International Violin and String Mastercourse International Violin and ...

Keshet EilonKeshet EilonInternationalInternationalViolin and StringViolin and StringMastercourseMastercourseJuly 22 – August 9, 2012July 22 – August 9, 20123

ContentsForward 2General Information 3Faculty 2011 7Contact information 13

The Keshet EilonInternational MastercourseEnchanting sounds of the violinin the Galilee MountainsThe Keshet Eilon InternationalMastercourse, founded in 1990at Kibbutz Eilon near Israel'snorthern border, marks its 22ndyear this summer. During thistime it has gained recognitionfor its advancement of youngviolinists from all over theworld with an emphasis on soloperformance. The location of thekibbutz in the Galilee Mountainsprovides a verdant haven in whichmusicians can detach themselvesfrom the rest of the world anddevote themselves exclusively totheir music.We at Keshet Eilon are convincedthat music, one of the eternalsymbols of humanity going backto David’s lyre in Biblical times,can serve as a bridge betweenreligions, peoples and nations,reflected in our symbolic namekeshet, which means an arc or aspan as well as a bow. This concepttakes on even greater significancein turbulent times.Keshet Eilon operates under themusic direction of Professor ItzhakRashkovsky of the Royal Collegeof Music, London. Its managingdirector is Gilad Sheba, a secondgenerationmember of KibbutzEilon. Its board of directors ischaired by Reuven Hasak.The Keshet Eilon Violin Mastercourseretains its characteristicinformal atmosphere along withits high professional level and itsreach for excellence, attractinghundreds of talented youngapplicants for admission each year.Following a rigorous selectionprocess, 50 participants are chosento attend the three-week summercourse, with many others turnedaway simply because of spacelimitations. Distinguished teachersand artists from all parts of theworld also join us, inspired by thedistinctiveness of our project.Over 1,000 alumni of the KeshetEilon Mastercourse, representing50 countries, are spread outthroughout the world. Theycontinue to keep in close touchwith Keshet Eilon, and some ofthem assist us in promoting theproject by performing in ourbenefit concerts in various partsof the world, where they also gainexposure to qualitative audiences.The curriculum at Keshet Eilonincludes masterclasses, individualinstruction, chamber music andconcerts. Participants have theopportunity to gain experience insolo and ensemble performancesbefore audiences in the kibbutz,throughout the Western Galileeregion, and in Tel Aviv.Keshet Eilon is also distinguishedfrom other masterclass programsin its unique blend of musictraining and instruction in archery;exposure to the art of violin- andbow-making; and opportunities totake part in chamber music andother innovative workshops onvarious themes.The Mastercourse is the flagshipprogram of the Keshet EilonMusic Center, which is movingtoward becoming a year roundcenter for string performance andeducation.72

3General Information

Keshet Eilon Summer 2012General InformationCandidacyThe Mastercourse is intended for gifted young violinists, violists and cellistsof all nationalities, ages 16 to 26, who have attained a high standard ofperformance. Participants must be able to communicate in and understandEnglish, the official language of the course.AuditionsApplicants must forward an audition recording of two pieces by differentcomposers and in different styles, in a media file in a well-known formatsupported by Windows Media Player. Either submit the file by uploading it atthe specified place in the application form on our website, or send a link to aYouTube file addressed to: marcelabarkai@012.net.ilPlease note: other means of conveying the recorded audition are not acceptable.RepertoireEach applicant is requested to submit a list of five or more pieces for studyduring the Mastercourse. These should be works of different styles and periods(as indicated in the Application Form) which have been previously studied orperformed. The table in the Application Form should be completed in printedletters and should include composer and title, giving all details and correctspellings as well as movement numbers and names. This information will beused later on in the programs printed for the Mastercourse. This listing will bebinding and will determine the concert programs during the Mastercourse.Participants will be requested to bring the piano scores for these pieces to theMastercourse.Daily scheduleThe daily schedule consists of individual lessons and practice in the morning;archery, masterclasses and workshops throughout the day; and concerts inthe evening. Each student receives individual instruction on alternate days,and works with an assigned pianist daily. The importance of keeping to theschedule and maintaining an awareness of the activities beyond the individuallessons is emphasized. Similarly, the presence of all teachers and studentsat the masterclasses, concerts and various scheduled encounters is viewed as11essential.4

