Israeli master percussionist Chen Zimbalista

Concerts:
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008

“Totally charismatic . . . able to ignite everybody around him and makes every percussion instrument he touched sing…a rich acoustic experience that celebrates artistic freedom and open sound of life.” — Jerusalem Post

Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 7:30 pm

Berkeley Repertory Theatre
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
2727 College Avenue, Berkeley - map
General: $24 | Members, students, seniors: $20

Monday, March 31, 2008 - 7:30 pm
Congregation Emanu-El
2 Lake Street, San Francisco - map
(800) 838-3006
General: $20 | Seniors: $19 | Students: $17

Israeli percussionist Chen Zimbalista has dazzled audiences around the world with an enchanting array of rhythmic sounds that he cajoles from more than forty instruments, played with his lightening quick hands, some of them at the same time. His music – a euphonious blend of pulses and beats – defies classification. A true feast for the senses, his programs are taken from classical, blues, jazz and occasionally rock idioms.

To celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday, Chen will focus the night’s energy on contemporary Israeli composers with pieces by Weisenberg, Shemer, Gronich and a few of his own. The program will also feature pieces by Gershwin, Bloch and Sichon.

Chen’s vibrant marimba will be augmented by Russian percussive dynamo Boris Sichon and Argentine pianist Josè Gallardo. Sichon, a graduate of the St. Petersburg Academy of Music is a former performer with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, the Jewish Chamber Musical Theater (Russia), the Habima National Theatre (Israel) and the Footsbarn Theater (France). He also boasts a collection of more than 200 instruments collected while performing throughout the world. Gallardo is currently an assistant professor at the University of Mainz, Germany who has performed in Europe, North America, South America and Asia.