Biblical Productions is happy to announce the completion of a short film celebrating 50 years of the International Harp Competition in Israel, to be screened at its opening night on 6th October 2009.

The competition will showcase the talent of 30 young harpists from 18 countries. Each will compete for the coveted first prize; a special 50th anniversary Gold Concert Grand Harp made and presented by Lyon & Healy, sponsor of the contest over its entire 17 year history, including the donation of the first prize.

The prize winners will be selected by an international jury of 12 members. This elite panel will be composed of previous first prize winners, internationally celebrated soloists and teachers, as well as renowned Israeli musicians.

This much anticipated, tri annual contest was founded in 1959 by Aharon Zvi Propes, in Jerusalem. It has seen 500 gifted harpists grace its stage over the past 50 years; 16 of them walking away with worldwide accolade, a Lyon & Healy Harp and enhanced careers.

Maestro Zubin Mehta serves as Honorary President of the 17th International Harp Contest, which includes a host of musical celebrations to mark the contest’s fiftieth anniversary in style.

Although always based in Israel, the contest has world recognition and has set new standards in harp music. Its impact has been manifold, as Music Director, Judith Liber explains, “It has increased the composition for harp all over the world… it has improved the level of instruments, harp builders today produce superior instruments; we have taken the harp out of the French salon…and put in on the concert stage.”

This short film was produced by Biblical Productions with the following credits: Producer: Sharon Schaveet, Director: Nissim Mossek, Director of Photography: Meni Elias, Script: Alan Rosenthal, Research: Anika Pilnei, Narration: Lea Zinder, Sound: EGA Post production, Biblical Production Translation: VAF

For more production news from 2009, please click here