AFIPO MILESTONES
1982
AFIPO hosted a mission to Israel to participate in the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bronislaw Huberman, founder of the Palestine Symphony Orchestra, now known as the Israel Philharmonic. American Friends attended the Gala concert in Tel Aviv. Conducted by Zubin Mehta, participants in the Huberman Week tribute included world master concert violinist virtuosos Ivri Gitlis, Ida Haendel, Shlomo Mintz, Isaac Stern, Henryk Szeryng and Pinchas Zukerman. Proceeds from the ticket sales benefited the IPO Endowment Fund.
1984
Zubin Mehta conducted Itzhak Perlman and the IPO during the 1984 Olympic Games at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Benefiting the American Friends of the Hebrew University and the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the concerts Honorary Chairpersons were Barbra Streisand and Ambassador Fredric R. Mann. Gregory Peck hosted the evening.
1985
With Zubin Mehta, conducting, and Itzhak Perlman, as soloist, the IPO performed an all-Tchaikovsky program at Carnegie Hall. This was the first IPO solo benefit for the Endowment Fund sponsored by the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
1986
Leonard Bernstein, on the IPO’s 50th Anniversary, conducted the orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall in his original 15-minute composition entitled “Jubilee Games” created especially for this event. Mr. Bernstein was a strong champion of the Orchestra from its beginning and was named Laureate Conductor of the IPO in 1988.
1989
American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra sponsored a celebration honoring Zubin Mehta’s 25th Anniversary as Music Director of the IPO. Maestro Mehta conducted guest soloist Itzhak Perlman and the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, followed by a dinner honoring Mr. Mehta in the Helen Huntington Hull Room at Avery Fisher Hall.
1991
The inaugural meeting of the Young Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was held at the Hotel Wales, a New York City landmark on museum mile.
1992
AFIPO Patrons toured Spain with Zubin Mehta and the IPO and its international friends. The Orchestra’s tour commemorated the 500th anniversary of the expulsion of Jews from Spain. The Orchestra performed with guests Placido Domingo and Isaac Stern in the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Sophia.
1995
AFIPO announced the formation of The Huberman Society in recognition of individuals who chose to make a deferred gift to the IPO. Founding members were Ruth and Charles Gold, Samuel L. and Perry Haber, Robert Mann, Arthur and Rebecca Marshall and Gershon Swet.
1996
The IPO Oral History Collection, under the direction of Perry Haber, an AFIPO volunteer and avid supporter of the Orchestra, completed the transcriptions of taped interviews from a wide range of memoirists who have been involved with the Orchestra since 1936. Their memoirs capture and preserve personal reflections, life-experiences and recollections of their association with the Orchestra.
1996
The IPO celebrated the 60th Anniversary Jubilee Festival with an extraordinary assemblage of talent performing with Zubin Mehta and the IPO. Guest artists included Yefim Bronfman, Mischa Maisky, Midori, Shlomo Mintz, Itzhak Perlman, Gil Shaham, Isaac Stern, Maxim Vengerov and Pinchas Zukerman. AFIPO was a principal sponsor of the Orchestra’s 60th Anniversary Gala Program, taped in Israel and nationally telecast on PBS.
1998
AFIPO raised over $2.5 million to underwrite the IPO’s United States Jubilee tour for Israel’s 50th Anniversary. Over 100,000 Americans had the opportunity to witness firsthand the remarkable music of the IPO. From San Francisco to Philadelphia the tour was an overwhelming success under the leadership of Zubin Mehta.
1998
Four million people across America tuned in for CBS News Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood, featuring the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The program vividly and powerfully depicted the singular relationship between music, Israel and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
2000
KeyNote, the AFIPO sponsored Education and Outreach Program of the IPO, was established under the direction of Irit Rub-Levy. Ms. Rub-Levy and members of the IPO developed a comprehensive music education program to reach out to all sectors of the Israeli community for children from kindergarten to high school.
2003
The IPO performed to sold-out audiences at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and Carnegie Hall in New York during their United States Tour, conducted by Zubin Mehta.
2005
The American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors, and invited guests, enjoy a 25th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of AFIPO at the Kosciuszko Foundation with a musical presentation by AFIPO Board member and renowned pianist, Emanuel Ax.
2006
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., selected Zubin Mehta to receive one of the five Kennedy Center Honors, alongside Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Steven Spielberg, and Andrew Lloyd Weber. Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen Schwarzman said, “Conductor Zubin Mehta’s profound artistry and devotion to music make him a world treasure.” Pinchas Zukerman and members of the IPO surprised Maestro Mehta on the occasion with a performance.
2008
AFIPO celebrated the 90th birthday of Leonard Bernstein, the IPO’s Laureate Conductor, at four AFIPO Benefit Galas across the United States. Tribute concerts were performed in five cities. Jamie Bernstein, daughter of Leonard Bernstein, hosted the musical evenings with stories about her father and his passion for music, Israel and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Special guest artist for the New York Benefit was celebrated icon Tony Bennett. Academy Award winner, Rita Moreno, who joined the Orchestra in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
2010
Through the support of AFIPO, KeyNote, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s Education and Outreach Program celebrated its 10th anniversary. The program has become a model of excellence in music education for orchestras around the world.
