Odessa Classics: Luca Debargue and the Haifa Symphony Orchestra

Haifa Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Yusupov (conductor)
Luca Debargue (piano)

Verdi. Overture to the opera "The Force of Destiny"
Mendelssohn. Symphony No. 4 "Italian"
Mozart. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 23 in A major K. 488

The Haifa Symphony Orchestra occupies an important place in the cultural life of Israel. It was founded in 1950 and soon gained popularity not only in its homeland, but also far beyond its borders around the world. Today the orchestra's collective numbers more than 80 musicians of the highest class. The orchestra frequently performs with leading conductors and soloists from many countries. His repertoire includes many instrumental works of classical and modern composers, vocal music. The brilliant creative successes of the orchestra are associated with conductor Benjamin Yusupov.

Benjamin Yusupov was born in 1962 in Tajikistan. Graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory as a composer, conductor and pianist. His works, which are exclusively owned by the Hamburg publishing house SIKORSKI, have been performed many times by renowned soloists and ensembles, including the London, Munich, Israel, Lucerne, Copenhagen and Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestras. He works closely with major musicians such as: Maxim Vengerov, Misha Maisky, Vadim Repin, Alexander Knyazev, Maxim Rysanov, Sergei Nakaryakov and others.

Yusupov's music is not limited either by genre or general cultural framework: it unites all possible styles and influences, which creates the composer's unique language. His works have received numerous awards. In 2005, the North German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in Hanover triumphantly performed the world premiere of his work Viola Tango Rock Concerto, written especially for Maxim Vengerov. Yusupov also wrote a Cello Concerto for the famous cellist Misha Maisky, dedicating it to the 60th anniversary of the soloist. The premiere took place in Lucerne under the direction of the author. Yusupov lives in Israel and is actively involved in the country's musical life, collaborating as a composer and conductor with all of its major orchestras. He has also conducted orchestras in the states of the former USSR, in Europe and America, in such prestigious halls as the Philharmonic in Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and London Royal Festival Hall, Lucerne KKL. As a pianist, he has repeatedly performed in a duet with the world famous violinist Maxim Vengerov.

Lucas Debargue's incredible musical talent, artistry, artistic vision and creative freedom of Lucas Debargue were revealed to the public in 2015: the pianist became the only participant in the International Competition. P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow, whose performances were awarded a special prize from the Association of Music Critics. Today, Luca regularly collaborates with leading orchestras and performs at the most prestigious venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, Jordan Hall in Boston and the Sanders Theater in Harvard, House of Music in Montreal, Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Champs Elysees Theater and the Paris Philharmonic, London Wigmore Hall and the Royal Festival Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, concert halls in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul, the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and the Mariinsky Concert Hall in Moscow in St. Petersburg.

His path to success was very unusual. Having discovered classical music at the age of ten, the future musician turned his attention to literature and philosophy and later received a Bachelor of Arts degree from one of the universities in Paris. The meeting with renowned teacher Rena Shereshevskaya was a turning point in his life: her vision and mentoring inspired Luca to devote her life to classical music. Luca devotes much of his time to composition. He is the author of over twenty compositions for solo piano and chamber ensemble. The record company Sony Classical has released five albums by Luca Debargue with music by Scarlatti, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, Medtner and Szymanowski. His latest album, which came out at the end of 2019, is a monumental four-volume tribute to Domenico Scarlatti. The album was highly acclaimed by The New York Times and selected by NPR as one of "10 Classical Music Albums to Start the New Decade with." Luca Debargue's breakthrough at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow formed the basis for the documentary "All for the sake of music" ("Tout à la musique") directed by Martan Mirabel. The film was screened at the 2018 Biarritz International Film Festival.