Josef Bardanashvili is one of the most prominent Israeli composers. He is a diverse composer whose works comprise music for Operas, Ballets, Symphonies, Concertos, String Quartets, Quintets, Piano Trios, Piano Sonatas, Choir Music, music for 35 films, and 45 theater productions.
Born in 1948 in Batumi, Georgia. He studied at the Music Academy in Tbilisi under Aleksandr Shaverzashvili, where he graduated with a doctorate in composition. He was Director of the Music College in Batumi (1986-1991), and Culture Vice-Minister in Adjaria (1993-1994), and in this capacity organized numerous international music festivals. He settled in Israel in 1995.
Bardanashvili served as composer-in-residence of the Ra'anana Symphonette Orchestra in Israel from 1996 to 1999 and Musical Director of the International Biennial for Contemporary Music "Tempus Fugit" in Israel (2002, 2004, 2006), and is currently a composer-in-residence with the Israel Camerata Jerusalem. He taught at the Camera Obscura College and at Bar Ilan University. Currently, he is a faculty member of the Academy of Music at Tel-Aviv University and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.
He is frequently invited to serve as a juror at various musical competitions and to give master classes. classes and lectures at musical academies and schools.