By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — July Galper, America-Israel Cultural Foundation member, introduced the 15-year-old Israeli cellist, Nahar Eliaz for her second appearance in San Diego. In spite of the rain and the upsurge of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, some 100 plus people ventured out to hear this brilliant talent. Lawrence Family JCC CEO, Betzy Lynch, fully masked, warmly welcomed the attendees.
Jewish Community VIPs such as Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs, parents of Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs and Joyce Axelrod, founder of the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival, were seen in attendance.
After the audience was seated, Arts and Ideas Director Ryan Isaacs passed out printed programs. He introduced July, who was responsible for bringing Nahar to San Diego and hosted the elaborate reception afterwards.
Since Nahar Eliaz played here two years ago, the most significant measure of her progress was heard in the Grieg Sonata. In her previous recital, she played the first movement. This time, she played the entire three-movement work.
The virtuosic display in the first movement, the soulful beauty in the second movement and the playful lightheartedness in the finale were worthy of the most seasoned artists.
She was supported throughout by the fine collaboration of Israeli pianist, Tal Haim Samnon. He demonstrated his soloistic skills in an excellent performance of Brahms’ Intermezzo, opus 118, no. 2 in A minor.
The program opened with an expressive rendition of Bach’s Adagio from the Organ Toccata in C Major. Her Bach was in the mold of the great Spanish cellist, Pablo Casals, with phrases clearly delineated and warmly shaped.
Schumann’s Three Fantasiestucke, opus 73 were notable for their broad dynamic palette and contrasting temperament.
“Remember September 11,” three pieces for solo cello by, Ayala Asherov showcased the original gifts of this contemporary Israeli composer. Nahar programmed this work in her previous program and it was good to revisit this impressive composition.
She concluded her printed program as she did the previous time she was here, with David Popper’s fiery Hungarian Rhapsody, opus 68, a mixture of Pathos and Czardas that almost begged of dancing.
As a welcome encore, the pair played a poignant arrangement of Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, Jerusalem of Gold.
Although the heavy velvet curtains and the large hall were not conducive to enhancing her sound, the slender young cellist managed to project a beautiful tone from her three-quarter sized, Bohemian-made instrument that permeated to the last row, even in the softest pianissimos. And when she played with full force, she plumbed the ultimate depths the cello could muster.
This time, I attended with four other family members, including my niece, Avlana Eisenberg, conductor of the Boston Chamber Symphony. When I asked what she thought, her response was, “She is amazing!” My whole party concurred.
We look forward to hearing Nahar Eliaz many times in the future, hopefully playing on a full-sized cello by one of the old Italian master makers, an instrument worthy of her great musical gifts.
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Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com