Yair Samet
Encyclopedia
Yair Samet is an Israeli conductor, composer, and pianist.
Samet was appointed first associate conductor of the San Jose Symphony Orchestra in 1994. In addition, he was nominated Music Director
and Conductor of the San Jose Youth Symphony
, with which he has toured Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Japan, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Chile, and Argentina.
Mr. Samet has conducted the famed Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra on tour in Germany, the Saarländisches Staatsorchester in Saarbrücken, Germany, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra
in China, and the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra
in Bosnia. In addition, he conducted the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
and the St. Petersburg Glinka Capella at Finland’s Tampere International Music Festival
. In Israel he conducted the Haifa Symphony, the Rishon Le-Zion Symphony Orchestra, and the Israeli Sinfonietta in Beer Sheva.
In 2008 Maestro Samet made his debut with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
, conducting a program dedicated to composer Miklós Rózsa
.
Mr. Samet also serves on the music faculty of the University of California
Santa Cruz as a regular guest conductor, leading the UCSC Symphony Orchestra.
Samet has performed with renowned artists such as Pinchas Zukerman
, Vadim Repin
, David Shifrin
, Han-Na Chang
, Hélène Grimaud
, Lara St. John
, Raphael Wallfisch
, Jon Nakamatsu
, Axel Strauss
, and Jon Kimura Parker
.
Yair Samet was the recipient of three scholarships from the America Israel Cultural Foundation
. He began his formal orchestral conducting and musicology studies at Tel-Aviv University. He made his professional conducting debut in his early twenties with the Rishon Le-Zion Orchestra as a participant in Israel's International Course for Conductors under the direction of Maestro Noam Sheriff
.
Having earned a national reputation as a gifted young conductor and musician, the Young Israel Philharmonic, a wing of the famed Israel Philharmonic, created the position of assistant conductor for him in 1989. This unique distinction allowed him to view closely the work of conductors such as Leonard Bernstein
, Zubin Mehta
, Kurt Masur
and Claudio Abbado
.
Mr. Samet completed his graduate studies in conducting and composition in the United States at [Indiana University] where he conducted the Indiana University String Orchestra and gave concerts with each of the University’s five orchestras.
Ron – Rheinpfalz – 4/18/02, Karlheinz Dettweiler
“In all these works, YAIR SAMET convinced the audience of his instincts: his feeling for the right tempi, his ability to maintain a bright and enchanting Mozart sound and - particularly with the Prague Symphony - his towering sound in counterpoint with such clear relief to the poetic whisper that also emerged.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
– 10/23/01
“......Sinfonia Varsovia was in extremely good shape this evening under the baton of YAIR SAMET…Toward the end of the program, the Prague Symphony was played with great intensity and invention. The following applause was self-explanatory.”
Frankfurter Neuer Presse – 10/25/01
"...Assistant Conductor YAIR SAMET proved able and engaging at the podium in the maestro’s head….. In Bruch’s emotionally turbulent concerto, Samet maintained close rapport between the orchestra and Pinchas Zuckerman, holding tight to his soloist’s elastic phrase shaping without getting wrapped up in it. Samet’s clear communication of the score elicited clean ensemble work from his players, making the utmost of the contrasts between the violin’s rhapsodizing and the orchestra’s primly stated episodes.”
Metro – 9/11/97, Philip Collins
“The San Jose Symphony Youth Orchestra is among the most accomplished youth orchestras I have heard. The players have an immediate rapport with their conductor, Israeli-born YAIR SAMET, and he has the knack of placing a disciplined yet free rein on their youthful vigour. The playing had a rhythmic focus and subtlety of balance which was a credit to all concerned.”
The Irish Times – 7/3/97, Martin Adams
“Despite considerable challenges, the ensemble worked industriously under the baton of YAIR SAMET, mustering commendable performances throughout. There were a goodly number of transcendent moments to boot….. In Appalachian Spring, Samet resisted the obvious: bombast. Instead he drew out melody and inner strength, in keeping with the work’s unique chemistry of introspection and grandeur.”
Metro – 11/30/95, Philip Collins
Samet was appointed first associate conductor of the San Jose Symphony Orchestra in 1994. In addition, he was nominated Music Director
Music director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
and Conductor of the San Jose Youth Symphony
San Jose Youth Symphony
The San Jose Youth Symphony is a non-profit youth orchestra located in San Jose, California.SJYS was founded in the year 1951. It was originally part of the San Jose Symphony as the San Jose Symphony Youth Orchestra...
