The Israel Chamber Orchestra certainly did not disappoint the audience at the second concert of the new season at the Recanati Auditorium of the Tel Aviv Art Museum. Only two performances of this concert, on the 18th and 19th of December 2012. The concert was a special salute to Rudolph Barashi, who began as the orchestra’s Musical Director in 1981. Walter Barashi, the maestro’s son, was instrumental in ensuring the success of the concert, and special tribute was paid to him for his ongoing support of the orchestra.

Star of the evening was the appearance of Azerbaijan-born Dmitry Sitkovetsky, violinist, conductor, chamber musician and director of music festivals. Trained in the United States, Sitkovetsky’s family music tradition comes through clearly. His Tel Aviv appearance as both conductor and violinist thrilled the audience. Similarly, his duo with Elizabeth Basoff-Darskaia playing Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins (the “Bach Double”) allowed both stars to shine while enabling the audience to enjoy the styles of the two excellent but rather different musicians.
The concert with the able performers of the orchestra ended with pieces by Prokofiev and Shostakovich, providing a taste of other classic composers after three Bach violin concertos before the intermission. The 2012-2013 season of the Israel Chamber Orchestra offers music to suit a wide range of tastes. Choose your concert by visiting www.ico.co.il . You won’t be sorry you did.

photo  by Silvia Golan