Richard Paley
Richard Paley has been the principal bassoonist of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, IBA since 1982. Born in Boston, Massachusetts and educated at the New England Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music, he immigrated to Israel in 1978 at the invitation of the renowned conductor Rudolf Barshai and the Israel Chamber Orchestra.
Mr. Paley frequently premiers and records new works by Israeli and foreign composers. He performs with the Ensemble of the 21st Century, of which he is a founding member, A solo bassoon piece was written for him by Georgian-Israeli composer Joseph Bardanashvili to celebrate 20 years with the ensemble. He was also a member of the Van Leer Chamber Players for over seventeen years. He has participated in the prestigious Chautauqua and Bard Music Festivals in the United States as well as a regular participant of the Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival.
Mr. Paley is among the pioneers of baroque and classical music performance on period instruments in Israel and performs with the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra and the Barocade Ensemble. Mr. Paley currently teaches modern bassoon and chamber music at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music in Tel Aviv where many of his former students now hold important positions in orchestras in Israel and abroad.
Richard lives in Jerusalem and is married with three adult children. He is passionate about sailing, mountain biking, cooking and his garden.