Israeli maestro Brands music as source of inspiration and healing

JORDAN MOSHE

“The application of a piece of music is universal,” he says. “Its powerful message is relevant to any person anywhere in the world.”

A conductor of orchestras, a presenter on the Israeli Galgalatz radio station, and an educator with a love of classical music, Brand visited South Africa with his wife, Elana, as part of his project to light up every corner of the world through music.

Here at the invitation of Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Lior Keinan, this Tel Avivi is engaging with audiences from various walks of life. He is putting on signature piano performances in Sandton, in Soweto for underprivileged groups, and even for patients at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Although this is Brand’s first visit to South Africa, this is not his first time on the continent. From Kenya to Nigeria, this acclaimed musician has visited African countries and beyond to further his vision of the proliferation of music.

“My work allows me to engage with people everywhere in a different way,” he says. “An array of emotions can be conveyed and explored through music as a universal language, and without knowing it, we can speak to each other without words.”

Born in Beer Sheva to Romanian parents, Brand was raised with a profound appreciation for music from an early age. “My mother and grandmother insisted that I nurture my talent and pursue piano lessons,” he says.

“My parents both loved the piano, but had no means to learn how to play in Romania. They invested in my learning, and my grandmother would accompany me to lessons regularly, taking two buses to get me there.”

Says Brand, “Because of their commitment to me despite our modest circumstances, I feel I must make an effort to change the world through music and bring its beauty to others.”

It is for this reason that he established Music Without Borders, a non-profit organisation that brings humanitarian concerts to countries around the world. For the past eight years, he has travelled on behalf of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to put on concerts in Nigeria, Cameroon, Myanmar, Angola, Kenya, Uganda, Mumbai, and South American countries.

He also founded the ClassiKid music programme in Israel in 2000. This innovative programme involves workshops and performances in schools that are designed to enrich children’s personal experiences through music, and equip them with a special set of life skills.

A proud Israeli and committed citizen of the world, Brand says that the spirit and energy with which Israelis take on their challenges is something he channels in his music.

“Israel has enormous talent, and a sense of suffering,” he says. “The former helps us address the latter. We never give up. We use our talents to advance our culture, music, literature, and technology. The energy of Israel is extraordinary, and as Jews, we know that rather than merely survive, we can thrive no matter what.”

This energy was clear at Brand’s first performance in Sandton this week. Held at the Auto & General Theatre on the Square on Monday evening, the show, Time to Fall in Love, took audiences on a journey through classical and contemporary music. Frequently encouraging his audience to sing along, Brand created a unique musical experience which conveyed not only his personal story, but encouraged audience members to think differently about music and its capabilities.

The maestro moved from Brahms to John Williams effortlessly. He fiercely beat out the Turkish March one moment, then shifted into the moving melody of Yerushalayim Shel Zahav the next.

His performance even included a special number dedicated to his wife, whose birthday was celebrated that day, and who joined him on stage at the piano.

Slipping in personal anecdotes about interactions with music personalities Itzhak Perlman and Michel Legrand along the way, the maestro delivered a performance that was entertaining and moving from start to finish.

“Music is a tool that enables us to bring about tikkun olam, making the world a better place for everyone,” says Brand. “By using this special power to help others, one can give little, and get so much back.