Shesh Besh

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Shesh Besh Ensemble

The Shesh Besh Ensemble was established in 2000 as part of the KeyNote program, the Israel Philharmonic’s educational initiative.

The ensemble was founded on the belief that music is a universal language that connects hearts and has the power to build genuine bridges between peoples. The harmonious interplay and collaboration among the musicians reflect their mutual respect for one another’s cultures.

Bringing together three musicians from the Israel Philharmonic and three outstanding Arab musicians, the ensemble performs a carefully selected repertoire drawn from the finest traditions of Western and Eastern music.

The Ensemble

Boaz Meirovitch

Flute

Sami Kheshaiboun

Violin

Gilad Rivkin

Violin

Michael Maroun

Oud

Uri Arbel

Double-Bass

Aziz Naddaf

Percussion

As part of KeyNote program, The Arab-Jewish Ensemble appears regularly in schools both in the intim setting of the classroom, and in concerts.

The IPO commissioned the work “Ode to Happiness”, by composer Gil Shochat, to feature The Arab-Jewish Ensemble as a solo ensemble in a series of concerts for 4,000 school children at the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv.

Shesh Besh first CD, Collective Memory, was released on July 2007. The CD includes Western and Middle Eastern pieces, music composed by Israeli Arab and Jewish composers, and folk music specially arranged for the ensemble.

In 2007 the ensemble was awarded the European Medal of Honor – The Prize of Tolerance by the European Culture Forum for “their vision and their commitment to the Jewish – Arabic relationship in Israel”.

Shesh Besh regularly tours outside of Israel and has performed at the Tanglewood Festival, the JVC Jazz Festival, in Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.

In November 2009 the ensemble played 3 concerts in London, one of them hosted by Prince Philip in Windsor Castle, the other concert was hosted by Ban Ki-moon, and they received a special program at the BBC London, where they played and were interviewed live.

In May 2010 the ensemble performed with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in
7 concerts for schools and at the framework of the family series of the orchestra.

In season 2010-2011 the ensemble performed mainly in concerts overseas: in a festival in Stuttgart, playing and meeting with students from a local high school; a concert tour in the US (April 2011) and a concert tour in Switzerland (May 2011).

In season 2011-2012 Shesh Besh took part in the high school music education program of KeyNote, and performed with the IPO in special concerts for the students: “East West”.

The ensemble also held a special education program for Arab and Jewish students in Nazareth, Yafia and at the Jezreel Valley region.

In February 2012 the ensemble flew to Hamburg, Germany, to participate in the Sounds of Israel festival, organized by the Elbphilharmonie. In addition to their performances, The Arab-Jewish Ensemble members also engaged in educational activity with elementary and high school students.

The ensemble staged a US tour on April 2013, performed in several universities and community centers and gained great success.

In 2015 the ensemble performed at the president’s house in Jerusalem on the occasion of an International business conference.

In season 2016-2017, The Arab-Jewish Ensemble programs included:

In-classroom sessions in elementary schools in Tel-Aviv and Lod.
Performances with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in special concerts for elementary school students- May-June 2017

4,000 students.

During the season 2018-2019, The Arab-Jewish Ensemble participated in the Mifne program in the north of Israel, performing in-classroom sessions in elementary schools in Manshiyat Zabda and Kefar Yehoshua, and playing a concert at Jezreel Valley – Beit HaOmanuyot.

The Arab-Jewish Ensemble also played with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in the Sounds of Israel special concert for elementary school choirs – May 2019.

The ensemble went on a very successful concert tour in the U.S on March 2019.

After a halt in the ensemble’s activity due to the covid-19 pandemic, Shesh Besh resumed its performances both in schools and in concert halls. On February 2022 the ensemble was part of the IPO concert for grades 3-6: East, West – Music form our Region, recorded at the Bronfman Auditorium.

Later that month the ensemble played in concerts for Arab and Jewish high school students at the Zucker hall.

Shesh Besh continued its educational work at the Jezreel Valley music center on May 2022, leading workshops for young musicians and playing at the final concert for the community.

On December 2022 Shesh Besh was invited to the President’s House to perform in a special event for the Christian community in Israel.

In March 2024 Shesh-Besh was invited by Maestro Iván Fischer to perform a special concert in the Great Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary.

In July 2025, the ensemble performed a special concert with guest singer Lena Kardosh, as part of the Philharmonic’s summer festival.

Shesh-Besh concerts for high school students are performed regularly every year starting from 2022, and approximately 2,000 students from Arab and Jewish high schools have already listened to them. The concerts are accompanied by a preparation program in classrooms with KeyNote facilitators from, to present the repertoire and unique characteristics of the different musical traditions.