Barrymore Laurence Scherer writes:
Throughout the evening the Ariel Quartet—whose members studied with both Kopytman and Mr. Wiesenberg—rose to each composer’s challenge with vigorous aplomb and a palpable joie de vivre born of understanding and affection for the works channeled through their own consummate musicianship.
Read the rest of Scherer’s beautifully discerning review.
Charles T. Downey:
The high point of the program was Mark Kopytman’s third string quartet, from 1969, a few years before the Soviet-born composer immigrated to Israel. Unlike Ben-Haim, whose music was somewhat retrogressive in style, Kopytman incorporated dissonance and extended instrumental techniques familiar from the work of Bartok, and the strident brutality played to the Ariel’s strengths.
Our recent concert has sparked new interest in Israeli classical music. For musicians and audiences interested in learning more, The Israel Music Institute (IMI), is a great resource. Founded in 1961, IMI is the first publicly-owned music publishing house in Israel, and is dedicated to the promotion and performance of Israeli concert music. The non-profit, supported by the Israel Ministry of Culture, sells not only scores but also books and CDs. Learn more about their work on their website.
Professor Tom Bird of Queens College, CUNY, will deliver opening remarks. Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be made at the YIVO/CJH website: http://yivo.org/
Following PMH’s widely acclaimed concert at The Kennedy Center, Evgeny Kissin continues to use his gifts to give new life to Jewish music. Last week, he performed works by Bloch, Krein, and Weinberg at the Swiss ski resort of Verbier, where a three-week-long music festival draws some of the world’s elite musical geniuses.
BBC Music Magazine interviewed Kissin in Verbier about performing Jewish piano music. You can listen to it at their website.