{"id":85238,"date":"2022-07-13T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/?p=85238"},"modified":"2022-07-14T15:34:54","modified_gmt":"2022-07-14T22:34:54","slug":"tel-aviv-israel-a-culture-filled-with-colorful-contrasts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/tel-aviv-israel-a-culture-filled-with-colorful-contrasts\/","title":{"rendered":"Tel Aviv, Israel: A Culture Filled with Colorful Contrasts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><strong>Sophie Lippert<\/strong>, concert pianist and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/international-arts-corresponden-sophie-lippert\/\" target=\"_blank\">All Classical Portland&#8217;s 2022 International Arts Correspondent<\/a>, is living and working in Tel Aviv for the year. In this latest version of her Musician Abroad! series, she takes us on a journey through three distinct and colorful components of Israeli culture.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_mopeds_against_wall.jpg\" alt=\"Two mopeds butting heads in front of a cacophonous art display in Tel Aviv, Israel.\" class=\"wp-image-85242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_mopeds_against_wall.jpg 450w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_mopeds_against_wall-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_mopeds_against_wall-263x350.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption><em>Two mopeds butting heads in front of a cacophonous art display in Tel Aviv, Israel. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Over the past 30 years of playing classical music, I\u2019ve come to be a huge appreciator of <strong>contrasts<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Music is full of them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrasts in <em>dynamics<\/em>: from bombastic fortissimo to whispered pianissimo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrasts in <em>tempo<\/em>: from scurrying presto to languid largo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrasts in <em>articulation<\/em>: from sharp, piercing staccato to smooth, undulating legato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrasts in <em>emphasis<\/em>: from <em>melody<\/em> weaving a narrative, to <em>rhythm<\/em> creating an infectious beat, to <em>harmony<\/em> emerging as a powerful unifying element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using these musical tools\u2014dynamics, tempo, and articulation, plus melody and rhythm and harmony\u2014performers are able to convey remarkably different moods, emotions, and ideas. And, often, it\u2019s these<em> <\/em>contrasting elements that make a piece of music so compelling, exciting, and magical.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chopin: will you provide us with an example?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Amazing B\u00f6sendorfer Grand Piano Model 214 CS at Classic Pianos Portland played by Sophie Lippert\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2G-q_-IwcbM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><em>Sophie Lippert performs an excerpt from Chopin\u2019s Ballade 2, Op. 38, at Classic Pianos Portland<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To illustrate just how amazing contrasts can be, let\u2019s take a section from Chopin\u2019s 2nd Ballade. Chopin begins by employing a soft dynamic, a slow tempo, a legato articulation, and repetitive harmonic and rhythmic patterns to create a sensation of sublime calm and warmth. The soothing sound of this opening section reminds me, in fact, of rocking a baby in a cradle: the music gently undulates back and forth, back and forth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just 30 seconds in, however, Chopin does a 180-degree turn and transitions, abruptly and fantastically, to a flurry of right-hand arpeggios that move wildly up and down the keyboard! The mood is anything BUT soothing and calm; there is tremulous turbulence in the cascades of notes, a wild cacophony of emotional expression that sounds, to my ear, distraught and angry. Both the melodies and harmonies are ever-shifting and unsettled; the dynamics fluctuate between booming and explosive fortissimos to murmuring, muttering mezzo-pianos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then, amazingly, Chopin leads us back to calm again: drawing from the tropes he used in the first section to lull the piece back to peaceful repose. As the Ballade progresses, Chopin never stops to juxtapose these contrasting moods; the piece continually shape-shifts from one extreme to another, creating an amazing sensation of dynamism, scope, and excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Note: Chopin\u2019s 2nd Ballade is an incredible representation of pianistic and compositional virtuosity and mastery; I encourage you to listen to all 7 minutes to get the full effect!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Chopin, to Tel Aviv!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_overlooking_sea.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_overlooking_sea.jpg 450w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_overlooking_sea-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_overlooking_sea-263x350.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption><em>Sophie gazing over the Mediterranean Sea in Israel.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>My appreciation for contrasts leads me now to Tel Aviv, Israel, where I\u2019ve been living since December 2021.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most amazing things about creating a life in Tel Aviv has been observing and experiencing the many remarkable contrasts that Israeli culture contains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, I\u2019m going to focus on three areas in which the contrasts have been particularly astonishing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>The Weather<\/strong>: the bright, searing sun and the expansive, cooling sea.<\/li><li><strong>The Sabbath<\/strong>: a calm weekly respite amidst the wildness of normal life.<\/li><li><strong>The People<\/strong>: the sharpness and softness found in cultural mannerisms.