Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
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The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit ha-Yisre'elit) is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel, and one of the top orchestras in the world, as it is widely considered the best orchestra in Asia [citation needed]. Originally the Palestine Orchestra, it was founded by violinist Bronisław Huberman in 1936, at a time when many Jewish musicians were being fired from European orchestras. Its inaugural concert took place in Tel-Aviv on December 26, 1936, and was conducted by Arturo Toscanini.
The IPO enjoys frequent international tours, and has hosted some of the world's greatest conductors. Particularly associated with the orchestra are conductors Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta. The former maintained close ties with the orchestra from 1947, while the latter has served as its Musical Advisor since 1968. In 1977, Mehta was appointed Musical Director and in 1981, Musical Director for Life.
As of 1992, the composers most frequently performed by the IPO were Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn. The orchestra maintains a de facto ban on Wagner's work, due to his anti-semitism and the association of his music with Nazi Germany.[citation needed]
[edit] Musical Advisors/Music Directors
Until 1977 the orchestra had no Music Directors. The conductors most closely associated with the orchestra were called musical advisors.
- Zubin Mehta (1968–) (Musical Advisor 1968–1977; Music Director thereafter)
- Jean Martinon (1957–1959)
- Bernardino Molinari
- Paul Paray (1949–1950)
- Leonard Bernstein (1947–1949; Laureate Conductor since 1988)
- William Steinberg (1936–1938)
