Award-winning orchestral, choral and opera conductor
Alumnus of the Royal College of Music and the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music
Passionate educator nurturing hundreds of students
Experienced music director of youth bands and ensembles
Pianist, choral singer and orchestrator
Avi Taler is an Israeli conductor with extensive training and experience in orchestral and choral conducting. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music in Tel-Aviv University, and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the same institution. In 2020, he graduated from the Royal College of Music in London, where he was mentored by leading conductors and conducted several performing ensembles and orchestras.
Avi has worked with a wide range of orchestras and performing ensembles, including the Karlovy-Vary Symphony Orchestra, Ashdod Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal College of Music Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras. He has also held various educational positions, including conducting advanced municipal youth concert bands and choirs in Israel.
Recently, Avi was shortlisted for the finals of the Lanyi International Conducting Competition and Only Stage Conducting Competition. He was also awarded an Enterprise Award by the Royal Philharmonic Society for creating a unique remote performing ensemble called ExploSound.
With his unique skills and abilities, Avi is set to make his Royal Albert Hall debut with forces from the English National Opera.
Avi Taler was born in Ashdod, Israel, and began his musical studies at the age of six at Akadma Conservatory under the tutelage of Mrs. Yanina Kudlik, learning both piano and choral singing. Avi went on to win various municipal and national competitions and performed in concerto festivals.
In 2016, Avi completed his four-year orchestral conducting B.Mus course at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel-Aviv University, studying with Vag Papian, Yi-An Xu, Prof. Yoav Talmi, and Ronen Borshevsky. In 2015, he created, led, and executed an outstanding performance of De Falla’s El Amor Brujo with fellow students in chamber concerts and lecture series. He then pursued his M.Mus in choral conducting with Prof. Ronen Borshevsky, completing it in 2018.
In 2020, Avi graduated from the Royal College of Music in London with a postgraduate conducting course, studying under Professors Toby Purser, Peter Stark, and Howard Williams. During his time there, he had the privilege of being a student of ENO music director and RCM guest conductor Martyn Brabbins. Avi was also involved in the RCM’s opera production of Haydn’s Il Mondo della Luna, led by Professor Michael Rosewell, and collaborated with other opera directors, actors, choreographers, and writers. He also led an orchestral recording at the Abbey Road Studios, where he recorded De Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat Suite.
Avi’s conducting career has been supported by several awards and honors, including the Polonsky Foundation (2018-2020), Selma Manders and B’nai B’rith Leo Baeck (London) Lodge (2018-2020), The Colton Foundation (2016-2020), The America-Israel Cultural Foundation (2016-2017), The Aviva Or-Shalom Foundation Scholarships (2012-2018), and the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music excellence scholarships (2014, 2015, 2016). In 2015, he was awarded the Ashdod Foundation Exceptional Musicianship Award and the Ashdod Foundation Excellence Award.
Avi’s educational background includes serving as the representative youth concert band’s musical director in Ness-Ziona’s Conservatory (2016-2018) and in Ashdod’s Akadma Conservatory (2015-2017), participating in the LisbonMusicFest concert tour in 2018, and holding various educational positions as a conductor, aural skills teacher, chamber coach, and musical director.
As a choral tenor, Avi sings at the Gary Bertini Israeli Choir and has participated in orchestral projects conducted by Zubin Mehta, Manfred Honeck, Marin Alsop, and Ariel Zuckerman. Avi has performed with the Karlovy-Vary Symphony Orchestra (2017), Ashdod Symphony Orchestra (2017), Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra (2019-2020), Royal College of Music Philharmonic Orchestra (2018-2020), Buchmann-Mehta School of Music Symphony Orchestra (2015-16), Buchmann-Mehta Carter Chamber Orchestra (2016), Buchmann-Mehta Oratorio and Chamber Choirs (2015, 2017-2018), Havant Symphony Orchestra (2019-20), Croydon Young Concert Orchestra (2019), and other large, medium, or small ensembles. He is expected to have is Royal Albert Hall debut in June 2022, when he will conduct over 1,000 students in an original play.
Avi Taler was born and raised in Ashdod, Israel, and from a young age, he found joy and passion in the world of music. Avi’s musical journey began with piano and choral singing lessons at the Akadma Conservatory under the tutelage of Mrs. Yanina Kudlik. He went on to win various competitions and performed in festivals, gaining recognition for his talent.
Avi pursued his studies in orchestral and choral conducting, completing a four-year orchestral conducting B.Mus course at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel-Aviv University and a postgraduate conducting course at the Royal College of Music in London. Along the way, Avi had the privilege of studying under renowned conductors such as Professors Toby Purser, Peter Stark, and Howard Williams, and he gained invaluable experience collaborating with other opera directors, actors, choreographers, and writers.
