the 17th International Harp Contest in Israel
50th Anniversary
will take place
6-20 October 2009
The International Harp Contest in Israel celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2009. Maestro Zubin Mehta will serve as President of the 17th International Harp Contest in Israel and all musical celebrations that will mark the accomplishments of the Harp Contest during the past half century.
The Contest, the first competition in the world to be held for the harp, was launched in 1959 by A.Z. Propes, who was responsible for organizing Israel’s Tenth Anniversary celebrations. When he inquired which instrument did not have an international competition, the harp was mentioned. Propes decided at once that the instrument, so closely identified with King David, would be chosen.The harp’s origins are indeed in the Middle East. Ancient harps, over 3000 years old, were found in Iraq (the ancient Mesopotamia), in Egypt and in Megiddo, in ancient Israel.
Propes met with the best harpists in the world and asked them to serve as members of the Jury. To this day, the International Jury is made up of harpists and musicians of world fame.
The Contest has also encouraged writing of music for the harp. It commissions an Israeli work for each contest. The Propes Prize is awarded for its best presentation.
Since 1959, the Contest in Israel has taken place every three years. The 17th Contest will take place in the 50th Anniversary year in the month of October 2009.All the 15 First Prize winners have done extremely well in their careers. At the last contest in 2006, for the first time, the winner was an Israeli, Mr. Sivan Magen.
A Gala Concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will open the Celebrations on October 6th 2009 at the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv. A number of First Prize winners will play with the Orchestra at this festive occasion. On its 50th Anniversary, the Contest will salute the City of Tel Aviv on its 100th birthday.
The Contest is grateful to the Israel Government, the Culture Directorate, the cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Lyon & Healy, foundations and individuals in Israel and abroad for their continuing and steadfast support.
Although the International Harp Contest in Israel is no longer the only harp competition in the world, it remains unique in its excellence and prestige and focuses world attention on Israel.
A site by Raz Schwartz