Join a unique concert experience with the Jerusalem Symphonic Orchestra
The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, now in its 87th season, will be performing over 90 concerts in Jerusalem and beyond, of various concepts and genres, including Classical, vocal, operas, cantorial concerts, along with popular shows with guest performances of renowned artists worldwide. Additionally, the orchestra hosts a series of concerts, including “Classic Fun”, a series of concerts for the whole family, and much more. You wouldn’t want to miss this phenomenal musical experience! The current director of the orchestra is maestro Julian Rachlin, and the main concert hall of the orchestra is the Henry Crown Hall in Jerusalem Theater, located in the heart of the city and among the most prominent tourist attractions
The JSO was founded as the Palestine Broadcasting Service Orchestra in the late 1930s. In 1948 it became the national radio orchestra and was known as the “Kol Israel Orchestra”. In the 1970s, the orchestra was expanded into the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Israel Broadcasting Authority. As a radio symphony orchestra, the majority of the concerts which the orchestra holds at its resident hall – the Henry Crown Auditorium – are being recorded and broadcasted over Kan Kol Ha’musika station.
The main personas
The current Music Director of the JSO is Maestro Julian Rachlin. The orchestra has had eight musical directors hitherto: Mendi Rodan, Lukas Foss, Gary Bertini, Lawrence Foster, David Shallon, Frédéric Chaslin, Steven Sloane and Julian Rachlin.
The orchestra often stars in numerous prestigious events and competitions, including the “Pianos Festival” initiated by the Jerusalem Theater, live performances of original soundtracks of legendary films as part of the International Film Festival organized by the Cinematheque, Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, Young Artist Competition and more. Jerusalem Symphonic Orchestra often acts as Israel’s ambassador, being invited to tour all around the world and has performed in the most prestigious halls, including the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Vienna Music Choir, the Cologne Philharmonic Hall, and in the main concert halls in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Lucerne.
The orchestra maintains a varied repertoire which ranges from the Baroque and the Classical periods through the Romantic period, extending to contemporary composers, many of whom have received their Israeli premières with the JSO. The orchestra was the first Israeli Orchestra to perform the works of renowned composers such as Sofia Gubaidolina, Henry Dutilleux, Alfred Schnittke and others. Since its inception the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra has consistently encouraged Israeli composers by commissioning and performing their works.
Over the decades, some of the music world’s legendary musicians have performed with the JSO, with memorable performances by Igor Stravinsky, Otto Klemperer, Arthur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Isaac Stern, Pablo Casals, Igor Markevitch, Henryk Szeryng, Yo Yo Ma, Pierre Boulez, Neville Mariner, Christa Ludwig, Tabea Zimmermann, Martha Argerich, Radu Lupu, Jo