Teacher assignmentsUpon acceptance to the Mastercourse, participants may submit individualrequests regarding a preferred teacher, as will be detailed in the letter ofacceptance. Every effort will be made to meet the student’s wish, althoughKeshet Eilon reserves the right to make final decisions.Practice facilitiesA large number of practice rooms are located throughout the kibbutz.Music LibraryLocated in an attractively converted former grain silo, the library contains adistinctive collection of violin music (scores), chamber music, and literatureabout the violin. A rare collection of CDs and DVDs may also be explored, andInternet access is available.Archery and the art of violin playingThis unique program was created especially for Keshet Eilon. The foundersof the course discovered a striking similarity between violinists and archersin terms of coordination, posture, and use of certain muscle groups, so thatviolinists achieve remarkable results in archery. The connection between thetwo disciplines continues to prove itself consistently. All participants are taughtarchery, which is practiced every day. Archery practice assists the violinists intheir playing while providing an exciting form of recreation. Training is providedby professional archery coaches. The project was initiated by Master ViolinmakerAmnon Weinstein, together with a professional archery coach. Today, theproject is implemented with the cooperation of the Rishon Le-Zion Archery Clubwhich organizes training at the Mastercourse on a volunteer basis.Violin- and Bow-making AtelierThis open workshop gives students and teachers a rare opportunity to observeand follow the art of violin- and bow-making while discussing the art with ViolinMaker and Restorer Adam Korman and Master Bow-maker Daniel Schmidt. Theatelier provides all essential repair work and care of participants' instruments.It specializes in sound arrangements and improving instrument playability.AccommodationsParticipants live two to three in a room in air-conditioned dormitory-stylefacilities. The three main meals of the day are taken in the communal dininghall, with light snacks served in the dorm area. The kibbutz also has a smallgrocery where snacks, soft drinks and the like are on sale. Full postal, telephone,fax and Internet services are available.TuitionThe cost of participation in the Keshet Eilon Summer 2012 Mastercourse is NIS12,500 (€2,650/$3,480*). Tuition covers 19 days' accommodation, meals andsnacks, all instruction, and organized outings. A non-refundable registrationfee of NIS 500 (€106/$139*) in the form of a bank transfer, credit card payment,or check, accompanied by the Application Form, should be sent to the office inIsrael by February 28, 2012. The registration fee will be credited to the generaltuition (balance NIS 12,000/€2,543/$3,330*), which must be paid by the samepayment methods, upon notification of acceptance to the Mastercourse, and nolater than June 15, 2012.Bank Transfer: Bank transfers should be made to the following bank account:Account Name: Keshet Eilon Reg. Org.Bank Hapoalim, Nahariya branch (716)Shderot Hagaaton 37, NahariyaAccount Number: 28346Swift code – PoalilitIBAN – IL96-0127-1600-0000-0028-346Credit Card: All major credit cards are accepted.Check: Make check payable to Keshet Eilon Reg. Org.A discount of NIS 900 (€190/$250*) will be given for payment of the full tuitionfee by May 25, 2011, leaving a balance of NIS 11,100 (€2,353/$3008*) + the NIS500 (€106/$139*) non-refundable tuition fee.Please note: This discount is applicable to non-scholarship students only.5Chamber Music WorkshopThis optional workshop offers instruction to violinists participating inthe Mastercourse working together with violists, cellists and pianists inchamber groups under the guidance of internationally known chamber musicprofessors. The workshop is ongoing throughout the course and its results aredemonstrated in concerts throughout the program.Social activitiesActivities include informal evening get-togethers, a tour of the region, andthe use of our outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts. The friendly ruralatmosphere of the kibbutz provides an ideal environment for both work andrelaxation.ScholarshipsScholarships of various amounts are available for outstanding violinists, violistsand cellists in need of assistance in order to take part in the Mastercourse. Toattain a scholarship, applicants must first complete the registration procedure,including filling in the Application Form in full, submitting a written requestfor scholarship aid (a link to download this form appears in the applicationform) accompanied by necessary financial documentation (salary slips and afinancial declaration), and an audition. Only after we receive the applicationmaterials and hear the audition will scholarship eligibility and the amount tobe awarded be decided.13* These equivalents are subject to exchange rates on the day of payment.

