Israeli Maestro Yoav Talmi, Formerly of San Diego Symphony, Turns 80

LA JOLLA, California — Israeli conductor, composer, and teacher Yoav Talmi’s 80th birthday was celebrated not only in his native Israel on April 28 at Tel Aviv University’s Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, where he heads the conducting department; but he was also feted the following month in Quebec City, Canada, where he served as music director of their symphony orchestra for 13 years and is currently their conductor emeritus.

In Tel Aviv, the festivities included an interview of his life, a video of his conducting career, performances of his chamber music compositions and speakers.

The interview by journalist, Baruch Askarov, revealed important chapters of Talmi’s biography: his youth on the kibbutz, playing in the Israel Defense Forces orchestra, composing what became the IDF anthem, meeting his wife, Er’ella, tenures with orchestras in Holland, the United States, Germany and Canada, his world-wide guest conducting and his growing stature as a composer.

Violist Ori Kam, known in San Diego for his frequent participation in the La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest, and son of Rachel Kam, retired Israel Philharmonic violist, performed  “Growth” from Monologue for viola solo.

Yossi Arenheim, retired principal flute of the IPO, known in San Diego and Irvine for solo and ensemble performances, played “Fragments” from Monologue for solo flute.

Cellist Hillel Zori, head of the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music’s String Department and cellist with the Israel Trio, performed “Memories” from Monologue for solo cello.

Clarinet Quintet, 1st movement, was played by clarinetist Tibi Zeiger, director of the Israeli Chamber Project, and the Carmel String Quartet, Rachel Ringlestein and Tali Goldberg, violins, Avital Tzeig, viola, Tami Waterman, cello.

The Carmel Quartet also performed the 1st movement from In Tough Times, “Ballad on Sadness.”

Tali Goldberg is the daughter of Jacob Goldberg, who delivered three impressive lectures on Israel and the Middle East at the Lawrence family Jewish Community Center earlier that month.

The musical portion of the gala birthday celebration concluded with pianist Hagai Yodan performing “Moods for Piano Solo.” Israel native Hagai is known for his playing of contemporary Israeli compositions.

Four of my family members were in Israel and attended Yoav Talmi’s celebration. My sister, violinist Zina Schiff, her husband, Dr. Ron Eisenberg, my niece, Rabbi Cherina Eisenberg and my granddaughter, Adira Rosen.

Zina, who had soloed with Yoav Talmi in the Samuel Barber Violin Concerto during Talmi’s tenure as conductor of the San Diego Symphony, reported:

“Yoav’s music is bold and original, engaging and warm and hearing samples of it was a special treat for me. The place was packed and full of love and admiration for a great artist!”

During her two-week visit to Israel, Zina gave master classes and private sessions at the Shulamit Conservatory in Jerusalem while her husband, Dr. Eisenberg, delivered lectures at Hadassah and Shaare Zedek hospitals. Their daughter, Rabbi Cherina Eisenberg, was in Israel on vacation, and my granddaughter, Adira, was spending the school year in Jerusalem, studying at the Pardes Yeshivah. They all felt privileged to be able to attend this memorable event.

The speakers, beginning with Tzvi Avni, composer and professor of music, lauded Yoav’s musical accomplishments. Avni emphasized the fact that despite Talmi s extensive international career, he has always kept his home base in Israel.

Talmi’s 23-year-old conducting student, Rotem Nir, was introduced as a promising new conducting star.

Concluding the evening was Talmi’s former student, Petros Sylianou, conductor of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, who praised Talmi as a great teacher.

Thus, Talmi’s three-dimensional musical gifts were fully highlighted at his birthday celebration: conductor, composer, teacher.

On May 24 and 25, Talmi conducted concerts of the Quebec Symphony. The celebratory concert opened with Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino Overture.” The Quebec newspaper,  Le Soliel, wrote: “a score not easy to conduct due to the many tempi changes, the opening theme was just urgent enough — while the other more lyrical two themes were sung most beautifully. ”

This was followed by Talmi’s composition, “How She Sat Alone,” a symphony for soprano and orchestra, based on texts from Lamentations, depicting different moments in the history of Jerusalem. It was its North American premiere.

Le Soliel, described the work:

“The language, at times atonal, evokes the Second Viennese School (we think of Berg’s Wozzeck). The significant presence of the percussion (four players) and the brass clusters contributed to creating a climate of anxiety.

The soloist, Aline Kutan, sings in the two last movements. Her interventions – which she begins backstage – consist of vocalization.

A soprano coloratura, she managed the score without difficulty.

As one would  expect, the interpretation given by Yoav Talmi was eminently personal.”

The concert concluded with Brahms Symphony #4.

The Le Soliel review praised Talmi’s interpretation: “Talmi never betrays the spirit of the work and its lyricism. This was manifested particularly in the opening of the first movement — Allegro non troppo, but also in the second movement — Andante moderato — that moved fluently, but always singing. The third movement was never lacking in energy, and the last, that judiciously famous Passacaglia finale, carried everything in its path, with an impressive sense of details.”

“Despite his 80th birthday celebrated last month, Yoav Talmi gives the impression of having half as many years. His hair may have gone grey, but the Maestros’ inspiration remains intact.”