Nahum Amir

Israeli born Nahum Amir started as a cellist and studied with Thelma Yellin. Received his B.Mus from the Rubin Academy of Music (Jerusalem) in theory and composition under Paul Ben-Haim and was also his assistant; M.Mus  from Juilliard in composition under Elliott Carter and Roger Sessions; D.Mus from the Jewish Theological Seminary (New York) under Hugo Weisgall.

Awarded first prize in the Braemer Competition for string quartet composition (1970). Faculty member at Juilliard and assistant professor at Paterson State College until his return to Israel to join the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University (1973) where he had taught theory, harmony, analysis, orchestration and 20th century music until his retirement. For many years was initiator, organizer and moderator of numerous chamber music series. Judge and jury chairman in various composition competitions.

Among his works: three string quartets; sonata for solo violin (performed at Carnegie Hall); music for strings (performed by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under Yoav Talmi); Orchestration of Brahms’ piano piece variations and fugue on a theme by Handel, Flute concerto, Fantasia and Fuga for piano – Homage to Bach.