ABOUT YOHANAN CINNAMON
BIOGRAPHY
Yohanan Cinnamon was born in London in 1959 to a French mother and an English father. He developed an early love of music, nurtured by Sunday afternoons listening to classical records with his father and by the record player he received for his 13th birthday. He soon began playing the guitar and composing simple songs by ear, and a few years later he turned to the piano, taking a few rudimentary lessons.
A summer spent on a kibbutz at age 18 marked a turning point, where he formed a deep bond with the Land of Israel and its people, particularly with Ronit, who would later become his wife. He eventually settled in Jerusalem, where he raised his family and embraced a religious life. After many years of intensive study, he now gives classes in Torah and Talmud.
Alongside his spiritual journey, the pull of music never left him. The acquisition of a new piano and hi-fi equipment rekindled his creative spark. Encouraged by the late composer and teacher André Hajdu, he began working with professional arrangers – most notably Israel Edelson (see section below) – to bring his musical vision to full fruition.
Yohanan’s music is defined by its memorable melodies and unique sense of charm.
ISRAEL EDELSON
ISRAEL EDELSON
Conductor, Composer, and Musical Partner
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Over the years, Israel Edelson has become Yohanan’s principal music partner and close friend. He has arranged most of Yohanan’s works for a wide range of settings – from solo piano and chamber ensembles to full orchestras – and across styles including classical and jazz. Their latest collaboration, Romantic Suite for string orchestra, was recorded with the renowned Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.​​
Yohanan and Israel Edelson
Jerusalem, Israel
​Born in Leningrad, Israel Edelson began studying music at five and immigrated to Israel at fifteen. He graduated from the Rubin Music Academy in Jerusalem, studying conducting and composition, and continued training in Europe with Sergiu Celibidache and Franco Ferrara, as well as at Tanglewood in the USA, where Leonard Bernstein personally selected him as a student and later invited him to assist in concerts worldwide.
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​Edelson has been internationally recognised, winning first prize at the BBC Rupert International Young Conductors' Competition and
has conducted major orchestras across Europe, Great Britain and Israel. Today, he is fully immersed in the world of Jewish music, both as an arranger and a composer.
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Israel’s exceptional artistry and deep understanding of music have been a major contribution to Yohanan’s work, shaping the sound and spirit of his compositions while fostering a rare and inspiring musical partnership.
ALBUMS
2023
Romantic Suite
2016
Alive Again
2016
Distant Shores
2016
Fun Time
2017
Piano Pictures
LISTENING PLATFORMS
