Prof. Mendi Rodan

Prof. Mendi Rodan

Prof. Mendi Rodan

Teaching Areas: 
Position in the Academy: 
Head of the Academy between 1985-1994

Mendi Rodan (Rosenblum) (1929–2009) was a Romanian-born Israeli conductor, violinist, and educator. Born in Iaşi, Romania, he began playing the violin at the age of five and studied conducting under Constantin Silvestri at the Romanian National Academy of Music in Bucharest. He also studied chamber music with composer Michai Andryko and pursued advanced training at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest.

At just 16, Rodan became the first violinist of the National Symphony of Romania and, by 24, its conductor. In 1960, he immigrated to Israel, where his illustrious career flourished. He conducted the Chamber Orchestra of Ramat Gan (1961–1963), served as principal conductor and musical director of the Israel Radio Orchestra (1963–1972), and held leadership roles with the Israel Sinfonietta Beersheba (1977–1991) and the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion (1997–2005). He also directed the National Orchestra of Belgium (1985–1989). Rodan was a regular guest conductor with major international ensembles, including the Oslo Philharmonic, Berlin Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. He also conducted at prestigious events such as the Israel Festival and the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition.

A passionate educator, Rodan taught at institutions such as the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and Tel Aviv University’s Buchman-Mehta School of Music. He was active on national cultural councils and served as a guest professor at universities worldwide, including the Eastman School of Music and Brigham Young University. His contributions to Israeli music were recognized with the Israel Prize for Music in 2006.