Article

Rivka Golani

Published Online January 29, 2008

Last Edited March 4, 2015

Rivka Golani has made major contributions to the advancement of viola technique, and has been a source of inspiration to other players and to composers who have been motivated to write specifically for the instrument. More than 200 works have been written for Golani, including 30 concertos.
Golani, Rivka
Golani's contributions to the advancement of viola technique have given her a place in the history of the viola. More than 200 pieces have been written for her, of which 39 are concertos, a record matched by no other violist in history.

Golani, Rivka

 Rivka Golani, violist, visual artist (b at Tel Aviv 22 Mar 1946). She began as a violinist, studying with Alexander Moskowsky before switching to the viola at 21, when she became the pupil of composer and violist Oedoen Partos at the Rubin Academy of Music at the University of Tel Aviv. She was a member of the Israel Philharmonic before moving to Canada in 1974. She became a naturalized citizen in 1983.

Rivka Golani has made major contributions to the advancement of viola technique, and has been a source of inspiration to other players and to composers who have been motivated to write specifically for the instrument. More than 200 works have been written for Golani, including 30 concertos. Known for her impressive technique, interpretive originality and striking stage presence, Golani has performed as a soloist with the BBC Symphony, Boston Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, Royal Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan, the TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE MONTRÉAL.

A prolific recording artist, Golani has an extensive discography that includes works ranging from the baroque to the contemporary. Noted recordings include the world premiere recordings of Elgar's Cello Concerto (transcribed for viola by Tertis) and Rubbra's Viola Concerto. Recently completed projects include a 3-CD set of Bach's solo cello suites adapted for the viola on CBC Records. She has also recorded for the Conifer, Chandos, Fontec, Marquis, Centredisc and Discopedia labels.

Ms Golani is a painter of renown, and has worked closely with composers as a performing and visual artist in presenting multimedia performances of works for the viola. Exhibitions of her work have been held in Germany, Great Britain, Israel and Canada.