A Decade of Musical Collaboration

Tel Aviv University’s Buchmann-Mehta School of Music Symphony Orchestra recently held a special gala concert in collaboration with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating 10 years since establishing their partnership and 70 years since the founding of the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv. The Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at the Yolanda and David Katz Faculty of the Arts was created in cooperation with the IPO in 2005 to prepare the next generation of elite musicians to join its ranks and those of other Israeli orchestras.

The School was made possible by the generous donation and vision of TAU benefactor and businessman Josef Buchmann and the guidance of Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Maestro Zubin Mehta, who has been actively involved in the School since its inception and conducts its orchestra regularly. The School trains Israel's up-and-coming musicians in every musical domain: performing, singing, conducting, composition and theoretical research. 

At the celebratory concert at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium’s Lowy Concert Hall, Mehta conducted the School's orchestra - showcasing five promising young soloists from among the School's outstanding students and recent graduates. The program featured works by classical masters such as Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss and French composer Cécile Chaminade. Mr. Buchmann presented the school’s outstanding students with certificates recognizing their achievements. He and Maestro Mehta took the stage along with TAU President Joseph Klafter and IPO Secretary General Avi Shoshani to thank the Head of the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music Prof. Zeev Dorman as he prepares to complete his term at the end of the academic year.

Reflecting on a decade of collaboration, Mehta told the audience, “I can say with pride that these talented and dedicated young people, with their vitality and enthusiasm, have achieved a level of musical excellence worthy of a first-class professional orchestra, thanks to the masterful leadership of Zeev Dorman and the experienced guidance of the principal players of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and members of the Buchmann-Mehta School faculty.” Mehta also expressed his sincere thanks to his close friend Josef Buchmann, saying to him, "without your support none of this would have been possible."

Prof. Klafter expressed his “heartfelt gratitude to the Vice Chairman of the Tel Aviv University Board of Governors and TAU Honorary Doctor, Josef Buchmann, to TAU Governor Bareket Buchmann, to Maestro Zubin Mehta, to Prof. Zeev Dorman and to the teachers and students who dedicate their time, energy and expertise to the relentless drive toward excellence, enriching our lives and bringing international recognition to the university.”

In addition to establishing TAU’s School of Music, Mr. Buchmann founded the Josef Buchmann Doctoral Fellowship Fund; co-sponsored the European Documentation Center; and dedicated the Buchmann Faculty of Law in memory of his parents who perished in the Holocaust. His latest project at TAU is the establishment, together with fellow TAU supporter Dr. Mario A. Adler, of the new Adler-Buchmann International Program for Outstanding Foreign Music Students at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music. Among his many accolades, he was recognized by Prime Ministers Itzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon for his contributions to the State of Israel.