Concert Review: Israel Stage Orchestra: Celebrating Mendi Rodan

If Rodan could have been present, he would no doubt have enjoyed this exceptional demonstration of respect and recognition.

By URY EPPSTEIN
Music good 88 (photo credit: )
Music good 88
(photo credit: )
The Israel Stage Orchestra Celebrating Mendi Rodan Tel Aviv Museum April 15 To celebrate conductor Mendi Rodan's 80th birthday, the Israel Stage Orchestra presented a concert in his honor, led by seven young conductors who were the maestro's disciples - too many to be enumerated here. Not present at the event was the jubilarian himself, deplorably, due to illness. Though the seven naturally were remarkably different from each other in style and character, when each took his turn to conduct, the chamber-size orchestra nevertheless displayed a full, cohesive sound, rich delicate nuances of dynamics, appealing flexibility of tempi and, above all, captivating involvement and discernible joy of music making. All these gave proof of the inspiration and thorough schooling that all these former Rodan students had gained from their teacher, who had obviously refrained from attempting to make them little Rodans. The diversity of styles they presented was also impressive, from the Baroque of Handel and Corelli through the classics of Mozart and Beethoven up to the contemporaries. For all the conductors, the soloists and the orchestra members, this performance was an audible and visible labor of love. The packed hall of admirers, colleagues, friends and relatives and many congratulatory addresses testified to the popularity and affection that this senior musician had justifiably earned. If Rodan could have been present, he would no doubt have enjoyed this exceptional demonstration of respect and recognition - at least once in 80 years.