Newsletter - Keshet Eilon Music Center

Newsletter
December 2014
Keshet Eilon Music Center Management: Reuven Hasak, Chair, Keshet Eilon Organization | Itzhak Rashkovsky, Music Director | Gilad Sheba, Managing Director | Nitza Avidan, VPO
Dear members of the Keshet Eilon Organization, supporters and friends in Israel and abroad,
At this holiday season, we are pleased to publish our periodic newsletter, reporting developments in Keshet Eilon from the summer of
2014 until now, and forthcoming activities.
We wish you enjoyable reading!
THE KESHET EILON INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN AND STRING MASTERCOURSE, JULY-AUGUST 2014
The 2014 Mastercourse proved to be a great success, characterized by an impressive musical level and high spirits. Despite the tense
security situation in southern Israel during the period of the course, 38 of the planned 52 students arrived to attend the course, enjoying
accommodation in the beautiful new dormitories in Keshet Eilon’s campus.
Special chords during the Mastercourse
Keshet Eilon alumni violinists Alena Baeva (Russia), Semion Gavrikov (Israel), and Anna Lipkind (Israel), performed in the opening concert
with violist Wenting Kang (China), cellist Gavriel Lipkind (Israel) and pianist Julia Gurvitch (Israel). L. Julia, Alena, Anna, Gavriel, Semion and
Wenting.
“Work of Genius” – an exhibition of violins
made by Stradivari and Guarneri Del Gesú,
and a concert performance by students
playing on the rare instruments loaned by
Israeli collector Yehuda Zisapel and world
renowned expert of rare string instruments
Florian Leonhard. L. Faculty members Ani
Schnarch and Hagai Shaham with Florian
Leonhard at the event.
1
Israeli Klezmer artists Sanya and Emil Kroitor rehearsing for a Klezmer music workshop at the course. The student ensemble performed in
th
concerts in the acoustic shell, and in the Bar-Uryan Concert Hall. Our thanks to Eshet Eilon for building the shell for the 4 season.
Dedication ceremony of 8 new student dormitories in the presence of invited guests and a large audience – a high point in the course.
Mastercourse participants rehearse before the dedication ceremony
of the dormitories.
Raya Strauss Bendror and Yoram Cohen (representing the Drahi
Family Foundation)after the unveiling of the donor plaque.
Longtime Keshet Eilon supporters and active members at the unveiling: L. Sara Gutter Davidson, Zelma Rubinstein, Yardena Bar-Uryan,
Yehiel Admoni, Myra Simon, Naomi Yekutieli. Behind (L.) Aki Shavit; (R.) David Shemla, member of the management of Keshet Eilon.
2
World-famous violinist Ivry Gitlis, age 92, a distinguished
th
guest of the Mastercourse for the 4 year, shares his
insights and advice about music, and life generally, shown
in a masterclass with violinist Ari Boutris (US-Greece).
Keshet Eilon’s chamber music hall is renamed and dedicated the Abraham and Harriet Slivka Hall in memory of Abe Slivka, the first
chairman of the American Friends of Keshet Eilon in New York. A memorial concert followed the ceremony.
As always, the Violin- and Bow-making Atelier intrigued many
students. L. Adam Korman, expert violin maker, Daniel Schmidt,
master bow maker, Yoav Finkelstein, assistant to the violin
maker.
Archery instruction for string players continues to be popular at the
Mastercourse. L. Coaches Amlakeh Amlakeh, Fima Khayutin, Eyal
Naveh, Guy Matzkin, Dotan Alkolombra. Missing: Alisa Binyaminov,
Inbar Cohen and Yair Rosenberger, who were integral in the
coaching staff
3
The traditional Keshet Eilon Mastercourse gala concert in the Tel Aviv Opera House, sponsored by Bank Hapoalim, and attended by a
packed audience – especially gratifying given the tense period – ended with a moving medley of songs of the late iconic Israeli singer
Arik Einstein, arranged by Alexander Povolotsky.
Mor Yanni (L.) and Eesa Khoury, young students from the Haifa Rubin Conservatory, opened the gala concert with an exciting
performance.
We thank all the ticket sales volunteers who filled the Tel Aviv Opera hall last summer. Volunteers are invited to sign up now to assist
us in this important task for the August 5, 2015, gala concert in Tel Aviv.
FACULTY, 2014 SUMMER MASTERCOURSE
Standing L. Ariel Halevy, Adam Korman, Hillel Zori, Yoav Finkelstein,
Shmuel Ashkenasi, Daniel Schmidt, Itzhak Rashkovsky, Gilad Sheba,
Naaman Wagner, Daniel Seroussi. Seated L. Gilad Karni, Zhou Qian,
Chaim Taub, Ani Schnarch, Eugenia Lakernik
Standing L. Gavriel Lipkind, Atar Arad, Itzhak Rashkovsky.
