Master Classes

International Master classes for Orchestral Conducting
With Professor Jorma Panula

February 1st – 10th 2007

The Jorma Panula master class in Haifa has been uniquely designed for the young "creative conductor" by Professor Noam Sheriff, composer and conductor.

Maestro Sheriff's philosophy being that an outstanding conductor does not merely regenerate the great works of the past but finds within himself the "spirit" of creation. Indeed, the great conductors through the years have been composers. Examples are: Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Leonard Bernstein, and Pierre Boulez. It is our intention to create a unique experience. This will combine superlative conducting training with Maestro Jorma Panula and in-depth discussion and research into the creation of a musical work, from the seed of an idea, through its formation, orchestration and finally performance.

The participants will have approximately 120 minutes of podium time with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra. There will be video sessions, conducting discussions and lectures given by Maestro Panula and Maestro Sheriff. In addition, there will be enrichment activities and tours of local sites. A number of participants will be chosen to conduct the HSO in a gala concert at the end of the course. The most outstanding conductor participating in the course will be offered an engagement to conduct a special concert in the HSO's concert season.

JORMA PANULA

Jorma Panula

In a musical career spanning over half a century, Jorma Panula has conducted famous orchestras in many parts of Europe, America and Asia. In Finland, he conducted theatre and opera orchestras before going on to lead symphonies. He was the Helsinki Symphony's head conductor from 1965 to 1972 and then conducted the ?rhus Symphony in Denmark for three years.

Along with his accomplishments as a conductor, it is as a teacher that he has become best known in world music circles. He taught future orchestral conductors at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki from 1973 until his retirement in 1993. His other professorial posts have been with the Academy of Music in Stockholm and the Royal Academy in Denmark. Maestro Panula continues to inspire and motivate young conductors in master classes in the United States, Russia, Sweden, Italy, Australia and many other parts of the world.

This project was sponsored by:
Haifa Municipality – Culture Department
Haifa Tourist Board
The Haifa Foundation
The Mark Rich Foundation.
Ministry of Science Culture & Sport – Board of Culture
Ruben and Edith Hecht Trust
Marom Musical Instruments