ORCHESTRA’S 25 YEARS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29728, 23 January 1962, Page 10

ORCHESTRA’S 25 YEARS

Story Of Israel Philharmonic

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, which was created by Jewish musicians uprooted by Nazi racial laws from their desks in leading European ensembles, celebrated its jubilee in Tel Aviv on December 26. '

Twenty-four of the 72 instrumentalists who played in the barn-like Levant Fair pavilion on December 26. 1936, when Toscanini conducted the inaugural concert, were at their places in the Philharmonic's own sumptuous concert hall when Josef Krips conducted a gala performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Fourteen of the original players have died, seven have jeen retired on pensions, and 27 have left. Die ensemble, which has grown to 99 players, is still a haven for Jewish fugitives from persecution and has recently accepted some refugees from Communist countries. Howe - er, the rising generation of Israelis has gradually won places in the orchestra and 30 players are Israeli-born or trained.

The players and their instruments have at times travelled in armoured vehicles to fulfil engagements. Snipers have fired at them on the highways. During the Palestine War of 1948 they played for Jewish commandos in a military base just before they set out to capture the important Lydda airport. With Leonard Bernstein. the American conductor, they played for Jewish troops in the Negev a few’ hour" after they captured Beersheba The orchestra now has 25.000 rubscribers and each subscription programme is repeated four times in the 3000-seat concert hall in Tel Aviv, once in a 3000-seat auditorium in Jerusalem and three times in a 1700-seat Cinema hall in Haifa. The programmes are built mainly round standard masterpieces but also include some contemporary works. The conductors and soloists are usually guest performers. Ninety-two per cent, of the orchestra's budget is covered by its own efforts and the deficit is covered by friends in the United States, Britain and Switzerland. The Israeli Government contributes 1 per cent, of the budget. The founder of the Philharmonic was Bronislaw Huberman. the noted violinist, who died in 1947 He had given recitals in Palestine and found a remarkable enthusiasm for music. When the racial laws in Europe deprived Jewish artists of their posts, he conceived the plan for a Jewish orchestra in Palestine. He and Mr William Steinberg, now musical director of the Pittsburgh Symphony, travelled through Europe ferreting out dismissed Jewish musicians whom they dispatched to Palestine, where they were joined by about a dozen men already living in the country.