Yaron Gottfried is one of the most prominent musicians of his generation in Israel, a multidisciplinary artist who bridges classical, contemporary and jazz music. Gottfried held the position of Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Netanya Kibbutz Orchestra for 11 years between 2002-2013 with great success, presenting fresh innovative programs, packed halls, rave reviews and over 120 concerts in a season.
He graduated his studies at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem under Maestro Mendi Rodan. Gottfrieds conducting repertoire spans from the renaissance period to contemporary music. In January 2015 he led the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, replacing Maestro Valery Gergiev at short notice with an Israeli premier of Shostakovich 4th Symphony; the concert received rave reviews from the critics. As a result the IPO invited him to lead the 2016 Annual Gala event in October in an all-Gershwin program. In September 2015 he performed a German premier with WDR Funkhausorchester of his Pictures at an Exhibition-Remake for jazz trio and orchestra after Mussorgsky.
Highlights of the 2016-17 season include concert series with the Israel Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, San Jose Youth Philharmonic, Raanana Symphonette ,Tel Aviv Soloists Orchestra, as well as 3 world premieres of new compositions.
Gottfried was awarded the Israeli Prime Ministers Award for Composers 2014, and he is regularly invited to conduct and perform his works with major orchestras, festivals and halls worldwide such as:
Israel Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony (IBA), Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Jerusalem, Raanana Symphonette, Sinfonietta Beer Sheva, China Philharmonic, Beijing Symphony, Chengdu Philharmonic, Manila Philharmonic, WDR Funkhausorchester, Potsdam Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, Tbilisi Symphony, Thringen Symphony, Budapest Concert Orchestra, Debrecen Philharmonic, Kodaly Philharmonic, Brazos Valley Symphony, La Crosse Symphony, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Salta Symphony, LAuditori Barcelona Symphonic Band and Tallinn Festival Orchestra, among others. He is regularly invited as a guest artist to perform at major halls in China such as Forbidden City Concert Hall (FCCH), Beijing Concert Hall, Beijing NCPA as well as festivals in China, Italy, Denmark, Georgia and Estonia.
Gottfrieds unique approach to rhythm and sound is deeply reflected in his compositions which represent a fusion between genres and styles. His works are published by Sikorski Music Publishers. His Pictures at an Exhibition-Remake was released in May 2014 on a new CD with GPR Records and is distributed by Naxos USA. The album received great reviews from Fanfare Magazine and in the Israeli press. Among his works are concertos, orchestral works, vocal works and orchestral arrangements. His Baroque Jazz Project for jazz trio and orchestra has been performed over 50 times, receiving high acclaim all over the world with many orchestras. A new tango album which he musically produced and arranged for international artist Yasmin Levy was released by HarmoniaMundi in September 2014.
Gottfried is the Head of Composition and Conducting Department at Rimon School for Contemporary Music and Jazz. He is also the Artistic Director of the new concert series Out of the Box held at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
The Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation selected Maestro Gottfried as its chosen artist for 2003-2007. He is a member of the prestigious MacDowell Colony in the USA and 1st prize winner of the Young Artists Conductors competition held by the Israel Philharmonic and the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, and 1st prize winner of the Red Sea Jazz Festival Composition Competition.
Gottfrieds deep musical interests in jazz led him to perform with major jazz artists such as: Eddie Gomez, Eddie Daniels, Didier Lockwood, Dave Liebman, Ira Sullivan, Randy Brecker, Georgie Fame, Kitty Margolis, Benny Golson and Jimmy Heath to name a few.
Pictures at an Exhibition (Remake)
By Yaron Gottfried after Mussorgsky for Jazz Trio and Orchestra
This remake brings a contemporary interpretation to the timeless masterpiece by Mussorgsky. Presented as complete suite of 12 movements arranged, orchestrated and recomposed for Jazz Trio (Piano, Bass, Drums) and Orchestra, this jazz version of Pictures at an Exhibition will introduce this eternal piece to a whole new audience.
The melodies and themes of Mussorgskys original version are dressed in new colors and inspired new forms for the jazz trio to improvise. Each movement is approached differently while being transformed into a live, authentic encounter between classical and jazz, between written material and improvisation; the overall mood of each picture, as well as the naturalistic approach of Mussorgsky, is very much kept alive.
