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Avi Avital

Art of the Mandolin

Deutsche Grammophon

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Avi talks with Classic 107 - Winnipeg's Chris Wolf
Avi Avital on first discovering the mandolin
LISTEN Magazine: Avi Avital interview
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Mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital puts the string instrument back on the world map • FRANCE 24 English
France 24
My Favorite Deutsche Grammophon Album by... Avi Avital
1 Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Mandolins in G Major, RV 532 - I. Allegro 3:37  
2 II. Andante 4:27  
3 III. Allegro 3:01  
4 Beethoven: Adagio for Mandolin and Harpsichord in E Flat Major, WoO 43b  
5 Death Is a Friend of Ours for Mandolin, Harp, Harpsichord, Theorbo, Guitar - I. Inside the Wave 3:23  
6 II. The Death of Despair 4:48  
7 III. Death Is a Friend of Ours 3:40  
8 Sollima: Prelude for Mandolin Solo 4:14  
9 Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 89 - I. Allegro 2:43  
10 II. Grave 1:08  
11 III. Allegro 1:45  
12 Ben-Haim: Sonata a Tre for Mandolin, Guitar, Harpsichord - I. Allegro aperto 3:23  
13 II. Lentamente recitando 3:35  
14 III. Lo stesso movimento 4:14  
15 Henze: Carillon, Recitatif and Masque for Mandolin, Guitar, Harp - I. Carillon. Allegretto 5:33  
16 II. Recitatif. Adagio 2:19  
17 III. Masque 1:26  
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Backed by years of study and critically acclaimed performances, Avi Avital's latest album for Deutsche Grammophon presents a survey of the finest works ever written for mandolin. The pioneering Israeli musician's first full recording of original compositions for his instrument reflects the quality and breadth of its classical repertoire. Art of the Mandolin, released today internationally, also charts the artistic journey of a performer whose inspired new commissions and arrangements of virtuoso works have introduced the solo mandolin to the world's leading concert halls.

Art of the Mandolin, on which Avital is joined by the Venice Baroque Orchestra, harpist Anneleen Lenaerts, guitarist Sean Shibe, harpsichordist Yizhar Karshon and theorbo player Ophira Zakai, includes a concerto by Vivaldi, a sonata by Domenico Scarlatti, Beethoven's exquisite yet little-known Adagio ma non troppo for mandolin and harpsichord (or harp), and more recent chamber and solo works by Paul Ben-Haim, Hans Werner Henze, Giovanni Sollima and David Bruce. The programme not only reveals the versatility of this instrument but allows glimpses of its fascinating history over the last three centuries. Avital has specifically chosen music by composers not known for their mandolin works: "I wanted to explore what the instrument meant, and means, in the wider world – to composers who are, as it were, coming to it from the outside rather than the inside." 

  • Avi Avital showcases new concerto with VSO / Vancouver Sun
    Posted At: January 17, 2024
    The orchestra has something exceptional on tap for mid-January: a trio of performances featuring guest conductor Tianyi Lu and mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital. Vancouver Sun - David Gordon Duke writes…Members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra rang in 2024 on New Year’s Day with a traditional Vienna-style matinee. But with that annual event out of the way, the orchestra has something quite new and except...

  • Turns out, accordion and mandolin go great together / SFCV
    Posted At: October 10, 2023
    SFCV's Lou Fancher writes….Arriving at Cal Performances’ Hertz Hall on Oct. 15 and toting her free-base (button) accordion, Hanzhi Wang will share a program with mandolinist Avi Avital that brings new meaning to an instrument more commonly associated with Oktoberfest.Together and separately, Wang and Avital are recognized for their groundbreaking approaches to their instruments and to the classical repertoi...

  • Mandolin magic in Toronto. The artistry of Avi Avital / La Scena Musicale
    Posted At: April 26, 2023
    La Scena Musicale's PAUL E. ROBINSON writes….The mandolin is not widely recognized as a regular component of classical music concerts, but in a recent concert in Toronto the Israeli mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital made the best possible case for his instrument. Avital was joined by about 20 string players from the Toronto Symphony for a richly rewarding program of Vivaldi and Bach concertos, along with a recen...

  • Avi Avital chats with FRANCE 24
    Posted At: December 12, 2022
    The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital has been compared to Andres Segovia for his championship of his instrument and to Jascha Heifitz for his incredible virtuosity. Passionate and “explosively charismatic” (New York Times) in live performance, he is a driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin repertory.He has commissioned over 100 works for the mandolin...

