Ninety consecutive seasons of top-rated concerts is an impressive record, and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) will celebrate it this season.
It begins on October 8 with Music Director Lahav Shani conducting three programs in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
Star-studded guest roster
Joining the orchestra for these concerts will be notable artists such as violinist Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, performing Sibelius Violin Concerto; cellist Mischa Maisky, performing Shlomo by Ernest Bloch; soprano Chen Reiss, singing in the last movement of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4; pianist Kirill Gerstein, playing the Piano Concerto by British composer Thomas Adès; and clarinetist Ron Selka, performing with the orchestra Pastorale Variations by Paul Ben-Haim.
In addition, Shani and the IPO will perform a new IPO-commissioned work, Concerto for Orchestra, by Yosef Bardanashvili.
Throughout the season, the IPO has scheduled programs that will combine beloved symphonic repertoire with contemporary works.
Israeli singer and composer Yoni Rechter performs with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra at Heichal HaTarbut in Tel Aviv on February 7, 2018 (credit: YOSSI ZELIGER/FLASH90)
The audience comes first with the IPO, and since the orchestra’s start in 1936 by violinist Bronisaw Huberman, who arranged for 75 musicians from Europe to come to Israel and form the base for what was called the Palestine Symphony, the orchestra and management have been cognizant of the tastes, desires, and needs of its public.
In the pre-state and early years of Israel, the IPO would perform in Jerusalem, traveling in armored vehicles to protect the orchestra members from ambush. Why, may one ask? The orchestra decided the residents of Jerusalem needed music to maintain their morale, and the orchestra answered their need.
In 2023, the opening IPO concert was televised and played to an empty auditorium with only the photos and names of the 125 people who were taken hostage by Hamas arranged on the seats. Why? Because the orchestra believed that was what was needed.
This year, the IPO is presenting 13 different series of concerts, including one series in Jerusalem, two in Haifa, and the rest in Tel Aviv. Each is different; on different days; and at different times.
There are concerts with presenters, moderators, or lecturers; those that are just glorious music; and those that start later and/or start earlier. In essence, there are many possibilities to enjoy.
Throughout its history, the IPO has attracted the very best artists and conductors. Maestro Arturo Toscanini conducted the opening concert in 1936, and this celebratory season, Shani, will be on the podium for several performances throughout the year.
The 90th anniversary festival lineup
Yair Mashiach, secretary general of the IPO, points out one of the most significant aspects of this season is the return of artists and conductors whose relationships with the orchestra have developed over many years.
“We are very pleased to welcome back Kirill Petrenko, music director of the Berlin Philharmonic,” Mashiach said. “Later in the season, we will host Sir Andras Schiff, Semyon Bychkov, Gil Shaham, Yefim Bronfman, Alisa Weilerstein, Reiss and Ivan Fischer.”
“Maestro Zubin Mehta, music director emeritus of the IPO, will be with us in May 2027, showcasing Mahler Symphony No. 1.
“Prior to that, in January 2027, Mehta will be with us for the 90th IPO Anniversary Festival, one of the highlights of the year.
“We will be delighted to have with us renowned pianist Martha Argerich, violinist Maxim Vengerov, conductor Gianandrea Noseda, violinist Pinchas Zuckerman, cellist Amanda Forsyth and, of course, Lahav Shani.
“Zubin Mehta will conduct a Mozart program with Lahav as pianist; Martha Argerich and Maxim Vengerov will perform a Beethoven recital; and another festival program we are looking forward to will bring together Argerich, Shani, and the Israel Jazz Orchestra.”
Honored friend of the orchestra, Vasily Petrenko, will perform two programs in November. The first features Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances and the first IPO performance of The Music Makers by Edward Elgar with mezzo-soprano soloist Kathryn Rudge and the Gary Bertini Israel Choir.
The next series will present the IPO premiere of piano soloist Anna Shelest and two works which are first-time IPO performances: The Distant Princess by Alexander Tcherepnin and Symphony No.3 (The Divine Poem) by Alexander Scriabin.
In December, concerts will be led by Kirill Petrenko and will feature the Schnittke Viola Concerto with soloist Amihai Gross, Fountains of Rome by Respighi, and La Mer by Claude Debussy.
Noted Israeli conductor Omer Meir Welber will conduct IPO in late December and on Jan. 1, 2027, in a series of concerts which include Haydn Symphony No. 49, a first IPO performance of Out of the Depths I have cried out onto Thee, O Lord by Aharon Harlap with noted soprano Hila Baggio, and Dvorak Symphony No. 8.
IPO concert audience attendance is full. One thing the gives IPO management great satisfaction is the significant presence of younger members filling the seats.
Mashiach noted, “The increase we are seeing this year continues a trend of several years. Last season, we reached a record number of young people attending our concerts. At the same time, our series, “Concert Baktana”, a format we developed for younger audiences, has become a major success. There is a younger audience here that wants to hear classical music, and we intend to continue deepening that connection.
Shani will bring the IPO’s 90thseason to a close in July with cellist Alisa Weilerstein performing Simfonia Concertante by Sergei Prokofiev and violinist Clara-Jumi Kang performing Prokofiev’s violin Concerto No. 1.
For further information, visit IPO.co.il