CancellationsShould an applicant have to cancel his/her participation in the course for anypersonal or other reason, a cancellation charge of NIS 4,500 (€953/$1,250*) willbe debited from the total tuition fee, pending receipt of notification of thecancellation no later than June 30th. There will be no refunds of any kind afterJune 30th, except for a documented medical emergency, in which case roomand board only will be refunded on a pro-rated basis.Terms and ConditionsParticipants must arrive at Kibbutz Eilon on Sunday, July 22, 2012, and remainuntil Thursday morning, August 9, 2012.Transportation to Eilon:Participants traveling from Ben-Gurion Airport to Eilon are advised to takethe train at the airport to the town of Nahariya, the closest town to Eilon.Transportation from there to the kibbutz will be provided. The train schedulewill be forwarded to you in accordance with your flight itinerary.Transportation to the airport:Transportation will be provided to the Naharyia train station. Participantsflying home on August 9th can easily reach the airport by rail from there.ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST ATTEND THE MASTERCOURSE IN FULLInsurance for health, instrument,and personal belongings/equipmentEach participant must submit a "Release from Responsibility" form, signedby their instrument insurer, together with the student's confirmation ofparticipation in the Mastercourse. This form will be sent together with theletter of acceptance to the Mastercourse. All insurance must be prepaid, andcopies of the contracts must be submitted to Keshet Eilon upon arrival at theMastercourse.Registration1. Application Form: Please complete the Application Form, which you willfind on the Keshet Eilon Web site. All the other required materials can also beuploaded there.2. CV/Resume: CVs must be prepared in English and in a professional CVformat, limited to 120 words. This material will be used for concert programsduring the course. A sample CV format appears in the Application Form forguidance. Please note: Longer CVs or CVs unsuitable for concert programs willbe rejected. Be sure to list any honors or prizes you have received in the pastfive years. Additionally, please list previous years of participation in KeshetEilon, if any. If you plan to bring an instrument that is on loan to you, pleasecite this, with the name of the loan body.3. Personal photos:Please provide two high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) 13x18 cm. (5x7 in., approx.)digital head-shot color photos sent by e-mail. If you cannot arrange for this,please send two studio high-quality 13x18 cm. head-shot color photos by postalmail. These photos will be used for publicity purposes.4. Financial Assistance form supported by the necessary documents.Sending the application materials: You may e-mail the completed ApplicationForm, together with all the required application materials for candidacy in theMastercourse, to: marcelabarkai@012.net.ilYou may also print the Application Form, and send it, together with all therequired application materials for candidacy in the Mastercourse, by postalmail to:Marcela Barkai, Registrar and LiaisonKeshet Eilon Music CenterP.O. Box 1006Kibbutz EilonWestern Galilee 22845, IsraelLetter of recommendation: A letter of recommendation from your currentteacher and/or a known musician with whom you have collaborated recently isrequired. It should be sent directly to Keshet Eilon by February 15, 2012.The Application Form and all required materials must arrive atKeshet Eilon no later than February 28, 2012Note: Some elements are subject to change.The Keshet Eilon Music Center is administered by a registered non-profit organization.Its funding is based on support by foundations, organizations and private individuals.156

