Gary Bertini founded the Rinat Choir in Israel in 1955, which later became Israel's official national choir, and also established the first Israeli chamber orchestra, the Israel Chamber Ensemble.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Gary Bertini's artistic credo was to perform exactly what the composer wrote, though he acknowledged that notation is not a perfect transcription of musical ideas and that performances are influenced by individual perception of time.
Performer Biography
Gary Bertini, the conductor on this album, was likely born in 1929, two years later than his official birthdate, because his father wanted him to start school early before the family emigrated to Palestine.
Recording & Production
The Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO), featured on this album, merged with the SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg in September 2016 to form the new SWR Symphonieorchester.
Historical Context
Gary Bertini initially avoided Germany due to personal reasons, but accepted an engagement in 1971 to conduct Josef Tal's opera Ashmedai, which dealt with the Nazi period, viewing his work there as a bridge for people to meet.
Interpretation
Gary Bertini's interpretations are characterized by clarity and stringency, avoiding extremes and focusing on the composer's intentions, as seen in his approach to Haydn's symphonies and Schubert's 'Unfinished' Symphony.
Performer Biography
Gary Bertini studied at the Paris Conservatoire with notable teachers such as Nadia Boulanger, Arthur Honegger, and Olivier Messiaen.
