Keshet Eilon Australian Friends Launched With A Stunning Performance
October 26, 2018 by Victor Grynberg
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Australian music Young Performer of the Year Emily Sun studied in a music college situated in a kibbutz in Western Galilee several years ago. Now she has performed in Sydney at the inaugural concert staged by a new group raising funds for the college.
Emily Sun, Phillip Shovk, and Tony Gault
Keshet Eilon is a strings music college situated in the Kibbutz Eilon very close to the Lebanese border. Focussing on Master Courses and Master Classes it has in the last 28 years built up a formidable international reputation.
When a group of Australians who had visited the school on the Kibbutz decided it was time to form an Australian support group there was no question who would be the ideal musician at the Inaugural Concert that was held on Wednesday night at the wonderful Recital Hall at the NSW Conservatorium of Music.
Their choice was Emily Sun, the superb violinist who had only a couple of months ago won the very prestigious Australian Young Performer of the Year award.
Earlier in her development to become a major soloist she had attended the Master’s course at Keshet Eilon in 2011. She liked the classes so much she returned twice. Emily is so appreciative of what she learnt at Keshet Eilon that in 2020 she has been invited as an alumnus teacher, to help other young musicians.
The concert began with Faure’s Violin Sonata no. 1. Accompanied by the always excellent Phillip Shovk, Emily played with maturity and confidence. Her ability as an artist was evident as she met the challenges the piece provided.
Poulenc’s music is not always so approachable but his Violin Sonata FP 119 was a melodic interplay between Violin and Piano, with a perfect understanding between the artists.
Without a doubt, the popular hit on the night was the Concert Fantasy on Themes from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess’ by Russian composer Igor Frolov.
This piece, which Emily had played in her semi-final of the YPA, she had first heard at Keshet Eilon. Playing melodies we were all very familiar with as songs, it was critical to make the violin “sing”, an accomplishment she achieved faultlessly.
As a further treat for the enthusiastic audience, for an encore, Emily was joined by her former teacher Robin Wilson in a duet of the divine Prelude by Shostakovich.
Following the performance, Emily was interviewed by Michael Gonski. on her experiences in Israel.
The Australian Friends are seeking to raise funds for scholarships to send exceptionally gifted string instrumentalists to Keshet Eilon.
Judging by the quality of Emily Sun’s playing, the school is worthy of widespread support.
