Israeli violinist maestro Ivry Gitlis explains origin of Israeli musical prowess
May 29, 2014 Leave a comment
Updated : 2014-05-23 19:03
Gitlis explains origin of Israeli musical prowess
By Choi Hyun-soo
Israeli violinist maestro Ivry Gitlis saidFriday that the turbulence of Jewishhistory has helped produce many ofhis compatriot musical virtuosos.
“Music was always part of possibility,sometimes the only possibility toexpress oneself about what it is likebeing exiled,” Gitlis said during a newsconference at the French Institutehere.
The 92-year-old artist claimed theharsh times have embedded his people, who had been in constantexile, with the desire to latch on to that possibility.
Gitlis indicated that music is sometimes the only outlet through whichthose who are oppressed can express their ideas and communicatewith the outside world.
He talked about 2,000 years of the Diaspora that culminated in the birthof Israel.
Globally renowned Jewish artists include violinist Itzhak Perlman, IsaacStern and pianist Daniel Barenboim, among others.
The Israeli violinist tried to find a bond between his people and Koreansin their history. “I know this country has suffered for a great many yearsby being occupied and by wars.
Now, the country is even divided intothe South and North and it’s really hard to get things done. I presumethat music must have an important role in making peace.
He arrived in Seoul last week for a performance at the LG Art Center,Sunday.
This is his second visit to Korea after his first performance in 1994.
Gitlis is the oldest active musician, performing with the New York, Berlinand Israel philharmonics.
The master violinist, born in Haifa, north of Israel, in 1922, has beenplaying violin since he was five.
In 1990, he was appointed as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador.
About bambooinnovator
Bamboo Innovator 