The Society
Aharon Zvi Propes (1904-1978), Founder
Esther Herlitz, Chairperson
Ilana Barnea, Director
Judith Liber, Music Director
Aharon Zvi Propes initiated three outstanding international musical events in Israel: the Zimriya, 'World Assembly of Choirs', The Israel Festival and the International Harp Contest.
He had already considered a choir festival as early as 1935, but because of the Second World War the first Zimriya could take place only in 1952.The Israel Festival was part of Israel's 10th Anniversary celebrations. These three musical events continue to the present day.
In connection with Israel's 10th Anniversary and in order to encourage more people to visit Israel, he investigated to discover which musical instrument had no international competition. He was delighted to learn that there was no harp competition anywhere and immediately referred to King David's harp playing.
As the first Contest in 1959 approached, Mr. Propes compiled a list of world-famous harpists, as well as other prominent persons in the music domain, and toured the world to meet with them personally and to gain their consent to sit on the Jury during the forthcoming Contest in Israel. At the same opportunity he consulted with them to choose the set repertoire for the first Contest.
This precious assembly of harpists bestowed a great deal of prestige on the Contest and ensured its internationality: Maria Korchinska (England), Pierre Jamet (France), Phia Berghout (Holland), Clelia Gatti Aldrovandi (Italy), Vera Dulova (Russia), Nicanor Zabaleta (Spain), Lucile Johnson Rosenbloom, Lucile Lawrence and Eileen Malone (USA), Marcel Grandjany and Carlos Salzedo (USA and France).
They were among the greatest harpists of their time and one could only dream of having them come together to judge a harp contest; harpists and educators of world fame, who joined forces and met for the first time ever. Without these celebrities of the harp there would have been no Contest, professionally speaking. In addition to the artistic personalities, Propes 'annexed' en route eminent sponsors, without whom the Contest could not have existed financially.
There remained only the Prize: Lyon & Healy, harp builders in Chicago, responded by offering a Concert Grand Style 23 Harp as First Prize. The collaboration with Lyon & Healy continues today.
Aharon Zvi Propes, born in Latvia in 1904, graduated from the Hebrew High School in Riga. He studied law in Czechoslovakia at the University of Prague. For about 25 years, until he settled in Israel in 1949, he was active in the education of Zionist youth and was one of the founders and leaders of the Betar Movement.
In Israel he was appointed Director of Special Events in the Ministry of Tourism. In this capacity he was responsible for the founding of several cultural bodies and the inception of numerous events which were greatly praised.
Early in January 1978, Propes fainted on his way back to his home in Tel Aviv's Shadal Street. He was immediately taken to hospital where he died a few days later, on the 10th of January. After Propes' death, the Government of Israel declared that his three major enterprises would carry the addition: Founded by A Z Propes to their names.
A Street on the outskirts of Tel Aviv bears his name, as well as streets in Jerusalem and Haifa. The A.Z. Propes Prize, for the best performance of an Israeli composition, is offered at every Contest.
Propes indeed placed Israel's culture on the international stage.
Close
As the first Contest in 1959 approached, Mr. Propes compiled a list of world-famous harpists, as well as other prominent persons in the music domain, and toured the world to meet with them personally and to gain their consent to sit on the Jury during the forthcoming Contest in Israel. At the same opportunity he consulted with them to choose the set repertoire for the first Contest.
This precious assembly of harpists bestowed a great deal of prestige on the Contest and ensured its internationality: Maria Korchinska (England), Pierre Jamet (France), Phia Berghout (Holland), Clelia Gatti Aldrovandi (Italy), Vera Dulova (Russia), Nicanor Zabaleta (Spain), Lucile Johnson Rosenbloom, Lucile Lawrence and Eileen Malone (USA), Marcel Grandjany and Carlos Salzedo (USA and France).
They were among the greatest harpists of their time and one could only dream of having them come together to judge a harp contest; harpists and educators of world fame, who joined forces and met for the first time ever. Without these celebrities of the harp there would have been no Contest, professionally speaking. In addition to the artistic personalities, Propes 'annexed' en route eminent sponsors, without whom the Contest could not have existed financially.
There remained only the Prize: Lyon & Healy, harp builders in Chicago, responded by offering a Concert Grand Style 23 Harp as First Prize. The collaboration with Lyon & Healy continues today.
Aharon Zvi Propes, born in Latvia in 1904, graduated from the Hebrew High School in Riga. He studied law in Czechoslovakia at the University of Prague. For about 25 years, until he settled in Israel in 1949, he was active in the education of Zionist youth and was one of the founders and leaders of the Betar Movement.
In Israel he was appointed Director of Special Events in the Ministry of Tourism. In this capacity he was responsible for the founding of several cultural bodies and the inception of numerous events which were greatly praised.