Faculty177

Faculty 2012ViolinFaculty 2012ViolinShmuel AshkenasiBorn in Tel Aviv in 1941, violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi attended theRubin Academy of Music, Tel Aviv, later studying in the U.S. underEfrem Zimbalist on scholarship at the Curtis Institute. He won prizesat Belgium's Queen Elisabeth Competition, Washington’s MeriwetherPost Competition (1st prize), and the Moscow TchaikovskyCompetition in 1962. Ashkenasi toured the Soviet Union twice. Hehas concertized throughout the world, performing with such orchestras asthe Philadelphia Symphony, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, NationalSymphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, Vienna Symphony,Royal Philharmonic, and the orchestras of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Zurich,Rotterdam, Geneva and Stockholm. Conductors with whom he has performedinclude Stokowski, Boehm, Kempe, Leinsdorf, Kubelik, Skrowaczewski andAncerl. As first violinist of the famed Vermeer Quartet, Ashkenasi has alsogained a reputation as one of the world’s outstanding chamber musicians. Heteaches violin and chamber music at Curtis Institute and Roosevelt University,and has served on the Keshet Eilon faculty over time.Edward GrachA legendary Russian violinist, soloist of the State PhilharmonicSociety and head of the violin faculty of the Moscow Conservatory,Edward Grach holds the title People’s Artist of the USSR. He was aprizewinner of a number of international competitions, graduatingfrom the Moscow Conservatory where he studied under AbramYampolsky. One of the most active Russian musicians today, hehas performed extensively in his homeland and abroad for over 60 years,recording some 100 discs. In 1995, 2002 and 2003 “Music Review” magazinenamed him Best Teacher in Russia. Many of his students have won prestigiousinternational competitions, among them Keshet Eilon graduates Alena Baeva,Nikita Borisoglebsky, Julia Igonina, Haik Kazazian and Hyuk-Joo Kwun. During2008-09 alone they earned 19 such prizes. He gives masterclasses worldwideand is president and jurist of many international competitions. He is thefounder and conductor of the Moscovia Chamber Orchestra, all of whoseviolinists are his students. He is a recipient of many state orders, includingthe Order of Merit for Russia twice. Edward Grach is a longtime Keshet Eilonfaculty member.Vadim GluzmanOne of the most exciting artists before the public today, Israeliviolinist Vadim Gluzman appears regularly with such orchestras asthe London Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Israel Philharmonic andMunich Philharmonic, with prominent conductors such as NeemeJärvi, Andrew Litton, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Marek Janowski,Peter Oundjian and Itzhak Perlman. He has also performed atimportant festivals such as Verbier, Ravinia, Schleswig-Holstein, Lockenhaus,Pablo Casals and Colmar to name a few. Recording exclusively for BIS, Mr.Gluzman collaborates with today's foremost composers, including Arvo Pärt,Peteris Vasks, Lera Auerbach, Giya Kancheli and Sofia Gubaidulina, premieringtheir works in concerts and records. Vadim Gluzman plays the extraordinary1690 ex-Leopold Auer Stradivarius on extended loan to him through thegenerosity of the Stradivari Society of Chicago. A graduate of Keshet Eilon, heis a member of the faculty of the Chicago College of the Performing Arts, theMozarteum Salzburg, and the Keshet Eilon Mastercourse.Ilya GringoltsWinner of the 1998 Premio Paganini International ViolinCompetition, Ilya Gringolts studied violin and composition inSt. Petersburg with Tatiana Liberova and Jeanna Metallidi, laterattending Juilliard where he studied with Itzhak Perlman. He hasperformed worldwide with leading orchestras and as a recitalist,and has worked with many contemporary composers, premieringworks by Peter Maxwell Davies, Augusta Read Thomas, Christophe Bertrandand Michael Jarrell. He also has a sustained commitment to period instrumentperformance and often plays baroque repertoires with a baroque violin andbow, sometimes switching between modern and baroque violins in a singleprogram. He founded the Gringolts String Quartet in 2008. His CD recordingsfor Deutsche Grammophon and Hyperion were highly praised, with his twomost recent CD releases dedicated to Robert Schumann. He won a GramophoneAward in 2006 for his CD, Taneyev - Chamber Music. He is a professor of violinin the Hochschule Basel, and a Violin International Fellow at the Royal ScottishAcademy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.198

