January 1987 Festive Events celebrating the Centenary of the birth of Arthur Rubinstein Under the Patronage of H.E. The President of Israel Series of 7 Concerts Zubin Mehta conductor Tel-Aviv, The Fredric R. Mann Auditorium The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Founded in 1936 by Bronislaw Huberman Music Director : Zubin Mehta FESTIVE JUBILEE SEASON THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Founded in 1936 by Bronislaw Huberman • Music Director: Zubin Mehta The Fredric R. Mann Auditorium • P.O.Box 11292, 61112 Tel-Aviv; Telephone (03) 295092 The 51st Season / 1986-7 Festive Jubilee Season Festive Events celebrating the Centenary of the birth of Arthur Rubinstein Under the Patronage of H.E. The President of Israel, Mr. Chaim Herzog Series of 7 Concerts Zubin Mehta conductor Tel-Aviv, The Fredric R. Mann Auditorium January 1987 At 8.30 p.m. PUBLIC MANAGEMENT BOARD: Mr. D. Ben-Meir, Mr. A. Duizin Mr. Y. Ettinger, Mr. B. Gal-Ed, Mr. M.B. Gitter, Dr. A. Goldenberg, Mrs. A. Harris, Mr. P. Jacobi, Judge A.F. Landau (Chm'n), Mr. A. Levinsky, Mr. Z. Litwak*, Mr. Y. Mishori*, Mr. M. Neudorfer, Mr. Y. Oren, Mr. Y. Pasternak*, Mr. J. Pecker, Judge L.A. Rabinowitz, Mr. A. Shalev, Mr. N. Wolloch. (• IPO Management members) THE IPO FOUNDATION - Founding Members: Abba Eban (Chairman), David Blass, Yona Ettinger, Dr. Amnon Goldenberg, M.B. Gitter, Lewis Harris, Ernst Japhet, Y. Macht, Joseph Pecker, Raphael Recanati. Dr. Dapnna Schachner (Dir. Gen.) AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE IPO: Zubin Mehta (Hon. Ch'mn); Fredric R. Mann (Pres.); Norman Bernstein, Itzhak Perlman (Vice Pres.); Susan B. Bljimstein (Exec. Vice Pres.); Morton S. Ackerman (Treas.); Robert H. Arnow, Arthur Belfer, Charlotte Isen, Albert Schussler. Room 810, 250 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019, Phone (212) 581-4374 American Friends of the IPO raise funds for the IPO. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The IPO is supported by the Council for Culture and Art of the Ministry of Education and Culture, and is supported and represented in the USA by tne American Friends of the IPO and supported by the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, in Canada by the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation, in Great Britain by the British Society of the Friends of the Orchestra, and by Friends of the IPO in Australia, Germany and Mexico. Price NIS 20.- Arthur Rubinstein was born on 28 January 1887 in Lodz, Poland, and started appearing in public as a "wunderkind". What happened since then is legend: he swiftly became one of the greatest pianists of all times, whose fame spread throughout the world. His recit­ als and solo appearances evoked praise that only few ever received. Beyond masterly technique, he was lauded for his profound personal interpretations, for his brimming energy that burst from each note he played, and for his poetic lyricism. His human traits were similar: boundless energy, profundity, lyricism - and a rare sense of humour. It is redundant to detail again his close ties with Israel, and especially with the Israel Philhar­ monic Orchestra. On his frequent visits here he not only delighted thousands with the magic of his playing - he also contributed of his spirit and knowledge to many of our young pianists in his master-classes. It is no chance that Israel was chosen (at his own request) as the site of the prestigious Interna­ tional Master Piano Competition that bears his name. The IPO was privileged to honour him by naming after him the soloist's room at the Mann Auditorium, and planting a forest bearing his name in the Jerusalem moun­ tains. On 21 December 1982 he died, leaving behind him countless fond memories, as well as many recordings and the volumes of his thrilling autobiography. This year, the IPO's Jubilee Year on the 50th anniversary of its founding, is also the Centenary of Rubin­ stein's birth: a coincidence that bears more than a hint of symbolism. We hope that the series of festive concerts detailed herein may bring honour to the memory of the maestro. pnipan The Artists The Pianist as Conductor (In alphabetical order) Zubin Mehta, conductor Zubin Mehta is simultaneously the Music Direc­ tor of three of the most prestigious music institutions today: the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (since 1968), the New York Philharmo­ nic (since 1978) and the Maggio Musicale Fioren­ tino (since 1985), besides being one of the most sought-after conductors of concert and opera alike. Born in India in the year in which the IPO was founded, 1936, he led the Orchestra for the first time when both were 25, in 1961. Since then he returned to the IPO regularly and he was named its Music Advisor in 1968, a title that was changed to Music Director in 1978, and extended for life. His father, Mehli Mehta, a