Israel Philharmonic makes long awaited Elbphilharmonie debut

Martin Fröst

Martin Fröst, Lahav Shani and the Israel Philharmonic in the Elbphilharmonie

By Mengguang Huang, 03 November 2025

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“dancing through phrases with irrepressible energy”

Reviewed at Elbphilharmonie: Grand Hall, Hamburg on 3 November 2025

Mendelssohn, Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Op.62 (arr. Lahav Shani)

Mozart, Clarinet Concerto in A major, K622

Ahbez, Nature Boy

Ben-Haim, Symphony no. 2

Dvořák, Slavonic Dance no. 10 in E minor, Op.72 no.2

Martin Fröst, Clarinet

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Lahav Shani, Conductor

Lahav Shani and the Israel Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall

Edward Sava-Segal, 16th October

From Bernstein’s private elegy to Tchaikovsky’s tempered affirmation, the Israel Philharmonic offers an evening of reflection, discipline and quiet radiance.

****1

Lahav Shani leads the Israel Philharmonic back to Carnegie Hall

Edward Sava-Segal, 14th November

After a three-years hiatus, the orchestra returns to New York, with violinist Gil Shaham playing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto before an assured Prokofiev Fifth Symphony.

****1

Russian fire and French nightmare in Jūrmala

Roy Westbrook, 25th August

One of the great performances of a concerto which gets so many performances.

****1

Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic in Jūrmala

Roy Westbrook, 24th August

Jan Lisiecki's leap-in with the Israel Philharmonic offers extra spontaneity in Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto.

*****

A cursory Mahler 3 from Zubin Mehta and the IPO

Vishnu Bachani, 8th November

In a work as complex and multifaceted as Mahler’s Third, plumbing the depths of the music is not a trivial task. Mehta and his orchestra shone in moments but not uniformly across the symphony.

**111

Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall

Edward Sava-Segal, 7th November

Tonal finesse, graceful articulation and magical simplicity mattered more than anything else in Yefim Bronfman's version of Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto.

****1

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Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.

Israel Philharmonic’s long awaited Elbphilharmonie debut features Martin Fröst