Faculty 2012ViolinFaculty 2012ViolinItzhak RashkovskyMusic director of Keshet Eilon and internationally renownedRussian-Israeli violin pedagogue, Itzhak Rashkovsky was a drivingforce behind the founding of the Keshet Eilon Mastercourse. Hereceived a master’s degree at the Rubin Academy of Music, TelAviv, where he studied with Yair Kless. As professor of violin at theRoyal College of Music, London, Itzhak Rashkovsky has come to beone of the leading and most sought-after teachers in England. His students,who come from all over the world, are winners of national and internationalcompetitions. He has given masterclasses in Europe, Israel, China, Japan andthe U.S. and has been a juror of numerous international violin competitions.Founder and Artistic Director of the London Music Masters, his articles andeditions of violin pieces were published by “The Strad” magazine. In 1998 hewas awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music, London, in recognitionof his services to music. He plays the 1831 J. F. Pressenda violin through agenerous loan from the Elderberry Foundation.Hagai ShahamInternationally recognized as one of the most exciting Israeliviolinists, Hagai Shaham studied with Ilona Feher and was awardedscholarships by the America-Israel Cultural Foundation. He won 1stprize at the ARD International Music Competition, Munich, 1990.He has appeared with the BBC, Royal Philharmonic, Royal LiverpoolPhilharmonic, SWF Baden-Baden, RTE National (Ireland), BelgianNational, Taipei and Singapore Symphonies, Israel Philharmonic, the Englishand the Israel Chamber Orchestras. In demand as a recitalist, Mr. Shaham toursthroughout Europe, North and Central America, performing at internationalrecital series and festivals. He records regularly for Hyperion, and has alsorecorded for Decca International, Chandos, Nimbus, Biddulph, Naxos, ClassicTalent and AVIE. He is a professor at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, TelAviv University. His masterclasses in Europe, North and South America attractmany students. Shaham is a co-founder of the Ilona Feher Foundation.Ani SchnarchRomanian-Israeli-British violinist, winner of the Francois Shapiro andMozart Memorial Prizes, Ani Schnarch is internationally regarded asone of the most exciting and versatile violinists of her generation. Astudent of F. Andrievsky, she has performed with major orchestrasand in recital at the main venues in England, France, Israel, Italy,Norway, Romania, Russia, Spain and the U.S., and has recorded forradio and television, including a unique BBC series of all the works for violin andpiano by Bela Bartok. She has played at the Bath, Bergen, Lake District, Windsorand Bowdoin music festivals. Ani Schnarch is in great demand as a professor ofviolin at the Royal College of Music, London, gives masterclasses worldwide, andhas served as a juror in numerous international competitions. Ani Schnarch isone of the founders of the Keshet Eilon Violin Mastercourse and Artistic Directorof the New Virtuosi Mastercourse. She plays a violin by JB Guadagnini c.1745,on generous loan from the Royal College of Music Instrument Collection.Pavel VernikovA student of David Oistrach and S. Snitkowsky, Pavel Vemikovgained a reputation as a virtuoso violinist, appearing in suchprestigious venues as the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, CarnegieHall, New York, Kennedy Center, Washington DC, Wigmore Hall,London, La Salle Gaveau, Paris, La Scala, Milan, and Santa Cecilia,Rome. His artistic partners have included Sviatoslav Richter, JamesGalway, Alain Meunier, Patrick Gallois, Maria Tipo, Natalia Gutman, OlegKagan, Yuri Bashmet, Elisso Virsaladze, Claus Zimmermann and Anthony Pay.He inaugurated the Russian Academy of Higher Learning in Portogruaro, andat present he is a professor at the Vienna Konservatorium. He teaches andgives masterclasses in Italy, France, Finland, Spain, Israel and elsewhere, andhas served as a jury member of international competitions such as the Szigeti,Krysler, Gui and Budapest. Pavel Vernikov has recorded for RCA, Ondine andDynamic. He plays a Guadagnini (ex Contessa Crespi, ex Brengola) Piacenza1747, loaned by the Fondazione Pro Canale of Milan.219

