DOTZE CORDES, UNA FUSTA (TWELVE STRINGS, ONE WOOD)
Erdesz Viola Trio formed by Rivka Golani, Yohei Nakajima, and Gabor Somfai
The Erdesz Viola Trio, led by renowned soloist Rivka Golani, presents an engaging program of original works and arrangements. These unique performances explore the homogeneous textures of the viola family, highlighting its rich timbral palette and inner expressiveness. Erdesz instruments are designed to combine sound depth with a clear upper register, making them ideal for contemporary musical explorations.
PERFORMERS
Erdesz Viola Trio. Comprising only violas, this is a rarely seen ensemble on stage. Proto-fest 2025 offers a singular experience, further enriched by a repertoire performed exclusively on instruments crafted by the prestigious Hungarian-born luthier Otto Erdesz. The trio made its debut in London in February 2024 at a Concert for Peace, where they premiered Agnus Dei, a piece written especially for them by Israeli composer Oded Zehavi..
CONDUCTING
Rivka Golani is one of the most noteworthy violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries. She has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. As a teacher, she has trained violinists at Trinity Laban in London, at the Royal Academy, and at the University of Toronto. She has directed festivals such as Fort MacLeod and SOWECA, and has worked with the Blackfoot community in Canada on musical and cultural projects. She has received many different awards: Ambassador of Canadian Music ( 2009 ), Musician of the Year in Hungary ( 2011 ), the Eagle Feather of the Blackfoot ( 2011 ), an Honorary Doctorate from Lethbridge University ( 2013 ), and recognition for her recordings in Hungary.