violinist and conductor in his own right, started his musical training, which he continued later with Hans Swarowskiat the Vienna Music Academy. In 1958 he won a prize at the Liverpool International Conductors Competition, and was appointed Ass'sfant Conductor .of the Liverpool Philharmonic. A year later he made his debut with the philharmonic orchestras of Vienna, Los Angeles and Montreal, replacing indisposed conduc- Imm!nse access led to his appointment as Music Director of the Montreal Symphony (1960-67), as Ass<stant Conductor (1960-62) of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he later served as Mus.c Director (1962-78). in 1961 he first conducted in Israel and London, and since then he appears with all the leading orchestras of the world. Since his operatic debut in 1965 at the Metropolitan in New York ("Aida"), he is equally in demand by all the leadine opera uses. His relations with Israel and the IPO grew far beyond formal commitments. At all times 75r“or Wai he cancelled other engagements in order to lead special concerts for anal. He conducted the IPO in the first concert ever in Bethlehem, the Six-Day-War Victory th°n| h *he ¡'e'inau8uration of the Mount Scopus amphitheatre, near the "Good Fence" on n^f!ba.neSu b?rder'.and af countless other unique events. In Israel he was awarded Honorary th» h/k 6S Tel’Aviv University (1974) and by the Weitzman Institute of Science (1983); and me Hebrew University, Jerusalem, named a wing of the Musicology Department after him and nJ» I I' lhe many other honours bestowed upon him throughout the world he afI cher,'shes lhe lndian Order of the Lotus. His myriad recordings fill many pages in the record catalogues, including many with the IPO. 8 Daniel Barenboim, pianist Daniel Barenboim needs no introduction any­ where in the world as pianist, conductor or both simultaneously. Born in Argentina in 1942, he studied piano with his father, his only Emanuel Ax, pianist piano teacher, who also prepared him for conducting. He gave his first concert there Emanuel Ax catapulted to international fame when he was 7. Two years later his family after winning the First Prize at the First settled in Israel, and it is as a proud Israeli that Rubinstein International Master Piano Com­ Barenboim attained world fame. His career petition in Israel, 1975. In 1979 he also won started to burgeon after his debut with the the Avery Fisher Award. Nowadays he is one Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 1953. He first of the most sought-after pianists, appearing appeared in Paris in 1955, in London and New as soloist with the most important orchestras York in 1956. In I960 he played all 32 Beet­ hoven sonatas in Israel, a unique feat that he throughout the world, in North and South later repeated in South America, London and America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia and the Far East. He is also highly acclaimed New York. As a child he also attended Igor Markevitch's conducting classes at the Salz­ as a recitalist and recording artist. He fre­ burg Mozarteum, and in 1960 he made his quently appears in chamber music, often with conducting debut in Israel. He first conducted cellist Yo Yo Ma and violinist Young-Uck Kim. in London in 1967, New York in 1968, Berlin in 1969. He led all the world's leading He played at all the major American festivals, orchestras, and in 1971 was appointed Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris, a including those of Aspen, Tanglewood, Holly­ position he still holds. In 1973 he further broadened his career, making his debut as wood Bowl, Ravinia, Blossom, and New York's "Mostly Mozart", as well as at Spoleto, operatic conductor at the Edinburgh Festival. He is also very active in chamber music. In addition to the complete Beethoven sonatas, he also performed other unique feats, such Italy. He was born in 1949 in Lwow, Poland, as all Mozart piano concertos, which he played and conducted with the IPO and and later moved with his family to Canada and then to New York. He began his music studies in Poland, and later graudated from elsewhere throughout the world, as he did all Beethoven piano concertos. He is also a juilliard and Columbia University in New York. He won several international prizes even most prolific recording artist. In all his frequent appearances in all continents of the prior to the Rubinstein Competition. He previously appeared with the Israel Philharmonic world, as pianist, conductor or in chamber music, including his countless appearances with the IPO, he brings excitement to the world of music and honour to Israel. Orchestra. Yefim Bronfman , pianist pianist Alfred Brendel, Yefim Bronfman is one of the Israeli musi­ Alfred Brendel started his international career cians who have earned enviable success at all in 1949 after winning the Busoni prize in music centres of the world.