Marking the 85th anniversary of the founding of Israel’s most revered and respected cultural institutions, the Israel Philharmonic (IPO) has released a unique Film chronicling its history and its lasting impact on music both within Israel and across the globe.
Hosted by award-winning actress and performer Shira Haas (“Shtisel”, “Unorthodox”, “The Zookeeper’s Wife”), the Film includes never-before seen footage conveying the story of several musical visionaries’ success in transforming Israel into a powerhouse of orchestral achievement, often amidst intense regional conflict and social challenge.
Released on December 26th online to mark the occasion of 85 years to the day when the then-Palestine Symphony Orchestra first performed in Tel Aviv, the Film will be available for free viewing until the end of January 2022 on YouTube.
The Film was jointly produced by the Israel Philharmonic Foundation and the American Friends of the IPO, highlighting the Orchestra’s history as well as its ongoing musical achievements over the course of the pandemic.
“These past two years have been deeply challenging for all cultural institutions. And yet the Israel Philharmonic has never stopped and will continue to write musical history while embracing its remarkable past,” explained Tali Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Israel Philharmonic Foundation. “Through this Film, which has already been seen and lauded by supporters from over 70 countries, we demonstrate how we continued to cherish the IPO’s remarkable history by moving forward in our musical development while seeking out new creative tools to tell our story.”
From the pre-State period and all throughout the development of the modern State of Israel, the IPO has thrived as a source of national pride and musical excellence while serving as the country’s cultural ambassador throughout the globe.
Viewers are invited to witness selections from performances by Leonard Bernstein in the early months after the founding of the State and later on Jerusalem’s Mount Scopus shortly after the Six-Day War. Other moments highlighted are a concert held at the site of “The Good Fence” on the Lebanese border as well as Isaac Stern performing to a Jerusalem concert hall filled with audience members donning gas masks during a Gulf War air raid siren.
The Film also features recent performances conducted by Lahav Shani, the IPO’s Music Director, successor of Zubin Mehta since 2020, just prior to the onset of Corona. Included is a duet between Shani on the piano and Shira Haas performing a soul-inspiring rendition of Cabaret’s Maybe This Time.
“The history of the State of Israel is etched in the biography of the Philharmonic, in difficult and in joyous moments,” said Shira Haas.
To Watch The IPO 85th Anniversary Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP1d60-RafA