How Wonderful – Ora Binur, Ma’ariv, June 16, 2004

It’s a pleasure to see an audience of hundreds streaming to the Abu Gosh Festival, which offers a fascinating program performed almost entirely by Israeli musicians.

The opening concert, by the Ramat Gan Chamber Choir and the Israel Chamber Orchestra, under the warm and flowing musical direction of Hanna Tzur, mirrored this unique, four-day event devoted to vocal music.

The program was brilliantly and magically constructed.  The little known Rheinberger Requiem for choir and organ is a romantic jewel from 1900.  It was performed like a lied, with colorful harmonies and warm singing which flowed softly and sacredly.  Fantastic.

Afterwards, we were introduced to a piece by the talented Mati Kovler, “Yiftah’s Daughter before her Death”.  No one sings this type of music, which combines an Israeli motif with creative orchestration, better than Dafna Zahavi.  Wonderful.

Finally, a great performance of the Missa Longa, composed by the 20 year-old Mozart, in which Tzur emphasized the festive intensity and great energy of this celebratory Mass.  All of these, as performed by the orchestra and the choir, left an impression of excellence, which characterizes the entire Festival.