Mordechai Seter
Encyclopedia
Mordechai Seter was an Israeli composer.
, Russia
, in 1916 and emigrated
with his family to Mandate Palestine in 1926.
He learned to play the piano
from the age of seven in Russia, and continued with his lessons and studies in Tel Aviv
. In 1937, he went to Paris
, France
, and studied composition at the Ecole Normal de Musique with composer Paul Dukas
and with the great teacher Nadia Boulanger
. In 1937, he returned to Israel and began composing music, formulating his unique style.
From 1951 until his retirement in 1985, Seter was one of the most influential teachers at the Rubin Academy of Tel Aviv University
(previously the Israel Conservatory). His students included composers Tzvi Avni
, Arie Shapira
, Nurit Hirsh
and the conductor Gary Bertini
.
Biography
Seter was born Mordachai Staromsky in NovorossiyskNovorossiysk
Novorossiysk is a city in Krasnodar Krai, Russia. It is the country's main port on the Black Sea and the leading Russian port for importing grain. It is one of the few cities honored with the title of the Hero City. Population: -History:...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, in 1916 and emigrated
Aliyah
Aliyah is the immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel . It is a basic tenet of Zionist ideology. The opposite action, emigration from Israel, is referred to as yerida . The return to the Holy Land has been a Jewish aspiration since the Babylonian exile...
with his family to Mandate Palestine in 1926.
He learned to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
from the age of seven in Russia, and continued with his lessons and studies in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
. In 1937, he went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and studied composition at the Ecole Normal de Musique with composer Paul Dukas
Paul Dukas
Paul Abraham Dukas was a French composer, critic, scholar and teacher. A studious man, of retiring personality, he was intensely self-critical, and he abandoned and destroyed many of his compositions...
and with the great teacher Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor and teacher who taught many composers and performers of the 20th century.From a musical family, she achieved early honours as a student at the Paris Conservatoire, but believing that her talent as a composer was inferior to that of her younger...
. In 1937, he returned to Israel and began composing music, formulating his unique style.
From 1951 until his retirement in 1985, Seter was one of the most influential teachers at the Rubin Academy of Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
(previously the Israel Conservatory). His students included composers Tzvi Avni
Tzvi Avni
Tzvi Avni is an Israeli composer.-Biography:He was born in Saarbrücken, Germany, and emigrated to Mandate Palestine as a child. He studied with Paul Ben-Haim....
, Arie Shapira
Arie Shapira
Arie Shapira is a noted Israeli composer and music researcher.-Scholarships, Awards, Grants:* Israel Prize for composition...
, Nurit Hirsh
Nurit Hirsh
Nurit Hirsh is an Israeli composer, arranger and conductor who has written over a thousand Hebrew songs. -Biography:Nurit Hirsh studied at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv, majoring in piano. She also studied composition with Mordecai Seter, orchestration with Noam Sheriff and conducting with ...
and the conductor Gary Bertini
Gary Bertini
Gary Bertini was an Israeli conductor.-Biography:Gary Bertini was born Shloyme Golergant in Bricheva, Bessarabia, then in Romania, now in Donduşeni District, Moldova. His father, K. A. Bertini , was a poet and translator of the Russian and Yiddish Gary Bertini (Hebrew: גארי ברתיני) (born 1 May...
.
Awards
He has won a number of awards including the following:- In 1965, Seter was awarded the Israel PrizeIsrael PrizeThe Israel Prize is an award handed out by the State of Israel and is largely regarded as the state's highest honor. It is presented annually, on Israeli Independence Day, in a state ceremony in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the...
for music. - In 1983, he won the ACUM Prize, for his lifetime achievements.
Selected works
- Sabbath Cantata for solo, chorus and string orchestra (1940)
- The Four Festive Songs (1946)
- Ricercar, for violin, viola violoncello and string ensemble (1956)
- Midnight Vigil; String Quartet No. 1 (1958–1961)
- The Legend of Judith, a ballet commissioned for Martha GrahamMartha GrahamMartha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso had on modern visual arts, Stravinsky had on music, or Frank Lloyd Wright had on architecture.She danced and choreographed for over seventy years...
(1962) - Jephtah's Daughter (1965)