Sunday Concert

Last night we had the privilege to host one of the most phenomenal concerts we have ever attended! Dorel Golan, world famous pianist, performed at the Jerusalem Center. Regarded by critics as "sensational," "captivating with witchcraft artistic personality" and "magical," Dorel has emerged in recent years as the leading young Israeli pianist. She has been called "a true poet of the piano." Dorel, pictured with her parents who accompany her at ever appearance, told us that her mother speaks some English but her father speaks only Russian. When I met her, she looked like a teenager. She was warm and engaging and Garth and I felt honored to shake her hand and give her a good hug after the concert! Neomi, the director over concerts at the center, has known her since she was a teenager so they were delighted to see each other once again.

After warming up at our amazing Steinway piano, she was off to the "green room" to change into an evening gown and prepare for her concert. Some of our students came to the concert and were excited to hear her play.

Garth hosts the concerts and introduces each of the musicians who perform at the Jerusalem Center most Sunday evenings. Dorel has developed an international career and has appeared with orchestras in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America and the Middle East. She has performed in Salt Lake City, Carnegie Hall and many other prestigious concert halls in the US. She has won first prize in many national and international competitions, too numerous to mention. Her recitals and concerts have been broadcast and recorded by numerous TV stations around the world. To say the least, we were truly honored to have her grace our stage.

Photo: "Let's welcome Dorel Golan to the stage."

Dorel's program was entitled "The Romantic Piano" and she performed music of Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Gluck, Saint-Saens and Say and the audience cheered after each solo. To sit in the audience and watch as her fingers flew effortlessly across the keys was an amazing experience.

After a standing ovation, she graciously played an encore. After another standing ovation, she played a second solo and after finally 4 standing ovations and encore solos, she left the stage. Some of the students were so thrilled they waited to meet her before she left the center.

Photo: Laurel, JC student, was thrilled to meet Dorel.

Photo: Dorel and Nate, JC student.

Photo: Dorel and Dane, JC student.

I had the privilege to talk with her a little after the concert. Dorel, age 34, is not married and her dream is to one day have a daughter who will come on the stage with her and sit on the piano bench with her. She has already has selected a name but wouldn't say because she said she wants to surprise her father.

I asked her how much she practices each day and she said anywhere from 4 to 10 hours but on the day of a performance she practices only about 4 hours. By the way, before her concert, Garth saw her in the "green room" warming her hands on a hot blower. She told us how much she loves to perform at the JC Center and that our Steinway is the best in Israel! She also said there is something very special about this place. Being able to experience music at this level has been a once-in-a-lifetime and the perfect way to top off Mother's Day. Garth and I were so thrilled from last night's concert we could hardly get to sleep and this morning we are still riding high. Take a few minutes and read more about her at this website then listen and watch on the utube link listed. http://www.tolerancja.chelmno.pl/docs/dorel_golan-cv-eng.pdf

If you have five minutes, view this performance on Utube and then you will have the opportunity to experience what a remarkable talent she is. Copy and paste this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IItt8lGevXc<