Inside the Music: Cleveland International Piano Competition

An opportunity to connect with Israeli performers in a virtual setting.

Did you know that five past medalists of Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC) have hailed from Israel?

Join Yaron Kohlberg, president of Piano Cleveland, and Nimrod David Pfeffer, conductor and pianist, in conversation with Zeda Blau, Cleveland Israel Arts Connection Advisory Committee and Piano Cleveland co-chair, as they discuss this year’s competition and the chances for another Israeli medalist.

YARON KOHLBERG: Described as “the pianist with golden hands” by international media, Jerusalem-born and Israeli native Yaron Kohlberg is one of today’s top Israeli pianists. He has played in major halls in 40 countries spanning five continents and has won more than ten international prizes, including the second prize at the 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition. Mr. Kohlberg has arrived in Cleveland after spending the last few years traveling around the world, performing in various concerts and presenting master classes and workshops. He was also a part of the highly successful piano duo, Duo Amal, where he teamed up with friend Bishara Haroni.

NIMROD DAVID PFEFFER: Nimrod David Pfeffer is an Israeli-born conductor residing in New York City. Mr. Pfeffer serves as Assistant Conductor at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City. In season 2020/21 he will make his Metropolitan Opera conducting debut, in Franco Zeffirelli's production of La Bohème. His recent conducting engagements include The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, The San Francisco Symphony, the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, The Juilliard Opera, and the Israeli Opera. Mr. Pfeffer is dedicated to promoting dialogue between Arabs and Jews in Israel. In 2009 he presented a concert in honor of peace at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall with pianist Bishara Haroni, benefiting the Jezreel Valley Music Center, a music school where Arabs and Jews study music together. The performance helped to raise funds and bring media attention to the school. Mr. Pfeffer is honored to have received the Davis Projects for Peace Award for this initiative.