, with which he has toured Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Japan, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Chile, and Argentina.
Mr. Samet has conducted the famed Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra on tour in Germany, the Saarländisches Staatsorchester in Saarbrücken, Germany, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra
Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra
The Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra is based in Guangzhou, Guangdong. It was founded in 1957.The orchestra's current artistic director is Long Yu...
in China, and the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra
Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra
Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra is based, as its name indicates, in Sarajevo. Its first concert was performed on October 24, 1923, with the program being "Lisinski: Overture from the opera "Porin"; Mendelssohn, Concert g-minor for piano and orchestra; Beethoven: Second Symphony." The conductors...
in Bosnia. In addition, he conducted the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
The Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra is a Finnish orchestra based in Tampere. Founded in 1930, and maintained by the municipality of Tampere since 1947, the orchestra is currently based in the Tampere Hall...
and the St. Petersburg Glinka Capella at Finland’s Tampere International Music Festival
Tampere Music Festivals
The Tampere Music Festivals organises three music events in the city of Tampere, Finland.-Tampere Jazz Happening:The Tampere Jazz Happening takes place every November, bringing together friends of modern jazz. It was first held in 1982. The uncompromising programme consists of improvised music,...
. In Israel he conducted the Haifa Symphony, the Rishon Le-Zion Symphony Orchestra, and the Israeli Sinfonietta in Beer Sheva.
In 2008 Maestro Samet made his debut with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra is an orchestra in Serbia, regularly considered as one of the finest in the country. Its home base is in Belgrade.- History :...
, conducting a program dedicated to composer Miklós Rózsa
Miklós Rózsa
Miklós Rózsa was a Hungarian-born composer trained in Germany , and active in France , England , and the United States , with extensive sojourns in Italy from 1953...
.
Mr. Samet also serves on the music faculty of the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
Santa Cruz as a regular guest conductor, leading the UCSC Symphony Orchestra.
Samet has performed with renowned artists such as Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman is a world-renowned violinist, violist, and conductor. He is considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his ongoing 45-year career has seen him perform with the world's best-known orchestras and record over 100 works...
, Vadim Repin
Vadim Repin
Vadim Repin is a Belgian Russian violinist who currently lives in Austria....
, David Shifrin
David Shifrin
David Shifrin is an American classical clarinetist.-Performances:He has performed clarinet concertos with many major orchestras around the world....
, Han-Na Chang
Han-na Chang
Han-Na Chang is a South Korean cellist and conductor.-Childhood:She was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea to Korean parents. Chang began studying piano at age 3, and began her study in cello three years later at age 6...
, Hélène Grimaud
Hélène Grimaud
Hélène Grimaud is a French pianist.-Biography:Grimaud was born in Aix-en-Provence, France. Although her autobiography Variations Sauvages suggests a...
, Lara St. John
Lara St. John
Lara St. John is a Canadian violinist known for her performances as soloist with orchestra and in recital.-Childhood:Lara St. John spent her early childhood in the City of London, Ontario...
, Raphael Wallfisch
Raphael Wallfisch
Raphael Wallfisch is a British cellist.Wallfisch was born into a family of distinguished musicians, his father the pianist Peter Wallfisch and his mother the cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, who is one of the last known surviving members of the Girl orchestra of Auschwitz...
, Jon Nakamatsu
Jon Nakamatsu
Jon Yasuhiro Nakamatsu is a Japanese American classical pianist who still resides in San Jose but mostly performs away from home. He is the son of David Y. Nakamatsu and Karen F. Maeda Nakamatsu .In June 1997 Nakamatsu won the Gold Medal at the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition...
, Axel Strauss
Axel Strauss
Axel Strauss was the he first German artist to ever win the international Naumburg Violin Award in New York. The Salt Lake Tribune praised his well-rounded artistry by saying, "Strauss quickly established that he is a virtuoso to be reckoned with. But amid his technical acumen, there was a genuine...
, and Jon Kimura Parker
Jon Kimura Parker
Jon Kimura Parker, OC is a Canadian pianist.- Biography :He was born in Vancouver, Canada, the son of Keiko Parker and the nephew of Edward Parker.He appeared with the Vancouver Youth Orchestra when he was five...
.
Background
Yair Samet attended the Rubin Academy High School of Music and Arts where he studied piano, bassoon, and composition. As a teenager, Mr. Samet performed frequently as soloist and chamber musician throughout Israel and for Israeli National Television.Yair Samet was the recipient of three scholarships from the America Israel Cultural Foundation
America Israel Cultural Foundation
The America Israel Cultural Foundation was established in 1939 to support the growth and development of Israel. Originally established as the American Fund for Palestinian Institutions, after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the name was changed to the American Fund for Israeli...
