Aharon Razel ( he, אהרן רזאל) is an Israeli musician. His music explores topics such as the
Torah
The Torah (; hbo, ''Tōrā'', "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In that sense, Torah means the s ...
,
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditionalist and theologically conservative branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Written and Oral, as revealed by God to Moses ...
and living in Israel.
Biography
Born in New York City in 1974, Razel came to Israel with his family when he was one month old. He started playing various instruments at an early age, mainly the piano, guitar, violin and recorder. He composed small pieces for different ensembles.
When Razel was in 4th grade, his family became religious so he moved to a religious school. When he was in 7th grade he switched back to secular education, attending
Hebrew University High School
Hebrew University High School ( he, התיכון ליד האוניברסיטה), commonly known as ''Leyada'' (literally "next to"), is a semi-private high school in West Jerusalem, established in 1935 by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The ...
In 1988, he started
harpsichord
A harpsichord ( it, clavicembalo; french: clavecin; german: Cembalo; es, clavecín; pt, cravo; nl, klavecimbel; pl, klawesyn) is a musical instrument played by means of a musical keyboard, keyboard. This activates a row of levers that turn a ...
, playing with David Shemer, and a year later doing composition with Andre Hajdu.
At the age of 15, Razel was accepted to the Jerusalem Rubin Music and Dance Academy harpsichord and composition departments, where he obtained a
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music (BM or BMus) is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of a program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree, and the majority of work consists of presc ...
degree in 1994. He completed his MA degree in composition at
Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University (BIU, he, אוניברסיטת בר-אילן, ''Universitat Bar-Ilan'') is a public research university in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan, Israel. Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is Israel's second-largest academic ...
under the guidance of Andre Hajdu.
During his period of studies in the Music Academy, Razel played harpsichord with different ensembles throughout the country. At the same time, he composed various
chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small num ...
works which were performed at the Jerusalem Theatre and Tel Aviv Museum.
He has been awarded AICF scholarships since 1990.
In 1992, the
Israel Chamber Orchestra
Israel Chamber Orchestra (abbreviation ICO, Hebrewהתזמורת הקאמרית הישראלית (''Hatizmoret hakamerit'') is an Israeli orchestra based in Tel Aviv. Primary funding comes from the Israel Ministry of Education and the Tel Aviv-Yafo ...
performed his piece "Shalom Rav Shooveh".
In addition to his activities in the field of classical music, Razel also composed 'light' music, and together with his brother, Yonatan Razel, had a record published by Phonokol in 1991.
He completed his army service as "outstanding musician". He then went through self-searching which led him to visit in Tzfat; in 1996, he moved there.
He has produced nine albums.
Razel is married and lives in the
Nachlaot
Nachlaot ( he, נחלאות, also ''Naḥlaʾoth'') is a cluster of 23 courtyard neighborhoods in central Jerusalem surrounding the Mahane Yehuda Market. It is known for its narrow, winding lanes, old-style housing, hidden courtyards and many smal ...
neighborhood of
Jerusalem
Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...
.
Selected discography
* ''Water From the Rock'' (1999)
* ''Redemption Time'' (2001)
* ''The Burning Bush'' (2003)
* ''Song of Zion'' (2004)
* ''Live in Jerusalem'' (2005)
* ''Orange Days'' (2005)
* ''Connected to You'' (2007)
* ''K'Shoshana'' (with
Shlomo Katz
Shlomo Katz ( he, שלמה כץ) is a contemporary religious Jewish singer in Israel.
Biography
Shlomo Katz was born in New Jersey, the son of Cantor Avsholom Katz.Chaim-Dovid Saracik) (2008)
* ''Secret of Shabbos'' (with Yerachmiel Ziegler) (2009)
* ''What Have You Done Today'' (2011)
* ''Kavati Et Moshavi'' (I have made my place) (2013)
* ''The Man at the End of the Tunnel'' (2015)
* ''Until I Find A Place'' (2017)
* ''Ha'Neshama Rotzah Yoteir'' (''The Soul Desires More'') (2019)
See also
*
Music of Israel
The music of Israel is a combination of Jewish and non-Jewish music traditions that have come together over the course of a century to create a distinctive musical culture. For almost 150 years, musicians have sought original stylistic elements ...