Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra IBA

Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra IBA


The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1936 as part of the music section of the local Hebrew radio station, “Kol Yerushalayim.” Upon the foundation of the State of Israel it became the house symphony orchestra of the Israel national radio, “Kol Yisrael.” In the following years the orchestra expanded its scope, membership and programmes, becoming an integral part of Israel’s cultural life.

Since the 1978 season, Gary Bertini became its Musical Director, bringing about a musical breakthrough, both as concerns the Orchestra’s quality and with respect to the variety and lack of conventionality of its programmes. The orchestra’s programmes include series of symphonic concerts; Television concerts; “Explorations” – a window to modern music, as well as a fully staged opera; a Week of Sacred Music from Jerusalem and “Jerusalem Proms.”

Excerpts From:

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

Festive Independence-Day Concert – May 10, 1978

Conductor: Gary Bertini;
Soloists: Mstislav Rostropovich, Cello; Galina Vishnevskaya, Soprano; Isaac Stern, Violin; Helen Rostropovich, Piano;
Georg-Frideric Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks;
Franz-Joseph Haydn: Cello Concerto in C;
Paul Ben-Haim: Symphony No. 1;
Dmitri Shostakovich: Seven Romances for Soprano, Violin, Cello, and Piano to poems by Alexander Blok

Special Concert: On Occasion of the Centennial of the International YMCA, Jer. – Nov. 7, 1978

Conductor: George Singer; Soloist: Pnina Salzman, Piano; Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B minor; The “Unfinished”; Liszt: Hungarian Fantasy for Piano & Orchestra; Dvorak: Symphony Variations

”Explorations” – Feb 4, 1979

Conductors and Soloists: Heinz Holliger, Oboe; Vinko Globokar, Trombone; “De Natura Instrumentis” – presented by Dr. Zvi Avni; Frank Martin: Ballad for Trombone and Orchestra; Heinz Holliger: “Siebengesang” with Sylvia Shamai, Yael Wagner, Nitza Israeli, Dvorah Borstein, Ilana Evron, Varda Shilo and Hana Tzur; Hanz Holliger: Improvisation for Trombone and Orchestra; Vinko Globokar: Etude pour Folklora

”Explorations” – Mar 4-6, 1979

Conductor: Luciano Berio; With the participation of the WDR-Choir, Cologne; “Polyphony?”; Berio: “Coro”, for Choir and Orchestra

Purim Concert – Public Recording Session, Mar 13, 1979

Conductor: Stanley Sperber; Soloists: Nina G. Flyer, Cello; Diane M. Bolden, Soprano; Donnie Ray Albert, Bass-Baritone; Chamber Choir of the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem; Jacques Ibert: Divertissement; Béla Bartok: Rhapsody No. 1 for Cello and Orchestra; George Gershwin: “Porgy and Bess” Concert Version

Jerusalem Spring Festival – Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia – Apr 12,14,15,16,18, 1979

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Director: Aldo Trionfo; Stage Design: Emanuele Luzzati; Producer: Yehuda Fickler; Soloists: Graham Clark, Tenor; Alfredo Mariotti, Bass; Sylvia Greenberg, Soprano; Richard Shapp, Baritone; Boris Carmeli, Bass; Michael Grushko, Baritone; Bibiana Goldenthal, Soprano

Jerusalem Spring Festival – “Yoram” Oratorio by Paul Ben-Haim – Apr 25, 1979

Conductor: Aharon Charloff; Soloists: Nicola Tagger, Tenor; Richard Shapp, Baritone; Cilla Grossmeyer, Soprano; Yehuda Shmueli, Bass; The Tel Aviv Philharmonic Choir *World Premiere*

Jerusalem Spring Festival – Independence Day Concert – May 1, 1979

Conductor: Rudolf Barshai; Soloist: Eugene Istomin, Piano; Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 73; Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

