Bronislaw Huberman was a brilliant Jewish Polish violinist, remembered as much for founding the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as he was for his music. Having visited Palestine in 1929, he began to think of establishing a symphony orchestra there. After the Nazi rise to power in 1933, Huberman grasped the threat to Jewish musicians in Europe. He recruited Europe's leading Jewish musicians and their families and formed the first Palestine Symphony Orchestra. If it had not been for Huberman's foresight, many of these musicians and their families would doubtless have perished in the Holocaust. The first concert was held on December 26, 1936 with maestro Arturo Toscanini as conductor. Toscanini, already a world-famous conductor by this time, had gained international respect for refusing to perform in Nazi Germany in protest of its discriminatory policies against Jews. While Huberman did not perform with Toscanini in 1936, they were reunited in 1938 when both performed on stage together.
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Palestine Symphony Orchestra with Arturo Toscanini and Bronislaw Huberman
2015.2.15
Front: Black and white photograph of Arturo Toscanini in black, standing in front of an applauding orchestra. Toscanini spoke out against Nazi policies and actions in Europe, and conducted the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in their first concert on December 26, 1936. Back: Various stamps and writing including copyright information.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash
Bronislaw Huberman and Arturo Toscanini standing together in front of an applauding orchestra. Toscanini spoke out against Nazi policies and actions in Europe, and conducted the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in their very first concert on December 26, 1936.
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Arturo Toscanini Among Fans during First Concert of Palestine Symphony Orchestra
2015.2.16
Front: Black and white photograph of Arturo Toscanini (center, in black suit) speaking with a group of people in Palestine. Toscanini spoke out against Nazi policies and actions in Europe, and conducted the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in their first concert on December 26m 1936. Back: Various pencil markings and stamps, including copyright information.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash Press Photograph of Arturo Toscanini and possibly Bronislaw Huberman among enthusiastic fans during first concert of Palestine Symphony Orchestra. Photograph Copyright by R. Weissenstein, Tel Aviv.
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Program of First Concert of the Palestine Symphony Orchestra
2016.1.25
Cover: “PROGRAMES OF THE PALESTINE ORCHESTRA” and “Season 1936/37”; Interior: 32 pages
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash
The first concert was held on December 26, 1936 with maestro Arturo Toscanini as conductor. Toscanini, already a world renown conductor, had gained respect by refusing to perform in Nazi Germany in protest of Nazi policies against Jews. While Bronislaw Huberman did not perform with Toscanini in 1936, they were re-united in 1938 and both performed together.
[Related item: 2015.2.17]
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Program of Second Concert of the Palestine Symphony Orchestra
2015.2.17
20 pages with orange text and graphic of menorah on cover
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
The second concert was held in 1938. While Bronislaw Huberman did not perform with Toscanini in 1936, they were re-united in 1938 and both performed together.
[Related item: 2016.1.25]
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Arturo Toscanini
2015.2.14
Front: Black and white photograph of Arturo Toscanini looking at the camera. Includes a print of his autograph beneath. Toscanini spoke out against Nazi policies and actions in Europe, and conducted the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in their first concert on December 26, 1936. Back: Printed black text in Hebrew and English.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Toscanini spoke out against Nazi policies and actions in Europe, and he conducted the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in its first concert on December 26, 1936. Souvenir card with “Compliments to Members of the Palestine Orchestra Association recalling the opening concerts conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Season 1936-37.”
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1986 First Day Cover Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
2016.1.51
Image of two men shaking hands with faint image of orchestra behind them.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Photographic image of both Huberman, founder of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and Arturo Toscanini, its first conductor, with commemorative stamp from 1986.