FANFARE Magazine declares this improvisational re-imagining of Mussorgsky’s masterpiece to be “up there with its iconic predecessors: Duke Ellington’s jazz reworking of Grieg and Tchaikovsky, Don Sebesky’s version of The Rite of Spring, and Jacques Loussier’s great Bach performances of the 1960’s.”
Live at WDR Funkhausorchester Kln:
What people are saying:
Yaron Gottfried has taken a classic Romantic suite and musically translated it into a contemporary happening. His multiple views of the famous “Promenade” are extraordinary. The orchestrations are well done and the performance exemplary. Dave Liebman
Yaron Gottfried is an excellent pianist and arranger and I enjoy listening to his music. His arrangements of “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Mussorgsky are inventive and imaginative and his playing blends beautifully with the larger ensemble. His version sheds new light on a well known piece and opens up the piece for creative improvisation. Uri Caine
After several hearings I would put this disc up there with its iconic predecessors: Duke Ellington’s jazz reworking of Grieg and Tchaikovsky, Don Sebesky’s version of The Rite of Spring, and Jacques Loussier’s great Bach performances of the 1960s. Phillip Scott, Fanfare Magazine
Gottfried gives us a fresh look at this wonderful work, expanding the palette of Mussorgskys twelve movements to include Latin grooves, a “New Orleans” sound, reggae sections, and middle-eastern styles. (…) Gottfried exposes his talent on the piano, along with nice solos from Oron and Holan. He doesnt obscure the movements beyond recognition (…) [and] allows us the recognizable themes before going off and providing plenty of room for the three musicians to take their solos. StevenBergman, EDGE Boston
Recent program poster:
Recent press release:
Please download the following .PDF to read the latest press release about the above program.
Beethoven – Symphony no.5 in C, op.67 Gottfried / Israel Philharmonic
Tchaikovsky: 6th Symphony – Finale
Shostakovich: Symphony no.10, 2nd Movement – Allegro
Mendelssohn: Symphony no.3
Pictures at an Exhibition – Remake for Jazz Trio and Orchestra after Mussorgsky
Takemitsu: How Slow the Wind (with video art)
Leo Brouwer: Cantata Perugia, 2nd Movement with Madrid Chorus
Additional videos can be seen here:
http://yarongottfried.com/media/
https://www.youtube.com/user/yarongott/videos
Bach, J. S.
Cantatas: 15, 131, 140, 170
St. Matthew Passion
Johannes Passion
Mass in B minor
Mass in G minor
Magnificat in D major
Orchestral Suite No. 1
Orchestral Suite No. 2
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4
Double Concerto for 2 Violins
Concerto for Harpsichord No. 5
Double Concerto for Violins & Oboe
Concerto for Violin in A minor
Barber, S.
Adagio for Strings
Concerto for Violin
Capricorn Concerto
Bartok, B.
Concerto for Orchestra
Romanian Folk Dances
Hungarian Sketches
Beethoven, L. van
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 3
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 5
Symphony No. 6
Symphony No. 7
Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 9
Choral Fantasy
Piano Concertos No. 1
Piano Concertos No. 3
Piano Concertos No. 4
Piano Concertos No. 5
Concerto for Violin
Triple Concerto for Violin, Piano, Cello
Overtures: Egmont, Coriolan, Leonora no.3
Berg, A.
Lyric suite
Berio, L.
Folk songs
Berlioz, H.
Symphonie Fantastique
Bernstein, L.
West Side Story: Symphonic Dances
Various Songs
Divertimento for Orchestra
Overture to Candide
Chichester Psalms
Bizet, G.
L’Arlesienne: Suites 1, 2
Carmen Suite No. 1, 2
Symphony in C
Borodin, M.
Polovtsian Dances
Brahms, J.
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 3
Symphony No. 4
Concerto for Piano No. 1
Concerto for Piano No. 2
Hungarian Dances 1, 5, 6, 7
Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Serenade No. 2 in A major, Op. 16
Song of Destiny
Britten, B.
Suite on English Folk Tunes
Simple Symphony
Four sea interludes from Peter Grimes
The Young Person’s Guide to Orchestra
Bruch, M.
Kol Nidrei
Concerto for Violin
Bruckner, A.
Symphony No. 4
Brouwer, L.
Cantata de Perugia for Guitar, Chorus and Orchestra
Canteloube, J.
