Ziv Cojocaru

Ziv Cojocaru
זיו קוז'וקרו (Hebrew)
Cojocaru in 2014
Cojocaru in 2014
Background information
Born1977 (age 48–49)
Beersheba, Israel
OccupationComposer
Years active1998–present

Ziv Cojocaru (Hebrew: זיו קוז'וקרו) is an Israeli composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist. He serves as Associate Professor and Head of the Music Division in the Department of the Arts at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.[1] He is also Composer-in-Residence with the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion.[2] Cojocaru is the recipient of the ACUM Prize (2025)[3][4] and the Prime Minister's Award for Composers (2015).[5]

Biography

Ziv Cojocaru was born and raised in Beersheba. He began his musical training studying piano at the city’s conservatory. Cojocaru studied composition and conducting at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in both fields, and completed his doctorate in composition at Bar-Ilan University.[6] He has also participated in masterclasses with Philippe Leroux, Pierre-André Valade, Ivan Fedele, Fabian Panisello, and others.[5] Since 2009, he has been a faculty member at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, serving as Head of the Department of Music Theory, Composition and Conducting from 2019 to 2022.[7] From 2018 to 2023, he served as Conductor in Residence for the Israel Sinfonietta Beersheba.[8] Currently, he serves as Associate Professor and Head of the Music Division in the Department of the Arts at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,[1][9] as Composer-in-Residence of the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion (since 2024),[10] and as a board member at the Israeli Composers' League.

As composer

As a composer, his works have been performed in Israel and internationally at events such as the ISCM World Music Days Festival,[11] the Asian Composers League Festival (ACL),[12] the MATA Festival in New York,[1] ECCO concerts (European Composer and Songwriter Alliance) in Luxembourg and Belgium,[13][14] the Tonraum21 Festival for new music in Graz,[15] Salzburger Festtage alter und neuer Musik,[16][17] the INTRADA and MERIDIAN contemporary music festivals in Romania,[18][19] the 11th Taiwan International Percussion Convention,[20] and Days of Music in Skopje, Macedonia.[17] Major venues include the Konzerthaus Berlin (Euro Classic Festival),[21] Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna, and Merkin Hall in New York.[1] In Israel, his music has been featured at the Israeli Music Festival, Sounds in the Desert, the Aviv Competitions, and the Voice of Music in the Upper Galilee Festival.[5][1]

His works have been performed by, among others, Ensemble l’Itinéraire (France),[22] Zeitfluss Ensemble (Austria),[23][24] Ensemble Reconsil (Austria),[25] Ensemble Sturm und Klang (Belgium),[26] Atem Ensemble (Romania),[27] Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble (Russia),[28] and United Instruments of Lucilin (Luxembourg).[13] In Israel, his music was performed by the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion,[29] Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra,[30] Israel Camerata Jerusalem,[31] Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva,[32] Israel Chamber Orchestra,[33] Sinfonietta Ra’anana,[34] Tel Aviv Soloists Ensemble,[35] Weimar–Jerusalem Young Philharmonic, Meitar Ensemble,[36] Tremolo Ensemble,[20] Israel Contemporary Players,[37] Israeli Contemporary String Quartet, and Ensemble Tempera. Collaborators and conductors include Michael Sanderling,[38] Pierre-André Valade,[22] Dan Ettinger,[39] Omer Meir Wellber,[40] Ilan Volkov,[41] David Greilsammer,[42] and Ariel Zuckerman.[43] His works are published by the Israel Music Center (IMC) and the Israel Music Institute (IMI).[5] His music has been recorded and broadcast in Israel and abroad, including by BBC Radio 3,[5] Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Voice of Music Radio, Kan Radio, and more.

As conductor

As a conductor, his work in Israel includes collaborations and appearances with leading orchestras, among them the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra,[44] the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra,[45] the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion,[39] the Haifa Symphony Orchestra,[46] the Israel Camerata Jerusalem,[47] the Israel Chamber Orchestra, the Netanya Kibbutz Chamber Orchestra,[48] and the Ra’anana Symphonette.[40] From 2018 to 2023, he served as Conductor in Residence of the Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva and appeared regularly with the orchestra.[49] Abroad, he has conducted the Wiener Concert-Verein (Austria)[50] and the Filarmonica de Stat Botoşani (Romania).[51] He has additionally collaborated with the Meitar Ensemble and the Moran Singers Ensemble.

