Michael Gurfinkel
Director of Arts Production Management, Michael Gurfinkel was born in 1960 in Russia.
Training and Early Career
- He learned to play clarinet from his father, a wonderful musician and teacher.
- In 1979-1984 he studied at the Gnesins Musical Institute in Moscow with Professor Fedotov.
- Already in 1983, Mr. Gurfinkel won second prize in an international contest.
- Following the contest, he played with many famous musicians, including the Borodin Quartet and "The Moscow Virtuosi" under Vladimir Spivakov.
- In 1986-1990 he was principal clarinet and bass clarinet of the USSR Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of Gennady Rozdestvensky.
International Work
In 1990 Mr. Gurfinkel moved to Israel. From 1991, he became a principal clarinetist of the New Israel Opera. In 1994 he performed as a substitute in all positions of the clarinet section with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under Maestro Zubin Mehta.
In 1995, Maestro Zubin Mehta invited Mr. Gurfinkel to tour in Japan with Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Michael Gurfinkel has played with conductors including Zubin Mehta, Loren Maazel, Ricardo Muti, Kurt Mazur, Valery Gergiev, and Daniel Oren.
Current Activity
Today Mr. Gurfinkel is a very popular musician in Israel. He performs actively in chamber music and teaches in Israel and abroad.
Under the leadership of Michael Gurfinkel, Arts Production Management offers audiences talented artists including soloists, ensembles, orchestras, and conductors. It also organizes and produces music festivals and special events.
