Those who knew him closely will remember him as a man with a warm soul, who loved life and was very hardworking. And those who know him only through music will always applaud his genius. Eugen Doga made Moldova famous throughout the world, inscribed us in the world cultural heritage and made us proud that our small country gave the world an outstanding person, a titan,"

While many political leaders attended the event, both from government and opposition, Speaker of Parliament Igor Grosu did not as he was traveling in the Netherlands for the opening of Moldova’s embassy there. Also not present was President Maia Sandu with her spokesman saying only that "The President is on a private visit." The Presidency noted that she personally conveyed her condolences to his family.

Praise for Doga also came in from the Kremlin where Russian President Vladimir Putin released a statement calling him an “outstanding composer” and saying that Doga’s “educational and charitable activities are a bright page in the history of our multinational culture.1”

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