Throughout his career, Avi has been supported by various awards and honors, including the Polonsky Foundation, Selma Manders and B’nai B’rith Leo Baeck Lodge, The Colton Foundation, and The America-Israel Cultural Foundation. He has also served in various educational positions as a conductor, aural skills teacher, chamber coach, and musical director. When he is not conducting, Avi sings as a choral tenor with the Gary Bertini Israeli Choir and has performed with orchestras led by renowned conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Manfred Honeck, Marin Alsop, and Ariel Zuckerman.
As a music education enthusiast, Avi is very grateful for the opportunity to pursue his passion and share it with others, and he hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians and music lovers through his work.
L. V. Beethoven – Symphony no. 8 in F, op. 93
"The Consecration of the House" Overture, Op. 124
H. Berlioz – Le Carnaval Romain op. 9
J. Brahms – Symphony no. 2 in D, op. 73
Herbert Chappell – Paddington Bear’s First Concert
A. Copland – Appalachian Spring (13 instruments)
A. Corelli – Christmas Concerto
E. Elgar – The Spirit of England, op. 80 (Soloist: Sivan Keren)
M. De Falla – El Amor Brujo (Soloist: Zlata Khershberg)
The Three Cornered Hat, Suites 1 and 2
G. Faure – Suite Masques et Bergamasques op. 112
E. Grieg – Peer Gynt Suite 1, op. 46
G. F. Handel – Chandos Anthem, As Pants the Hart HWV 251 (Soloists: Adva Sela and Yonathan Suissa)
J. Haydn – Die Schöpfung (Excerpts)
J. Ibert - Divertissement
W. A. Mozart – Piano Concerto no. 23 K. 488
The Marriage of Figaro – The Letter Scene
Serenade No. 11 in Eb Major K. 375
F. Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (Soloist: Mira Marton)
D. Milhaud – Le boeuf sur le toit
A. Pärt – Magnificat
F. Poulenc – Le dialogue des Carmélites – Act 1 Scene 3
M. Ravel – Le tombeau de Couperin
Introduction et Allegro (Soloist: Liza Rakovskaya)
G. Rossini – Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Overture
Largo al Factotum
Una Voce Poco Fa
F. Schubert – Symphony no. 8, "Unfinished" in b minor, D. 759
Stabat Mater in g minor, d. 175
D. Shostakovich – Symphony no. 10
Tahiti Trot
B. Smetana – The Bartered Bride Overture
I. Stravinsky – Three Shakespeare Songs
J. Williams – Star Wars Suite
B. Bartok – Divertimento for string orchestra, sz. 113
L. v. Beethoven – Egmont Overture, op. 84
Symphony no. 2 op. 36
Symphony no. 3 op. 55
Symphony no. 4 op. 60
Symphony no. 7 op. 92
H. Berlioz - Les Troyens: Chasse Royale et Orage
B. Britten – Sinfonietta, op. 1
P. Dukas - Le Sorcier Apprentice
A. Dvorak – Slavonic Dances op. 46
Romance and Mazurek for violin solo, op. 11 & 49
Symphony no. 8 in G major, op. 88
The Noon Witch op. 108
Serenade for Winds op. 44
Cello Concerto op. 104
E. Elgar – Enigma Variations
Cello Concerto
Romance for bassoon solo
Violin concerto
J. Haydn – Symphony no. 92
Symphony no. 93
Symphony no. 99
Symphony no. 101
Symphony no. 104
Il mondo della luna
F. Liszt – Les Preludes
E. Lutyens – Chamber Concert no. 1
James MacMillan - Tryst
G. Mahler – Symphony no. 1
Symphony no. 5
F. Mendelssohn – Fingal's Cave op. 26
Symphony no. 4, op. 90, "Italian"
Meeresstille und Glückliche Fahrt op. 112
W. A. Mozart – Symphony no. 29 in A K. 201
Violin Concerto no. 5 K. 219
String Divertimento in D K. 136
Requiem in d minor
Die Zauberflöte - Overture
S. Rachmaninoff - Symphonic Dances Op. 45
M. Ravel – Daphnis et Chloe Suite no. 2
F. Schubert – Symphony no. 5 in Bb D. 485
R. Schumann – Symphony no. 4 in d minor op. 120
Symphony no. 3 in Eb Major op. 97
D. Shostakovich – Symphony no. 8
J. Sibelius – Violin Concerto in d minor op. 47
Finlandia Op. 26
B. Smetana – Ma Vlast, Vltava
R. Strauss – Metamorphosen
I. Stravinsky - Octet
Dumbarton Oaks
J. Strauss – Die Fledermaus Overture
P. I. Tchaikovsky – Symphony no. 4 op. 36
Symphony no. 5 op. 64
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
C. M. von Weber – Bassoon Concerto op. 75
Choral:
L. Bernstein – Chichester Psalms
J. Brahms – Liebeslieder op.52
Y. Braun – Vayimalet Kain
G. Fauré – Requiem in d, op. 48
G. F. Handel – Dixit Dominus HWV 232
F. Mendelssohn – Psalms 42 op.42
S. Rachmaninoff – Vespers op.37
L. v. Beethoven – Symphony no. 1
Symphony no. 5
Symphony no. 6
J. Brahms – Symphony no. 1
Symphony no. 3
Symphony no. 4
Piano Concerto no. 2
H. Berlioz – Le Roi Lear Overture
Symphonie Fantastique
L. Bernstein – Candide
G. Bizet – L'Arlessienne Suites 1 & 2
Carmen - Excerpts
A. Copland – Rodeo
F. Chopin – Piano Concerto no. 2
C. Debussy – Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
La Mer
Première rhapsodie
A. Dvorak – Symphony no. 9
E. Humperdinck – Hänsel und Gretel
Z. Kodaly – Dances of Galánta
G. Mahler – Rückert-Lieder
Totenfeier
W. A. Mozart – Symphony no 39, in E flat major
Don Giovanni: Overture, Recitatives, Arias and ensembles.
