From Score to Meaning
"I conduct through the eyes of the composer, seeking to deeply understand the intention behind the notes, to reveal the story and meaning within the music, and to translate it into a performance that is relevant. This requires constant critical engagement with the score, not only carefully reading what is written, but questioning why it is written that way and how it serves what the composer sought to express.
My approach to music is deeply shaped by the privilege of studying with exceptional teachers. Among them, Noam Sheriff, the great conductor and composer, was a central mentor who taught me how to read the score from the composer’s perspective.
Great composers never create in isolation. Their music carries conscious and unconscious references to earlier works, or to their own evolving musical language. For me, recognizing and understanding these connections is essential in revealing a deeper meaning.
This process often extends beyond the printed edition of the score. I consult original manuscripts in order to understand compositional decisions more deeply. At times, this research reveals editorial errors, or even unintentional mistakes made by the composers themselves during the writing process. Through this combination of critical thinking and careful research, I aim to serve the score and the composer with precision and integrity.
After studying the score in depth, my work continues on the podium. Every gesture is shaped by the score and serves a clear musical purpose, unifying the orchestra and transmitting the musical components to the musicians."
Oren Gross Thaler and Noam Sheriff with Regensburg Philharmonic
Bnei HaKibbutzim
"As Music Director of the Bnei HaKibbutzim, Israel’s oldest youth orchestra rooted in the Kibbutz movement, I am privileged to work in an environment where music shapes not only artistic skill, but also character and community. Our musicians come from all across Israel, from kibbutzim and cities alike, bringing diverse backgrounds and perspectives to the orchestra.
In the wake of the October 7th tragedy, the orchestra performs repertoire with care and sensitivity, using music as a tool to heal and inspire both the players and the audience. I take great joy in developing the orchestra to the highest artistic standards, while supporting each musician as an educator and mentor.
We strive to make music accessible to young musicians and audiences alike. My goal is to ensure that every performance reflects the depth, skill, and passion of our musicians, while demonstrating how music can impact lives, foster growth, and build community across Israel."
Oren Gross Thaler with Bnei HaKibbutzim Orchestra
Visualising Music
"I am particularly interested in how classical repertoire can speak meaningfully to contemporary audiences without compromising its integrity. As an extension of my conducting work, I develop analytical and visual tools that support musical communication. With technology advancing rapidly, there is enormous potential to experience music in new ways, both inside and beyond the concert hall. Classical music can contain subtle and deep nuances that are not always easy to perceive. People naturally connect strongly with visual information, which makes this layer especially important when listening to music. In the concert hall, audiences often watch the conductor to understand the flow and energy of the piece."
By visualising music, a broader audience can engage with it and experience its subtle nuances more fully. It can help convey the messages the composer intended in ways that listening alone sometimes cannot. Just as books can be transformed into films, music can be brought to life visually, making it more accessible and immersive while revealing its depth."
Hartmann: "Catacombs" & "The Hut on Fowl’s Legs (Baba Yaga)", The visual inspiration for Mussorgsky’s "Pictures at an Exhibition"
