SERIOUS VARIATIONS: An Evening of Classical and Jazz with Gila Goldstein

Boston-based Israeli pianist Gila Goldstein presents a program focusing on musical connections and transformations.

After opening with several solo classical works by Mendelssohn, Guastavino, Villa Lobos, Yedidia and Gershwin, she will be joined by her friends, percussionist Benny Koonievsky and flutist Amir Milstein. Together they will interpret arrangements of and improvisations on classical works by Scarlatti, Bach and South American composers, and Israeli popular songs.

The program reflects the musical passions of the three, their great versatility and ability to transform from one genre to another, and their love for their homeland.

NOTA BENES:

Doors Open at 7:00. Concert begins at 7:30.

All seating except FRONT ROW is unassigned.

Tickets cannot be refunded but can be transferred to a different attendee.

We recommend buying tickets online whenever possible. Tickets will be available at the door with payment in cash or check only, for $35.

CONGREGATION KEHILLATH ISRAEL is a traditional inclusive synagogue that actively embraces individuals, its community, and the world. An innovative and prominent voice in North American Jewish life since 1917, it is one of Brookline's oldest synagogues.

Pianist GILA GOLDSTEIN has captivated audiences around the world with her unique artistry and soulful interpretations, performing as a soloist and chamber player throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Korea, the Philippines, Europe and Israel. Notable performances include the Berliner Symphoniker, Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Orquesta Da Camera in Mexico City as well as recitals and concerts at Lincoln Center and Merkin Hall in New York City, Progetto Martha Argerich in Lugano, Beijing Concert Hall, Seoul National University in Korea, South Bank Center in London, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Musée de Louvre and Cité des Arts in Paris, Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Gardner Museum in Boston, Symphony Hall in Chicago, Henry Crown Hall in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv Museum, among others.

A Board member of the American Liszt Society and the Founder-President of its New York Chapter since 1992, she has been a frequent guest performer at the Society’s annual festivals around the United States and Canada. Gila Goldstein has been a sought-after pedagogue for nearly two decades and has given numerous master classes in the USA, Korea, China, Italy and the United Kingdom. She is a member of the piano faculty at Longy School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

A champion of the music of Israel's leading composer Paul Ben-Haim for over two decades, Ms. Goldstein has recorded and released two albums of his entire piano and chamber works on the American label Centaur. In 2024, Centaur released her “Latin American Piano Gems” and in 2025 she released for the Albany/Parma label “24 Preludes of Dusk and Dawn” by composer Ronn Yedidia.

She obtained her music degrees in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with the late Prof. Nina Svetlanova and the Tel-Aviv University's School of Music, where she studied with Prof. Victor Derevianko

Flutist AMIR MILSTEIN established his career in the world-music scene founding acknowledged ensembles such as Bustan Abraham and Tucan Trio, with which he performs worldwide. Amir's flute is featured in over 100 albums, collaborating with Israeli and international artists such as: Zakir Hussein, Tito Puente, Matti Caspi, Idan Reichel, Shlomo Gronich, Gidi Gov, Leah Shabbat, and many others.His works include original compositions and arrangements for dance groups and film scores, as well as numerous appearances for music programs on Israeli television.As an educator, Amir has been teaching and presenting workshops at music schools including: the New England Conservatory, Northeastern University, Hed College of Music, Berklee College of Music, etc.

Percussionist/drummer BENNY KOONYEVSKY performed and toured extensively with Israel's three best-known pop artists: Yehuda Poliker, Yehudit Ravitz, and Shalom Hanoch before his move from Haifa to New York City in 1986. He was also awarded the prestigious Francoise Shapira Prize for solo percussion work, and at the age of 20 made his solo debut with the Israel Philharmonic. He has played with artist as diverse as Andrea Bocelli, Cynthia Erivo, Keli O’hera, Turkish artist Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Peter, Paul and Mary, and one of the world’s reigning Prima ballerinas Diana Vishneva - spanning genres from Cuban to classical. His numerous recording credits include Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams, Donald Fagan, Jonatha Brooke, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Güettel, Debbie Friedman, Rolando Morales, Alan Madec, Valerie Naranjo and Jennifer Holiday to name a few. He has appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, Aladdin, Death Becomes Her, Spamalot, West Side Story, Burn The Floor, In The Heights, Camelot, 9-5, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Annie and Billy Elliot. Benny is a regular sub with The NY Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, The National Symphony Orchestra, NYC Ballet and NJ Symphony. He attended the prestigious Sleswig Holstein Festival under Sir George Solti and the Tanglewood Summer Festival under Leonard Bernstein. Benny’s teaching and master classes include Weill music institute at Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School summer program, Nashville institute for the Arts, George Mason University in Washington DC and Sydney Conservatorium of Music in Australia. He received a Master's degree from the Juilliard School and a Bachelor's degree from Manhattan School of Music, both in percussion performance.

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