Israel Kastoriano was born in Istanbul, Turkey, where he began his piano studies. He subsequently studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Mannes College of Music in New York, where he graduated with highest honors in both piano and orchestral conducting.

During his seven-year stay in the United States, Israel appeared in solo recital and chamber music concerts for radio and television as well as at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. He was an assistant conductor to Maestro Leon Barzun at the National Orchestral Association. At the Tanglewood Festival, he won first prize in piano with citations from Maestros Gunther Schuller and Seiji Ozawa. He was also a finalist in Italy’s Bolzano piano competition.

As a pianist and keyboard player of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, he has collaborated with great conductors including Maestros Zubin Mehta, Leonard Bernstein, and Kurt Masur. He regularly tours with the Orchestra.

Israel is active as a solo and chamber musician, appearing regularly with the very best of Israeli and foreign musicians. He performs in a four-hand piano duo with Anat Sharon and has also performed extensively with musicians including cellists Michael Haran and Michel Strauss, flutist Yossi Arnheim, violinists Yigal Tuneh and Gerard Poulet, and clarinetist Richard Lesser. He is a member of the Opus 3 Tango Ensemble and participates in Israel’s Kfar Blum Music Festival.

As well as the recordings he has made with the Opus 3 Ensemble, Israel has recorded an album of solo piano music by Mozart. He regularly tours South and North America, Europe, and Turkey as a chamber musician and recitalist.

His involvement with voice accompaniment brought him into collaboration with the New Israel Opera. He received a special invitation from Placido Domingo to serve as Principal Pianist and Assistant Conductor at the singing competition in Madrid. He was also the Principal Pianist at the Leonard Bernstein Competition in Jerusalem.