Symphony Concert No. 10 – Jun 5-7

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloist: Ida Haendel; Ben-Zion Orgad: “Hallel” for Orchestra – *World Premiere*; Beethoven: Concerto in D major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 61; Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 (“From the New World”)

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Shimon Mishory, Adviser to the Conductor
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

Symphonic Concert No. 1 – The Opening Night Festive Concert – Oct 9-11, 1979

Conductor: Gary Bertini;
Soloists: Sheila Armstrong, Soprano;
Piano Obligato: Michael Boguslavsky;
W.A. Mozart: Symphony No. 35, in D major, K 385 (“Haffner”);
W.A. Mozart: Concert Aria, K 577;
W.A. Mozart: Concert Aria, K 505;
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major

Gala Concert – “Sacred Music from Jerusalem ‘79” – Dec 19, 1979

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Robin Weisel-Capsouto, Soprano; Gilah Yaron, Soprano; Mira Zakai, Mezzo-soprano; John Mitchinson, Tenor; Rinat National Choir; Chamber Choir of the Rubin Academy of Music; Music Institute’s Choir; Mozart: Davidde Penitene,” K. 469; Natra: “Song of Debora” for Mezzo-Soprano and Chamber Orchestra; Kodály: “Psalmus Hungaricus” for Tenor, Chorus & Orchestra, Op. 13

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Shimon Mishory, Adviser to the Conductor
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

Symphony Concert No. 1 – Opening Concert of the Season – Sep 16-18, 1980

Conductor: Gary Bertini;
Soloist: Yefim Bronfman, Piano;
Zvi Avni: Programme Music for Orchestra;
Prokofiev: Concerto No. 3 in C major for Piano and Orchestra, op. 26;
Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor

Liturgica ‘80 – A Week of Choral Music in Jerusalem – Gala Concert “Homage to Ernest Bloch” – Dec 25, 1980

Conductor: Uri Segal;
Soloist: Mischa Maisky, Cello; Peter Savidge, Baritone; Varda Shamir, Soprano;
The Philharmonic Choir;
Bloch: “Schelomo” – Hebrew Rhapsody for Violincello and Full Orchestra;
Bloch: “Sacred Service” for Baritone (cantor), Choir and Orchestra

”Explorations” Concert No. 1 “Composer and Performer” – Jan 14-15, 1981

Conductor: Cristobal Halffter; Soloist: Siegfried Palm, Piano; Padre Antonio Soler: 3 Sonatas Orchestrated by Rodolfo Halffter; Cristobal Halffter: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra; Tomas Marco: “Escorial”; Manuel de Falla: “Three-Cornered Hat” (first performance)

”Explorations” Concert No. 2 – Mar 11-12, 1981

Conductor: Alexander Goehr; Stage Director; Julian Chargin; Soloists: Susan Kessler, Mezzo-soprano; Hanna Tzur, Alto; Ian Caley, Tenor; Rodney Macann, Bass; Julian Chargin, mime; Enoch Rosen, Mime; Gideon Shemer, Narrator; Alexander Goehr: “Triptych” (Israeli Premiere)

Special Concert in the series “Let Us Know the Names” produced on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union – Apr 2, 1981

Conductor: Michael Schønwadt; Soloist: Walter Boeykens, Clarinet; Jaques Hétu: Symphony No. 3 for Small Orchestra; Carl (August) Nielsen: Concerto, in one movement, for Clarinet and Orchestra; Alexander (Konstantinovich) Glazunov: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, op. 55

“Explorations” Concert No. 3 – Apr 5, 1981

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir, duo Pianists; Schoenberg: Five Pieces for Orchestra; Josef Tal: Double Concerto for two Pianos & Orchestra (World Premiere); Ravel: “Daphnis et Chloé,” ballet in three scenes; The Choir of the Rubin Academy of Music and Dance; Cameran Singers

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

Special Concert – The Association for Welfare of Soldiers in Israel – Dec 24, 1981

Director: Gary Bertini; Soloist: Henryk Szeryng; Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64

Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioacchino Rossini – Feb 16-18, 20, 1982

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Director: Aldo Trionfo; Stage Design: Emanuele Luzzati; Producer: Yehuda Fickler: David Aronson, Harpsichord; Howard Haskins, Tenor; Alfredo Mariotti, Bass; Sylvia Greenberg, Soprano; Gordon Sandison, Baritone; Boris Carmeli, Bass; Avraham Albrecht, Baritone; Bibiana Goldenthal, Soprano

”Explorations” – Apr 22, 1982

Conductor: Gary Bertini; *Four Premieres* Menachem Zur: Short Symphony; Jacob Gilboa: Seven Symphonic Ornaments on a Theme by Paul Ben-Haim; Allan Sternfield, Piano; Mark Kopytman: “Sing, Memory”; Gila Bashary, Vocalist; Josef Tal: Dance of the Events

Festive Concert on the occasion of the Independence Day – Apr 27, 1982

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloist: Christa Ludwig, Soprano; Ben-Zion Orgad: “Second Watch” *Premiere*; Mahler: “Des Knaben Wunderhorn”; Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra – Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra Guest Appearance- May 10-13, 1982

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloist: Christa Ludwig, Mezzo-Soprano; Mark Kopytman: “The Voice of Memories” To a Poem by Shalom Shabazi; Josef Tal: “Dance of the Events”; Mahler: Kindertotenlieder; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64

”Explorations” – May 3, 1982

Conductor: Ralph Shapey; Soloist: Moshe Murvitz, Violin; Milton Babitt: Relata No. 1; Sefan Wolpe: “The Man From Midian”, Biblical Ballet, Suite No. 1; Ralph Shapey: “Invocation”, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

”Explorations” – Oct 21, 1982

Conductor: Proinnsias O’Duinn; Soloist: Edith Guillaume, Soprano; Lojze Lebic: “Tangram”; Alban Berg: Seven Early Songs; Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70

”Explorations” – “Commissioned By…” – Mar 17, 1983

Conductor: Paul Sacher; Bohuslav Martinu: Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano and Timpani; Piano: Luba Bugoslavsky; Timpani: Yoav Lifshitz; Bartok: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 4 for Strings “Deliciae Basilienses”

Festive Concert 35th Independence Day – Apr 17, 1983

Conductor: Mendi Rodan; Soloist: Henryk Szeryng, Violinst; Paul Ben-Haim: “Psalms” from Symphony No. 1; Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major; Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor; Beethoven: Violin Concerto In D major

Special Concert under the patronage of the Mayor of Jerusalem Mr. Teddy Kollek – Jun 30, 1983

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Gerhard Oppitz, Piano; Emmy Verhey, Violin; Antonio Meneses, Cello; Mozart: Piano Concerto in C major, K. 467; Brahms: Concerto in A minor for Violin, Cello and Orchestra, Op. 102; Beethoven: Concerto in C major for Violin, Cello, Piano and Orchestra, Op. 56

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

Special Concert in cooperation with the Denmark-Israel league of Friendship to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the rescue of Danish Jews, October 1943 – Oct 20, 1983

Conductor: Ole Schmidt; Soloist: Herman David Koppel, Piano; Ami Maayani: Scherzo Méditerranéen; Herman David Koppel: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 45; Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

Special Concert of Light Classics – Feb 2, 1984

Conductor: Janos Furst; Soloist: Pnina Salzman, Piano; Rossini: Overture “Semiramide”; Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16; Gluck: Dance of the Blessed Spirits from “Orpheus and Euridice”; Brahms: Three Hungarian Dances; Johann Strauss (the son): Waltz “Voices of Spring”

”Explorations” Portraits of Composers of our Time – Concert No. 1 – Feb 22-23, 1984

Conductor: Elgar Howarth; Soloist: Raphael Sommer, Cello; Gyorgy Ligeti: Melodien; Cello Concerto; San Francisco Polyphony for Orchestra; a talk with the composer

