Ziv Cojocaru
Ziv Cojocaru (born 1977 in Beer-Sheva, Israel) is an Israeli composer, conductor and arranger.
Biography
Ziv Cojocaru is a versatile musician who bridges between classical, contemporary and popular music. He received his master's degree in Composition with honors at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance studying with Prof. Zvi Avni and Prof. Haim Permont. Cojocaru has also received his master's degree in Orchestral Conducting with honors at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance studying with Dr. Yevgeny Zirlin. He completed his doctorate in composition (Ph.D) at Bar-Ilan University. Ziv Cojocaru also attended composition master classes under composers Fabián Panisello (Spain), Philippe Leroux (France) and Ivan Fedele (Italy), and conducting master classes under conductors Fabián Panisello (Spain) and Pierre-Andre Valade (France). Dr. Cojocaru is a full-time faculty member of composition and theory at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance since 2009 and serves as a board member at the Israeli Composers' League (ICL – the Israeli division of ISCM and of ACl). Cojocaru's works are often recorded and played on the Israeli Radio as well as the Deutschlandradio kultur - Berlin, Ljubljana Radio, and others.
As a composer
Ziv Cojocaru's compositions range in various genres, from solo, vocal, small and large chamber ensemble to orchestral works. In recent years his music was performed in the United States, Far East, as well as in Israel, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, etc. Cojocaru's works were premiered and performed in various International Festivals and venues, such as: the Euro Classic Festival in Konzerthaus Berlin, the Arnold Schönberg Center - Wien, the MATA Festival in New York, the 2015 International Society of Contemporary Music Festival (ISCM) in Ljubljana, the 2016 Asian Composers' League Festival (ACL) in Vietnam, the Israel Music Festival, the Desert Sounds Festival, the Galilee Voice of Music Festival, the Spring competitions and others. He has received several awards and grants for commissioned works, including the Prime- Minister Award for Composers. The performing ensembles of his music include the Meitar Ensemble (Israel),the Israel Contemporary players, the Zeitfluss Ensemble (Austria), the Tempera Ensemble (Israel), the Tel Aviv Soloists Ensemble, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Chamber Orchestra, the Israel Sinfonietta, the Israel Camerata-Jerusalem, the Israel Symphonette-Raa'nana, the Israel Contemporary String Quartet, and others. His works are published by the Israel Music Center (IMC), and the Israel Music Institute (IMI).
As a conductor
Cojocaru has performed with the Israel Chamber Orchestra, the Israel Sinfonietta, the Israel Camerata-Jerusalem, the Filarmonica de Stat Botosani (Romania), the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, the Ashdod Symphony Orchestra, the NK Orchestra, the Israel Symphonette-Raa'nana, the Meitar ensemble, the Moran Singers Ensemble, the Jerusalem Academy Orchestra, and others.
As an arranger
Mr. Cojocaru's works are performed regularly by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Chamber Orchestra, The Israel Sinfonietta, the Tel Aviv Soloists Ensemble, the Raa'nana Symphonette, the NK Orchestra - Israel, the Tel Aviv Jazz Big Band, the Meitar ensemble, the Tempera ensemble, and others.
Popular music scene activity
Since 1998, Mr. Cojocaru has stood out as in Israel's most prestigious Stage Productions and appeared in Israel's Best selling Albums as a producer, musical director, arranger, conductor, composer, pianist and keyboard player. Mr. Cojocaru has Collaborated with renowned Israeli artists such as: Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, Yehuda Poliker, David Broza, Rami Klienstein, Rita, Yehudit Ravitz, Yoni Rechter, Shlomo Gronich, Eran Zur, Shlomi Shaban, Riki Gal, Yizhar Ashdot, David D'aor, Harel Skaat, Maurice El Medioni, and others. Mr. Cojocaru also worked for several of Israel's top rated TV productions.
Awards, prizes and grants
- 2018 – The Pais Grant for a commissioned composition
- 2017 – The Ministry of Culture Grant for a commissioned composition
- 2015 - The Prime minister Award for composers
- 2014 - The Ministry of Culture Grant for a commissioned composition
- 2009 - The Israel Sinfonietta Award for conductors
- 2005-2007 Excellence Scholarships from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance
- 2000 – The Tamuz Award (Israel Music Industry Official Prize) for best Instrumental performance in a recorded album
Works (selection)
- Five Intermezzi - for strings orchestra (2017)
- Still talking – conversations for percussionist & Orchestra (2017)
- Whence Comest Thou, Whither Wilt Thou Go – for chamber orchestra (2017)
- Hide and seek – for flute, clarinet, violin and cello (2016)
- Links.Metamorphosis – for large orchestra (2015)
- BBBeeezzz – for violin/ Viola, clarinet/ bass clarinet and piano (2015)
- Colors in the dust – for orchestra (2014)
- XoOx..! formus agitatus (the Septet version) – for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, Percussion and piano (2014)
- XoOx..! formus agitatus (the Trio version) – for violin, Percussion and piano (2013)
- Do you like Bill? - for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2013)
- Pulse – for piano and orchestra (2012)
- Betrayed – for nine musicians and narrator (2012)
- Urban inquiries – for six musicians (2012)
- “From the disappearing world” for string quartet (2009)
- "Chronicles of letters in a bottle" - three miniatures for small orchestra (2009)
- Elvish moods – for solo clarinet (2008)