The Marriage of Fiagaro: Recitatives
Die Zauberflöte: Recitatives
Così fan tutte: Overture
G. Puccini – La bohème - excerpts
R. Schumann – Piano Concerto
J. Sibelius – Symphony no. 5
Petko Staynov – Rachentica from "Thracian Dances"
R. Strauss - Till Eulenspiegel
The Presentation of the Rose from Der Rosenkavalier
I. Stravinsky – Le Sacre du printemps
Petrushka
Concerto In D
P. I. Tchaikovsky – Symphony no. 6
The Swan Lake Suite
Piano Concerto in Bb
C. M. von Weber – Oberon Overture
Der Freischütz Overture
R. Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
G. Verdi – Rigoletto Overture
Did we ever leave lockdown?, IKLECTIK, 20 Carlisle Lane, Old Paradise Yard, London, SE1 7LG
Music Makes Me, Royal Albert Hall, and in partnership with the Royal College of Music at the Royal Albert Hall, London - press release by Tri-Borough Music Hub
Traditional pre-season ‘Popular Classics’
Songs For Film – St Pancras Old Church, London
Conductors’ Podium – Come Together – Stay Apart – Make Music
Conductors’ Podium: All-Time Favourite of The Classical Repertoire – Cancelled
Havant Symphony Orchestra Concert – Cancelled
Family Concert: Havant Symphony Orchestra - flyer:
Opera Scenes: RCM Singers Perform Pieces From Repertoire
Orchestral Masterworks: Sibelius’s Symphony no 2
RCM Sparks Lunchtime Concert for Schools: Feel the Force
Opera Scenes: Don’t Miss The Opportunity to Spot The Stars of The Future!
Havant Symphony Orchestra – Autumn Concert - flyer:
Orchestral Masterworks: Swan Lake
Conducting Masterclass with Martyn Brabbins
Conducting Masterclass with Bernard Haitink – canceled!
Orchestral Masterworks: Smetana and Szymanowski
Great Exhibitionists: The Coat Of Two Colours
RCM New Perspectives – Avi Taler
Conductors’ Podium – Avi Taler
Royal College of Music Presents: Conductors’ Podium
Avi Taler – Orchestral Masterworks: Discovery Workshop
“Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life” at Tel Aviv University
Water Music – A Tribute to G.F. Handel
New Ensemble Performance on Open Day for Coming Students, Recital Hall, Royal College of Music, March 2019.
50th Jubilee to the Akadma Conservatory, Ashdod Performing Arts Center, Israel, June 2016.
International Conducting Masterclass with Charles Oliveri-Munroe, Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, Lazne III, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, August 2017.
Bucharest Conducting Competition, First Stage, Romanian Atheneum, September 2017.
Masterclass with ENO musical director and RCM guest conductor Martyn Brabbins and the RCM Symphony Orchestra on Mahler's 1st Symphony, Royal College of Music, Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, October 2019.
50th Jubilee to the Akadma Conservatory, Ashdod Performing Arts Center, Israel, June 2016.
Concert Tour with the Ness Ziona Youth Concert Band, Ruinas do Carmo, Lisbon, Portugal.
Introduction: A Journey Beyond Lockdown
The year 2020-2021 will forever be etched in our memories as a time of unprecedented challenges. The global pandemic disrupted lives, including the world of music. It was during this period that an intriguing proposition came my way from Thomas Foster: to commission music that transcends physical distances and unites musicians through virtual collaborations. As we embarked on this unique journey, little did we know how impactful and transformative it would become.