Faculty 2012ViolinFaculty 2012ViolaSilvia MarcoviciRenowned violinist Silvia Marcovici, born in Romania, studiedin Bacau and Bucharest with Stefan Gheorghiu and made herinternational debut at 16 under the baton of Bruno Maderna in TheHague. She won 1st prizes in the Marguerite Long/Jacques ThibaudCompetition, Paris, and the George Enescu Competition, Bucharest.In 1972 she was invited by Leopold Stokowski to perform with theLondon Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. Since then she hastoured extensively, appearing as soloist with almost every major orchestrain the world and collaborating with conductors such as Eugene Ormandy,Bernard Haitink, Andre Previn, Klaus Tennstedt, Claudio Abbado, Simon Rattle,David Zinman, Eliahu Inbal, Riccardo Muti, Kurt Mazur, Daniel Barenboim,Zubin Mehta, Neeme Jarvi, Sergiu Comissiona and Mstislav Rostropovitch.Her recordings under the Decca, BIS, Doremi and Aurophon labels include theconcertos of Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Bruch, Sibelius and Nielsen.Currently professor of violin at the Kunst Universität, Graz, Austria, SilviaMarcovici has served on the jury of various international competitions.Atar AradIsraeli-born Atar Arad is a faculty member of Indiana University'sJacobs School of Music in Bloomington; Steans Music Institute at theRavinia Festival; and Domaine Forget Music and Dance Academy,Quebec. In 1972 he won the 1st prize at the Geneva InternationalCompetition by a unanimous vote of the jury, followed byperformances world wide as a soloist with major orchestras, asa recitalist in important music series and festivals and as a member of therenowned Cleveland Quartet. Recent performances include the premiers of hisown Viola Concerto in Bloomington, Brussels and Stockholm (with conductorsSegal, Zollman and Bartosz), as well as his "Listen (3 poems by W.S. Merwin),"commissioned by the International Musicians Seminar, which he premieredat the Wigmore Hall, London, along with tenor Mark Padmore and a chamberensemble. Arad's Tikvah for Solo Viola was commissiond for the 2008 MunichInternational Competition. Cellist Gary Hoffman premiered his Epitaph for Celloand Strings at the 2011 Kronberg Cello Festival with the Kremerata Baltica,Roman Kofman conducting. Arad's String Quartet, Solo Sonata for Viola, and hisConcerto are recorded by RIAX. He is a member of the Keshet Eilon faculty.Petru MunteanuPetru Munteanu trained in Bucharest under Prof. G. Manoliu(a pupil of Enesco) and attended masterclasses with J. Yankelevichand M. Vaiman. Following a period as a professor at the BucharestConservatoire and director of the Special School of Musicin Bucharest, he taught at the conservatories in Lübeck andHamburg from 1970, and accepted a professorship at the RostockConservatoire in 1994. He became well known in and outside Germanythrough concerts, masterclasses and numerous publications. He has givenmasterclasses in Europe, China and the U.S., and served as a juror atnumerous international violin competitions, including Brussels and Moscow.Petru Munteanu is artistic director of the international violin competitionand the masterclasses in Kloster Schöntal. His students are members ofleading German orchestras and prizewinners of national and internationalcompetitions, including Brussels, 2001. He served as president of the Germansection of ESTA during 2000-2004. He was awarded the title of HonoraryProfessor at the University of Brasov, and the highest medal of the Republicof Lithuania.Michael KugelViolist Michael Kugel, born in the USSR, studied violin at theBeethoven College of Music, Kharkov, and viola, composition andconducting at the Leningrad Conservatory, winning 1st prize in theBudapest International Viola Competition, 1975. He performed assoloist of the Moscow Philharmonic, and violist of the BeethovenState Quartet. He taught at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory,the Jerusalem Rubin Academy and today is a faculty member of the GhentRoyal Conservatory and the Maastricht Royal Conservatory. Michael Kugelhas appeared as soloist and conductor with major symphony orchestras. Hehas served as juror of international competitions in England, Austria, Israel,USA, Croatia and Belgium, given masterclasses worldwide, and recorded some20 discs. He has enriched the viola repertoire with his compositions: Sonata-Poem for viola solo, Concerto for viola and orchestra, Suite in memoriam toShostakovich for viola and piano, sonatas, a chamber symphony, and chambermusic. He has written two books: Viola Sonata by Shostakovich and the ViolaConcerto by Bartók - The History of an Era, and Masterpieces of InstrumentalMusic. He is founder and president of the Belgian Viola Society.2310