Chants d’Auvergne
Chopin, F.
Les Sylphides
Concerto for Piano No. 1
Concerto for Piano No. 2
Cimarosa, D.
Concerto for Oboe in C
Copland, A.
Music for the Theatre
Appalachian spring ( Chamber version & Symphonic version )
Quiet City
Three Latin American Sketches
Rodeo
Debussy, C.
Prelude a l’Apres-midi d‘un faune
Nocturnes
Children’s Corner (Orch :Andre Caplet)
Sarabande
Iberia
Delius, F.
Two Pieces for Small Orchestra
Dukas, P.
L’Apprenti Sorcier
Dvořák, A.
Symphony No. 7
Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 9
Concerto for Cello
Serenade
Slavonic Dances
Czech Suite
Falla, M.
The Three Cornered Hat, Suite No. 1, 2
Love, the Magician
Fang, L.
Concerto for Pipa
Faure, G.
Pavane
Masques et Bergamasques
Pelleas et Melisande
Requiem in D minor
Gershwin, G.
Rhapsody in Blue (playing and conducting)
Theme and Variations on “I Got Rhythm”
Porgy and Bess (Suite of 40 min with Singers and Chorus)
Wide Selection of Songs
Ginastera, A.
Variaciones Concertantes
Estancia
Concerto for Harp
Glinka, M.
Kamarinskaya
Russlan and Ludmilla Overture
Waltz Fantasy
Grieg, E.
Holberg Suite
Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1, 2
Concerto for Piano
Two Norwegian Airs
Two Melodies
Handel, G. F.
Concerto Grosso, No. 2, Op. 3
Water Music
Concerto for Oboe, No. 3, G minor
Dixit Dominus
Selection of arias
Haydn, J.
Symphonies No. 6, 45, 55, 60, 88, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 101, 102, 104
Concerto for Cello in C major
Concerto for Piano in D major
Concerto for Flute in D major
The Creation
Nelson Messe
Ives, C.
The Unanswered Question
Jensen, L. I.
Japanese Spring
Kabalevsky, D.
The comedians suite
Khachaturian, A.
Sabre Dance
Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia
Gayaneh Suite No.1
Maskeraden Suite
Kodaly, Z.
Dances of Galanta
Korsakov, R.
Scheherazade
Lalo, E.
Concerto for Cello
Liszt, F.
Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2
Lutoslawski, W.
Dance Preludes
MacDowell, E.
Indian Suite
Mahler, G.
Songs of a Wayfarer
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 5
Des Knaben Wunderhorn
Mendelssohn, F.
Symphony No. 3
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 2 Lobgesang
Symphony for String No. 6
Midsummer Night’s Dream (complete)
Concerto for Violin
Concert piece for two Clarinets
The Hebrides
Die erste Walpurgisnacht
Psalm 42
Milhaud, D.
Saudade do Brasil
Mozart, W. A.
Symphonies No. 25, 29, 31, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41
Sinfonia Concertante for Winds K.97b
Sinfonia concertante K.364
Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
Overture to Don Giovani
Overture to La Clemenza di Tito
Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio
The Impresario (Complete)
The Marriage of Figaro (Complete)
La Clemenza di Tito (Complete)
Concerto for Piano No. 21
Concerto for Piano No. 22
Concerto for Piano No. 23 ( playing and Conducting )
Concerto for Piano No. 24
Concerto for Clarinet
Selection of Arias
Coronation Mass
Great Mass in C
Ave Verum Vorpus
Requiem
Selcetion of Arias from Various Operas
Mussorgsky, M. P.
Pictures at an Exhibition (Ravel)
Night on Bald Mountain
Khovantchina: Introduction
Nielsen, C.
Symphony No. 2
Pärt, A.
Fratres
Tabula Rasa
Pergolesi, G. B.
Magnificat
Piazzola, A.
Concerto For Bandoneon
The Four Seasons
Selection of Tangos
Poulenc, F.
Concerto for two Pianos
Prokofiev, S.
Symphony No. 1 (Classical )
Symphony No. 5
Peter and the Wolf
Romeo and Juliet Excerpts from Suite no.1, 2, 3
Overture on Hebrew themes
Puccini, G.
Arias from Various Operas
Messa di Gloria
Rachmaninoff, S.