As arranger

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.

Since the late 1990s, Cojocaru has been active as an arranger, musical director, producer, pianist, and conductor within Israeli popular music, collaborating with leading artists such as Gidi Gov,[52] Shlomo Artzi,[53] David Broza,[54] Danni Robas,[55] Alon Oleartchik,[56] Shalom Hanoch,[57] Asaf Amdursky,[57] Rona Kenan, Shuli Rand,[58] Amir Benayoun,[58] Yehuda Poliker, Eran Zur,[59] Rita,[60] Riki Gal,[61] Yoni Rechter,[62] Dudu Tassa,[63] Rami Kleinstein,[60] Shlomo Gronich, Yehudit Ravitz, Yizhar Ashdot, Shlomi Shaban, Ninet,[64] Kobi Aflalo, Avraham Tal, Harel Skaat, and Maurice El Medioni, among others. He has contributed to prominent stage and studio productions and participated in several of Israel's top-rated TV shows.

Pedagogical work

Ziv Cojocaru is Associate Professor and Head of the Music Division within the Department of the Arts at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He previously served as Head of the Composition and Conducting Department and as a senior faculty member at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Cojocaru has led academic programs and supervised graduate students in composition, orchestration, and theory.

He has presented masterclasses, lectures, and colloquia at leading institutions worldwide, including Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz,[65] Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music Budapest,[66] The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Tallinn,[67] Conservatorio di Musica "E.R. Duni" Matera,[68] Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg, Hochschule für Musik Würzburg, Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Paris, West University of Timișoara, Taipei National University of the Arts, Tel Aviv University, and Bar-Ilan University.

In addition to his academic activities, Cojocaru serves as an academic and pedagogical advisor to major performing bodies in Israel, acts as a jury member in composition competitions and scholarship committees, and is a board member of the Israel Composers' League.

Awards, prizes and grants

  • 2025 – The ACUM Composition Award for Achievement of the Year in Concert Music.[69][4]
  • 2018 – The Israel Lottery Council for the Culture and Arts Grant for a commissioned composition.
  • 2017, 2014 – The Ministry of Culture Grant for a commissioned composition.
  • 2015 – The Prime Minister Award for composers.[70][71]
  • 2009 – The Israel Sinfonietta Award for conductors.
  • 2000 – The TAMUZ Award (Israel Popular Music Industry Prize) for best instrumental performance in a recorded album.

Works (selection)

[72] [5]

