What is the name of the most famous orchestra in Israel?
Q: What is the name of the most famous orchestra in Israel?
A: The most famous orchestra in Israel is the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, or abbreviated IPO. In Hebrew it is written: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, pronounced: ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit ha-Yisre'elit.
Q: When was the orchestra started?
A: The orchestra was started in 1936 by the violinist Bronisław Huberman when it was known as the Palestine Orchestra.
Q: Why did Huberman start this orchestra?
A: Huberman started this orchestra because at this time the Nazis were in power in Germany and Jews were being persecuted. Many European orchestras were getting rid of their Jewish musicians.
Q: Who conducted their first concert?
A: Their first concert was conducted by Arturo Toscanini on 26 December 1936 in Tel Aviv.
Q: Who has had a close relationship with them?
A: Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta have had a close relationship with them.
Q: When did they appoint a main conductor?
A: They appointed a main conductor in 1977 when Mehta was made Music Director.
Q: What music have they refused to play since 1938 ?
A: Since 1938, they have refused to play any music composed by Richard Wagner because he was anti-Jewish.
