Daniel Barenboim, Israel's Voodoo Doll
For generations of Israeli governments, Barenboim is a tremendous find. Mention of his name is more effective than the Iranian bomb, because for the right Barenboim is the ultimate symbol of fear.
Noam Ben-Zeev
Boundless Beauty: String Quartets by Debussy and Ravel United in New Album
A renowned Czech ensemble plays the works of the two composers on a recording that is a pleasure to listen to.
Israeli Jewish-Arab Quartet Shines at the Elysee Palace
Musicians involved in Nazareth-based program opened a climate summit in Paris, in presence of UN leaders, diplomats and other dignitaries.
Classical Music Review An Enigma Resolved: The Choral Works of Olivier Messiaen Flourish in New Album
A new album by Danish musicians and singers presents beautiful vocal works by the French avant-garde composer.
Just Outside Gaza, but Light Years Away: Limp 'Peace Concert' Was a Sorry Show
False symmetry between victims of summer war causes disharmony near Gazan border. Perhaps next time a measure of anger would be more suitable.
Grammy-nominated Musician Returns to Israel After Selling Out Carnegie Hall
A mandolin in Carnegie Hall? 'Five years ago I would have been skeptical,' Avi Avital says.
A Helping Hand for Classical Concertgoers
It’s important that audience members know exactly when to applaud during performances.
Orchestral Maneuvers: The 28-year-old Leading the Israel Philharmonic
Israel-American violinist David Radzynski had never played with a professional orchestra before, but he’s just landed his first job – concertmaster for the IPO. He still can’t believe his pluck.
Benjamin Hochman Gives New Meaning to Piano Variations
In the Israeli pianist’s album the piano often sound clear and bright, with sounds cascading like refined pearls, while at other times it seems like a full symphonic orchestra.
Should Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's Iconic Maestro Hand Over the Baton?
Zubin Mehta is the best thing that ever happened to Israel's premier orchestra, helping it maintain subscribers and global prestige. But after so many years, is he really its one and only music director?
Israeli Conductor With a Fresh Spin on Classical Music
David Greilsammer of the Geneva Camerata will bring a daring musical adventure to the Eilat Chamber Music Festival next week. Expect the unexpected.
Luciano Berio's Groundbreaking Work Revisited
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra provides a magnificent new recording of 'Sinfonia' and other works by the late Italian composer.
Dissonance: The Clash of Cultures That Produced Israeli Art Music
European Jewish composers came to Palestine knowing nothing about Zionism, yet they were expected to ring its bells, says author of new work of history.
La Traviata at Masada: Paris Shall Not Fall Again
Staging 'La Traviata' under the skies, and also in the desert and in ostentatious style, may be the biggest sin ever committed against an artistic creation - but it worked.
Prestigious Piano Competition Returns to Tel Aviv, Looking to Be Key Music Event
Israel’s best-known classical music event celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, but the organizers of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition aren’t dwelling on former glories.
Israeli Opera's 'La Boheme' Overly Sentimental?
It’s a shame that no attempt was made to squeeze any relevance out of Puccini’s work, rather than just rely on it as a surefire tearjerker.
Itzhak Perlman Teachers a Few Lucky Teens How to Pull Some Strings
Every year, the world renowned violinist and his wife Toby bring 40 talented teens from all over the world to Israel for a special program.
I Am for My Beloved
Habib Shehadeh Hanna chose text from Song of Songs to describe Jerusalem, for his contribution to an international song cycle about eight walled cities - the centerpiece of this week’s Eilat Chamber Music Festival.
How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? Through Nazareth
The Polyphony Foundation of Nazareth is bridging the gap between Israel’s Jewish and Arab communities. It’s also turning kids into great classical musicians.
What More Can Be Said About Playing Wagner in Israel?
When it comes to the debate about whether to boycott the composer's music, it's hard to tell who is forcing what on whom.
How 'Americans of Means' Are Grooming Israel's Young Musicians
Over 14,000 young Israeli musicians have been assisted by the America-Israel Cultural Foundation which is holding competitions this week.
Wagner Conference Interrupted by Hatikva-singing Heckler
'Dachau, Auschwitz, Kapos,' young man yells at audience in Jerusalem.
Israel Philharmonic Gives Arnold Schoenberg a Fair Hearing With New Live Performance
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s decision to play Arnold Schoenberg’s 'Five Pieces for Orchestra' live is a welcome move.
Showing the Israeli Audience How Mozart Should Be Played
Alexander Korsantia coaxed an orchestra of colors from his piano in the opening concert of the Amadeus Festival.
An Israeli-German Youth Orchestra Strikes a Chord With Audiences
Young musicians from the great musical academies of Weimar and Jerusalem come together in a powerful joint endeavor.
Climbing Up the Scales at the Israel Philharmonic
The aging orchestra is about to undergo a real revolution in roughly two years, when half its musicians are replaced. A conversation with some of its younger recruits.
'In the Vast Fields of the Soul'
On the moving collaboration between composer Mark Kopytam and singer Mira Zakai in their work on a cantata for voice and chamber ensemble, based on a poem by Yehuda Amichai.
No Strings Attached: One Conductor's Plan to Save the Israel Chamber Orchestra
Yoav Talmi is back for his third stint at the helm of the Israel Chamber Orchestra, with grandiose plans to restore the beleaguered musical ensemble.
A Case of Art Imitating Art: The Israeli Composer Who Can Paint Music
Festival attractions include musical compositions in the Baroque style, an antique music ensemble and an exhibition of paintings by composer Dr. Hagar Kadima.
East vs. West, Religious vs. Secular - A Cutting-edge Composer Weighs In
In his new album, Yitzhak Yedid transcends Middle Eastern sound to forge a style of his own.