Israeli Symphony Orchestra to Showcase Corigliano, Beethoven, and Rising Percussion star Tom Bezalel
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The Israeli Symphony Orchestra of Rishon Lezion is set to present a compelling program featuring the works of John Corigliano and Ludwig van Beethoven, spotlighting percussionist Tom Bezalel as the featured soloist.Performances are scheduled for February 3rd in Rishon Lezion, February 4th in Tel Aviv, and February 5th in Rehovot.
A Contemporary Master and a Timeless Legacy
The concert will open with “the Magician,” a concerto for percussion and string orchestra by contemporary American composer John Corigliano. At 88 years old, Corigliano boasts an impressive array of accolades, including five Grammy and Oscar awards for his score to the film “The Red Violin,” as well as the Pulitzer Prize and the Grawemeyer Prize. Notably, the film’s score incorporated a rhythmic motif from the second movement of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, demonstrating a clear lineage of influence.
Corigliano, who identifies as an heir to composers like Samuel Barber, aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein, embraces romantic feeling and melody in his work. His compositions are frequently performed by leading musicians such as Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, and James Galway, and conducted by renowned figures including Zubin Mehta and Daniel Barenboim. “The Magician” represents the tenth concerto in Corigliano’s series for soloists, a project he initially approached with some trepidation. As one source noted, the composer questioned the spotlight on an instrument frequently enough associated with a multitude of sounds rather than sustained tones. Though, this very challenge ultimately captivated him.
Tom Bezalel: A Percussionist in the Forefront
This concert positions the percussionist as a central figure,connecting the diverse sections of the orchestra. Soloist Tom Bezalel, the chief timpanist of the Israeli Symphony Orchestra of Rishon Lezion, brings a wealth of experience to the stage. Bezalel’s musical journey began in the Israeli youth brass band and continued alongside his service in the IDF orchestra,where he studied with percussion master Alon Bor.
His career has been marked by meaningful achievements, including acceptance into the Orchestra of the West-East Divan under Barenboim in 2007, a first-place win in the Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem’s soloist competition in 2010, and advanced studies with German master Peter Zadlo from 2011-2015. Bezalel has performed with prestigious orchestras worldwide, including the Israel Philharmonic, the Munich and Georgia Philharmonic Orchestras, and the bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony
The second half of the concert will feature Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, known as the “Pastoral Symphony.” Composed between 1802 and 1808, this work is a groundbreaking example of program music, depicting scenes of rural life and the composer’s deep connection to nature. Hector Berlioz described it as “ibly lovely,” and Romain Rolland described it as a “pure sincerity, freedom, power.” Beethoven himself considered it among his best works.
Artistic Leadership and a Tribute to a Lost Colleague
The concert will be conducted by evan Alexis Christ, a conductor with a diverse background, born in Los Angeles to Greek musicians and educated at Harvard University and the Leipzig Conservatory. Christ previously served as chief conductor of the opera house in Würzburg and is currently the permanent conductor of the Sofia Opera, with frequent engagements across Germany, Zagreb, and beyond.
The performance also serves as a poignant tribute to Raphael Feigelson, a percussionist with the Israel Symphony Orchestra of rishon Lezion, who recently passed away. Born in Riga to a musical family, Feigelson demonstrated exceptional talent from a young age, becoming the youngest musician in the Riga Opera Orchestra at just 14 years old. After immigrating to Israel in 1979, he quickly gained recognition, performing with the Israeli Chamber Orchestra and, since 1995, with the Israel Symphony Orchestra of Rishon Lezion.
Tickets for the performances, taking place February 3rd in Rishon Lezion, February 4th in Tel Aviv, and February 5th in Rehovot, are available at https://cursor.kassa.co.il/announce/84808.
