Matt Haimovitz, cello – Tel Aviv, Israel – PRIMAVERA: Through the Centuries

Founded by multi-Grammy-nominated cellist Matt Haimovitz, THE PRIMAVERA PROJECT is an ongoing series of 81 commissions for cello, celebrating a rich tapestry of distinct and diverse compositional palettes. Each composer has been asked to respond to two paintings, Sandro
Botticelli’s Primavera (c.1480) and Charline von Heyl’s Primavera 2020. The residency at the Israel Conservatory of Music, Tel Aviv, offers a curated survey through the new solo cello works featuring a world premiere by Justine F. Chen (Taiwan-USA), and works heard in Israel for the first time by Americans Philip Glass, Missy Mazzoli, Lisa Bielawa, Juri Seo (Korea-USA), Niloufar Nourbakhsh (Iran-USA), Tomeka Reid, Vijay Iyer, and Gabriella Smith. Haimovitz will be joined by cello faculty and students of the Israel Conservatory for two works by Renaissance composer and Botticelli’s contemporary Josquin des Prez who offers a musical grounding through the centuries.

PRIMAVERA: Through the Centuries

Josquin Kyrie (from Missa Hercules Dux Ferrariae) (arr. Haimovitz for four celli) 
Lisa Bielawa Missa Primavera 
Juri Seo Two Rhapsodies of Spring 
Niloufar Nourbahksh Cyclical Rabbits
Justine F. Chen Iridescent Gest (World Premiere) 
Philip Glass Philip’s Song 
Tomeka Reid Volplaning
Vijay Iyer Equal Night 
Gabriella Smith bare
Missy Mazzoli Beyond the Order of Things (after Josquin) 
Josquin Praeter rerum seriem (arr. Haimovitz for six celli)