<\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The People<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_festive_costume_party-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_festive_costume_party-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_festive_costume_party-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_festive_costume_party-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_festive_costume_party-1-425x319.jpg 425w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_festive_costume_party-1-624x468.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption><em>A festive costume party in a popular alleyway near Shuk Carmel, one of Tel Aviv\u2019s busiest street markets.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Israelis often describe themselves as \u201crough on the outside, soft on the inside.\u201d There is an undeniable abrasiveness in many of the verbal correspondences that take place here\u2014detectable in the words spoken, the tones of voices used, and the accompanying mannerisms and body language cues. In all these areas, the energy and behavior is sharp, strong, loud, and sometimes even outright aggressive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Underneath their tough exterior, though, most Israelis have hearts of gold. They are quick to share information, to help when help is needed, and to volunteer support of all stripes\u2014even when the person they are engaging with is a total stranger. In one moment, they\u2019ll honk loudly and impatiently while zooming down a busy city street; in the next, they\u2019ll stop their car to help someone who\u2019s visibly lost or confused. (Sometimes, that person is me!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When my partner and I were looking for an apartment, a taxi driver spent our entire ride calling his friends in real estate, asking them what units they had available on our behalf. New friends have invited me to share beautiful Sabbath feasts with their families, welcoming me so warmly that I instantly feel at home. And I can\u2019t tell you how many times fellow shoppers have helped me dissect food labels and pricing in the shops, bodegas, and street stands where I buy my groceries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Sabbath: Calm Amidst the Storm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_carmel_market.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_carmel_market.jpg 450w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_carmel_market-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_carmel_market-263x350.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption><em>Carmel Market on the Sabbath: what is usually a cacophony of shoppers and vendors disappears completely into quiet!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Tel Aviv is a huge, dense, metropolitan city. There is, therefore, noise and activity <em>all the time<\/em>. Every hour of the day (and night!), people are out and about: walking, shopping, eating, hanging out at cafes, drinking coffee or cocktails. The sounds of the city have a distinct flavor during the middle of the night: the planes on international routes leave between the hours of 11pm and 6am, so the air is filled with sounds of huge jet planes in the wee hours of the morning. And even the cats make noise in the middle of the night\u2014I often hear them yowling when I wake between dreams!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then, Sabbath rolls around. Between sundown on Friday and sundown on Saturday, the majority of storefronts around the city close their doors and discontinue services. This includes all types of business: from restaurants and convenience stores, to record shops and even the cavernous, enormous, maze-like Dizengoff Mall in downtown Tel Aviv. The most common greeting you\u2019ll hear during this 24-hour period is \u201cShabbat Shalom\u201d \u2014translating roughly to \u201cWishing you a peaceful Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While observation practices vary, many people in Israel have adopted some form of a &#8220;Sabbath practice&#8221;. And things really do feel significantly different on Saturdays than any other day of the week. The popular walking streets are thronged with families, as are the beaches and the seaside promenade. And, while the pedestrian traffic increases, the car traffic decreases by over half!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people refrain from using any technology during the 24 hours of the Sabbath, which means a dramatic altering of lifestyle. The invitation to turn away from my phone and my computer, and to turn instead to nature, the people around me, and cooking and sharing a meal with loved ones, inspires me&#8211;and I hope to bring this inspiration with me when I return to the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Weather: Bright Sun and Cooling Sea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_beach.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_beach.jpg 800w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_beach-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_beach-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_beach-425x319.jpg 425w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_beach-624x468.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption><em>A quintessential Tel Aviv summer day: the Mediterranean Sea crowned by a cloudless sky.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Arguably, Israeli weather contains very little contrast\u2014especially in comparison to places where the weather varies widely between hot and cool temperatures. Here in Tel Aviv, there\u2019s a pretty narrow window of variation, and there are a few things that are most pervasive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wide-open skies,<\/strong><br><strong>Bright, oppressive sun,<\/strong><br><strong>Miles and miles of shoreline kissing the Mediterranean Sea!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cold weather in Tel Aviv is classified by anything below about 65 degrees Fahrenheit; whenever temperatures dip into the low 60s, the majority of Tel Avivians don their big puffy jackets, winter hats, and fur-lined boots. In February and March, while I was swimming in the sea as much as possible, the people walking past me on the beach would be dressed in full winter attire. \u201cIt\u2019s freezing!