Cal Performances | Orchestra | Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Leon Botstein, conductor, Robert McDuffie, violin

Patron Information | Artists links

Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
Leon Botstein, conductor
Robert McDuffie, violin

Reflecting the character and identity of Israel's diverse population, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra—one of the country's oldest and most important musical institutions—visits Berkeley with a special program honoring the 60th Anniversaries of both the Orchestra and the founding of the State of Israel. Under the dynamic creative vision of music director Leon Botstein, the program spotlights music by three contemporary Jewish composers, including Aaron Copland's stirring Third Symphony with its thunderous conclusion based on his Fanfare for the Common Man, as well as Ernst Toch's tour de force Big Ben Variations. Appearing with the orchestra is Grammy nominated violinist Robert McDuffie.

Read more about Jerusalem Symphony Music Director and Conductor Leon Botstein's thoughts on the thriving state of live classical music performance

Program: Toch/Big Ben Variations; Rózsa/Violin Concerto, Op. 24; Copland/Symphony No. 3

Program Notes
Program notes are available online. [PDF]

Audio Clips
( Windows Media Player)

Toch/Big Ben Variations **

** Clip listed here is being played as part of the Cal Performances program, but is performed by a different artist (Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leon Botstein)

Sightlines
Sun, Oct 26, 6-6:30 pm, Zellerbach Hall
Pre-performance talk by Professor Beth Levy, UC Davis Department of Music. This Sightlines event is free to all event ticket holders.

Education/Community Events
Course with Osher Life Long Learning Institute
Oct 23, 3:30-5 pm, Room 150, University Hall
Prof. Beth Levy, UC Davis
Cal Performances continues its partnership with the Osher Life Long Learning Institute with two courses, Talking about Classical Music and Talking about Dance, centered around performances on Cal Performances' 2008-09 season. Together with acclaimed scholars and artists, Robert Cole, director of Cal Performances, will host the following classes offered in conjunction with six concerts of music and six dance performances. Visit www.olli.berkeley.edu or call 510.642.9934 for more information and registration.

Flyer [pdf]