February 6, 2011, Shai Ben-Amotz

The Mozart Requiem, one of the most often-performed pieces in Israel.  I've heard it performed by many choirs, and I also have several renditions on disk, even though I don't usually collect renditions.  I wasn't excited when my wife and some friends suggested that we hear the Requiem yet again.  I later found out that the performance was by the Ramat-Gan Chamber Choir, conducted by Hanna Tzur, and the Kibbutz-Netanya Chamber Orchestra.

In fact, the event that took place on the stage of the Yahalom Theater in Ramat-Gan exceeded my expectations.  Hanna Tzur succeeded in extracting from the choir and the soloists a Requiem that was equal to, and possibly better than my favorite disks. 

The Ramat-Gan Chamber Choir has been around for almost twenty years.  As opposed to other choirs, this is a large choir with a good representation of male singers, which makes a powerful impact.  Under the musical direction of Hanna Tzur, the choir soars.  The Kibbutz-Netanya Chamber Orchestra has recently been upgraded, and I believe it was reinforced for this concert in the winds section.

The four soloists performed beautifully.  Soprano Daniella Lugassi and Alto Anat Eini Tze'elah have been around for a relatively long time.  Tenor Nadav Inbar, a young and less well-known tenor, may not yet have the required power, but sang correctly and accurately.  In my opinion, the one who stole the show was a bass whom I'm not familiar with, of Russian origin, named Alexei Knonikov.  Knonikov has a true Russian bass, like in "The Fiery Angel", and he effortlessly filled the theater with his great bass voice.

The theater was completely full, and through extended applause, the audience thanked Hanna Tzur and her musical team for a magnificent rendition of the Requiem.