By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — The last live classical music I heard before COVID isolation set in was the cello recital of 13-year old Israeli cellist Nahar Eliaz on March 4, 2020, at Congregation Beth Am. In my review for San Diego Jewish World, I wrote:
“Her’s was meaningful music-making of the highest order, music that touched the heart and replenished the soul. There was no awareness of technique. Every pitch was perfectly in tune, every dynamic, judiciously observed, every phrase, fluently expressed with natural ease. But it was more. The music had excitement, passion and beauty.”
I eagerly await hearing this outstanding talent once again, two years later. She is scheduled to perform as part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s Arts and Ideas series on Thursday evening, December 23, 7 p.m. Once again, her capable piano collaborator will be the Israeli pianist, Tal Haim Samnon.
The recital will include cello works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Edvard Grieg, Robert Schumann, Israeli composer, Ayala Asherov and David Popper. In addition, Samnon will play Johannes Brahms’ Intermezzo #2 in A major, showcasing his solo talent.
The 15-year-old Nahar Eliaz has won more competitions than I care to list, including online competitions during the 2020-2021 pandemic quarantine:
Vi Odin International Music Online Competition and Wiener Klassiker Dunabia Talents International Online Music Competition. In her native country, for three consecutive years, she won first prize with Greatest Honors at the Tel Aviv Israeli Conservatory Competition.
Her current cello teacher is Hillel Zori, at the Buchmann-Mehta Music School of Tel Aviv University.
Tal Haim Samnon soloed with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic when he was 18 years old. He recently played a solo recital in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, presented by Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition.
For tickets to the recital of Nahar Eliaz and Tal Haim Samnon, call 858-457-3030. The Lawrence Family JCC requires all patrons to show vaccination cards and be masked while inside the building.
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Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com