Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1961

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Concerto

 

Oded Zehavi is a renowned Israeli composer of classical music. He was born on December 23, 1961, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Zehavi grew up in a family of musicians, and his father was a well-known composer and conductor. From a young age, Zehavi showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Zehavi's musical education began at the Tel Aviv Music Academy, where he studied composition with Prof. Leon Schidlowsky. He continued his studies at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, where he studied with Prof. Mark Kopytman. Zehavi also studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna, Austria, where he studied with Prof. Erich Urbanner. Zehavi's early works were influenced by the music of his father, as well as by the works of other Israeli composers such as Schidlowsky and Kopytman. His music is characterized by a unique blend of traditional Jewish and Middle Eastern music with contemporary classical music. One of Zehavi's early works, "Three Songs for Soprano and Piano," was premiered in 1985 and received critical acclaim. The work was later performed by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta. In 1990, Zehavi was awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for his composition "The Seventh Day," which was commissioned by the Israel Festival. The work is a large-scale oratorio for choir, soloists, and orchestra, and is based on the biblical story of creation. Zehavi's music has been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. His works have also been featured at major music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Berliner Festwochen, and the Israel Festival. One of Zehavi's most notable works is "The Golem," a chamber opera based on the Jewish legend of the same name. The work was commissioned by the Vienna Chamber Opera and premiered in 1996. The opera has since been performed in Israel, Austria, Germany, and the United States. Another notable work by Zehavi is "The Book of Questions," a song cycle for soprano and orchestra based on the poetry of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The work was commissioned by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered in 2004. The cycle has since been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world. Zehavi's music is known for its emotional depth and complexity, as well as its ability to bridge cultural divides. His works often explore themes of identity, memory, and spirituality, and draw on a wide range of musical traditions and influences. In addition to his work as a composer, Zehavi is also a respected music educator. He has taught composition at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, the Tel Aviv Music Academy, and the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University. Zehavi has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music, including the ACUM Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Music in 2019. His music continues to be performed and celebrated around the world, and he remains one of Israel's most important and influential composers.

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