Update from the Israel Philharmonic

The Israel Philharmonic is back on stage!

After the postponement of the opening of the Israel Philharmonic’s 87th season due to the events of October 7 and the war, we are excited to inform you that the IPO returned to the stage this week. However, this is a partial return, as they have to adhere to the directives of the Home Front Command. They hope to be able to offer the complete concert program very soon! Residents of the communities surrounding the border to Gaza and of northern Israel, who were evacuated from their homes, are invited to attend the concerts free of charge.

In the last few weeks, the Israel Philharmonic realized the urgent need for new digital content, especially programs for children. Together with Music Director Lahav Shani, the musicians are recording an extraordinary educational series of musical programs. Maestro Shani chose four classic masterpieces that have a unique personal meaning for him, and they were filmed and recorded this week under his baton. For a peek behind the scenes, please click here.

The selected pieces are: “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns, “The Young Guide to the Orchestra” by Benjamin Britten, “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Modest Mussorgsky, arranged by Maurice Ravel, and a selection of beautiful symphonic dances, including parts of Bach’s orchestral suite and Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”, by Prokofiev and Dvořák and the opening to Bizet’s opera “Carmen”.

The series is intended for kindergarten and elementary school children and will be available to watch free of charge. It is the Orchestra’s aim that these musical programs will become an integral part of the education system in Israel and give every child free access to the creativity and unlimited abundance of these beautiful and beloved pieces.

We offer thanks to the community of donors who support the IPO; your generosity makes everything we do possible.