Concerto for Piano No. 1
Concerto for Piano No. 2
Raautavara, E.
Requiem of our time
Rameau, J.P.
Les Indes Galantes
Ravel, M.
Bolero
Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2
Rapsodie Espagnole
Concerto for Piano in G
Pavane pour une Infante Defunte
Mother Goose
Le Tombeau de Couperin
Tzigane
Respighi, O.
Ancient Airs and Dances, Set 1, 2
Pines of Rome
Rheinberger, J.
Stabat Mater
Rodrigo, J.
Concierto de Aranjuez
Musica para un Jardin
Rossini, G.
Stabat Mater,
Selection of Arias
Overture to L’Itailana in Algeri
Overture to Il barbiere di Siviglia
Overture to La gazza ladra
Overture to Guglielmo Tell
Overture to Il signor Bruschino
Saint-Saens, C.
Carnival of the Animals
Concerto for Piano no.2
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
Romance, Op. 36
Samson et Dalila (Complete Opera)
Salieri, A.
Requiem in C minor
La Folia, 26 Variations
Sarasate , P.
Zigeunerweisen
Schubert, F.
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 5
Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 9
Schumann, R.
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 3
Concerto for Piano
Shostakovich, D.
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 5
Symphony No. 10
Concerto for Piano and Trumpet
Concerto for Cello No. 1
Concerto For Violin no.1
Hamlet Film Suite
Jazz Suite
Sibelius, J.
Symphony No .2
Pelleas and Melisande
Valse Triste
Smetana, B.
The Moldau
Strauss, J.
On the Beautiful Blue Danube
Fledermaus Overture
Kaise-Walzer
Wiener Blut
Selection of Polkas and Waltzes
Strauss, R.
Four Last Songs
Don Juan
Till Eulenspiegel
Stravinsky, I.
Le Sacre du Printemps
Pulcinella
The Firebird Suite
Dumbarton Oaks
Danses Concertantes
Ebony Concerto
Takemitsu, T.
How Slow the Wind
Tchaikovsky, P. I.
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 5
Symphony No. 6
Suite no.4 (Mozartiana)
Romeo and Juliet
Concerto for Piano
Concerto for Violin,
Serenade Melancolique
Variations on a Rococo Theme
The Nutcracker suite
Vaughan Williams, R.
Flos Campi
The Wasps Overture
The Lark Ascending
Villa-Lobos, H.
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
Vivaldi, A.
The Four Seasons
Concerto for Oboe
Concerto for four violins
Magnificat
Wagner, R.
Prelude to Tristan and Isolde
Warlock, P.
Capriol Suite
Weber, C. M.
Concerto for Clarinet
Overture to Der Freischutz
Overture to Oberon
Weill, K.
The Seven Deadly Sins
Symphonic Suite from Lady in the Dark
Many Dongs
Symphony No. 2
Music from Musicals:
Show Boat
South Pacific
The King and I
Oklahoma
Orchestral Film Music:
Williams, J.
Star Wars Orchestral suite
Schindler’s List, Main Theme
Harry Potter – Main Theme
Indiana Jones, Raiders March
Nino Rota -The Godfather suite
Ennio Morricone – Cinema Paradiso Love theme
Bernard Herman – Psycho suite
Jerry Goldsmith – Basic Instinct
Lior Rosner – Valkyrie “They Will remember you”
Works by Israeli composers:
Menachem Wiesenberg – Concerto for Violin
Haim Permont – Concerto for Contrabass, Farewell Fanfare
Ariel Blumenthal – Trumpet Concerto
Aharon Harlap – My father Will No Longer Bless the Bread, Clarinet Concerto
Shimon Cohen – 8 songs by Heine
Mark Lavri – Emek Suite
Haim Alexander – Musical Portrait of Haine
Paul ben Haim – Israel
Michael Wolpe – The song of Bracha
Uriyah Boskovitch – Semitic Suite, The Golden Chain
Josef Kaminski – Violin Concerto
Josef Bardanashvili – Tempera-Me
Dov Carmel – Jerusalem Song
Benjamin Yusupov – Gavriel
Betty Olivero – Mizrach (east)
Josef Tal – Trois Novelettes
Josef Bardanashvilli – Tempera Me
Josef Kaminski – Concerto for Violin
Avner Dorman – Concerto for Mandolin, Concerto for Piccolo