By MAXIM REIDERDIETRICH HENSCHEL(photo credit: Courtesy)
The Israel Contemporary Players presents its annual marathon. The event takes place November 16 to 18 at the intimate Hateiva Hall, the ensemble’s home in Jaffa. The program of the festival, directed by Dan Yuhas, the founder of the ensemble and trailblazer of contemporary music in Israel, features instrumental and vocal music, cinema, video art and more.Among the participants are the Experimental Studio from Germany, one of the world’s first studios of electronic music; Paris-based Israeli trumpet player Benny Sluchin; pianist Dimitri Vassilakis; and baritone Dietrich Henschel.The varied program includes music by Salvatore Sciarrino, John Cage, Amnon Wolman, Crumb, Poulenc, Jonathan Harvey, Alvin Lucier and Iannis Xenakis.Multifaceted Berlin-based German musician Henschel is an internationally acclaimed baritone cum conductor whose repertoire includes opera, Baroque and contemporary music, as well as art songs (lieder).“I was very young when I decided to become a musician,” says Henschel.He first came to Israel as a soloist to perform in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with a German choir and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.He recollects, “Having been brought up with a very distinct focus on German history concerning the horrible crimes done to Jews, knowing that Carl Orff was working at exactly that time, possibly being involved in the events, his music had always been problematic for me. But through the meticulous work of this music, which was directed by maestro Noam Sheriff, I was introduced to many of the delightful details of the score.Since that time, I have been able to distinguish the value of a piece of art from the person and personal history of its creator.But it is still problematic sometimes.”He also recalls with excitement his previous experience of collaborating with the Israel Contemporary Players.“Together we did intense work on several pieces of music, sharing spirit and love for the details. Their dedication to musical detail is exemplary! I really feel at home with them,” he says.At the Hateiva marathon, Henschel will perform Poulenc’s Bal Masqué.“I love the spirit of satire in Poulenc’s music,” he says. “It is a wonderful example of the French combination of intellect and joy of life. Look at the piece with a theatrical eye and enjoy finding yourself portrayed – or not!”For more details and reservations, call (03) 682-9473 or visit http://www.hateiva.com
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