. He began his formal orchestral conducting and musicology studies at Tel-Aviv University. He made his professional conducting debut in his early twenties with the Rishon Le-Zion Orchestra as a participant in Israel's International Course for Conductors under the direction of Maestro Noam Sheriff
Noam Sheriff
Noam Sheriff is an Israeli composer, conductor and arranger. Sheriff is one of Israel’s most versatile and world renowned musicians. Currently, he is the music director of the Haifa Symphony Orchestra.- Early life :...
.
Having earned a national reputation as a gifted young conductor and musician, the Young Israel Philharmonic, a wing of the famed Israel Philharmonic, created the position of assistant conductor for him in 1989. This unique distinction allowed him to view closely the work of conductors such as Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
, Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
, Kurt Masur
Kurt Masur
Kurt Masur is a German conductor, particularly noted for his interpretation of German Romantic music.- Biography :Masur was born in Brieg, Lower Silesia, Germany and studied piano, composition and conducting in Leipzig, Saxony. Masur has been married three times...
and Claudio Abbado
Claudio Abbado
Claudio Abbado, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , is an Italian conductor. He has served as music director of the La Scala opera house in Milan, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, principal guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Vienna State Opera,...
.
Mr. Samet completed his graduate studies in conducting and composition in the United States at [Indiana University] where he conducted the Indiana University String Orchestra and gave concerts with each of the University’s five orchestras.
Press Quotes
“In the sold out Congresshalle, the audience experienced an authentic delivery of Bernstein’s Jeremiah symphony by the Israeli conductor YAIR SAMET. Samet exposed the dramatic power, the energetic sounds and rhythms of this symphony, to its fullest. Brilliantly phrased and shaped as a whole, with aggressive outcries portraying the dismayed context, one could feel the pain and fury. The music nearly hurt physically, getting under the skin; And Samet did not smooth out. Solemnly, he let the walls of Jerusalem tumble down. In the highly concentrated and collaborative orchestra, he found a partner to reflect his musical notion with outstanding precision.”Ron – Rheinpfalz – 4/18/02, Karlheinz Dettweiler
“In all these works, YAIR SAMET convinced the audience of his instincts: his feeling for the right tempi, his ability to maintain a bright and enchanting Mozart sound and - particularly with the Prague Symphony - his towering sound in counterpoint with such clear relief to the poetic whisper that also emerged.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , short F.A.Z., also known as the FAZ, is a national German newspaper, founded in 1949. It is published daily in Frankfurt am Main. The Sunday edition is the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung .F.A.Z...
– 10/23/01
“......Sinfonia Varsovia was in extremely good shape this evening under the baton of YAIR SAMET…Toward the end of the program, the Prague Symphony was played with great intensity and invention. The following applause was self-explanatory.”
Frankfurter Neuer Presse – 10/25/01
"...Assistant Conductor YAIR SAMET proved able and engaging at the podium in the maestro’s head….. In Bruch’s emotionally turbulent concerto, Samet maintained close rapport between the orchestra and Pinchas Zuckerman, holding tight to his soloist’s elastic phrase shaping without getting wrapped up in it. Samet’s clear communication of the score elicited clean ensemble work from his players, making the utmost of the contrasts between the violin’s rhapsodizing and the orchestra’s primly stated episodes.”
Metro – 9/11/97, Philip Collins
Philip Collins
Philip Collins is the founder and curator of Barometer World in Merton, Devon.He has been a non-aligned district Councillor for the Clinton Ward of Torridge District Council since 2001....
“The San Jose Symphony Youth Orchestra is among the most accomplished youth orchestras I have heard. The players have an immediate rapport with their conductor, Israeli-born YAIR SAMET, and he has the knack of placing a disciplined yet free rein on their youthful vigour. The playing had a rhythmic focus and subtlety of balance which was a credit to all concerned.”
The Irish Times – 7/3/97, Martin Adams
“Despite considerable challenges, the ensemble worked industriously under the baton of YAIR SAMET, mustering commendable performances throughout. There were a goodly number of transcendent moments to boot….. In Appalachian Spring, Samet resisted the obvious: bombast. Instead he drew out melody and inner strength, in keeping with the work’s unique chemistry of introspection and grandeur.”
Metro – 11/30/95, Philip Collins