Leyah – The Cinematic Voice of Enescu’s Homeland
Leyah
(real name: Magdalena Diana Marica) is a Romanian composer, singer, and pianist – and the first artist from South-Eastern Europe to pioneer the Cinematic Pop genre, a crossover between film music and pop.
Coming from a family with a strong musical tradition, she began her artistic journey in childhood under the guidance of her father, conductor Modest Cichirdan, who was both her mentor and source of inspiration. She first stepped on stage at only 6 years old, and at 16 she made her solo debut performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 under her father’s baton.
After rigorous training in the world of classical music, Leyah chose to carry this legacy forward in her own way, creating a bridge between classical and contemporary – between the refinement of symphonic music and the emotional intensity of modern pop. This is how Cinematic Pop was born, a genre the artist defines as “film music with a voice” – an experience that transcends genres and deeply moves the listener.
In 2024–2025, Leyah launched Romania’s first national cinematic pop tour – Cinestezia, a groundbreaking project that captivated audiences through a multisensory audiovisual experience. Her most recent production, Cinestezia Symphonic, reimagines cinematic pop with a full symphonic orchestra, bringing the beauty of classical music closer to the public in a modern and accessible form.
Throughout her career, Leyah has composed original music – including for film – and directed music videos that complete her artistic universe. Among her most acclaimed works are “Time” (an introspective ballad filmed in New York), “Peace is the only thing we need” (composed under the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war), and “Save Me”, pieces that combine the elegance of film music with the emotional power of personal storytelling.
Today, Leyah is regarded as the first and most important Romanian artist to have built and defined the Cinematic Pop style, being a complete artist – composer, performer, director, and visionary.
“My father once told me: There is no greater freedom for humanity than music.”
“My mission is to bring back beauty, vulnerability, and emotional power into music.”
