Music of the World to come to Kyiv

Critics call this cult percussionist from Israel “the king of rhythm” and “a one-man orchestra” (he plays various percussion instruments, some of them highly exotic). Zimbalista has managed to turn playing the “African xylophone” marimba, known as a “thumping instrument,” into a consummate art.

The “Music of the World” concert will see Zimbalista performing works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Bela Bartok, Astor Piazzolla, and Ney Rosauro, accompanied by the Kyiv Soloists chamber band, with Dmitry Yablonsky at the conductor’s pulpit. Music lovers will listen to Zimbalista’s masterful performance on marimba. Let us recall that this instrument has a rich, soft, and deep timbre. The modern technique of playing it calls for the musician to use several mallets at once. There are usually two to four of them, and sometimes five to six. The instrument can be used to perform melodies, harmonies, and virtuosic passages. By the way, the marimba first appeared in Malaysia, then began to spread in Africa, Mexico, Central and North America. Ordinary American marimba’s range extends to three and a half octaves, from “F” of the small octave to “C” of the third octave.

“I like to perform the same piece in different ways, change its rhythm, tempo, pitch, melisms,” Zimbalista said. “For example, I like to play Bach’s music, written for keyboards, on the marimba and other percussion instruments, especially so when accompanied by an orchestra...”

It was artistic director of the Kyiv Soloists Yablonsky who invited the famous musician to include this country into his tour route. Surprisingly, the marimba maestro will perform at this concert not only as a virtuoso musician, but as a conductor as well. It is expected that the Israeli musician will hold a master class for students of the capital’s music schools.

The “Music of the World” concert’s sponsor is the Embassy of the State of Israel in Ukraine.