About

Dear Friends,

Once again, we invite you to join renown artist-teachers and young pianists of outstanding talent to explore the riches of piano literature in the spirit of genuine, mutually nourishing camaraderie.

Since the project's inauguration in 1992, the Tel-Hai International Piano Master Classes have earned a name and high esteem the world over for artistic integrity, dedicated work, uncompromising professional standards and – not the least – the warm, informal atmosphere. During the years, the Classes have played host to many top teachers and young artists from more than thirty countries on five continents. Quite a number of students have gone on to perform as soloists with the world’s leading orchestras, participate in prestigious festivals and concert series, win prizes in international piano competitions, join piano faculties in world's celebrated schools. We are immensely proud of our alumni.

For more than thirty summers, the classes took place in pastoral settings -- first in the Upper Galilee, then in the Negev desert. This year, we'll convene in Tel Aviv, at the hospitable Israel Music Conservatory, offering enviable facilities for study, performance and practicing.

The Tel-Hai Master Classes are dedicated to the memory of Marina Bondarenko, one of its founders and the indefatigable general director for ten years, up till her tragically premature death.

A huge role in molding Tel Hai’s artistic soul played Pnina Salzman (1922 – 2006), the First Lady of Israeli pianism and among the greats of the piano world during the second half of last century. For twelve consecutive summers, till the end of her life, she was a professor at our Masterclasses, legendarily popular  among, and admired by, students and faculty from the world over.  At each Tel Hai Master Classes session, an outstanding participant is awarded the Pnina Salzman memorial prize. Among  past recipients: Daniil Trifonov, Yeon Min Park, Suah Ye, Boris Giltburg, Almog Segal, Tom Zalmanov, Alon Kariv...

We honor the great contribution of Prof. Victor Derevianko, for twenty years the Artistic Co-Director of Tel Hai Classes who, due to health reasons, had to withdraw from active participation in the course.

During the Classes, the participants are encouraged, in addition to the intensive work with their teachers, to avail themselves of the opportunity to appear in numerous public concerts. Even as the main emphasis is on the solo repertoire, those involved in playing chamber music and art-song literature, are offered the opportunity to work with some of Israel’s leading, internationally celebrated artists, who will coach the students and perform together with them

We are again offering our special Piano Duo Course, which was launched in 2005. This course, for existing ensembles only, will take place concurrently with the regular Master Classes.

The Masterclasses enjoy the cooperation of the Hifa Symphony Orchestra and the Raanana Symphonette Orchestra; winners of the concerto Audition, held in the framework of the Classes, are invited to appear as soloists with an orchestra the following season.

We are proud and honored to have as our patron the great pianist Evgeny Kissin.

Come and join us – to work and broaden your artistic horizons, to meet peers from other countries and schools, to make new friends.

Welcome!

Sara Lahat, Chair

Emanuel Krasovsky, Artistic Director

Aviram Reichert, Artistic Director