Palestinian-Israeli pianist Saleem Ashkar, a Beethoven interpreter of distinction, makes his debut with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in the concert ‘Ashkar + Beethoven’, in Hobart 6 October at Federation Concert Hall and Launceston 7 October at The Albert Hall.
At just 17 years of age, this Nazareth-born pianist was discovered by Zubin Mehta, and his young talent was given a chance to shine with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. At 22, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York, where he established himself as one of the most important contemporary pianists. Saleem Ashkar is a frequent guest of the world’s greatest orchestras and festival stages, performing with conductors such as Barenboim, Mehta, Chailly and Eschenbach and with orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and Filarmonica della Scala.
Read the article by Samuel J Cairnduff | Director Marketing and Communications | Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in the Tasmanian Times.