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 their discriminatory policies. 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
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.
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Palestine Symphony Orchestra with Arturo Toscanini
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.
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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
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The Palestine Orchestra Program
2015.2.17
20 pages with orange text and graphic of menorah on cover
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:Huberman was a brilliant Jewish Polish violinist, remembered as much for founding the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as he is 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, and understanding the threat to Jewish musicians in Europe, he recruited Europe's leading Jewish musicians and their families to come to Palestine and form the Palestine Symphony Orchestra. If it had not been for Huberman's foresight, many of these musicians and their families would have doubtless 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 repute by refusing to perform in Nazi Germany in protest of their policies. While Huberman did not perform with Toscanini in 1936, they were re-united in 1938 and both performed together.
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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 conducted the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in its first concert on December 26, 1936.
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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: Picture of Bronislaw Huberman, founder of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and Arturo Toscanini, Conductor