Yoel Levi returns home
mainThe Israel conductor, formerly music director in Atlanta, Brussels and Seoul, is to be the new head of the Haifa Symphony Orchestra in Israel.
It’s the town where he grew up.
Levi, 71, was born in Romania but arrived in Israel with his parents at one month old. He studied in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and got his first professional post as assistant to Lorin Maazel in Cleveland.
He’s a marvelous conductor. The Haifa Symphony is very fortunate to have him at the podium.
Wonderful, and terribly underrated, conductor. His legacy on Telarc is superb. Maybe he doesn’t want it, or never sought it, but there are several major orchestras in the US and Europe which could benefit from his musicianship and experience. Lucky Haifa.
I at least would be willing to make a sacrifice or two to live in Haifa again, city much missed.
For me as a citizen of Haifa- these are some great news: We are fortunate to have a very rich musical life for a relatively small city of less than 300000 citizens- the Isreal PO plays here 20 concerts annually, all with world greatset conductors and soloists: There is a wonderful chamber music society which organizes 50-60 chamber concerts and chamber and Baroque orchestra concerts. Many of the top string quartets regularly perform in the city.
And now hopefully Levi can make the Haifa SO a great ochestra again just like the great jOb he did in Atlanta.
And there is a very strong music department at the local University/
And a conservatory in the German Colony, whose name I forget, but which I used to pass on the way to the Italian Cultural Institute. And there was another conservatory in Hadar, next to one of the mountain city’s characteristic inter-street staircases, where I used often to sit or lie on a bench halfway down and listen to fragmented music flowing from the open windows of the practice rooms.
And a conservatory in the German Colony, whose name I forget, but which I used to pass on my way to the Italian Cultural Institute. And there was another one in Hadar, beside one of the mountain city’s characteristic inter-street staircases, where I often used to sit or lie on a bench halfway down and listen to the fragmented music flowing from the open windows of the practice rooms.
He is s top notch conductor. One of the best. Great chance for Haifa.
Last time I’ve heard the Haifa SO was a semi staged performance of the Barber from Seville, under Yoel Levi. It was an amateurish performance, with some horrible orchestral playing. On the other hand, Maestro Levi gave a superb, utterly memorable War Requiem with the Israel PO last season. So let’s hope he will be able to raise the Haifa SO to a good level. Good luck!
Congratulations, Yoel! I am very happy for you and your new orchestra, especially as a result of the deep personal nostalgia which must be present.
Very talented musician and conductor.
This is an orchestra on the up, so it would seem. They had a brief association with the Romanian conductor Cristian Mandeal a few years back – together they did some interesting things. Not heard much of Levi of late (my fault, not his!) but what I have heard leads me to think he’s very under-rated as others have commented. I wish them all the luck to achieve great things together!
One of the true musician which cannot find recent days.
He is one of the world best to refine orchestras.
He is an amazing catch for Haifa Symphony. They will really take off with him. However, his rehearsals will eventually be reported as human rights violations.