As a piano soloist, Lahav Shani made his debut with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and legendary conductor Zubin Mehta when he was just 18 years old. As a double bassist, Shani became a regular sub with the IPO, and in 2020, was chosen overwhelmingly by his colleagues to succeed Mehta as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s music director. Lahav Shani has also been chief conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic since 2018. Under his direction, the RPO’s new all-Felix Mendelssohn album centers the “Scottish” Symphony No. 3, inspired by the rugged beauty of Scotland. The album also features the Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage Overture and three the composer’s Songs Without Words, orchestrated by Shani himself.