JERUSALEM — Israelis disappointed 35 years ago when the government barred the Beatles from performing here have an opportunity to gain some closure this week.
Sir George Martin, the legendary record producer who discovered the Beatles, will conduct the Israel Philharmonic in tributes to the group this weekend in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The collaboration with the Israel Philharmonic is part of an international tour in which Martin will conduct well-known orchestras in renditions of Beatles songs.
Martin said he was unaware of the objections raised by the government in 1964, when the Beatles were designated persona non grata out of concern their music would corrupt the country’s youth.
“The government today is different than the one then,” he said diplomatically.
The idea for the concert tour grew out of Martin’s last studio work, “In My Life,” which brought together such stars as Celine Dion, Goldie Hawn and Robin Williams.
More recently, he has focused on composing, orchestrating, lecturing and philanthropic work.
“I’ve been making records, producing records now for nearly 50 years, and this time I stopped because it’s a young man’s business, and I didn’t want to go on doing things I didn’t think that I’m as good at doing as I used to be,” he said.
Some of Israel’s top musical artists will be appearing alongside the Israel Philharmonic in the two scheduled performances.