Composer, born in Tel Aviv, 1971.

Avi began his career as a composer at the age of eight by composing short pieces which he performed himself in concerts at the conservatory.

When the Berman family moved to Jerusalem (1982) Avi began his studies at the Jerusalem Academy High School of Music and dance and from 1984 studied composition with Professor Andre Hajdu.

 

After his military service Berman began his academic studies in The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance(B.A.) and continued studying composition  at Universität der Künste in Berlin (Artist Diploma) and at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, U.S.A. (M.A. and doctoral studies). Avi Berman can be considered to belong to the modernistic composing style, which developed the ideas of the Second Viennese School. Yet many of his works reflect influences from various other styles, including non-Western music, Jewish and cantorial music, and the heterophonic composing technique.

 

 

Avi Berman makes his unique compositional mark in emotional melodic lines, which correspond with the Romantic musical language; in chordal sonorities; in the typical interval patterns woven into all his works; and in the unusual orchestration of his chamber and orchestral writing.

His works are widely performed, especially across Europe; he is often invited to compose for ensembles, festivals and various musical events in Europe, in Israel and in the U.S.

among these are:

 

 

The HDK Orchestra, Berlin (Symphony in One Movement)

The International Chamber Music Festival, Julita, Sweden   (Views and Points of View for Violin and Piano)

Meitar Ensemble and Bracha Kol (Abschied, after texts by Rilke, for mezzo-soprano and six instruments).

 

 

In addition to concert compositions Avi Berman is involved with creating works combining different art forms. Among these are:

Mavet- A work for dance, two Swedish reciters and three instruments (1995), which was performed with various choreographies in Europe and in Israel and which received several different artistic interpretations, including:

Video Dance commissioned by the Summer Festival of the Munich Cinematheque (1998), edited by Sasha Alchov; and Dance Work for solo dancer and video, choreographed by Oren Tilsher, commissioned by the “Voice of the Word” Festival at the Jerusalem Khan Theater (2006)

Las Cartas Que No Llegaron- For singer/actress and pianist, after texts by the Jewish Uruguayan author Mauricio Rosencof, in cooperation with Sabrina Lastman, commissioned by the Jerusalem Interdisciplinary Arena.

Spring 70 Herz- A musical installation in an underground space for computer and seven loudspeakers, created together with his students for the Musrara Mix Festival (2011)

Wood Chips- for cellist, reciter and five loudspeakers (in cooperation with the Musrara Art School), after texts by Yoram Kaniuk (from Wooden Horse), commissioned by “Loving Art” Festival, Tel Aviv (2011).

 

 

Among Avi Berman’s works:

Kaddish for choir, soloists and orchestra; Ovech for expanded chamber ensemble and four singers (after a text by Meir Bienstock); Four quartets, a piano quintet, an octet, a series of duets (duet for two pianos, duet for two celli, duet for two clarinets), and many additional chamber pieces; and pieces for a variety of solo instruments and for solo instrument with piano accompaniment.

 

 

Upon completing his studies in the United States, Berman returned to Israel and began to teach composition in the new music department of the Musrara Arts School where he serves as a senior lecturer.