This year's concerts feature guest conductor and solo violinist Pinchas Zukerman, who will lead the Orchestra in a program of Haydn, Bruch and Tchaikovsky. Maestro Zukerman shares the stage with cellist Amanda Forsyth, who makes her New York Orchestral Debut.

The New York concert is preceded by an American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) Gala dinner at Alice Tully Hall, and a dessert reception following the performance. The Palm Beach performance begins with a pre-concert reception and dinner, and includes a post-concert backstage reception for select guests.

The program for each concert is as follows: Haydn's Symphony No. 83 in G minor "La Poule"; Haydn's Violin Concerto in C major, performed and led by Maestro Zukerman; Bruch's Canzone for Cello in B-flat major and Adagio on Celtic Melodies for Cello; and Tchaikovsky's symphonic poem Romeo & Juliet "Fantasy Overture." The AFIPO New York Gala Chairmen are Rochelle and David A. Hirsch and Elaine and James D. Wolfensohn; Associates Gala Chairmen are Jason Hirsch, Jeffrey Hirsch, Jillian Merns and Brooke Milstein. The AFIPO Palm Beach Benefit Chairmen are Sara and Charles Fabrikant, Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein and Robbi and Bruce Toll. Honoree for the Palm Beach Benefit is Diane Belfer.

Known as the "Heartbeat of a Nation," the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra stands as a powerful symbol of freedom and peace in its role as the cultural emissary for the State of Israel. Since its inception in 1936, the IPO (originally named the Palestine Orchestra) has been dedicated to presenting the world's greatest classical music to audiences in Israel and worldwide. The Orchestra's international travel, as Israel's ambassador, maintains its position at the forefront of cultural diplomacy and the international music scene. To learn more about the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, please click here.

All proceeds from the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Benefit concerts help ensure the financial security of the IPO.

Pinchas Zukerman has remained a phenomenon in the music world for four decades. His musical genius, prodigious technique and unwavering artistic standards are a marvel to audiences and critics. Pinchas Zukerman was named Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1998, and he continues to guest conduct and perform with the world's finest orchestras. Mr. Zukerman's 2009-10 season includes over 100 performances on five continents, bringing him to Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Germany, and throughout North and South America. This season also marks his first as Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Mr. Zukerman's extensive discography contains over 100 titles and has earned 21 Grammy nominations and two awards: "Best Chamber Music Performance" in 1980 and "Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra" in 1981. He also leads the Zukerman ChamberPlayers (founded in 2003), which has performed more than 100 concerts worldwide and recorded four albums.

Pinchas Zukerman has been an intricate part of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's history for over 40 years and a long-time, valued friend of AFIPO. To read Pinchas Zukerman's full biography, please click here.

Acclaimed as both soloist and chamber musician, Juno Award-winning cellist Amanda Forsyth has earned praise from audiences and critics alike, and has appeared with orchestras throughout the world. Ms. Forsyth is currently principal cellist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa where she also appears frequently as a soloist and is a founding member of the Zukerman ChamberPlayers. Amanda Forsyth's recordings appear on the Sony Classics, Naxos, Altara, Fanfare, Marquis, Pro Arte and CBC labels. Her recording of the Mozart Flute Quartets for CBC Records with flutist Joanna G'froerer, violinist Martin Beaver and violist Pinchas Zukerman was named Opus Magazine's "Best Canadian Chamber Music Recording of 2001." Ms. Forsyth was featured prominently on Wynton Marsalis' soundtrack for Ken Burns' The War, a widely-acclaimed World War II documentary filmed for PBS. Amanda Forsyth performs on a rare 1699 Italian cello by Carlo Giuseppe Testore. To read Amanda Forsyth's full biography, please click here.

For press tickets and additional inquiries, please contact Amelia Kusar, Public Relations Associate at Kirshbaum Demler & Associates: 212-222-4843 or akusar@kirshdem.com

MEDIA LINKS
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra digital press kit | website | AFIPO website
Pinchas Zukerman bio | digital press kit
Amanda Forsyth bio | digital press kit | website

ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 2009 UNITED STATES PERFORMANCES

CONCERT PROGRAM
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Pinchas Zukerman, Conductor and Violin
Amanda Forsyth, Cello (New York Orchestral Debut)
HAYDN: Symphony No. 83 in G minor "La Poule"
HAYDN: Violin Concerto in C major
BRUCH: Canzone for Cello in B-flat major, Op. 55
BRUCH: Adagio on Celtic Melodies for Cello, Op. 56
TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo & Juliet "Fantasy Overture"

NEW YORK CONCERT
Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Alice Tully Hall

Tickets for the general public are $90/60/45 and go are on sale Saturday, November 14. Tickets are extremely limited and may be be purchased by calling (212) 721-6500, through Lincoln Center's website at www.lincolncenter.org and at the Alice Tully Hall box office.

MIAMI CONCERT
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 8:00pm
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets are $125/100/75/50 and may be purchased at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts box office, by calling (305) 949-6722, or at www.arshtcenter.org

PALM BEACH CONCERT
Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 8:00pm
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets are now on sale to the general public at $150/90/70/50/35/25 and can be purchased by calling (561) 832-7469/ (800) 572-8471, through the Kravis Center's website at www.kravis.org and at the Kravis Center box office.