The Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival

September 4-8, 2018 

The first Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival took place in September 1998, the idea being to offer Israeli music lovers, who already had several symphony orchestras and an opera house, chamber music of a high international level. Jerusalem was an ideal place, not only as the cradle of all western cultures and religions, but also because in recent years it had suffered the loss of a great part of its secular intelligentsia due to political and religious tensions. For these reasons, from the outset, there has been a presence of some of the best international musicians participating. They were willing to take time off from their many activities, in order to come to Jerusalem, volunteer their services and thereby create a very special synthesis of both high musical quality and intimate family atmosphere. Having started modestly, the festival has become over the years, a central point of Israeli musical life, enjoying a variety of artists and a loyal, enthusiastic, music-loving public who come to Jerusalem from all over the country. The concerts take place in the beautiful hall of the YMCA, with its wonderful acoustics and welcoming atmosphere embracing the city’s diverse communities. The programs are conceived to include a wealth of musical styles with both traditional and unconventional instrumental ensembles. Visit their website for specific information.