Biography
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Born
29 September 1971 (age 52)
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Born In
Jerusalem, Yerushalayim, Israel
Yitzhak Yedid (Hebrew: יצחק ידיד) (born September 29, 1971, Jerusalem) is an Israeli composer and pianist. He studied at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem and at the New England Conservatory in Boston with Ran Blake and Paul Bley.
"Yedid can rightly no longer be just called a discovery of new music; instead, born as the son of Syrian-Jewish in Jerusalem, he is one of the established greats in the scene." (Description from label between the lines, see also: On a Jewish prayer and an Arab melody)
In 1999 Yedid released his first CD, Compositions for Solo Piano, for the Musa label. This led to an invitation to perform in Scandinavia as the guest of the pianist Michael Smith, and to a joint recital in Sweden with the pianist Roland Pontinen. In 2001 Yedid's second recording, Inner Outcry, was released, also for Musa.
Yedid was commissioned to compose the suite Tachanun for the opening of "The Third Stream" festival in Vienna, Austria, in 2002. This composition has been performed many times in Israel including at the Kfar Blum Chamber Music Festival.
The composition Myth of the Cave was commissioned by German record label between the lines, with whom Yedid signed a record contract. It was released in 2002. The CD gained a 5-star rating in several internationally recognized magazines. The five-movement piece has been performed at festivals in Germany and Austria, at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in Canada and at the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival in Israel.
In 2003 Yedid composed Passions and Prayers - Sextet in homage to Jerusalem, for between the lines records. This technically complex and conceptually melancholy composition premiered at the 2004 Israel Festival. The CD released in August 2005.
Reflections upon Six Images was commission for the Third Stream Festival in Vienna Austria in 2004. The music depicts the union and division of images, colors, textures, styles and cultures inspired by the world of the imagination. The composition was performed at the Vienna festival in September 2004 and at the Etnakhta concert series in November 2004 in Israel. The CD will be released at the end of 2005.
In 2005 Yedid composed the Oud Bass Piano Trio, which was performed at the Sibiu Festival in Romania, as well as in Australi, and Canada, and during a tour of the U.S in May and September 2005. On 2002 he joined Israeli Jazz saxophonist Abatte Barihun to form the duo Ras Deshen. They recorded their self-titular maiden album on September 2002, which featured a fascinating blend of Ethiopian music and Free improvisation jazz. In this album, Abatte's and Yedid's solos are somewhat reminiscent of Coltrane's and Jarrett's, respectively, recalling the groove of Jarrett's Köln Concert.
List of Compositions
"Nine images for Violin Cello and Piano" (2006), Piano trio Commissioned by IBA music, 2006 Duration: 13 minutes
"Chagall Project" (2006), Seven Solo Piano pieces inspired by Marc Chagall Commissioned by Jerusalem Jewish Music Festival, 2006 Duration: 41 minutes
"Since my Soul Loved" (2005), Piano Quintet, in four movements, Commissioned by Etnachta Concert Series, 2004 Duration: 52 minutes
"Oud-Bass-Piano Trio" (2005), Trio for Oud, Double Bass and Piano, in five movements Commissioned by the Oud International Festival, 2005 Duration: 68 minutes
"Psalms" (2004), Three Singers, Ethiopian folk Dancer, Alto, Bass and Piano Commissioned by Confederation House Duration: 51 minutes
"Reflections Upon Six Images" (2004), Quartet for Clarinet, Viola, Double Bass and Piano. In six parts. Commissioned by Vienna Music Gallery Festival, Austria 2004 CD released for German label –between the lines- December 2006 Duration: 64 minutes
"Passions & Prayers, Sextet in Homage to Jerusalem" (2003), Sextet for, Horn, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Trombone, Viola, Double Bass and Piano. In Five Movements Commissioned by –between the lines- Germany, 2003 CD released for –between the lines- 2005 Duration: 53 minutes Premier Performance: The Israel Festival, 2004
"Myth of the Cave" (2002), Trio for, Clarinet/ Bass Clarinet, Double Bass and Piano. In Five Movements Commissioned by -between the lines- Germany, 2002 CD released for –between the lines- 2003 Duration: 61 minutes
"Ras Deshen" (2002), For Voice, Krar, Piano Commissioned by MCI 2003 CD released on 2003 for MCI records Duration: 61 minutes Premier Performance, Tel Aviv Festival, February, 2001 "Ras Deshen Ensemble"
"Tachanun" (2001), Trio for Piano, Double Bass and Percussions. Suite In one movement Commissioned by Vienna music Gallery festival, Austria 2003 Duration: 66 minutes Premier Performance: Vienna Music Gallery Festival, September 2002, Austria
"Tachanun"- Solo Piano version (2000), Suite in one movement Commissioned by Vienna Music Gallery Festival, Austria 2003 Duration: 66 minutes Premier Performance: Chamber Music Festival, Israel
"Full Moon Fantasy" (1998), Solo Piano compositions Length: 37 minutes Commissioned by Musa records 1999 CD released in 1999 for Musa records CD re printed in April 2005
References
C. Michael Bailey, A New Third Stream: Yitzhak Yedid’s Jazz-Classical Synthesis, All About Jazz
Ben Shalev, Abatte comes back home, Haaretz 16.5.2006
Terrell Kent Holmes, Ras Deshen: From Ethiopian Music to Contemporary Jazz, All About Jazz
External links
Yitzhak Yedid's official website: http://www.yitzhakyedid.com/
Yitzhak Yedid's page at allmusic.com
Video of "Myth Of the Cave" Part 3
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