There are very few artists who are as inspiring and important to me as Yoni Rechter. One of Israel’s best known and loved composers, his music helped define the newly formed Israeli musical landscape, and his children songs, theater and orchestral scores, and popular music have brought up generation after generation of listeners. I find today that the more I learn about making music, the deeper my appreciation grows for this remarkable person, who is still adding to his canonic body of work, studying, and taking music lessons.

Among the countless albums and projects Rechter was involved with, I was always drawn most to the songs he performed himself, his personal music. In interviews he tells of his innate shyness and the long process that led him to finally record his debut album Intentions at age 26, after several years of high profile collaborations and writing for popular acts. “To mean every note,” in his own words, is the main idea that drives this album, and one can sense the maturity and courage of such a daring declaration. Well worth the wait, the album is a beautiful introduction to the young artist’s personality and the ever-present range of musical styles that pervades all of his work: Jazz, Rock and Classical music. Drawing inspiration from as far and wide as Bach, Bill Evans and The Beatles, Rechter’s music is instantly recognizable and is rich with ideas and excitement, vitality and charm.

One track that always stood out to me is called “Fantasia,” perhaps after the classical music term for a free-form, improvisatory piece of music. This intimate solo piano track lays out the composer’s thought process as he plays around with a short theme and carries it through moods, variations and styles in a dense and dizzying flow of compositional ideas. As you listen to this very complicated and modern music, try to tune in to a singing quality, like a single voice humming along.

The challenge of transcribing and playing this piece has been with me for many years. I present it to you now as a work in progress, with plenty of room for improvement, but also with a great respect and the intention to pay homage to one of my favorite artists and to inspire others with his music. I hope you enjoy this rendition of “Fantasia.”