World-famous cellist treats UM to Jewish tunes

Master cellist Amit Peled is something of a world traveler. In the past six months alone, he has played in Leipzig, Germany; Istanbul, Turkey; Guadalajara, Mexico; and countless other locations. Just three days ago, he played a concert in Hadera, Israel.

And now, he’s bringing his famous repertoire and 300-year-old cello back to The University of Montana.

On Sunday, Peled will perform the piece “From Jewish Life” with the String Orchestra of the Rockies. A native Israeli, Peled is a music professor at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University and specializes in music of Jewish origin.

His most recent appearance in Missoula was last November when he played alongside the UM Orchestra, and he has also played with the String Orchestra of the Rockies in the past.

“This will actually be his third appearance with the SOR,” said UM music professor Fern Glass-Boyd. “It’s been very exciting working with him.”

The String Orchestra of the Rockies is a group made up of professional musicians from UM, Montana State University, and the Cascade Quartet in Great Falls. Glass-Boyd calls it “the best string ensemble in Montana” (she is a member) and looks forward to Sunday’s concert.

“The program has tremendous variety, and some of the pieces are very recognizable,” she said, adding that Peled is the featured soloist for three of the Jewish-inspired songs. “The traditional Jewish songs are reminiscent of klezmer music. They have a very harmonic element.”

In addition to Sunday’s performance, Peled will also teach a master class today for a group of local orchestra students, who range in age from 13 to 26. Kevin Leiferman, a UM freshman in music performance, remembers Peled’s visit last fall and looks forward to the critiques of a fellow cellist.

“I’m excited to see what he has to say about our performance,” Leiferman said. “I never expected anything like this. It’s such a great opportunity.”

Glass-Boyd is also eager to have her students instructed by the master.

“He teaches with his cello in his hands, so he’ll be providing some wonderful material for the students and the audience.”

Peled will also conduct a master class with UM students today from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall. The class is free.

The String Orchestra of the Rockies presents “From Jewish Life,” a concert with guest cellist Amit Peled, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre. Tickets are available at Morgenroth Music, Rockin’ Rudy’s, Fact & Fiction, online at http://www.sormt.org or at the door the night of the performance.