About the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra
the orchestra
The Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra – which has been described as “the mother of all baroque ensembles in Israel”, is the first orchestra in Israel to play baroque music – music from the 17th and 18th centuries – with period instruments, in the performance methods and playing techniques used in those days.
The orchestra was founded in 1989 by the harpsichord player and conductor Prof. David Shemer – its musical director until today. Since 2006, maestro Andrew Parrott from England has served as honorary conductor of the orchestra. The orchestra holds concert series throughout the country: in the YMCA hall in Jerusalem, in the Zucker Hall in the Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, the Mishkan for the Arts in Ness Ziona and various sites in the city of Haifa and more.
The orchestra also performs in special concerts in various settings, including festivals, concert series and travels around the world, including in Estonia and Canada. The orchestra’s programs present the best works of baroque and early classical music, from Claudio Monteverdi to Bach, from Heinrich Schitz to Handel and Henry Purcell to Mozart and Beethoven. The orchestra also emphasizes educational activities, and makes sure to combine artist classes for students, guided concerts for students and student concerts in various settings.
Among the orchestra’s guests are prominent artists from Europe and the United States, among the greatest performers of ancient music today, including: Andrew Parrott, Philip Pierlo, Joshua Rivkin, Kathy Debretzny, Peter Harvey, Walter Reiter, Alfredo Bernardini, Enrico Onofri, as well as the best Israeli performers of baroque music.
In addition to the concert seasons it produces, the orchestra holds annual festivals in the city of Moshava – Jerusalem: the “Bach” festival held around the date of his birth in March, and the “Vocal Fantasy” festival – a summer festival that gives center stage to the human voice. Festival “Witches?” joins them in bringing the female creation from the period to the stage, thus confirming the artistic contribution of the orchestra in the musical landscape in Israel.
Artistic director - David Shemer
Prof. David Shemer – harpsichord player, conductor, teacher and artistic director of the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra is one of the leading figures in the early music scene in Israel. David teaches harpsichord, ancient music and musical theory at the Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem. In addition, he is invited to teach in master classes in Israel, Europe and the USA.
David performs and records in Europe and the USA as a soloist, as a chamber musician and as a conductor. His recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations received enthusiastic reviews from the audience and critics alike. Among his most notable performances in recent times – a performance, together with the British violinist Walter Reiter, of sonatas for violin and harpsichord obbligato at the Bach Festival in Beit The composer was born in the city of Eisenach in Germany.
Recently, Shemer appeared in his debut performance as a piano player, as part of the concert commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven held by the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra.
Artistic director - David Shemer
Prof. David Shemer – harpsichord player, conductor, teacher and artistic director of the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra is one of the leading figures in the early music scene in Israel. David teaches harpsichord, ancient music and musical theory at the Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem. In addition, he is invited to teach in master classes in Israel, Europe and the USA.
David performs and records in Europe and the USA as a soloist, as a chamber musician and as a conductor. His recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations received enthusiastic reviews from the audience and critics alike. Among his most notable performances in recent times – a performance, together with the British violinist Walter Reiter, of sonatas for violin and harpsichord obbligato at the Bach Festival in Beit The composer was born in the city of Eisenach in Germany.
Recently, Shemer appeared in his debut performance as a piano player, as part of the concert commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven held by the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra.
members of the executive board
Prof. Menachem Magidor
Chairman of the association
CPA Yair Alon MM
Chairman of the association and chairman of the finance committee
Ms. Sarah Magidor
Chairman of the resource mobilization committee
Ms. Pamela Hickman
Head of the circle of friends