"Dear Members of the Committee, It is with pleasure that I am writing to recommend Shimon Levtov for the Yuri Stern Prize.
I have known Maestro Levtov for the past four years. During this period of time I have invited him to perform at the international Estonian-Israeli music festival MustonenFest Tallinn - Tel Aviv, we have collaborated on major works such as the Verdi Requiem, the Dvorak Requiem, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and are about to undertake a project of Carmina Burana by Orff. These complex masterpieces require the highest command of musical craft, which Shimon Levtov fully possesses. The choirs he directs are always prepared with utmost professionalism. In fact, it has been striking for me to meet this level of preparedness time and again, and I look forward to future opportunities to work together. There have been a few projects that have included outstanding choirs from Estonia and Latvia, and it is worth noting that the musical integration between these choirs and the choirs directed and prepared by Shimon has been as smooth as it could be. This is a nuanced skill that is rare to encounter as performed on such a high level. I have also attended rehearsals of the numerous choirs conducted by Shimon Levtov and can attest to the way the professionalism of his craft and the infectious enthusiasm are evidenced in these rehearsals, and win everyone over.
Shimon Levtov is one of the best conductors in Israel; I give him my highest recommendation."