  • “Fractured” for Piano and Orchestra (2025)
  • Run! Into the Circles! Run Out!, for Six musicians (2024)
  • GroovoMetrics, for Four Percussionists (2023)
  • Songs on the Lives of Children, for Mezzo-Alto and Orchestra (2022)
  • Winds over Jaffa , for wind Orchestra (2022)
  • Guitar Concerto, for E.Guitar solo and large ensemble (2019)
  • I wanted to scream songs at you, song cycle for Soprano and Orchestra (2019)
  • The Tempera Sketches, for mixed ensemble & Orchestra (2018)
  • 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)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ziv Cojocaru". Archived from the original on 22 January 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Prof . Ziv Cojocaru". Archived from the original on 15 December 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "BGU's Prof. Ziv Cojocaru Wins ACUM Prize for Outstanding Musical Composition". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  4. 1 2 "ACUM awards Israeli musicians, writers prizes for cultural contributions | the Jerusalem Post". 9 July 2025. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ziv Cojocaru - Israel Music Institute". www.imi.org.il. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "דיסרטציות | המחלקה למוזיקה". music.biu.ac.il. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "מידע אודות המכללה האקדמיה למוסיקה ולמחול בירושלים".
  8. ↑ "קלאסי - בכורה עולמית לזיו קוז'וקרו בסינפונייטה". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "חדש: חטיבה למוזיקה במחלקה לאמנויות באוניברסיטת בן-גוריון בנגב". Archived from the original on 15 December 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "הצוות שלנו • התזמורת הסימפונית הישראלית ראשון לציון". Archived from the original on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "ISCM World music days – Slovenia 2015 - Three bridges – Three directions" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2025.
  12. ↑ "Ziv Cojocaru - Wikipedia". Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  13. 1 2 "UNITED INSTRUMENTS OF LUCILIN" (PDF). www.eccoconcert.eu. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "News from ECSA - April edition • News • ECSA - European Composer & Songwriter Alliance". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Graz – Seite 3 – ÖGZM".
  16. ↑ "Salzburger Festtage alter und neuer Musik" (PDF). www.hofhaymer-society.at. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  17. 1 2 "News & Events 2018". Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Comunicat de presă: Programul Festivalului Internaţional de Muzică Nouă INTRADA, Timişoara, 2019". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "MERIDIAN International Festival". October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  20. 1 2 "CONCERTS & EVENTS | Ju Percussion Group". eng.jpg.org.tw. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Press - Ziv Cojocaru". ziv-cojocaru.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  22. 1 2 "L'Itinéraire et Meitar sous la conduite de Pierre-André Valade". 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "Ziv Cojocaru". 29 September 2022.
  24. ↑ "Ziv Cojocaru: Whence Comest Thou, Whither Wilt Thou Go (Chamber version, 2018)". YouTube. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  25. ↑ "Past concerts". Archived from the original on 17 March 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  26. ↑ "ECCO (European Contemporary Composers Orchestra) présente Sturm und Klang, à la découverte de la création musicale belge et européenne". www.arsmusica.be. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "Ziv Cojocaru - BBBeeezzz (Atem Ensemble)". YouTube. 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  28. ↑ "Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble". Archived from the original on 14 December 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  29. ↑ "Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion | the Israeli Opera". האופרה הישראלית תל-אביב - יפו. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  30. ↑ https://jerusalemsymphony.org.il/
  31. ↑ "About the Israel Camerata". Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  32. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. ↑ "Israel chamber orchestra". Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  34. ↑ https://www.raanana-msc.co.il/
  35. ↑ https://www.solists.co.il/
  36. ↑ "Meitar Ensemble". meitar.net. Archived from the original on 22 March 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  37. ↑ https://www.israel-opera.co.il/en/category/the-21st-century-ensemble/
  38. ↑ "Auftaktkonzert von Young Euro Classic: Romeo, wo ist dein Feuer?". www.tagesspiegel.de. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  39. 1 2 "מנוי סימפונית ראשון לציון • התזמורת הסימפונית הישראלית ראשון לציון". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Season opening Raanana Symphonette Orchestra – OmerMeirWellber". Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  41. ↑ ""לאן אני הולך?" - אנסמבל המאה ה 21 בשיתוף איגוד הקומפוזיטורים". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  42. ↑ "Ravel | Rachmaninoff".
  43. ↑ https://isorl.smarticket.co.il/en/Khachaturian_I_Dvo__k/?id=4352