Early in January 1978, Propes fainted on his way back to his home in Tel Aviv's Shadal Street. He was immediately taken to hospital where he died a few days later, on the 10th of January. After Propes' death, the Government of Israel declared that his three major enterprises would carry the addition: Founded by A Z Propes to their names.
A Street on the outskirts of Tel Aviv bears his name, as well as streets in Jerusalem and Haifa. The A.Z. Propes Prize, for the best performance of an Israeli composition, is offered at every Contest.
Propes indeed placed Israel's culture on the international stage.
Close
Esther Herlitz, Chairperson
Esther Herlitz was born in Germany and educated in Jerusalem. She served as an officer in the British Army in the Second World War and in the Israel Defence Army during Israel's War of Independence.
Miss Herlitz is a graduate of Israel's first school for Diplomats and served in Israel's Foreign Service since its inception.
She was Director of the Ministry's Public Relations and Information Departments; a member of Israel's UN delegation; First Secretary at the Embassy in Washington; Consul in New York and Israel's Ambassador to Denmark 1965-1971.
Miss Herlitz was the Director of the Labour Party's International Department 1958-1962; a member of the Tel Aviv City Council 1961-1965; at the request of Prime Minister Golda Meir she founded the Israel Voluntary Service of which she was Chairperson from 1972 till 1978.
Miss Herlitz was a member of the Eight and Ninth Knesset (1973-1981) representing the Labour Party, and served on the Law and Constitution, the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees, as well as the Committee on the Interior.
Miss Herlitz was a member of the Israel Committee on the Status of Women. She is the Chairperson of the Friends of Denmark in Israel; a member of the Board of Trustees of Ben Gurion University of the Negev; the Board of Overseers of the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem.
She has traveled in Europe, North and Central America, Asia and Africa.
Miss Herlitz was appointed Director of the International Harp Contest and the Zimriya (World Assembly of Choirs in Israel) in 1983. Since 2005 she serves as Chairperson of the International Harp Contest in Israel. Ms. Herlitz is a member of the Honorary Board of Directors of the World Harp Congress.
She published an Autobiography "How Far Can a Woman Go" (Ministry of Defense Publishers 1995).
She has been awarded "Freeman of the City of Tel Aviv" (1996) and Doctor Honoris Causa by the Hebrew Union College (1999). She is the recipient of the Prime Minister's Shield for Voluntarism. She lit a torch on Independence Day on Mount Herzl (2001).
In 2003 she has also received the Rosenblum Prize (Culture) of the City of Tel Aviv and the Woman of Distinction Award of Hadassah Women Zionist Organization of the USA.
Close
Miss Herlitz was the Director of the Labour Party's International Department 1958-1962; a member of the Tel Aviv City Council 1961-1965; at the request of Prime Minister Golda Meir she founded the Israel Voluntary Service of which she was Chairperson from 1972 till 1978.
Miss Herlitz was a member of the Eight and Ninth Knesset (1973-1981) representing the Labour Party, and served on the Law and Constitution, the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees, as well as the Committee on the Interior.
Miss Herlitz was a member of the Israel Committee on the Status of Women. She is the Chairperson of the Friends of Denmark in Israel; a member of the Board of Trustees of Ben Gurion University of the Negev; the Board of Overseers of the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem.
She has traveled in Europe, North and Central America, Asia and Africa.
Miss Herlitz was appointed Director of the International Harp Contest and the Zimriya (World Assembly of Choirs in Israel) in 1983. Since 2005 she serves as Chairperson of the International Harp Contest in Israel. Ms. Herlitz is a member of the Honorary Board of Directors of the World Harp Congress.
She published an Autobiography "How Far Can a Woman Go" (Ministry of Defense Publishers 1995).
She has been awarded "Freeman of the City of Tel Aviv" (1996) and Doctor Honoris Causa by the Hebrew Union College (1999). She is the recipient of the Prime Minister's Shield for Voluntarism. She lit a torch on Independence Day on Mount Herzl (2001).
In 2003 she has also received the Rosenblum Prize (Culture) of the City of Tel Aviv and the Woman of Distinction Award of Hadassah Women Zionist Organization of the USA.
Close
Ilana Barnea, Director
Ilana Barnea graduated from Tel Aviv University where she studied Geography and Theater. She studied management at Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan Universities. She also graduated from the Sheine Teacher's College.
Ms. Barnea has much experience in setting up culture projects related to music and theater.
After a teaching career she was chosen to join the initial staff of the Education Television Station, where she broadcasted programs for schools.
Ms. Barnea established the Division of Culture, Art and Adult Education of the Kfar Saba Municipality and was its manager for many years.
She established and managed the Municipal Culture Center of Kfar Saba, the first of its kind in Israel and later on advised other cities in establishing such centers.
