Schubert marathon

A number of excellent classical ensembles to participate in the annual musical tribute to the composer.

By MAXIM REIDER

JANUARY 28, 2015 11:06

Schubertiade concert marathon (photo credit: ANA PAGANINI) — Schubertiade concert marathon

(photo credit: ANA PAGANINI)

Israeli classical music lovers celebrate the Viennese genius Franz Schubert with with the annual event the Schubertiade – a concert marathon, performed throughout the country, for the ninth time this year.

Under the artistic direction of its founder cellist Raz Kohn, this event takes place around the country - in Rishon Lezion, Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Ein Hashofet. Among the participants are Aviv and Rishonim Quartets, pianists Daniel Gortler, Graham Johnson and Ammiel Bushakevitz, tenor singers Timothy Fallon and Daniel Johannsen and others.

The programs features music by Schubert for chamber ensembles as well as art songs, lieder.

Pianist Ammiel Bushakevitz, born 1986 in Jerusalem to an American father and a South African mother, moved to South Africa with his parents as a child.

He studied at the University of Pretoria, then in Leipzig University in Germany and the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris, from which he graduated last year. In 2013, together with tenor Timothy Fallon, Bushakevitz, who is regarded a specialist in Schubert’s music, won the prestigious Wigmore Hall / Kohn Foundation International Song Competition in London.

“I feel very close to Schubert’s music, both as a listener and a performer. I always enjoy playing his music,” Bushakevitz told me on the eve of his performance in Israel.

“I find his music very special. There is a sense of nostalgia about it; even in the most joyous moments there is a hint of sadness. It is like when it rains and suddenly the sun shines. It is a mixture of pain and love at the same time.”

In Israel, Fallon and Bushakevitz are presenting two programs, performing music by Schubert, as well as that of Richard Strauss and American composer Amy Beach, “who was a contemporary of Strauss.”

Nowadays, Bushakevitz tours Europe, the US and South Africa, as well as recording albums. He has already appeared in Israel a couple of years ago with a recital program and an evening of lieder. He also performs with his violinist sister Avigail Bushakevitz.

“We’ve been playing together since we were 10 years of age.

Avigail studied at Juilliard School of Music in New York and at Buchmann-Mehta School of Music in Tel Aviv. I enjoy performing with her, because I always get vivid ideas from her, and in general – I love cooperating with violinists, because the sound of the violin is so close to human voice.”

Bushakevitz presents master classes, but “feels too nervous when it comes to teaching. I still have to find answers to many questions for myself before I will be able to teach others.”

Tonight in Rishon Lezion, tomorrow in Haifa, February 5 in Jerusalem, February 6 in Tel Aviv and February 7 in Ei HaShofet.

For more details: http://www.schubertiade.co.il For reservations: (03) 546-6228