Final Live at the Great to honour those lost in Israel
Gavrylyuk also explains his connection to Israel thanks to the Arthur Rubenstein International Piano Master Competition which he won in 2005. Since then, he has been to Israel almost every year to perform.
A renowned pianist of dazzling musicality, international pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Concertgebouw.
Next week, Gavrylyuk will be taking to the Great Synagogue stage for the final Live at the Great concert for 2023. A Ukrainian, Gavrylyuk told The AJN that he holds a special place in his heart for Israel.
“My heart is full of pain, observing what’s happening both in Israel and in Ukraine,” he said. “Music is one of the best tools we have as a society to bring people together, and I think this is very important now with all this polarisation around the world. Music can remind us, on a deeper level, that we as human beings are actually quite connected.”
Gavrylyuk also explains his connection to Israel thanks to the Arthur Rubenstein International Piano Master Competition which he won in 2005. Since then, he has been to Israel almost every year to perform.
“I have a very strong feeling of connectedness to Israel and the culture there. There are so many people there who are dear to me,” he said, touching on the connections also between Ukraine and Israel and the very large population of Ukrainians who now call Israel home.
It’s why the concert will feature a tribute to victims of the terror attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 and the victims of the massacre.
“I am extremely saddened and shocked at the brutality of what happened, and my heart is full of pain connected to that,” he explained. “In my opinion, music makes us reflect upon emotions that we’re all experiencing. It helps take away that first layer of difference of why the emotion is there in the first place, basically creating this space where people can connect.”
The program will also feature Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Brahms’ Intermezzi op.117, Liszt-Horowitz’s Danse Macabre, and Chopin’s Fantasy in F minor.
Gavrylyuk said he is honoured to be performing at the Great Synagogue for the first time.
The performance will include a prayer for those who have lost their lives.
It’s a time for the community to support Israel and each other, said Live at the Great founder Vladimir Fanshil.
“We will show our unity, and come together for hope and inspiration.”
These words were echoed by Gavrylyuk.
“This concert is a very personal and intimate experience,” he said.
“Everyone will have their own reflections on the music being played, based on their own life and history, but the beautiful part of this is that it is indeed a moment of unity, and I think that’s quite special.”
Live at the Great will take place on November 8. For tickets: feverup.com/m/120525
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