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Biography
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Gisèle Ben-Dor's performances continue to receive an overwhelming critical reception. In March 1999, Ms. Ben-Dor returned
to the New York Philharmonic as a last minute replacement
for Daniele Gatti in a program of Mahler and Beethoven,
much as she did in her debut with the Philharmonic in
1994, stepping in for Kurt Masur and conducting without
rehearsal or scores, to unanimous praise. Following
her most recent appearance with the New York Philharmonic,
the New York Times wrote, "If Ms. Ben-Dor had merely
survived in a work as complex as the Mahler under the
circumstances, she would have done well; she did more,
making the interpretation ... her own." On other
occasions, Gisèle Ben-Dor has appeared with the Philharmonic
in Central Park, before an estimated audience of 100,000
and has led members of the orchestra in a three hour
concert marathon of contemporary British music.
She has also led, amongst others, the London Symphony,
English Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic,
Boston Pops, New World Symphony, Israel Philharmonic,
to which she has recently returned, Jerusalem Symphony,
Israel Chamber Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, and
the Houston Symphony, which she led in a nationally
broadcast Presidential inauguration at the Kennedy Center.
In addition to being reengaged by many of these orchestras,
she has led numerous others in the United States, Europe,
Australia and Latin America. Ms. Ben-Dor's recent engagements also include orchestral and opera performances in Geneva, Helsinki, Madrid, Great Britian, Denmark, Mexico, Italy, France, and throughout the U.S. She conducted the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande at the Grand Théâtre de Genève this past summer in a new production and European premiere of Alberto Ginastera's last opera, Beatrix Cenci, which she then recorded. The production was unanimously acclaimed by the international press. The Tribune de Genève stated, "Gisèle Ben-Dor is a master conductor. Rarely has the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande sounded at once so sensitive and so powerful. The ability to reveal clearly the slightest nuance of the text and unchain the utmost sonic violence at the same time is the mark of great musicians. The Uruguayan 'chef' set Ginastera's opera on fire." and Le Temps wrote of Ben-Dor, "...hers is a perfect precision...great sonic refinement, and the ability to make the most complex things appear as clear and logically organized as Beethoven." In November 2000, she conducted another major work of Ginastera ( "Turbae ad Passionem Gregorianam," a Gregorian Passion) in Madrid, also a European premiere.
In April 1999, BMG/Conifer issued the world premiere
recording of the complete score of Alberto Ginastera's
ballet Estancia, featuring Ms. Ben-Dor with the London
Symphony. Classic CD in London stated that "Gisèle
Ben-Dor spectacularly proves her credentials ..."
adding "these are top flight performances, as thrilling
as they are sensitive". Gramophone gave "a
whole hearted recommendation to the disc," much
as it praised Ms. Ben-Dor's first recording of Ginastera's
music, also with the London Symphony (Koch International),
featuring the Variaciones Concertantes and the world
premiere of both versions of the Glosses on Themes of
Pablo Casals. Ms. Ben-Dor has also recorded the music
of Silvestre Revueltas for Koch, including the world
premiere of Revueltas' final work, the ballet La Coronela,
with the Santa Barbara Symphony and the English Chamber
Orchestra, as well as Itinerarios and Colorines. A world
premiere of Villa-Lobos' Symphony #10, "Amerindia",
with the Santa Barbara Symphony and Chorus has recently been released. Fanfare magazine calls Gisèle Ben-Dor "one of the best things that has ever happened to the music of the southern hemisphere."
The groundbreaking Revueltas Festival which she created
and realized in Santa Barbara (January 2000) elicited
rave praise worldwide for its imaginative approach and
wide ranging commitment to the cause of the composer.
("Gisèle Ben-Dor can be counted to unearth something
important every season", Los Angeles Times). Such
events, as well as her many recordings confirm the Los
Angeles Times' assertion that she is "a star on
the rise ... so ferocious a talent ... just the conductor
we have been waiting for to make a really persuasive
case for Latin composers". Ms. Ben-Dor has also
recorded music of John Adams, David Ott, Béla Bártok
and Ezra Sims.
Currently, Ms. Ben-Dor is the Music Director of the
Santa Barbara Symphony and Conductor Emerita of the
Boston Pro-Arte Chamber Orchestra where, having been
chosen exclusively by the musicians themselves, she
has also garnered the highest praise from both audience
and critics. Anthony Tommasini in the Boston Globe remarked,
"Ben-Dor casts her spell ... Something essential
is going on when she conducts, and the players know
it ... a tremendous musician, and a vital, charismatic
presence."
Her talent was also recognized by Leonard Bernstein,
with whom she shared the stage at Tanglewood and at
the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, with the Bavarian
Radio Orchestra. Winner of the Bartok Prize of the Hungarian
Television, she toured several East European countries.
Ms. Ben-Dor's conducting debut upon graduation from
the Yale School of Music occurred with the Israel Philharmonic
in Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and was televised
by the BBC/London throughout Europe. Born and raised
in Uruguay of Polish parents, she also studied at the
Rubin Academy of Music in Tel-Aviv before residing in
the U.S., together with her husband and two young sons.
They have recently attained their citizenship.
- To learn more about Gisèle Ben-Dor, click here.
- To learn about positions held by Gisèle Ben-Dor,
click here
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