”Explorations” Portraits of Composers of our Time – Concert No. 2 – Apr 4-5, 1984

Conductor: David Robertson; Soloists: Yvonne Loriod, Piano; Gilah Yaron, Soprano; Olivier Messiaen: Les Offrandes Oubliees; Poemes Pour Mi; Reveil Des Oiseaux; L’Ascension

Festive Concert on the Eve of Independence Day – May 6, 1984

Conductor: Yuri Ahronovitch; Soloist: Shlomo Mintz, Violin; Neve-Shir Children Choir; Moisei Wainberg: Symphony No. 6 in A minor, Op. 79 “Jewish Fiddle”; Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

Israel Festival – Festival Opening Concert – May 19, 1984

Conductor: Stanley Sperber; “Rinat” National Choir; Chamber Choir of the Rubin Academy; Mordechai Seter: “Sabbath Cantata”; Gilah Yaron, Soprano; Hana Zur, Alto; Ronald Murdóck, Tenor; Peter Knapp, Bass-Baritone; “The Ten Plagues” *World Premiere* by Nathan Alterman; Music: Nachum Heiman; Arrangement for Choir: Gil Adema; Arrangement for Orchestra and Soloists: Carlos Miranda; Soloist: Yaron Windmuller, Baritone

”Explorations” Portraits of Composers of our Time – Concert No. 3 – Jun 20-21, 1984

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloist: Walter Boeykens, Clarinet; Josef Tal: Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Orchestra *Premiere*; “Else” (homage), Chamber scene for Mezzo Soprano, Narrator and 4 Instruments; Concerto No. 6 for Piano and Electronic Accompaniment; “Imago” for Chamber Orchestra

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

Opening Concert of the 47th Season – Rigoletto – Oct 22, 23, 25, 27, 1984

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Giorgi Tscholakov, The Duke of Mantua; Terence Sharpe, Rigoletto; Christine Weidinger, Gilda; Marius Rintzler, Sparafucile; Ada Gershuni, Maddalena; Mariana Prager, Giovanna; Olim Sadoullaiev, The Count of Monterone; Mordechai Ben Shachar, Marullo; David Fieldsend, Borsa; Sorin Semilian, The Count of Ceprano/Usher; Assia Davidov, The Countess / Page of the Duchess; Male singers from Sha’ar Hanegev Choir; Jerusalem Academy Choir, “Na’amat” Choir

Festive Concert by the St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Orchestra and Choir, London – Oct 31, 1984

Conductor: Professor J.S.P. Lumley; Soloists: Adam Begar, Oboe; Jil Anderson, Clarinet; Graham Knight, Bassoon; Peter Kaldar, Horn; Mozart: Overture, the Magic Flute; Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Orchestra K. 297B; William Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast; Soloist: Peter Sidhom

Liturgica 84 – Opening Concert – Judas Maccabaeus Oratorio by Handel- Dec 29, 1984

Conductor: Sir David Willcocks; Soloists: Eiddwen Harrhy, Soprano; Catherine Winn-Rogers, Alto; Maldwyn Davies, Tenor; Stephen Roberts, Bass-Baritone; The Bach Choir, London; Jane Watts, Organ; The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra

Gala Concert in honor of The Hadassah National Board and Leaders’ Mission – Jan 10, 1985

Conductor: Dalia Atlas; Soloist: Maya Weltman, Piano; Haim Alexander: Six Israeli Dances; Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 25; Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98

Festive Concert on the Eve of Independence Day – Apr 24, 1985

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Shira Ravin and Roy Shiloah, Violins; Shlomi Shem-Tov, Piano; Paul Ben-Haim: “Fanfare to Israel”; Bach: Concerto in D minor for Two Violins and Orchestra; Mendelssohn: Capriccio Brillante for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 22; Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, “Eroica”, Op. 55

Golden Series – concert No. 9 – in the framework of the Israel Festival – Jun 2, 1985