Seated L. Stephan Picard, Alexandre Vinnitski, Hagai
Shaham
4
THE NEW KESHET EILON MUSIC CENTER CAMPUS
Eight student dormitories
Eight attractive new student dormitory units were inaugurated in
the 2014 summer course, to the delight of the participants. The
well-planned and well-designed buildings, which constitute a
significant upgrade in accommodations at Keshet Eilon, are
available as vacation facilities for families and groups when not in
use for Keshet Eilon activities.
Five additional dormitories and a cafeteria
We thank generous donors Raya Strauss Bendror and the Drahi family, who set the construction project in motion and accompany us
devotedly (see below), together with our many friends who donated “bricks” and equipment to support the project. An additional
generous donation, received from the legacy of the late Isacc Ribatzky, has enabled the construction of 5 more dormitory units and a
cafeteria, now under accelerated construction. The dedication of these facilities is planned for July 31, 2015.
We thank Aki Shavit, who generously monitored the progress of the construction with diligence and professionalism.
We announce a campaign to find an appropriate word in Hebrew for
“Cafeteria,” now under construction in our new campus. The name can be one
word or two. It can refer to the sounds of music, string instruments, strings,
Keshet Eilon, Galilee, landscape, groves, or anything that comes to mind that is
relevant. The objective is to produce a synonymous Hebrew version of the
English word “cafeteria.” The name that is selected will appear on the cafeteria
signpost and in all relevant publicity.
5
THE LEORA GARDEN
A garden of indigenous Galilee flora and trees surrounding the “Isacc Lookout” has been planted in memory of Leora Heiman, a friend of
Keshet Eilon, through a generous donation by Dr. Avraham Kadar (US). The garden will be dedicated on February 18, 2015, in the
presence of the donor and the Heiman and Ramati families.
VISIT BY PATRICK DRAHI
In a visit to Eilon on November 4, 2014, Keshet Eilon supporter Patrick Drahi toured the new dormitory complex and the ongoing
construction. “A visit to the Garden of Eden,” was how Patrick summed up the day.
“Lehayim!” L. Yoram Cohen, Director of the Patrick and Lina Drahi
Foundation, Patrick Drahi, and Jean-Luc Berrebi, CFO - HOT, toast
the historic visit.
Kibbutz Eilon nursery school children were thrilled by the
helicopter that brought Patrick Drahi and his team to Keshet Eilon.
Dear friends, we have a long way to go until the campus plans are fulfilled.
We must still fund the accommodations for faculty and staff, as well as classrooms, a student club house, and an office – all vital
to the functioning of the Music Center. We ask you to continue to support this major project, from the donation of a “brick” to
the funding of a classroom!
THE MUSIC LIBRARY
An extensive renovation of the “Music Tower,” subsidized by a generous donation from I.C.A. Israel, was accomplished in the spring of
2014. An additional NIS 120,000 is required to complete the renovation of this beautifully converted grain silo sponsored by the late Ami
Brown and his wife Gabi Brown.
We thank Kibbutz Sasa for transferring a large and rare collection of music notes compiled by the late Avi Shahar, a founder of the
kibbutz. Many members of Kibbutz Eilon remember Avi with affection, as he served as a music and violin teacher at the Eilon school
during the 1960’s.
6
ONGOING BENEFIT CONCERTS
Concert in Geneva
A benefit concert in Geneva was held at the home of one of Keshet Eilon’s most steadfast supporters, Manja Gideon, on September 17,
2014. We thank the Friends of Keshet Eilon organization in Geneva, who organized the event with the precision of a “Swiss watch”: Anat
Koifman, Lydia Maetzener, Sonia Escuriol, Marion Aufseeser and Gerard Levy. Present at the event were Patrick Drahi and Reuven
Hasak, chairman of the Keshet Eilon Organization. Itzhak Rashkovsky moderated the program.
Anat Koifman greets guests at the
concert.
Musicians who performed in Geneva: L: Itzhak Rashkovsky (Israel-UK), Mark Karlinsky, Ira Givol
(Israel), Emily Sun (Australia), Julia Gurvitch (Israel), Alesandro Ruisi (England).
Sadly, several days after the concert, we were informed of the death of Manja Gideon, a gracious and
generous hostess, remembered for her role in the Friends of Keshet Eilon in Switzerland, together with her
mother Erika Gideon [may she live long], ever since the first concert in Geneva in 1999.
