Menahem Avidom

Background

Menahem Avidom was born on January 6, 1908 in Stanislau (formerly Austria, now Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics). He was the son of Isaac Kalkstein and Helena Mahler.

Education

He acheived the Bachelor in Arts and Sciences at American University Beirut in 1928. He was a student at Conservatory of Music in Paris in1931.

Career

First woodwind Quartet 1937, Polyphonic Suite for strings 1938, A Folk Symphony 1947, Symphony Number 2 David 1948, Sinfonietta 1951, 2 Piano Sonatinas 1949, Concertino for violinist Jascha Heifetz, Concertino for cellist Gregor Piatigorsky 1951, Alexandra Hashmonaith (opera in 3 acts) 1952, Jubilee Suite, Triptyque Symphonique, concerto for strings and flute, music for strings, symphonies 3, 4, 5 and 6, psalms and cantatas, 12 Preludes Varies for piano, Metamorphoses for string quartet 1960, Symphony Number 7 (25th anniversary of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra), Enigma, septet for 5 wood instruments, piano and percussion, Quartet for brass, Reflexions for 2 flutes, Triptyque for Solo violin, "B-A-C-H” Suite for Chamber Orchestra, Festival Sinfonietta (Symphony Number 8) 1966, The Crook (comic opera) 1966/67, Symphonie Variee (Symphony Number 9) for Chamber Orchestra 1968, Concertino for Violin and Chamber Orchestra 1968, The Farewell (Chamber Opera in one act) 1970, Spring-Overture for Symphony Orchestra 1972, 6 Inventions for Piano in Homage and on the Name of Arthur Rubinstein 1973, Passacaglia for Piano 1973, Piece on the Name of SCHoEnBerG for Piano 1974, The Emperor’s New Clothes (comic opera in one act) for Israel Festival 1976, Twelve Hills (cantata) for Testimonium 1976, Five Psalms for Jerusalem Foundation 1976, Beyond (cantata for voice and three instruments), Yodfat’s Cave (musical drama) 1977, Once Upon a Time (five short tales for piano) 1978, The End of King Og (children's opera) 1979, Movements for String Quartet (or String Orchestra) 1979, The First Sin (satirical opera in four scenes) 1980, Elegie, At Rachel’s Tomb, The Voice of Rovina (three vocal compositions) 1980, Sinfonia Brevis (Symphony Number 10) 1981, Monothema (sonatina for string quartet) 1982, Woodwind quintet 1983, quartet 1984, Bach’ianas for brass quintet, chamber orchestra, piano, Triptyque for piano, Trialogue for piano, violin and cello 1985, Chaconne for piano, flute and oboe 1986, Dialogues for oboe and bassoon 1986, Trio for piano, violin and cello 1986, six epigrams for piano 1987, Jerusalem Songs for children"s choir 1987, Movement for four horns 1987, Clarinet Sonata 1988, Triptyque for flute, horn and piano. Elegies, sonatina for solo cello, Pour la Flute, Concertpiece for Trumpet 1988, 5 Telegram songs for alto voice and tambourine, Prelude for Youth orchestra 1989, A Tre for piano, viola and clarinet 1990, String Quartet 1991.Lecturer on theory" of music, Hebrew" Conservatoire of Music. Tel-Aviv since 1936, and Music Teachers" Training College Tel-Aviv since 1945. Secretary-General Israel Philharmonic Orchestra since 1945.

Menahem Avidom was the Vice President Board of directors Acum (Composers and Authors Association), Director-General 1955-1980 and the Director of Arts Department Jerusalem Convention Centre in 1952.

He worked as an Art Adviser, Government Tourist Centre, Ministry of Commerce and Industry since 1954.

He also was the President of League of Composers in 1958 and Honorary President in1983.

Achievements

• Menahem Avidom has been listed as a noteworthy composer by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

• Other Work

  • Composer 10 symphonies, 7 operas, 3 string-quartets, 3 concertors, chamber, instrumental and choral music.

Membership

He was a member of International Institute Arts and Letters (life), Association Composers and Authors (director for life), Israel Composers League (president 1958-1972, honorary president since 1982).

Interests

• Painting, chess, music reviews.

Connections

Menahem Avidom was married to Suzanne Ividom on January 31, 1935. They had 2 children: Danielle, Miriam.

Father:

Isaac Izidore Kalkstein

Mother:

Helen (Mahler) Kalkstein

Spouse:

Suzanne Ividom

child:

Miriam Avidom

child:

Danielle Avidom