Conductor: Yuri Ahronovitch; Soloists: Lily Tuneh, Soprano; Mira Zakai, Alto; Neil Jenkins, Tenor; with the participation of The Mastersingers of Salt Lake City, USA; Prokofiev: Overture on Jewish Themes, Op. 34; Shostakovich: From Jewish Folk Poetry, Song Cycle, Op. 79; Prokofiev: “Alexander Nevsky” Cantata Op. 78

Light Classics – Concert No. 5 – Cantoral and Jewish Music – Jul 3, 1985

Conductor: Yitzhak Steiner; Soloists: Joseph Malovany, Cantor; Anna Rosnovsky, Violin; Alexander Kaganovsky, Cello; Verdi: Overture to the Opera “Nabucco”; Bloch: “Nigun” from the Suite “Baal Shem” for Violin and Orchestra; Cantoral Music; Bruch: “Kol Nidrei” Op. 47 for Cello and Orchestra; Jerry Bock: “Fiddler on the Roof”

Gary Bertini, Chief Conductor and Musical Director
Yehuda Fickler, Director

 

“Tosca” by Puccini – Oct 28, 30, 1985

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Mani Mekler, Tosca; Bruno Sebastian, Cavardossi; Eugene Holmes, Scarpia; Sami Bechar, Spoletta; Sorin Semilian, Sciarone, Sacristan; Yaron Windmiller, Angelotti; Jerusalem Choir and Sha’ar Ha’Negev Regional Choir; The Choir of the Conservatory of the Jerusalem Rubin; Academy of Music and Dance

Liturgica 85 – Jan 1, 1986

Conductors: Johannes Rahe, David Robertson, Stanley Sperber; Soloists: Gilah Yaron, Soprano; Michal Shamir, Soprano; Penelope Walker, Mezzo-Soprano; Neil Jenkins, Tenor; David Wilson-Johnson, Bass-Baritone; Bach: Cantata No. 38; Zvi Avni: Reflections on a Chorale from Bach’s Cantata No. 38 *Premiere*; Bach: Magnificat in D, BWV 243

Gala Concert on the occasion of the opening of The Henry Crown Symphony Hall – Feb 9, 1986

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Isaac Stern, Violin; Gilah Yaron, Soprano; Christine Cairns, Alto; Neil Jenkins, Tenor; Brian Rayner Cook, Baritone; Rinat National Choir; The Chamber Choir of the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance in Jerusalem; Mordechai Seter: Sabbath Cantata; Ravel: “Daphnis and Chloe”; Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

The Orchestra Hosts Israeli Soloists – Feb 11, 1986

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloists: Bracha Eden, Alexander Tamir, Duo Pianists; No’am Buchman, Flute; Irena Kaganovsky-Kessler, Harp; Pnina Salzman, Piano; Yigal Tuneh, Violin; Uzi Wiesel, Cello; Bach: Concerto in C major for Two Pianos and Orchestra; Mozart: Concerto in C major for Flute, Harp and Orchestra, K. 299; Beethoven: Concerto in C major for Piano, Violin, Cello and Orchestra

Special Concert in cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union “Let Us Know the Names” – Apr 3, 1986

Conductor: Victor Pablo Perez; Soloist: Daniel Gortler; Anton Larrauri: “Gardunak”; Mozart: Piano Concerto in D minor, K. 466; Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88

Neginot – Days of Jewish Music – Pessach – May 1, 1986

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Soloist: Moti Shmit, Violin; Kopytman: “Sing, Memory” Vocalist: Gila Bashary; Joseph Achron: Hebrew Melody for Violin and Orchestra; Bloch: Nigun from the suite Ba’al Shem for Violin and Orchestra; Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major

Festive Concert on the eve of Independence Day – May 13, 1986

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Paul Ben-Haim: “Fanfare to Israel”; Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major

Golden Series – Israel Festival Closing Concert – Jun 15, 1986

Conductor: Gary Bertini; Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

{