Ira Levin is known internationally for the great versatility of his musical activities. He is the principal guest conductor of the legendary Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, is equally at home conducting opera and concert and is an award winning concert pianist and recording artist. His over 30 published orchestrations, piano transcriptions and cadenzas to Mozart piano concertos are increasingly in demand from orchestras, pianists and libraries.
Wagner Tristan und Isolde, Dresden Opera Festival
“Countless bravos and stormy ovations concluded the performance of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde…The real star of the evening was the Staatskapelle, giving the performance such urgent passion, such indomitable lust and magic glorification and thus gave the work it’s true breath of life. Ira Levin conducted this performance at very short notice, replacing Semyon Bychkov, and did so without rehearsals. This speaks for his sovereignty and strong nerves. The performance expressly underlined his high artistic level. Bravo!!” (Jens Daniel Schubert in Sächsische Zeitung, March 10, 2002)
Enescu Oedipe, Teatro Colon
“It was scenically and musically a magisterial realization, an impeccable local premiere. Ira Levin was completely at home in Enescu’s dark impressionism and obtained a very high level with the orchestra of the Colon.” (Federico Monjeau in Clarin May 30, 2012)
“A spectacular production from Fura del Baus. The musical aspect was no less successful. With a sharp focus on details, Ira Levin achieved a consistent and inspired realization of the score with the Estable orchestra.” (Pablo Gianera in La Nacion May 31, 2012)
Buenos Aires Philharmonic, Teatro Colon
The Philharmonic and Levin reached the highest levels of excellence and of interpretation.The orchestra, very well conducted by Ira Levin, interacted with the violin soloist Akiko Suwanai on the same prominent plane of equality. Levin gave an intense, fitting and very expressive interpretation of Dvorak’s Sixth Symphony. To the delight of the audience the third movement was repeated as a prize.” (Pablo Kohan in La Nacion June 9, 2012)
With the Meistersinger Overture that opened the concert and the subtleties of Dutilleux, Levin demonstrated great flexibility. The Wagner sounded vibrant. In the Dutilluex the orchestra was impeccable in its delicate expressivity and tonal warmth quality. In the Dvorak, Levin focused on the emotional expansion with an inspired and energetic interpretation.” (Laura Novoa in Clarin June 9, 2012)
Colina Three Cabinets of Wonder with the London Symphony Orchestra
“This CD will, in every parameter under consideration, receive an unqualified rave from me. I was, in fact, left emotionally overwhelmed. Conductor Ira Levin does a masterful job and every detail of the orchestration is clearly audible in this superb recording. This CD is not only a must, but rises to the “desert island” level. Purchase it now!” (David DeBoor Canfield in Fanfare 2011)
“As this recording of concert works by Michael Colina featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Ira Levin reveals, the composer is an eclectic painter of expansive and colorful sonic canvases, which Ira Levin and LSO play to the shimmering and vehement hilt.” (Donald Rosenberg in Gramophone 2011)
First stereo recording of Bruckner’s Sixth Symphony in the 1899 edition
“The interpretation of Levin and the Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands Opera is excellent. To begin, it is meticulous in regards to the numerous indications in the score. There is not one questionable decision about the tempos, which Levin manages with intelligence, or the phrasing. The transparency of texture and perfectly calibrated dynamics are impacted from the first notes, everything is heard, each note as written. And this is not only attributable to the edition, but also the preparatory work as well as the minute analysis of the score. There is a great conviction behind the whole interpretation, both with the baton as well as the orchestra, which plays with a high level. It converts the recording into a vehement defense of the 1899 edition. Without a doubt this recording is one of the most interesting of the recent Bruckner panorama, a masterly reading of the Sixth Symphony on Lindoro.” (Miguel Ángel González Barrio in Diverdi, December 2010)
Wagner Die Walküre Act 1, Sao Paulo State Symphony
“Levin was joined by the excellent, internationally celebrated singers Violetta Urmana, Stephen Gould and Stephen Bronk, for the first act of Wagner’s Die Walküre. Levin concentrated on the psychological aspects of the score, which he was able to communicate through transparent music making and a convincing building of the tension. It is not easy, especially in this act, perhaps the most moving of the entire Ring, to project all the various emotions through the music only, without the support of the staging. Ira Levin managed to do just that with his sensitive conducting of the exceptional orchestra and singers and showed once again the high level of his competence in Wagner.” (Klaus Billand in Der Neue Merker. July, 2006)
Chautauqua Institution New York
He conducted the world premiere of Colina´s “Baba Yaga” Fantasy and the Fifth Symphony of Shostakovich at the prestigious Chautauqua Institution in New York in Click here to see review.