Benefit concert in the Otzarin House, Jaffa
A concert in Jaffa on November 20, 2014, attended by an audience of some 50 guests, was sponsored by Keshet Eilon’s steadfast friends
Raya Straus Bendror and Shmuel Bendror and Lina and Patrick Drahi. Performers were violinists Mark Karlinski and Semion Gavrikov
(Israel), and Wenting Kang (China); cellist Uri Ron; and pianist Julia Gurvitch, both from Israel. Itzhak Raskovsky moderated the ensemble
and also performed. Many newcomers to Keshet Eilon were present, and we hope that they will join the circle of Keshet Eilon
supporters.
Patrick Drahi greets the audience with the musicians in the
background.
Before the concert. L. Tal Frieman, Patrick and Lina Drahi, Raya
Strauss Bendror and Shmuel Bendror.
We are deeply thankful to all our friends for their devotion in organizing benefit concerts, to our guests and donors, and to the
Keshet Eilon graduates and faculty who perform at these events.
7
PREMIERE OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM “LE-NAGEN”
The film “Le-nagen” (to play music), premiered at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque on November 19, 2014, was filmed on site at the Keshet
Eilon 2013 Summer Mastercourse by Israeli director Ayelet Heller and her crew for Israel channel 8 HOT TV. Dozens of friends and active
supporters of Keshet Eilon, present in the audience, praised the film enthusiastically. We thank Patrick Drahi, who was also present, for
his initiative and for financing the film.
We hope that the film will be screened in other cinametheques in Israel and in Kibbutz Eilon.
Attending the premiere of “Le-nagen” L: Rinat Klein, managing director, HOT channel 8, Yoram Mokadi, content manager,
HOT channel 8, Ayelet Heller, Itzhak Rashkovsky.
ACTIVITY IN THE ARAB SECTOR
Keshet Eilon’s support for a violin study program in the nearby village
of Sheikh Danun in the Western Galilee continues with funding from
the Klarman Family Foundation (US).
Begun in April 2014 with group lessons for 24 students, under the
supervision of the director of the local community center, Mr. Ahmed
Samniya, the program, as of September 2014, now offers individual
lessons to 17 students, taught by a graduate of the Jerusalem
Academy of Music and Dance, Charlie Safieh.
Keshet Eilon also finances and advises the distinctive Al-Kendi Music
Center in Jatt in the Triangle region, with the aid of friends of Keshet
Eilon in the US, loaning violins and keeping in contact with its
management. The project enables approximately 100 youngsters to
receive qualitative music instruction.
Charlie Sa’afiya and a young violinist at the Sheikh Danun community
center
8
THE “SOUNDS OF KESHET EILON” CONCERT SERIES, 2014-2015
The series began with an evening of songs by composer Sasha Argov, performed by the Na’ama Choir, and
continued with a concert of trio chamber music performed by Hagai Shaham (violin), Arnon Erez (piano)
and Raphael Wallfisch (cello).
51.1.2
5151.2
51.3.72
.1141.2
5121.2
5...72
A César Franck program
The Quatro Plus Quartet performs the Sonata in F Major for violin and piano and the Quintet
for piano in f minor by Frank.
“The Divas" - Behind the curtain of the world of opera stars
Soprano vocalists Keren Hadar and Hila Baggio, with conductor Dudi Zeba, present a virtuoso
evening combining opera works, musicals, Israeli classics, and stand-up segments.
From Mendelssohn to Mendele
Hillel Zori (cello and recitations) and Ruth Zori (piano) present a distinctive family concert
linking Jewish musical works with segments from Jewish literature and poetry.
Songs from the Good Old Days
The Upper Galilee Choir, led by Ron Zarchi, presents songs by nearly forgotten composers,
narrated by Eliyahu Hacohen, researcher of the history of Hebrew song.
New Voices and Colors
The Tempera Ensemble, an exciting new ensemble of wind and percussion instrumentalists,
perform works by Bernstein, Shostakovich, Ligeti, Metheny, Cage and others.
The Haifa Symphony Orchestra with Keshet Eilon alumni
A program of string soloists and orchestra, including Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin
and Viola, and Schumann’s Concerto for Cello.
For details press: Sounds of Keshet Eilon Concert Series
This is the time to visit the Western Galilee, stay over in the Keshet Eilon suites and villas,
and enjoy a qualitative concert in the Bar-Uryan Concert Hall.
For further information and reservations, please contact Assaf, Tel. 020-7505151 or Tzipi Tel. 025-818552.
Reserve accommodations and benefit by a reduction in the price of the concert tickets!
9
NEWS ABOUT THE KESHET EILON ORGANIZATION
Management changes: After 5½ years as comptroller and project manager of the Keshet Eilon organization, David Shemla will vacate
this position, while remaining as a member of the Board of Directors. His place will be filled by Nitza Avidan, who has begun working
with us. We wish to acknowledge David’s major contribution to Keshet Eilon, and we wish Nitza every success!
