At What age did you begin playing a musical instrument?
I started the cello at age 6, well… the beginning was a broom and a stick until we found a small cello. Previous to that, I played the piano, my mom played for my brother and me every night before we went to sleep so she let me play a little bit also.

At What age did you understand that you wish to pursue a musical career?
When I was 13 years old and joined the National Youth Orchestra of Argentina. At age 14 I started university studies (chemistry). My family thought that music is a wonderful “hobby” but a “real career” should be made with a “real profession” (Jewish thinking perhaps?). Therefore I finished my university studies while playing and attending the conservatory. Around age 15 I knew that I wanted to be a professional musician, my father was very happy, my mom humm….

Name an unforgettable moment with the IPO
A memorable moment for me was when we played in Moscow in 1990 (after the perestroika), walking by the huge line of people waiting to enter the auditorium (mostly Jewish people) and asking us if we knew about their relatives living in Israel… asking us if we could take things for them in Israel. How times have changed!
Itzhak Perlman performance that night… fabulous… the looong standing ovation… the Hatikvah…. wow unforgettable!!

What do you love to do off stage?
I am an avid aviation buff, I build and fly model airplanes replicas (museum quality), constructed with traditional balsa wood sticks and tissue paper, powered by a rubber band, what is called free flight rubber powered models. I also love nature and astronomy.

Which kind of music would we find on your playlist?
I cannot survive without classical music, besides this I love listening to jazz, the Big Bands of the 40’s /50’s, Stephane Grapelli/Django Rheinhardt, the Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Oscar Peterson ah! Solo classical guitar music! Llobet is my favorite.

What is the special significance of the IPO to you/Why did you want to be part of the IPO?
I didn’t know before I joined the IPO what it would do to my life. At the time I was living in the U.S. having played in several professional orchestras, I took a chance, took an airplane and came to audition. To my surprise 4 other cellists where on the same flight, the big surprise was that I got the position!
It all came to me after a few months in the orchestra, when we had a tour in Australia. I was asked to come to a meeting with the then head of the Committee, the legendary Daniel Binyamini. I was scared to death by this (Binyamini was known for his strong character) but it turn out to be a conversation that I will never forget. Caring and almost father-like Binyamini, conveyed to me that to be a member of the IPO is not only about music, but to feel proud and show the world what Israel is all about. To be an ambassador, to search for excellency, to be involved with the matters of the orchestra. I was young so Binyamini said “now is the time that you pick up the flag where we have left it and run forward!”

Did you acquire any new skills during the pandemic?
I am a lost cause with all matters regarding computers, internet, telephones, media, social media, FaceTime, Facebook… aarghs!! Zoom!!!%@#!! Well, surprisingly enough I improved in these matters because of necessity. The human being nowadays has no choice, so it was the only way I could communicate with my family. I call it the Covid miracles…
With so much “free time” I practice the cello every day, and learn new repertoire that I could have never imagined learning. My aero modelling activity is somehow keeping me sane, sort of a therapy, which at the same time produces very nice model airplanes. I read a lot, mostly about nature and science. During the pandemic I started a routine of walking every evening. I am “discovering” Tel Aviv in the best possible way, by foot!

How can we keep classical music and live performances relevant in the digital era?
I grew up in a different era, not exactly the digital oriented times as we live today. I can see the value of the digital mostly regarding the possibilities of mass sharing of material, but in my preference a live concert, with people in a venue is irreplaceable.
I sense that the digital concert experience lacks the “bonding” feeling of a live concert, moreover, it separates the listeners each to his own… the 5,000 friends on Facebook… It is utterly ridiculous to my understanding. When I think about it, 1 or 2 friends “real ones” is what one can hope for…

Something you wish to share about yourself?
I am optimistic about the outcome of this pandemic crisis. Time after time mankind has shown to be a resilient species. Hopefully we can learn something from this time and go forward towards a better life, which will enable future generations to enjoy life as much or more than we did.