Gary Bertini

One of the most prominent conductors in Israel from the mid-'50s to the mid-'80s, Gary Bertini went on to make his mark internationally as a musician particularly interested in new music and opera. Despite an association with the Detroit Symphony in the early '80s and various American guest appearances, his reputation was greater in Europe than in the United States. Bertini was especially known for his work with 20th century scores and as a champion of Israeli composers, with more than 20 recordings of the latter to his credit. He wrote music of his own in nearly all genres, but especially incidental scores, some 40 for plays produced. Little of his music has been recorded, but Bertini made significant recordings of other people's works. Among these are the first commercial versions of Kurt Weill's two symphonies and Mahler's completion of Weber's opera Die drei Pintos.