Asher Ben-Yohanan

Asher Ben-Yohanan was Born in 1929 in Kavala (Northern Greece), and immigrated to Israel in 1935. He composed using numerous contemporary techniques, including the 12-tone technique. His works include pieces for symphony and chamber orchestra, chamber ensembles including Quartetto Concertanto for piano, clarinet, trombone and violoncello (1969), and a “piano concerto” accompanied by an “orchestra” with one player for each of the orchestra’s groups. He also composed pieces for string orchestra, songs for voice and piano, a march for the IDF orchestra, pieces for acapella choir and music for theater.

Ben-Yohanan won several ACUM awards as well as serving as a manager in several positions in ACUM. He was the CEO of the Israel Composer’s League. In 1947 Ben-Yohanan finished his studies in Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium in Tel-Aviv. Between 1945-1949 He studied oboe and piano playing, as well as composition with Paul Ben Haim. In 1958, he studied composition with Aaron Copland at the Tanglewood Music Center and studied musicology at the New York University Department of Music with Gustave Rees and Jan Leroux until 1961. After spending some time in Israel composing and teaching, in 1966 he went to study with Luigi Nono in Venice and from there he continued to Darmstadt. From 1971 to 1969 he studied in the United States and returned with a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan, where he also composed electro acoustic music. In 1970 he won the Morse Fellowship in composition from the University of Cincinnati (United States) and in 1971 he studied and completed the requirements for a Doctorate in Musicology. Ben-Yohanan was the mentor of some of today’s greatest musicians, including conductors Daniel Oren and David Shalon.