Faculty 2012CelloDistinguishedGuest ArtistsAmit PeledIsraeli cellist Amit Peled, a musician of profound artistry andcharismatic stage presence, has performed as a soloist with manyorchestras and in the world’s major concert halls such as: CarnegieHall, Galle Gaveau, Wigmore Hall and Tel Aviv’s Mann Auditorium.As a recording artist, he released three critically acclaimed CDsunder the Centaur label: “The Jewish Soul,” “Cellobration,” and aCD with both the Elgar Concerto and Bloch’s Schelomo. Amit Peled has beenfeatured on television and radio stations throughout the world, includingNPR’s “Performance Today”, WGBH Boston, WQXR New York, WFMT Chicago,Deutschland Radio Berlin, Radio France, Swedish National Radio and TV, andIsrael National Radio and TV. He is a frequent guest artist, performing andgiving master classes at prestigious summer music festivals such as Marlboro,Schelswig Holstein, Euro Arts and Prussia Cove. A sought-after cello teacher, heis a professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Johns Hopkins Universityand plays a rare Andrea Guarnieri cello ca. 1689.Hillel ZoriIsraeli cellist Hillel Zori made his debut with the Israel Philharmonicunder Zubin Mehta in 1984 and was a prizewinner of the 1991 CIEM,Geneva; 1991 Premio Stradivari, Cremona; 1990 Rostropovich cellocompetition, Paris; 1989 Whitaker, St. Louis; and 1986 Maria Canals,Barcelona. He has performed with Israel's major orchestras underMendi Rodan and Christian Mandeal, and with the Slovenjian RTVSymphony, Rheinische Philharmonie and Düsseldorf Symphony. A frequentrecitalist and chamber musician, he has toured the U.S., Europe and the FarEast, performing as well at the Athens, Israel, Graz, Kfar Blum, Tanglewood,Marlboro, and Rovereto festivals in collaboration with artists such as DavidSoyer, Michae1 Tree, Atar Arad, Pnina Salzmann and Marissa Tanzini. He studiedat the Tel Aviv Rubin Academy with Uzi Wiesel, and in the U.S. with BernardGreenhouse. Mr. Zori is a faculty member of the Buchmann-Mehta School ofMusic, Te1 Aviv University, and gives masterclasses worldwide. He is a memberof the Keshet Eilon faculty.Ida HaendelAcknowledged as one of the outstanding violinists of our time,Ida Haendel was born in Poland and studied at the WarsawConservatoire and in Paris with Carl Flesch and George Enescu.She began her professional career as a child prodigy at the Queen'sHall in London under the baton of Sir Henry Wood, playing theBrahms Violin Concerto. Since then, she has performed with allthe major orchestras worldwide and appears regularly at major festivalssuch as Edinburgh and the BBC Proms. In 1982 she was awarded the SibeliusMedal in recognition of her distinguished performances of his concerto. Shewas awarded the C.B.E. in the 1991 New Year's Honours List. Ida Haendelrecords for EMI and Decca. Her recording of Bach's solo works was releasedon the Testament label in 1996. The year 2000 saw the release of her chambermusic recordings with Vladimir Ashkenazy by Decca, for which she receiveda Diapason d'Or award. Ida Haendel was awarded a Fellowship of the RoyalCollege of Music, London, in 2000, in recognition of her outstanding servicesto music. A devoted supporter of Keshet Eilon, she is a longtime distinguishedguest artist at its mastercourse.Haim TaubIsraeli violinist Haim Taub was concertmaster of the IsraelPhilharmonic Orchestra from 1969 until his retirement in 1988. Astudent of Oedoen Partos at the Tel Aviv Academy and later of IvanGalamian at the Juilliard School of Music, New York, he becamea member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, later returningto Israel where he joined the Israel Philharmonic Orchestraand performed in Israel and abroad as a soloist with the Philharmonic andwith many other Israeli orchestras. Taub was a founding member of theinternationally acclaimed Tel Aviv String Quartet, with whom he recorded andtoured extensively. He is regarded as one of Israel's leading violin teachers,and many of his students have gained international recognition as soloists,chamber music players and members of major orchestras worldwide. KeshetEilon has benefited by his presence as a faculty member over the years and asa distinguished guest artist, honoring him in 2008 with a Lifetime AchievementAward.2511

Piano FacultyRita BirmanRussian-born pianist Rita Birman graduated from the MusicAcademy of Sverdlovsk, where she became an accompanist,appearing with noted violinists and cellists in Moscow, Leningradand Novosibirsk and on Russian TV and radio. Immigrating to Israelin 1990, Birman has accompanied students at the Buchmann-MehtaSchool of Music, Tel Aviv University, performs as a duo-pianist, andis sole accompanist at the Givatayim Conservatory for all musicalinstruments. She is a member of the Keshet Eilon faculty.Julia GurvitchPianist Julia Gurvitch was born in Russia and graduated fromthe Gnesin Music Academy in Moscow. She was a soloist and anaccompanist with the Moscow Philharmonic for 11 years. Gurvitchperforms extensively in Israel and abroad, and is presently afaculty member of the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel AvivUniversity, as well as of Keshet Eilon.Petr JirikovskyCzech pianist Petr Jirikovsky appears internationally as a soloistwith orchestras under such conductors as Jiri Belohlavek, LiborPesek and Jean-Claude Casadesus. A member of the Trio Martinuand a sought-after piano partner, he has performed in Théâtre duChâtelet, Paris, Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Kennedy Center, Washington,and Moscow Conservatory's Grand Hall. Festivals in which he hasperformed include Schleswig-Holstein, Kyoto Autumn, PragueSpring, Salzburger Festspiele, Colmar, Schwetzingen, and PianoPassion, St. Etienne. He rejoins the Keshet Eilon faculty thissummer.Neomi KaplanLithuanian-born pianist Neomi Kaplan graduated from theLithuanian Music Academy, Vilnius, where she studied with O.Steinberg, thereafter working as an accompanist at the academy.Immigrating to Israel, she became an accompanist at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University, and a teacher atthe Israel Conservatory, Tel Aviv. An accompanist at Israel'smajor competitions, Kaplan has taken part in such internationalcompetitions as the Rostropovich, Paris, and the Tchaikovsky,Moscow, and in masterclasses and recitals accompanying notedartists. She returns to the Keshet Eilon faculty this summer.Eugenia LakernikPianist Eugenia Lakernik was born in the former USSR and graduatedfrom the Gnesin Music Academy in Moscow, where she studied withAlexander Yoxeles and Lina Bulatova. She was an accompanist atthe Gnesin Academy during 1980-95. Immigrating to Israel in 1995,she is an accompanist at the Tel Aviv Conservatory and a teacherat the Nes-Ziona Conservatory. She took part in Israeli culturalfestivals in Turkey during 1998 and 1999. She is a faculty memberof Keshet Eilon.Luis ParésVenezuelan/Italian pianist Luis Parés earned a Masters withdistinction from the Royal College of Music, London. He won 1stprize at the Ricard Viñes Piano Competition (Lerida, Spain) andthe Silvia Eisenstein Piano Competition (Venezuela), and was awinner of the 2006 Making Music Young Concert Artists Awards.Mr. Parés performs widely in Europe, North and South America assoloist, chamber musician and accompanist. He is a member of theKeshet Eilon faculty and Executive Director of the New VirtuosiInternational Violin Mastercourse (Italy).Valentina VasilenkoPianist Valentina Vasilenko was born in Korea. She graduated fromthe Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Conservatory, where she studiedunder Prof. V. Nielson. A prizewinner at international competitions,she works at the Moscow Conservatory as accompanist in the violinclass of her husband, Prof. E. Grach. Valentina performs extensivelyas a soloist and as a duo partner with her husband, with whom shehas recorded numerous CDs. She is a member of the Keshet Eilonfaculty.Irina ZheleznovaPianist Irina Zheleznova studied with A. Nasedkin and T. Alikhanovinat the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory Academy, Moscow, earninga Ph.D. in chamber music. She was associate professor and a headof the chamber music department at the Uzbek State Conservatory.Irina has performed in Russia, Europe, Japan and North Americaand is a winner of piano-duo competitions worldwide. Immigratingto Israel in 2008, she teaches at the Israel Conservatory of Music,Tel Aviv, and returns to the Keshet Eilon faculty this summer.2712