The Genesis of an Idea
Deep into the final lockdown of early 2021, the desire to create and perform music together was palpable. The constraints of remote communication led to a curious experiment – a musical composition to be performed via Zoom, connecting musicians who were physically apart. The experiment bore fruit as we discovered the untapped potential of this unconventional setup. These early materials would soon evolve into the foundation of an idea that would propel us towards the Royal Philharmonic Society Enterprise Award.
The Milestone: RPS Enterprise Fund
The recognition of our project's potential arrived in the form of the RPS 2021 Enterprise Fund. This was a significant milestone, affirming the value of our endeavor. With excitement, however, came challenges. The grant fell short of our ambitious plans, and the evolving landscape as restrictions eased posed new considerations. In-person performances were regaining their allure, casting a shadow over our remote concept.
Challenges and Adaptation
The year 2022 was marked by numerous funding applications and demanding feedback. The dynamic nature of reality highlighted our struggle to justify the continuation of remote performances. Yet, the commitment to the RPS funding compelled us to adapt, innovate, and persevere. We were tasked with navigating the delicate balance between the digital and physical realms of music.
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The Vision Blossoms: A Concert Across Continents
And now, the culmination of this 2.5-year journey has come to pass. What was once a hazy and experimental vision materialized into a remarkable reality. The concert, a testament to perseverance and collaboration, unfolded with its own set of challenges.
Overcoming Technical Hurdles: A Symphony of Adaptation
As the concert approached, technical issues emerged as a formidable obstacle. Rehearsals and preparations were not without their fair share of struggles. Despite our best efforts, achieving seamless audio communication between the in-person musicians and their remote counterparts proved to be a complex puzzle. Hours of attempts, including a shift from Zoom to Jitsi, didn't yield the desired outcome of both parties hearing each other clearly. Flexibility and compromise became our guiding principles as we navigated the intricacies of remote collaboration.
The Conductor's Role: Navigating Challenges
In this heightened atmosphere of technical complexity, my role as a conductor gained even greater significance. Creative solutions were essential to ensure a cohesive performance. At times, pieces were performed with deliberate muting of in-person musicians to sync with remote players. This collaborative improvisation highlighted the adaptive spirit of our endeavor.
Harmonizing the Unseen: Sound Engineering's Triumph
The concert day arrived, and the stage was set for our ambitious performance. Sound technicians played a pivotal role in weaving our disparate elements into a harmonious tapestry. Through their skillful mixing of all channels, the music finally resonated beautifully within the venue, providing a deeply satisfying experience for the live audience. This achievement, however, was still out of sync with the experience of the remote players.
Unity in Diversity: The Coherent Journey
Throughout the performance, we seamlessly blended in linking segments composed of texts and videos. These interludes formed bridges between the various compositions, creating a cohesive and immersive journey for the audience. Despite the technical challenges, the concert emerged as a comprehensive and meaningful experience, reflecting the resilience and creativity that define our time.
Reflecting on a Journey of Adaptation and Harmony
Looking back on this project's evolution, from its experimental beginnings to this triumphant performance, the symphony of adaptation and collaboration resonates deeply. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, the willingness to overcome challenges, and the beauty that emerges from harmonizing diverse elements.
Continuing the Melody: Lessons Learned
This experience has illuminated valuable insights that will resonate in the continued journey of each participant. As we move forward, the lessons of technical flexibility, adaptive collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to artistry will guide our paths.
Acknowledgments
Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the Royal Philharmonic Society Enterprise Fund in association with Harriet’s Trust. Their support empowered us to navigate uncharted territories and create music that transcends boundaries.
Continuing the Harmonic Journey
As the final notes of this performance gently fade into memory, our journey continues. Each challenge met, each chord struck, and each moment of collaboration has paved the way for the chapters yet to be written. This is not the end; it is a transition into a future where the lessons learned, the connections forged, and the music created will guide us forward. Just as our compositions unfold in time, so does our shared narrative, ever-evolving and enriched by the echoes of our collective efforts.
I am available for and open to ideas of projects and collaborations.
I can offer my services in the following:
Conducting and Musical Directing ensembles of all sorts (choirs, chamber, orchestras, bands) and levels (professional, amateur, students)
Teaching: Conducting, musical theory, ear training, harmony, analysis, history of music, piano and more
Language Coaching for vocalists and IPA in: Russian, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Latin and English.
Lecturing on various topics related to performance and leadership
Reviewing and feedbacking performances, recording and run-throughs as a preparation for exams, auditions and competitions and adjudicating
Orchestrating and arranging in various styles and instrumentations
Notating and transposing
Translating lyrics to Hebrew
All are available online as well!
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