Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra

The Journey to the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra

Steven Sloane’s relationship with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra began in the 80’s. During this period he helped develop several Israeli musical institutions, among them the orchestra and chorus of the Thelma Yellin school and the Tel Aviv Conservatory.

Steven Sloane also served as Director of the Tel Aviv Vocal Festival and Philharmonic Choir, was resident conductor of the Israeli Opera and conducted all of Israel’s major orchestras. It was during these years that the JSO was the orchestra with which Steven Sloane developed the deepest connection. Even after he continued his international career, this contact was maintained.

The Maestro returned home to the Orchestra in 2019, this time as its Music and Artistic Director. The strong vision that Maestro Sloane outlined for the Orchestra put the diverse community of Jerusalem first, hoping to touch its different aspects, becoming the orchestra of the entire city, one that reaches out beyond the concert halls, performing throughout the city; an orchestra which widens its repertoire and opens its arms for new audiences to experience versatile and innovative content.

At the suggestion of former President of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert and as as an important contribution to the German-Jewish festival year '1700 years of Jewish life in Germany', Steven Sloane and the JSO toured Germany in June 2021 with concerts at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Konzerthaus Berlin, and Klavier-Festival Ruhr, and did a joint performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 with the Bochum Symphony Orchestra at the Jahrhunderthalle. As one of the principal Israeli orchestras, the JSO made its guest appearance in Germany for the first time in over a decade.

Highlights in the 2021/22 season included the interreligious successful Psalm festival and the world premiere of the opera ‘Kundry’ by Avner Dorman at the ‘Regarding Festival’ in Tel Aviv in October 2021. In the 2022/23 season, he stunned audiences with Shostakovic 5 and Mahler 9.