Arik Shapira

Arik Shapira was born in Afikim in Emek Hayarden. In 1947 he moved with his family to Petah-Tikva. At 14 he started learning piano, theory and score reading with the teacher David Yasser.

He studied Philosophy in Tel-Aviv university (1962-1965). He also studied music in the music academy in Tel-Aviv (1963-1968). Among his teachers were Mordecai Seter, Abel Ehrlich, Eden Partos, Arthur Gelbrun, Gary Bertini and more.

He wrote his first piece – a string quartet, whilst being a student in the academy. The piece was performed in 1.1.1968. It was played again in Haifa, when he turned 60.

Shapira composed traditional acoustic music, Electronic music and Electro-Acoustic music.

Amongst his Acoustic pieces is the piece “Missa Viva” (1977) for symphonic orchestra and a rock group. The piece was performed at the ISCM festibal in Graz, Austria in 1982.

Amongst his Electronic pieces, is the opera “Kastner Trial” (1990-1993) based on the protocol of the Kastner trial (held in israel at 1954). The whole opera is recorded and arranged electronically, and isn’t meant for a staged performance.

Some examples for Shapira’s Electro-Acoustic piece are “Hachlafot” (2007), which was written for Meitar Ensemble and was performed by them; “Masa’ot Eoridica” (2009) for voice, recorded voice and ensemble. It was also performed by Meitar ensemble.

Shapira’s Works have been performed all over the world. In November 20th 2009 at The Villa Wannsee in Berlin as part as a concert devised by Amit Dolberg (the manager of the Meitar ensemble) and the Producer/Director Emra Sonmez, to commemorate 70 years for the Wannsee Conference.

Three pieces by Shapira about the Holocaust were performed at the concert:

“Derech Hayisurim shel Gideon Klein” ; “Achtung Repunzel”

based on brothers Grimms stories, and “Todesfuge” Based on text by Paul Celan.

At September 2011, Eight more pieces for piano by Shapira were played In a Recital in Berlin at the BKA Theater, by the pianists Elena Dimvoska and Ernest Sorberg.

Shapira won the prime minister prize (1986), The Israel Prize for composition and Teaching (1994) and the ACUM Prize (2012).

Arik Shapira was one of the founders of the Music department in Haifa University in 1997. In 1998 He moved with his family to Haifa.

He continued teaching in Haifa University until 2014.

Shapira Passed away in 2015.