Josef Bardanashvili

Full biography Josef Bardanashvili

Josef Bardanashvili is an Israeli composer, born in Batumi, Georgia in 1948. He studied at the Music Academy in Tbilisi , where he specialized in composition under the guidance of renowned composer Giya Kancheli. In 1995, he immigrated to Israel, where he quickly established himself as one of the leading composers of his generation.

Bardanashvili's music is known for its unique fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions. His compositions often incorporate elements of Georgian traditional music, as well as Jewish liturgical chants and Middle Eastern folk melodies. He has written an extensive body of work, which includes chamber music, orchestral music, operas, and music for theatre and dance.

One of Bardanashvili's most notable works is his opera "The Dybbuk", which is based on the play of the same name by S. Ansky. The opera premiered in Tel Aviv in 1998 and has been performed around the world since then. Bardanashvili has also composed several other operas, including "The Golem," which was commissioned by the Israeli Opera.

In addition to his work as a composer, Bardanashvili is also an accomplished conductor and teaches composition at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Prime Minister of Israel Prize for Composition in 2002.

Bardanashvili's music is characterized by its emotional depth and its ability to evoke a strong sense of place and cultural identity. His unique blend of musical traditions has made him one of the most prominent and influential composers working in Israel today.