Classical: In a heartbeat

A concert series at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art presents contemporary Israeli chamber music.

By MAXIM REIDER
Tel Aviv Museum of Art presents contemporary Israeli chamber music (photo credit: PR)
Tel Aviv Museum of Art presents contemporary Israeli chamber music
(photo credit: PR)
Tel Aviv Museum of Art has initiated a concert series called The Beating Heart, which is dedicated to contemporary Israeli chamber music. Tomorrow night (February 11), the fourth concert in the series will be performed by Meitar, an ensemble that specializes in contemporary music. On the program are pieces by Israeli composers Hana Ajiashvili, Uri Kochavi, Menahem Wiesenberg, Reuven Sarusi, Ari Ben-Shabetai and Ofer Pelz.
The concept for the series started last June when violinist Hadas Fabricant, together with her Appassionata Trio, performed chamber pieces by Israeli composers at the museum.
“Over the years, I have performed dozens of contemporary pieces written by living Israeli composers,” says Fabricant. “But more often than not, they are hidden deep in the concert program, in between more popular pieces. I felt it was time to change the order of things. We, as a trio, decided to play a complete program of Israeli compositions out of respect and love for our music.”
Fabricant recalls that the gallery was full of listeners, mostly musicians and composers.
“After the concert, people didn’t want to leave. We spoke about Israeli music and of the necessity to introduce this music to the audience,” she says.
Choosing the artistic director for the new series was quite obvious: Avigail Arnheim, a musician and veteran music-life organizer, who has festivals and other successful events to her credit.
Arnheim explains the major goal of the concert series.
“It is not enough to say ‘I heard that music, I know of its existence.’ Our intention is to arouse the curiosity of the listeners, to make them want to hear more, to plunge into the world of contemporary Israeli chamber music, which almost exists here in secret,” she says.
“You cannot include 70 years of Israeli music in one series of eight concerts,” she adds. “But in order to open a new public discourse, we have to start somewhere.”
Yehuda Zisapel, a hi-tech entrepreneur and composer, is the third co-founder of the series.
“We make up the team, and we are equal members,” says Fabricant. “We share our experience and ideas. And Yehuda, in addition to musical and logistical ideas, contributes financial support to the series.”
The fourth concert in the series takes place on February 11 at 8:30 p.m. at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
For reservations: (03) 620-1185.