Birth

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in Jerusalem, Israel

 

Sivan Magen is a world-renowned classical harpist who has captivated audiences with his virtuosic performances and innovative approach to the instrument. Born in Israel in 1984, Magen began playing the harp at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied with some of the most respected harpists in Israel, including Sunita Staneslow and Edna Arbel, before moving to the United States to continue his studies at The Juilliard School in New York City. At Juilliard, Magen studied with the legendary harpist Nancy Allen and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young harpists of his generation. He won numerous awards and competitions, including the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2012, which recognized him as one of the most promising young musicians in the world. Magen's career as a soloist began to take off in the early 2000s, when he began performing with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. He has appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, and many others, and has worked with conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Daniel Barenboim, and Simon Rattle. One of Magen's most notable performances came in 2011, when he performed the world premiere of a new harp concerto by the composer Marc-André Dalbavie with the New York Philharmonic. The piece, which was written specifically for Magen, showcased his virtuosic technique and musical sensitivity, and was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. In addition to his work as a soloist, Magen is also an active chamber musician and collaborator. He has performed with some of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Emerson String Quartet, and the Jerusalem Quartet, and has collaborated with artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, and Yo-Yo Ma. Magen is also a passionate advocate for new music, and has commissioned and premiered numerous works by contemporary composers. He has worked closely with composers such as Kaija Saariaho, Matthias Pintscher, and Andrew Norman, and has premiered works by many emerging composers as well. Throughout his career, Magen has been recognized for his exceptional talent and artistry. In addition to the Avery Fisher Career Grant, he has won numerous other awards and honors, including the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, the Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation Award, and the America-Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarship. Despite his many accomplishments, Magen remains dedicated to his craft and continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on the harp. He is known for his innovative approach to the instrument, which combines traditional harp techniques with new and unconventional playing styles, and for his ability to bring a wide range of musical styles and genres to life on the harp. Today, Magen is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative harpists of his generation, and continues to inspire audiences around the world with his virtuosic performances and passionate advocacy for the harp and its music.

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