KESHET EILON ALUMNI MAKE HEADLINES
Keshet Eilon congratulates violinist Vadim Gluzman, a graduate
of Keshet Eilon and a senior member of the Keshet Eilon
faculty, who has been named one of the “great violinists of the
th
20 century” in a recent book of that title by Jean-Michel
Molkhou, published by the French publishing house BuchetChastel. The book cites the 30 greatest violin virtuosos born
th
during the second half of the 20 century, including Joshua
Bell, Anne Sophie Mutter, Gil Shaham, Midori and Sara Chang,
among others. The chapter about Gluzman, titled “In the
Tradition of the Great Maestros,” provides details of his life
and accomplishments and describes his talent in reviving the
grand tradition of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Keshet Eilon alumnus Aylen Pritchin (Russia) won First Prize and a
series of concerts in Europe in the International Long-Thibaud-Crespin
Competition, Paris, November 2014. Congratulations to Aylen and to
his teacher Prof. Eduard Grach!
The Keshet Eilon family shares in the sorrow of:
The Gideon family and the Friends of Keshet Eilon organization in Switzerland, upon the death of Manja Gideon (Switzerland)
The Tovbin family, upon the death of Elazar (Zari) Tovbin (Israel)
Atar Arad and family, upon the death of father Grisha Arad (Israel)
FUTURE KESHET EILON EVENTS
.-81.1.2
Winter Seminar for Israeli Violin and Viola Students at Keshet Eilon
Registration to participate in the seminar is exceptionally high at this time, and the faculty will be kept
busy! Among other events, the program will feature an evening tribute to violin teacher Irina Svetlova
th
in honor of her 70 birthday.
.5-501.1.2
The Jazz Department of the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts will travel to Keshet Eilon for a threeday retreat – their fifth consecutive year.
55-55181.2
Spring Seminar at Keshet Eilon
50121.2
Annual benefit concert in New York's at the Harmonie Club
5511-.8151.2
The Keshet Eilon International String Mastercourse, marking 25 years since the establishment of Keshet
Eilon
2151.2
Gala Concert in Tel Aviv
Details to be published regarding all the programs!
10
KESHET EILON MUSIC CENTER COMMITTEES
Executive Committee
Finance / Building Committee
Friends, activists and supporters in Israel
Reuven Hasak, chair
Reuven Abel
Yardena Bar-Uryan
Sara Guter Davidson
Roby Harly
Ora Holin
Meir Lahav
Eli Lederman
Malka Lion
Miriam Romm
Shmuel Tzur
Karen Schipper
David Shemla
Myra Simon
Reuven Abel, chair
Yoram Blizovsky
Uzi Davidson
Shalom Drori
Meir Lahav
Miri Lent-Sharir
Aki Shavit, building advisor
Jaime Aron, chair
Tzafrira and Yehiel Admoni
Ornit and Zvi Agmon
Yoram Alroy
Avner Azulay
Dorit and Yehezkel Beinisch
Raya Strauss Bendror and
Shmuel Bendror
David Boas
Mundek Furer
Ariel and Yael Halperin
Ruth and Mishael Heshin
Amos Horev
David Ivri
Morris Kahn
David Klein
Gabriela Shalev and Uzi Levy
Arts Committee
Yoav Gottesman, chair
Varda Bobrow
Ofra Raif
Audit Committee
Raphael Malka, chair
Gideon Goldstein
Zelma Rubinstein
Amnon Lion
Niva Lanir and Giora Morag
Abraham (Abe) and Judith Peled
Hemi Peres
Herbert Pundak
Giora Romm
Aki and Liora Shavit
Gil Shohat
Matan Vilnai
Naomi Yekutieli
Yehuda Zisapel
Michal Zmora-Cohen
Idit Zvi
The late Meir Bar-Uryan
(chair, Keshet Eilon Music Center Management, 1996-2011)
We are glad to have welcomed you to our past programs, and we hope to see you at our future events. We would
be grateful to you for forwarding this Newsletter to all who might be interested in our work.
To all our friends, supporters and donors,
The array of ongoing Keshet Eilon activity – the Summer Mastercourse, seminars for Israeli violin and
viola students, the annual concert series, support for Arab-sector violin study, violin loans, the
completion of renovation of the Music Library, and much more – relies entirely on your generous
support. We will be grateful for your assistance in any area that appeals to you, and in every way
that you can help.
Your partnership will sustain the continuation and success of our projects.
With best wishes for the holidays, and may the new year be filled
with beautiful sounds and collaborative successes,
Yours truly,
The Keshet Eilon management and staff
50.8 ‫ קורס הקיץ‬,‫קונצרט הגאלה בת"א‬
11
Photos: Marcela Barkai, Nicolas Briner, Or Gefen, Ahmed Samniya, Sarit Uziely
12