Orchestras

Raanana Symphonette Orchestra, Israel

The Raanana Symphonette Orchestra, founded in 1991, consists of immigrants from the former Soviet Union and graduates of the Israeli Defense Force outstanding musicians division.

For many years the orchestra hosted world known soloists, conductors and musicians from Israel and abroad, including conductors Salvador Brotons, Maxim Shostakovich, Dan Ettinger, Gisele Ben-Dor and Noam Sheriff; opera singers Paata Burchuladze and Ljuba Kazarnovskaya; the 200 singers’ Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Salt Lake City; pianists Joaquin Achúcarro, Oxana Yablonskaya and Arie Vardi; violinists Maxim Vengerov and Nikolaj Znaider; cellists Arto Noras and Dmitri Yablonsky; the last Klezmer of Galicia Leopold Koslowski; and many others.

In addition to its classical repertoire, the orchestra performs original works that enrich the Israeli musical treasure and serve as a link between the rich Jewish music of the past and contemporary Israeli music.

Over the last 17 years, the orchestra has commissioned and performed some 50 original works that are based on the Jewish experience and heritage. The orchestra also performs works by composers who lost their lives in the holocaust. In 2007, the orchestra reconstructed the tragic story of Alma Rosa who directed the Aushwitz Women’s Orchestra. That same year, the orchestra was awarded the prestigious Engel Prize (named after the composer Yoel Engel) for its “its unique contribution to promoting Jewish musical heritage of all generations.”

The orchestra's dynamic and liberal artistic approach appeals to a diverse audience.  A number of popular artists have performed with the orchestra, including: Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Ian Anderson, Manhattan Transfer, Emma Shapplan, Charlotte Church, David D’Or, David Broza and others.

The Raanana Symphonette Orchestra's performances include operas, musicals and productions that combine dance and multimedia. The orchestra has participated in recordings for Sony International for two Charlotte Church DVDs and has been involved in the production of 17 television programs for children presenting classical music in an entertaining way

The orchestra gives approximately 360 concerts a year and regularly performs in festivals such as the Israel Festival, Vocal Music Festival in Abu Gosh, Kfar Blum Festival, and Sounds in the Desert. In addition, the orchestra has performed in the United States,  Denmark, France, Poland, Germany and Eritrea.