  44. ↑ "׳מוצרט בקטנה' – הקונצרט החמישי בסדרת ׳קונצרט בקטנה׳ - והפעם, קונצרט שכולו וולפגנג אמדאוס. הקונספט פשוט: שעה עם הפילהרמונית הישראלית, יצירות אהובות, האנג ואלכוהול לפני - וקהל צעיר עד גיל 35 - שמילאו את האולם בשעות ספורות רק מהודעה אחת ששלחנו להם! לפני הקונצרט חיכתה להם תוכנייה מיוחדת, שוקולדים של מוצרט (איך לא), דרינקים מהביר בזאר ואווירה שכיף להיכנס איתה לאולם. ועל הבמה – המנצח זיו קוז'וקרו, נגני הפילהרמונית והזמרים דניאלה סקורקה ויאיר פולישוק שעשו את הערב. לשמוע מוזיקה קלאסית באווירה אחרת – זה בדיוק מה שחלמנו שיקרה, וזה קורה! תודה לשותפים שלנו, צוות דבק של אגף התרבות בעיריית תל אביב. הפרויקט הבא כבר מעבר לפינה – ונספר עליו ממש בקרוב 🫶 Mozart, Briefly – the fifth concert in the Concert, Briefly series – this time, an evening dedicated entirely to Wolfgang Amadeus. The concept is simple: one hour with the Israel Philharmonic, beloved pieces, a drink and a vibe before – and an audience of young people under 35 who filled the hall within hours of a single message we sent! Before the concert, guests were welcomed with a special program, Mozart chocolates (of course), drinks from the Beer Bazaar, and an atmosphere that made walking into the hall pure joy. On stage – conductor Ziv Cojocaru, IPO musicians, and vocalists Daniela Skorka and Yair Polishook made the evening what it was. Listening to classical music in a new, refreshing setting – that's exactly what we dreamed of, and it's happening! Thanks to our partners @erev.devek - at the Tel Aviv Municipality's Division of Culture. The next project is just around the corner – we'll share more very soon. | Israel Philharmonic - הפילהרמונית הישראלית". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  45. ↑ "קונצרט סיום חגיגי | הסימפונית ירושלים, מקהלת קפלאטה אורטוריו ירושלים, המקהלה הקאמרית אורטוריו ירושלים והמקהלה הקאמרית של האקדמיה בירושלים | תיאטרון ירושלים". www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  46. ↑ "קלאסי בשישי - זיו קוזוקרו, מרק טיקטינר וולאד גלוז | התזמורת הסימפונית חיפה". התזמורת הסימפונית חיפה. Archived from the original on 23 January 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  47. ↑ "קלאסי - זיו קוזו'קרו לקראת קונצרט הקאמרטה". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  48. ↑ "קונצרט נעילה - מהביטלס עד חואקין רודריגו". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  49. ↑ "ד"ר זיו קוז'וקרו מונה למנצח הבית של הסינפונייטה הישראלית באר שבע".
  50. ↑ "Zeitklang im Museum II – Wiener Concert-Verein | kultur-online". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  51. ↑ Sorodoc, Adrian (27 May 2011). "Botoşani: Concert extraordinar de pian şi orchestră la Filarmonică". Adevărul. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  52. ↑ "מוזיקה - גידי גוב - שלל שיריו". www.habama.co.il. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  53. ↑ "שלמה ארצי - דבק - YouTube". www.youtube.com. 31 January 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  54. ↑ "גוסטו - האישה שאיתי Gusto - YouTube". www.youtube.com. 3 January 2010. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  55. ↑ "דני רובס - מקומות". Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  56. ↑ "אלון אולארצ'יק עם אנסמבל מיתר - ילד מזדקן - YouTube". www.youtube.com. 21 October 2015. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  57. 1 2 "אינדקס הבמה אולמות אירועים, היכלי תרבות, איגודים, בתי ספר, להקות מחול, תזמורות, מקומות בילוי - הבמה פורטל התרבות הישראלי, אינדקס". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  58. 1 2 "שולי רנד - אם לא הייתי בא עכשיו". YouTube. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  59. ↑ "ערן צור, רונה קינן, שלומי שבן, פתאום נהיה קיץ, סינגלים,סינגלים חדשים, יוסמיוסיק, מוסיקה ישראלית, יובל מסנר". 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  60. 1 2 "המופע המשותף by Rami Kleinstein & Rita on Apple Music".
  61. ↑ "רואים את השנים – מילים וביצועים | גל, ריקי, 1950- זמר | מוזיקה | הספרייה הלאומית". Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
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  63. ↑ https://yosmusic.com/%D7%93%D7%95%D7%93%D7%95-%D7%98%D7%A1%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%99-%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%96%D7%95%D7%A8/?amp=1
  64. ↑ "נינט טייב / רק שלא תיפול הרוח | הליקון ארומה מיוזיק גרופ". heliconaroma.co.il. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  65. ↑ "Ziv Cojocaru - Colloquium Excerpts - Graz 2019 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  66. ↑ "Composers' Forum – Lecture by Ziv Cojocaru | What's On | Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem". uni.lisztacademy.hu. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  67. ↑ "Composition masterclass. Ziv Cojocaru | Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre". eamt.ee. Archived from the original on 7 March 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  68. ↑ "Follow-up - Valutazione del Nucleo" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2025.
  69. ↑ "זוכים 2024/25 מעודכן" [Winners 2024/25 Updated] (PDF) (in Hebrew). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 July 2025.
  70. ↑ "קלאסי - הוכרזו זוכי פרס היצירה לקומפוזיטורים". www.habama.co.il. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  71. ↑ "פרסי ראש הממשלה | ארכיון מחקר ופרסומים | אוניברסיטת תל אביב". arts.tau.ac.il. Archived from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  72. ↑ "איגוד הקומפוזיטורים בישראל | המרכז למוזיקה ישראלית (מל"י) - בית ההוצאה לאור | חברי האיגוד". Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2026.


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