Keshet Eilon, the international master course for violinists and string
players, will take place in the Western Galilee from July 22 – August 9.
About 50 young and talented violinists from around the world will come
to hone their skills under the guidance of leading teachers and
performers. Among the faculty members are London-based Israelis Izhak
Rashkivsky and Ani Schnarch from the Royal College of Music – the course
founders; Eduard Grach of the Moscow Conservatory; Shmuel Askenazi
(Israel/US); Ilya Gringolz (Russia); Hagai Shaham and Hillel Tzori
(Israel) and Vadim Gluzman.
The course hosts two honorary guests –
former IPO concert master Haim Taub and legendary violinist Ivry
Gitlis, who celebrates his 90th birthday at Eilon. The course program
features individual lessons, master classes, concerts of both students
and teachers, as well as special programs and events. The course
activities are open to the public, some for free and some for a nominal
fee. On August 1 a gala concert will take place at TAPAC. Lodging is
available in Eilon and in surrounding kibbutzim and villages. The
combination of nature and musical enjoyment make for a great vacation.
Russian-born
Chicago-based Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman, 38, who participated in
the first Keshet Eilon course 22 years ago as a newly arrived immigrant,
now makes it a point to return to the kibbutz from time to time as a
teacher.
“For me, coming back to Eilon is coming back to myself,”
says Gluzman in a phone interview from Mexico, where he is currently
performing. “There, aside from the many technical aspects of violin
playing, I have been enriched by many precious musical ideas, which stem
from communication with my colleagues.”
When asked about his
current activities, Gluzman half jokingly says there is nothing new in
his life: “I am still with a violin in my left hand and a bow in my
right. Even now, I am practicing in my hotel room. Last night, I
performed a Bach violin concerto and In Tempus Praesens, the second
violin concerto by Sofia Gubaidulina, which I have also recorded. This
gave me another opportunity to meet this amazing composer. If there is a
human X-ray, this is she. But the result is the ultimate understanding
between the performer and the composer – there is simply no need to
talk.”
With all due respect to the violinist’s modesty, this
“nothing new” is not precise. During the last four or five years,
Gluzman has moved to the top of the violinist league, performing with
major orchestras throughout the world.
“After Mexico I will
finally spend two weeks at home. And then, after appearing at the BBC
Proms, I will teach at Keshet Eilon and later at the Mozarteum
International Summer Academy in Salzburg. By now, I’ve learned most of
the major concerto repertoire, which is about 50 pieces, maybe with the
exception of those that are not dear to me, and now I am trying to bring
the familiar concerti to how I see music today.”
Gubaidulina is
not the only contemporary composer with which Gluzman collaborates.
American composer Lera Auerbach is currently working on a concerto that
is dedicated to Gluzman and will have its world premiere in the 2013-14
season. He also works with the Estonian Arvo Part and American Michael
Daugherty, among others.
“I simply enjoy playing new music, but I
also believe it is our responsibility to perform it because otherwise
it will stop developing and die. It is also a must to meet a living
composer to discuss his or her work. Among other things, it has helped
me to understand that every written note is ultimately important for the
author.
Interestingly enough, this understanding has changed my
approach to the music of the past. For me, it is now more difficult to
allow to myself to deviate from the musical text. That said, I also
realize that music is not a museum exhibit – it is very much alive. And
as Isaac Stern said, music is not in the notes but between them. And
capturing it – while the notes are still completely devoted to the
composer – is what preoccupies me nowadays as a performer.”
Among
his other activities is the North Shore Chamber Music Festival, of
which he is the artistic director, while his life and musical partner
pianist Angela Yoffe is the CEO. The festival, which was inaugurated in
2011, immediately earned rave reviews and was a sold-out event in its
second edition in June 2012.
“To be honest, for me this is a
totally egotistic enterprise,” says Gluzman. “I felt that with all these
concert activities, I do not play enough chamber music, so I invited my
friends to play with me. This festival is a social experience as much
as it is a musical one – after the concerts, the audience stays to
discuss the music with the artists.”
The
Keshet Eilon International Master Course takes place July 22 – August
9, with the gala concert at TAPAC on August 1. For more information: http://www.keshetei.org.il/ For reservations: (04) 985-8191/131