Israel gains a conductor friend

From our special correspondent in Tel Aviv, Dan Yakir:

The Finish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski conducted six subscription concerts during his Israel Philharmonic debut.

After a dazzling performance of Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with the Latvian violinist Kristine Balanas the audience demanded an encore. Peltokoski addressed the audience and said: “Hello Israel!” (It seems he’s a real fan of the Eurovision Song Contest).

“It’s been the greatest honor of my life to play two Hatikvahs in one week” (In each season opening concert of a subscription series the orchestra plays the national anthem Hatikvah (The hope)).

After that he announced the encore: A movement from a piano trio he composed at 2015 at the age of 15. The inscription on the score reads: “kuulostaa Mahlerilta… mee silla euroviisuuhun! Panula ” (“It sounds like Mahler… let’s take it to the Eurovision Song Contest!”. Panula is professor emeritus Jorma Panula who was his first teacher at the age of 14).

The encore which was a very romantic salon music was played by violinist Kristine Balanas, principal cellist Lia Perlov with Peltokoski at the piano.

The concert concluded with Beethoven Symphony No. 7. The dynamic range of the second movement was breathtaking. The fourth movement was played with breakneck speed and precision. It was exhilarating.

Both orchestra and audience would love to see him back but it seems he is fully booked until 2035.

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