New Years Grooves from The Holy Land
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 22 December 2011 13:25
- Written by David Larkin
Israeli Consulate presents special First Night concert
“The First Night Festival has been hosting Israeli concerts for several years,” notes flautist Amir Milstein who will serve as music director for an all-Israeli orchestra that will also feature alto saxophonists Lihi Haruvi and Sagit Zilberman, pianist Gadi Stern, bassist Ehud Ettun and drummer Nathan Blankett. Milstein also makes a point to thank the Consulate General of Israel to New England who is sponsoring the event.
“My idea when Amir talked to me was to bring together the best Israeli musicians that I know from around here and gather them all for kind of an ‘all star’ performance,” Ettun explains, noting that, in addition to treaditional tunes, the shows will also include compositions buy the band members and also by the likes of Matti Caspi, Miki Gavrielov and Aviv Geffen.
Among the noted past performers from Israel have been the Gilad Barkan Quartet, Tami Machnai ensemble, Shimon Ben Shir Group, the Nadav Remez Ensemble, and Milstein’s own sextet. “This is my fourth performance at First Night,” Milstein says. “I have also collaborated many times with Israeli consulates around the world, performing with ensembles such as Bustan Abraham and Tucan Trio, among others.”
In past years, Israeli musicians have been featured in performances in venues such as The Berklee Performance Center and the Rabb Hall at the Boston Public Library. “This year, the concert will take place at the St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Boston,” Milstein says, “which is known not only for its religious role in the community, but also for providing a stage to many cultural events in different fields and genres.”
Though all members of the band have played with some of the area’s (and the world’s) top artists, few had played previously with each other. “This is the first time that we will all be playing [in concert] together,” Milsten says, explaining that he assembled the band primarily by reputation and his own experienced taste. “As I have produced concerts in the past, and am familiar with the music scene in the area,” Milstein says, “I chose musicians who I have heard play before, and who I thought might contribute of their great talent to the program.”
When asked what the idea behind the latest First Night Israeli music concert is, Milstein replied, “The idea behind the concert is to bring our own compositions, inspired by each one’s background, along with new arrangements to Israeli tunes.”
In recent weeks, the musicians have taken time out from their own international tours and other projects to rehearse with the First Night band. “Ideas are already flowing,” Milstein says. “We...hope to put together an interesting program [and that people will appreciate the great variety of Israeli culture.” “Knowing the musicians that are participating,” Ettun says, “I can assure you that it is going to be a great concert!”
