Music: High standards and refreshing programming

The International Eilat Chamber Music Festival takes place next month.

By MAXIM REIDER

JANUARY 5, 2017 18:40

Marianna Vasileva (photo credit: PR) — Marianna Vasileva

(photo credit: PR)

The Eilat Chamber Music Festival, one of the country’s most impressive classical music events, takes place from February 1 to 4.

Due to its winning concept of high standards of music making and refreshing programming, the festival has gained great popularity among local music lovers. Five years ago, the Dan Hotel chain entered the picture, and its effective marketing strategy, coupled with the popularity of the event, have resulted in sold-out concerts.

“Following the success of the previous years, this year we have decided to present some of the most demanded concerts twice,” says Leonid Rozenberg, founder and artistic director of the festival.

“The concerts will take place simultaneously in two halls, so everyone will be able to attend them.”

Speaking about the program, Rozenberg confides that although he likes all his festivals, “This one is probably the richest ever. To begin with, Camerata Geneva, led by Israeli pianist/conductor David Greilsammer, is returning to Eilat.

Two soloists will perform with this excellent orchestra – Victoria Mullova, one of the world’s leading violinists, and outstanding French jazz pianist Jacky Terrasson. We also have the Gabrieli Consort with Paul McCreesh, with programs of Handel and Corelli. They are the best performers of Handel’s music today,” he says.

“There are also three very interesting and different pianists. One is Amir Katz, who is becoming not only one of the best pianists in Israel but is also on the rise in Europe. He is performing a Liszt program.

Another one is a young and very promising Italian pianist Federico Colli, who will perform sonatas by Beethoven and Scarlatti. In addition, we have a very young pianist from Russia, Alexander Malofeev, winner of the youth Tchaikovsky competition. He will present a rich, demanding virtuoso program featuring scherzi by Chopin, sonatas by Rachmaninov, Gaspard de la nuit by Ravel and more.”

Rozenberg says that the festival is also hosting the promising Van Kuijk Quartet from France with two beautiful programs.

“One is dedicated to quartets by Debussy and Poulenc; the other to those of Schubert and Japanese composer Akira Nishimura, as well as a piano quintet by Franck, with Amir Katz,” he says.

In addition to classics, there also are concerts of different genres, such as Alon Olearchik and a saxophone trio.

The young audience is not forgotten, either. Internationally acclaimed Israeli actor and clown Fyodor Makarov will present his hilarious Shmozart show, dedicated to the music of the Viennese classics.

“On the whole, the festival program features 20 concerts during four days,” Rozenberg says.

And that’s not all. Traditionally, the festival offers international master classes for pianists, with renowned professor Rena Shereshevskaya from Paris; for vocalists, with Rosemarie Danziger’s Wienna Tel Aviv Vocal Connection studio (with soprano Sylvia Greenberg and pianist David Aronson); and for violinists, with Indiana University professor Gregory Kalinovsky and Marianna Vasileva.

Among other attractions of the festival is an exhibition of the Guarneri Foundation, which loans instruments to outstanding young musicians.

For more details and reservations, visit the festival site: http://www.eilat-festival.co.il