Shmuel Elbaz

• function:
  chief conductor
• eMail:
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• company:
  The Israeli Andalus Orchestra

participation in

• WOMEX 2007

Shmuel Elbaz was born in Beer Sheva, Israel. He graduated from the Rubin Music Academy where he majored in performing and conducting under the tutelage of Dr. Motti Schmit and Prof. Mendi Rodan.

He undertook further training in conducting at the "Sweelinck Music Academy" in Amsterdam, where he studied with Peter Etvös,David Porcelan, Lev Markiz and Roland Kieft.
While in Holland, Shmuel conducted the Amsterdam Chamber Orchestra, the Harlem Symphony Orchestra and the Sweelinck Chamber Orchestra.

Since his return to Israel in 1997, Shmuel has served as resident conductor of the Israel Stage Orchestra, and as guest conductor of The Tel- Aviv Chamber Orchestra, The Ra'anana Symfonet, The Beer Sheva Symfonietta and The Israeli Andalusic Orchestra.

Since 2004 Shmuel is the chief conductor of the Israeli Andaluse Orchestra.

Shmuel is considered to be one of the leading mandolinist in the world. He has appeared as a soloist with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Rishon Letzion Symphony Orchestra, the Beer Sheva Symfonietta, the Tel Aviv Chamber Orchestra, and The "Yad Harif" Chamber Orchestra.

Shmuel founded the Israeli Mandolin Quartet whose recording has been widely broadcast and acclaimed in Israel, Europe and the USA.
Recently he finished his world premier album including the six Sonatas and Partitas for violin solo of J.S.Bach, in a special performance on a mandolin.
In August 2003 he won with his quartet the first prize in the international competition for plucked instruments in La Rioja- Spain.

He lectures at Ben Gurion and Haifa university in the faculties of Music and General Studies where he teaches music theory, orchestration and composition.
Since 2004 he is the director of the music conservatory in Netivot.