Violin- and Bow-makingAtelierGuest of HonorAdam KormanViolin maker and restorer Adam Korman, who participatedas a violinist in the 1992 Keshet Eilon Mastercourse, trainedat the Newark Violin Making School, UK, during 1999-2002,thereafter working in London at Florian Leonhard's restorationworkshop. Establishing his own workshop in Tel Aviv in 2005, heattends to the instruments of many of Israel's leading performersand upcoming musicians. He joined the Keshet Eilon facultyas a member of the Violin- and Bow-making Atelier during the2011/2012 season.Daniel SchmidtMaster bow-maker Daniel Schmidt was born in Klingenthal,Germany, and studied for eight years with his father, C. Hans-Karl Schmidt, in Dresden, continuing a 200-year-old familytradition of violin- and bow-making. He is the winner of two goldmedals (1989) in the international competition in Mittlenwald.He worked with Master violin-maker Amnon Weinstein in Tel Avivduring 1992-93 and since then has taken part in Keshet Eilon eachsummer as co-director of the Violin- and Bow-making Atelier.He is a member of Entente International des Maitre Luthierset Archetiers d'Art and of the Association of Violin- and Bowmakersof Germany.Florian LeonhardOne of the world's leading experts in rare and fine stringedinstruments and in violin restoration, will be a guest of honor atthe 2012 International Keshet Eilon Mastercourse.Florian Leonhard is increasingly viewed as the world’s foremostauthority on Italian string instruments. As such he acts asspecial consultant to many leading soloists, including MaximVengerov and Leonidas Kavakos; orchestras such as the LondonSymphony Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, andthe Concertgebouw; and financial institutions. He sits as a jurymember for numerous international competitions, including theWieniawski.Working with W.E. Hill and Sons in London in the 1980s, Florianrapidly honed his restoration skills, mastering Hill’s uncompromisingmethodology, constantly studying fine authentic examples, andultimately reaching the position of Head Restorer.In 1995 he established his own company, which quickly developeda strong reputation for expertise, restoration and authentication. Thewide range of instruments offered to clients are rigorously chosenfor their sound, authenticity and condition, and “superb selection,service and integrity”* have established Florian Leonhard FineViolins as one of the world’s top dealerships of fine instruments.*Daniel Hope speaking of the acquisition of his Guarneri delGesù 174229

Keshet Eilon Music Center, Kibbutz Eilon, Western Galilee 22845, IsraelTel. 972-4-9858191/8131, Fax: 972-4-9806766, kesheteilon@012.net.il, www.keshetei.org.il