Local nonprofit Anima Mundi Productions' Heart of Humanity series presents a concert of soul-stirring depth inspired by the Jewish musical tradition
Ashland-based nonprofit Anima Mundi Productions proudly presents one of the world’s foremost musical virtuosos, Israeli cellist Amit Peled, in concert with Spanish pianist Daniel del Pino, Sunday, February 2nd at 3pm, at the SOU Music Recital Hall, 450 S Mountain Ave in Ashland.
Praised by The New York Times as “One of the most exciting and virtuosic instrumentalists on the concert stage today,” Amit Peled has touched audiences with decades of performances around the world, including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall in London, the Konzerthaus in Berlin, and Salle Gaveau in Paris.
In 2003, he became the youngest ever professor at the acclaimed Peabody Conservatory. He likes to joke that, “In the beginning, I was younger than some of my students, but they stay young and I get old.” In 2015, Musical America named him one of the Top 30 Influencers of the year.
In 2012, Peled made international headlines when Marta Casals Istomin, the widow of the late cello legend Pablo Casals, chose him to carry on Pablos Casals’ legacy with a 6-year loan of his instrument, the 1733 Goffriller cello. Today, Mr. Peled performs on a cello made by the Italian master Giovanni Grancino, ca. 1695, on generous loan from the Roux Family Foundation.
He will be joined by his long-time collaborator, the Lebanon-born Spanish pianist, Daniel del Pino, who has performed in the most prestigious venues of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
"Hand in Hand Together"
Anima Mundi Productions is dedicating the 2024-25 season of its Heart of Humanity concert series to musicians from regions afflicted by violent conflict. Mr. Peled was born on a kibbutz in Israel and fulfilled his military service requirement by playing in a special string quartet program. Peled’s February concert comes after Anima Mundi’s October 2024 recital by Ukrainian pianist Dr. Nadia Shpachenko and will be followed by the Palestinian composer and ensemble leader Dr. Shireen Abu Khader in April.
According to Anima Mundi Productions’ executive director Ethan Gans-Morse, “music has the power to undo the dehumanizing effects of war by opening our hearts to the grief and suffering and hope and longing expressed through each culture’s musical tradition, so that we come to know them as human beings, restoring the humanity that violence strips away.”
Indeed, Amit Peled’s concert program draws deep from the Jewish musical tradition, which paradoxically harmonizes grief and joy, longing and contentment, introspective meditation and lively dance. Selections will include music by Max Bruch, Ernest Bloch, JS Bach, and Edvard Grieg, as well as traditional songs such as Eli, Eli, and John Williams’ famous theme from Schindler’s List.
“Cello Day” in Rogue Valley high schools
Anima Mundi Productions is also proud to partner with Ashland, Grants Pass, and North and South Medford High Schools to offer a day of instruction and music making with Amit Peled. Over fifty high school cello and bass players will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and learn from Mr. Peled.
