New Haifa Symphony director Yoel Levi eager to return home

• Published date: 09 October 2021
• Author: SARAH HERSHENSON
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

This is an opportunity he has waited for, said the modest 63-year-old Romanian-born conductor, and sees it as a way to show his warm and familial connection to Haifa, as well as influencing and developing cultural life and musical opportunities in the North.

Levi arrived in Israel as a small child and settled with his family in Haifa. He was quickly recognized as a musical wunderkind, studying at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music, where he received a Master of Arts degree with distinction, and at the Jerusalem Academy of Music, studying with Mendi Rodan. In 1978, Levi won the first prize at the International Conductors Competition in Besancon, France, catapulting his career to the international stage.

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In the United States, between 1978 until 1984, Levi was appointed as the assistant conductor to Lorin Maazel with the Cleveland Symphony, and then for four years as resident conductor of the orchestra. For twelve years he was the music director of the Atlanta Symphony after taking over for Robert Shaw.

"I am proud of what the orchestra and I achieved together in Atlanta," Levi said. "We made over thirty recordings, and were nominated in 1991 as the Best Orchestra of the Year at the First International Classical Music Awards. These were 'golden days' in Atlanta to be sure," he commented in a phone interview with The Jerusalem Post.

Levi's repertoire is wide and he is an esteemed conductor of both symphonic and operatic works. His schedule of overseas postings as a guest conductor is full. In addition, he has held the position of full time music director for many prestigious ensembles, such as the Brussels Philharmonic, the Orchestre National d'Île-de-France and the KBS Symphony of South Korea.

Nevertheless, throughout the years, he has maintained a strong connection with Israel. In 2001, he was appointed principal guest conductor of the Israel Philharmonic, and has the distinction of being the first Israeli to hold that title. "This is a working relationship and friendship," he comments, "I look forward to continuing."

Concerning his position in Haifa, when asked what were his goals as new music director, he decidedly rephrased the title, saying he prefers being called a "music advisor."

"I will be in Israel three times a year working and giving performances with the Haifa Symphony. I am responsible for the season's programming...