Boris Pigovat

Boris Pigovat was born in 1953 in Odessa, USSR and immigrated to Israel in 1990. Among his works: an oratory, three symphonies, symphonic poems, music for string orchestras and big bands, chamber music and music for solo instruments.

His music has been performed in 40 countries. “The Holocaust” for viola and symphony orchestra was premiered in Ukraine in 2001 at the memorial evening dedicated to the Babiy Yar tragedy in Kiev. In 2008 this work was performed in New Zealand at a concert of remembrance 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht. A CD with this performance was released in 2010 by the label ATOLL, which was awarded the Supersonic Award of the PIZZICATO Magazine. His work “Music of Sorrow and Hope” (2011) was commissioned and premiered by Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for its 75th anniversary. His work “…Therefore Choose Life…” was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in honor of Manfred Honeck’s 10th season as music director and premiered in Pittsburgh in 2017. In 2023 this work was performed by Lahav Shani and the Israel Philharmonic and was recorded by Medici.tv.

Pigovat received the ACUM prize for life achievements in 2024. He also awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for composers (2000) and two prizes of ACUM (1995, 2005).

He studied at the Gnessin Music Institute in Moscow. In 2002 he received his PhD from Bar-Ilan University.