She created three Culture and Communities Centers in South Africa and served as an adviser on culture activities to the government of Bophuthatswana. She also was invited by the government of Chile to advice on culture activities.
Ms. Barnea spent three years in Germany as an emissary of the Jewish National Fund (KKL) in Germany where she not only raised funds but also organized information meetings and cultural events.
She was the Director of the Israel Vocal Music Center in Beit Itzhak and is a member of many artistic and culture organizations.
As well as being the Director of the International Harp Contest in Israel she is the Director of the "Zimriya", World Assembly of Choirs in Israel.
Close
Ms. Barnea established the Division of Culture, Art and Adult Education of the Kfar Saba Municipality and was its manager for many years.
She established and managed the Municipal Culture Center of Kfar Saba, the first of its kind in Israel and later on advised other cities in establishing such centers.
She created three Culture and Communities Centers in South Africa and served as an adviser on culture activities to the government of Bophuthatswana. She also was invited by the government of Chile to advice on culture activities.
Ms. Barnea spent three years in Germany as an emissary of the Jewish National Fund (KKL) in Germany where she not only raised funds but also organized information meetings and cultural events.
She was the Director of the Israel Vocal Music Center in Beit Itzhak and is a member of many artistic and culture organizations.
As well as being the Director of the International Harp Contest in Israel she is the Director of the "Zimriya", World Assembly of Choirs in Israel.
Close
Judith Liber, Music Director
Judith liber, acknowleged by Zubin Mehta, Leonard Bernstein and others to be one of the world’s leading orchestral harpists, was principal solo harpist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra from 1963 to 2000. Born and raised in USA, she graduated from Oberlin College and did graduate study at the University of Illinois and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Her musical training began at age five on the violin.
At age seven she also began lessons on the piano. The study of both violin and piano continued until she heard her first harp recital. At age 10 she began her studies on the harp with Dorothy Henschen, who prepared her for advanced study with Professor Lucy Lewis at Oberlin College and later, Carlos Salzedo at the Salzedo Harp Colony in Camden, Maine.
A career as soloist, chamber music player and orchestra musician put her in personal and artistic contact with the leading artists of our time. With Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic, she recorded the Bruch Scottish Fantasy and Bernstein’s Halil with J.P. Rampal, conducted by the composer. She enjoyed particular acclaim for her interpretation of the Ginastera Harp Concerto with Maestro Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Her unique sound can be heard in the many recordings of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra from 1963 to 2000.
Ms. Liber is an internationally renowned teacher. She taught at the Tel Aviv University, Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance and the Accademia Musicale in Florence, Italy. For several years she led the Course for Orchestral Performance at the Scuola di alto perfezionamento musicale in Saluzzo, Italy. She gives annual Master Classes in Florence for Amici della Musica and in Grandola ed Uniti on the Como Lake. Most recently, she taught at the A. Boito Conservatory in Parma, Italy and at the Julliard School of Music in New York. Her students include leading soloists and teachers the world over.
Judith Liber is Music Director and vice-president of the International Harp Contest in Israel and president of its International Jury.
She has published transcriptions for harp from the Preludes for piano by Claude Debussy as well as several articles on the harp and its place in music. Her solo CD, RECITAL, includes several of her own transcriptions.
Ms. Liber lives with her husband on the Como Lake in northern Italy. Many young harpists come to her from all over the world seeking to develop the beauty and projection of the harp sound.
She has lectured world wide on “The Power of Music” and her book, A METHOD for HARP, THE POWER OF MUSIC, has been recently published by Ut Orpheus Edizion, http:/www.utorpheus.com.
Close
Ms. Liber is an internationally renowned teacher. She taught at the Tel Aviv University, Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance and the Accademia Musicale in Florence, Italy. For several years she led the Course for Orchestral Performance at the Scuola di alto perfezionamento musicale in Saluzzo, Italy. She gives annual Master Classes in Florence for Amici della Musica and in Grandola ed Uniti on the Como Lake. Most recently, she taught at the A. Boito Conservatory in Parma, Italy and at the Julliard School of Music in New York. Her students include leading soloists and teachers the world over.
Judith Liber is Music Director and vice-president of the International Harp Contest in Israel and president of its International Jury.
She has published transcriptions for harp from the Preludes for piano by Claude Debussy as well as several articles on the harp and its place in music. Her solo CD, RECITAL, includes several of her own transcriptions.
Ms. Liber lives with her husband on the Como Lake in northern Italy. Many young harpists come to her from all over the world seeking to develop the beauty and projection of the harp sound.
She has lectured world wide on “The Power of Music” and her book, A METHOD for HARP, THE POWER OF MUSIC, has been recently published by Ut Orpheus Edizion, http:/www.utorpheus.com.
Close
A site by Raz Schwartz