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| Chen Zimbalista (photo: Eli Katz) |
Two
outstanding organizations were represented at the gala benefit concert for the
Yad Elie Foundation, which took place at the Jerusalem International YMCA on
January 1st, 2016. The
musical program was provided by Chen Zimbalista and the Music Factory.
Yad Eli,
established by Marion Kunstenaar in 2002 in memory of Elie Saghroun, provides
meals for needy Jerusalem school children, feeding 500 Arab- and Jewish
children on a daily basis. It sets up educational programs to teach children
about nutrition and health, creating a forum where Jewish and Arab participants
can think, work and benefit from each other. Rabbi David Lilienthal serves as
chairman of Yad Elie.
Directed by
world-renowned marimba player and percussionist Chen Zimbalista, the
Jewish-Arab youth orchestra – the Music Factory – was established four years
ago. For the Jerusalem concert, it was joined by members of the Jerusalem
Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Beer Sheva Sinfonietta and mezzo-soprano Noa
Hope. The concert was preceded by the three-day Music in Omer Festival, consisting
of open rehearsals, master classes and concerts. Taking place at the Open
Museum in the Industrial Park of the southern town of Omer, this was the second
of its kind involving the Music Factory and run by the charismatic Zimbalista.
With the high standards of performance and nurturing of Zimbalista, an educator
and social activist for bringing together children and youth from city and
periphery in high-quality music-making, the 12- to 18-year-olds attending the
festival were instructed by renowned teachers, who then joined them to play together
in the youth orchestra.
The program
included finely-crafted orchestral playing of movements from cardinal works of
symphonic repertoire and some chamber pieces, these punctuated by Zimbalista’s dashing,
stylish and virtuosic marimba playing. For the performance of works of
J.S.Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Bizet, Ravel and Piazzolla, the role of concertmaster
alternated between some of the orchestra’s outstanding teen violinists.
Introducing Ravel’s “Bolero”, Zimbalista explained that the composer had
written it as an exercise for orchestra. With Zimbalista on drum, the players
gave a beguiling reading of Evgeny Levitas’ shortened version of the “Bolero”;
among the fine small solos, a very young boy - Negev Almog - gave a richly sonorous and most
impressive performance of the flute solo.
Of the
chamber works on the program, we heard ‘cellists (and Music Factory tutors) Adiel
Schmidt and Erich Oskar Huetter (Austria) in some delicate, imaginative and
subtle playing of two movements from a Telemann work. Another enjoyable item
was the playing of an arrangement of the subject and three of the variations
from Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” elegantly presented by Asher Belchman
(violin), Lara Karpalov (viola) and E.O. Huetter (‘cello). (Huetter, having
visited Israel several times, has been involved in similar music projects with
Arab youth.)
Contending easily
and naturally with the orchestra, guest artist mezzo-soprano Noa Hope took
players and audience to the world of opera with “Voi che sapete” (You who know
what love is) from Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro”, her creamy, substantial voice
well integrated with her communicative stage performance. Hope’s dramatic and
colourful rendition of the Habanera from Bizet’s “Carmen” displayed her dynamic
range, well supported by the competence, accuracy and fine listening skills of
the Music Factory players.
The festive
concert concluded with two works of tango composer Astor Piazzolla, a rich and soundscape
of captivating Argentinean rhythms, yearning and joy. Adding to the nostalgic
yet life-affirming atmosphere of this music, young accordionist Uri Ofek, relaxed and
smiling, wandering across the stage in front of the orchestra, had the audience
enthralled by his competence and professionalism.
Throughout
the evening, Chen Zimbalista introduced the evening’s artists and works with
cheerful informality. Conducting, performing with them and soloing, he directed
both young- and experienced players in a vibrant program of outstanding
orchestral playing, promoting the harmony of co-existence.
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