Rivka Golani is recognised as one of the outstanding violists of modern times. She has greatly contributed to the advancement of viola technique and inspired many composers to write for the instrument. More than 350 works have so far been composed for her, including over 90 concertos, a record matched by no other violist in history.
Rivka Golani has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s most prominent orchestras: BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, the Hallé, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw, Royal Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony and countless others. She has also performed as a soloist at the Proms concerts in London three times, including on the Last Night of the Proms.
Dr Golani has recorded countless albums with many distinguished orchestras. A landmark among her many albums is her world premiere recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto on viola, with the Royal Philharmonic – the complete Bach Cello Suites, including performances of Bach’s Chaconne and Chromatic Fantasy.
As the artistic director of Fort MacLeod Music Festival, Alberta, Canada, for seven years, Rivka Golani developed a special collaborative relationship with the Canadian First Nation Blackfoot. She continues her ongoing work with the Blackfoot.
Born in Israel, Dr Golani trained at the Music Academy of Tel Aviv with the great violist and composer Oedoen Partos. At the age of 23, she became a member of the Israel Philharmonic. She moved to Canada in the mid-1970s, where she began her solo career. Her present home is in London, England. Dr Golani is also an inspiring teacher who draws students from all over the world to her classes at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Her instrument is a viola made by the renowned maker Otto Erdesz.
Rivka Golani is also a painter and her works have been exhibited in Israel, Austria, Germany, the UK, the USA and Canada.
Awards and Highlights:
• Grand Prix du Disque (1985)
• Ambassador of Canadian Music for the Canadian Music Centre (2009)
• “Musician of the year” by the ArtijusMusic Foundation of Hungary (2011)
• The Eagle Feather, a gesture of honour and appreciation for her work acknowledging the rich history of the Blackfoot First Nations people (2011)
• On February 19th 2016, Rivka Golani was given the highest award – the name - “Itspanskiaki” - by the Blackfoot First Nations People of Canada: ‘A woman who sings from a high place.’
• Hungarian Classical Disc of the Year, Gramofon Award, for the Hungaroton CD set Hidden Treasure HCD32721-22 (December 2013)
• Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from Lethbridge University, Alberta, Canada, for bringing classical music to Southern Alberta (2013)
• Hungaroton 2CD set – Russian Concert – (live performance, with pianist John Lenehan, HCD 32743-44) was released in July 2015
• Release of Hungaroton 2CD set of late 19th to early 20th century virtuoso violin repertoire adapted for viola with pianist Zsuzsa Kollar, Viola Romance HCD 32811-12 in March 2020