\u201d my Israeli friends moaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s because, for the rest of the year, it\u2019s Really Darn Hot. The UV index is impressive, too\u2014it takes only 10-15 minutes in the height of day to be gifted with a mean sunburn. So, one has to be careful\u2014even when escaping into the sea for a much-needed cooling dip!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of: <em>thank goodness for that water! <\/em>The Mediterranean Sea is an incredibly important and tempering force in a region of oppressive heat. My daily swims provide welcome relief and respite from the heat hanging in the sky; the water is masterful at both cooling down my physical body, and pacifying the intense energy that the heat brings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Israel is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on its entire west side, and though there are certainly less coastal regions of the country, the sea\u2019s tempering, soothing energy is a powerful presence throughout the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Conclusion: An Appreciation of Contrasts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_bike-leaning-on-wall.jpg\" alt=\"Pink bike leaning on a wall \" class=\"wp-image-85274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_bike-leaning-on-wall.jpg 800w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_bike-leaning-on-wall-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_bike-leaning-on-wall-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_bike-leaning-on-wall-425x319.jpg 425w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_bike-leaning-on-wall-624x468.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption><em>Contrasting hearts on contrasting doors in the quiet Kerem HaTeimanim neighborhood in Tel Aviv.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no question that my musical background has deepened my ability to appreciate\u2014and celebrate\u2014the contrasts contained in Israeli culture. Rather than seeing these opposing elements as disparate or conflicting, I see them as necessary equals; flip sides of the same coin; components that balance each other, and temper each others\u2019 intensity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much like the incredible range and scope of Chopin 2nd Ballade, I love the way that Tel Aviv demonstrates the power that can be found in both hard and soft, calm and cacophony, oppressive heat and recentering cool. I\u2019m eager to continue experiencing and embracing these contrasts, and the beauty they contain.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, music can be a teacher here: almost always, despite the intensity of contrasts contained within a piece of music, the composition closes with a unifying, stabilizing, and pacifying element: harmonic resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Despite the dissonance and disparateness that precedes it, harmony prevails.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"85278\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_tel-aviv_market.jpg\" alt=\"A weekday visit to the bustling Hatikva Market in east Tel Aviv, Israel.\n\" class=\"wp-image-85278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_tel-aviv_market.jpg 450w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_tel-aviv_market-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_tel-aviv_market-263x350.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption><em>A weekday visit to the bustling Hatikva Market in east Tel Aviv, Israel.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"85277\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_and_partner.jpg\" alt=\"Sophie and partner Noah on a sunny stroll in Tel Aviv\u2019s Hayarkon Park.\n\" class=\"wp-image-85277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_and_partner.jpg 450w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_and_partner-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_and_partner-263x350.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption><em>Sophie and partner Noah on a sunny stroll in Tel Aviv\u2019s Hayarkon Park.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"85279\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_on_beach.jpg\" alt=\"A post-yoga sunset stroll down the Tel Aviv beach.\n\" class=\"wp-image-85279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_on_beach.jpg 450w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_on_beach-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_sophie_on_beach-263x350.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption><em>A post-yoga sunset stroll down the Tel Aviv beach.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"85280\" src=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_street_art.jpg\" alt=\"A bright array of street art on a popular pedestrian thoroughfare in Tel Aviv, Israel.\n\" class=\"wp-image-85280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_street_art.jpg 600w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_street_art-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/blog_street_art-425x319.jpg 425w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption><em>A bright array of street art on a popular pedestrian thoroughfare in Tel Aviv, Israel.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Stay tuned for the next blog in Sophie&#8217;s Musician Abroad! series coming in the fall! You can also learn more about Sophie at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sophielippert.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.sophielippert.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sophielippert.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sophie Lippert, concert pianist and All Classical Portland&#8217;s 2022 International Arts Correspondent, is living and working in Tel Aviv for the year. In this latest version of her Musician Abroad! series, she takes us on a journey through three distinct and colorful components of Israeli culture. Over the past 30 years of playing classical music, &#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":150,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4084],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-all-classical-radio"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-21 04:36:10","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/150"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85238\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}