  • Avi Avital loves his plucked string family / New Classical Tracks
    Posted At: February 17, 2021

    New Classical Tracks Julie Amacher writes......Backed by years of study and critically acclaimed performances, Avi Avital's latest album for Deutsche Grammophon presents a survey of the finest works ever written for mandolin. The pioneering Israeli musician's first full recording of original compositions for his instrument reflects the quality and breadth of its classical repertoir...

  • Avi Avital discusses 'Art of the Mandolin' with VPM Music
    Posted At: January 22, 2021

    Mandolin player Avi Avital recently joined Virginia's VPM Music, Classical Music Host, Mike Goldberg for a discussion about his new album "The Art of the Mandolin" on the Deutsche Grammophon label. The release features a program of original works for the mandolin, along with world premiere recordings of recent commissions.  Composers that are represented include Beethoven, Vivaldi and ...

  • 99.5CRB - Out of the Box interviews Avi Avital on the 'Art of the Mandolin'
    Posted At: January 14, 2021

    99.5CRB - Boston - CHRIS VOSS writes.......When I asked Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital about his newest album and how it differed from his previous mandolin albums, he answered me with a wry, winking smile: "I don't have other mandolin albums." Which is true enough. Avital's past albums - like the 2012 Bach album or the 2015 Vivaldi album - have mostly included pieces composed for other instrumen...

  • Avi Avital discusses 'Art of the Mandolin' with the Harmonious World Podcast
    Posted At: December 28, 2020

    For the last episode of 2020, Harmonious World's Hilary Robertson interviewed mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital. Avi has a new album out - 'Art of the Mandolin' - which feature music composed specifically for the instrument. There are some stunning performances and this is a great album to end 2020 with. Avi was the first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, and you can hea...

  • Classic 107 - Winnipeg: Intermezzo host Chris Wolf chats with Avi Avital about 'The Art of the Mandolin'
    Posted At: December 23, 2020

    This Week Intermezzo Host Chris Wolf had the pleasure of talking with mandolin phenome Avi Avital about his latest CD. Click here to see the page, look at the video, and read the entire conversation here below. 2020 will be remembered for the COVID 19 pandemic. Throughout this year, all sectors of the arts have taken a huge hit with concerts, exhibitions, and theatre performances all being cancelled ...

  • Avi Avital - Art of the Mandolin is the WFMT: Featured New Release
    Posted At: November 21, 2020

    "Art of the Mandolin" is a celebration of the mandolin and its diverse repertoire, offering a guided tour of the instrument's rich history and a star performer's personal selection of some of its greatest compositions. However, as Avi Avital comments: "This is not an introduction to the mandolin. It's the essence of the mandolin." Avital, who has commissioned and premiered many new mandolin works himself...

  • Avi Avital's Bach is back, with an amazing new recording of the second violin partita and a DVD / WCRB: CD Of the Week
    Posted At: June 24, 2019

    Mandolinist Avi Avital has brought the music he loves into venues of every sort. But his nightclub Vivaldi and his Carnegie Hall Bach have the same loving approach – deeply felt, nuanced with sparkling precision, and phrased with the natural breathing of a singer. While he is one of those performers whose warm and humble presence can win an audience over before he even plays, his technique allows h...

  • The playing on Avi Avital's new J.S Bach album is outstanding / CD HotList
    Posted At: May 6, 2019

    The mandolin has never gotten the respect it deserves in the context of classical music; these days in Europe it's most commonly associated with syrupy Neapolitan love songs, and in the US it's most widely known as a bluegrass instrument. But the repertoire of classical music featuring the mandolin is, if not vast, at least considerable, and one of the most notable composers to have used that instrument ...

  • Nicholas McGegan to conduct DSO with Avi Avital in 'Vivaldi's Gloria' program / The Detroit News
    Posted At: April 19, 2019

    Orchestra Hall will swell with baroque precision April 25-27 when the Detroit Symphony Orchestra celebrates "Vivaldi's Gloria," with four works by one of the classical canon's biggest crowd-pleasers. The guest conductor will be Nicholas McGegan, whom the London Independent called "one of the finest baroque conductors of his generation." The featured soloist will be the celebrated Israeli mandolin...

  • CAMA celebrates 100th anniversary with LACO & Avi Avital / Santa Barbara Independent
    Posted At: December 4, 2018

    After a century of outstanding classical music programming in Santa Barbara, CAMA on Tuesday, December 11, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will perform a free community concert at the Granada in honor of CAMA's 100th anniversary, and it's going to be a special night thanks to the presence of master mandolinist Avi Avital. This concert is part of the LACO's Baroque Conversations concert...

  • Avi Avital, between musical worlds / WRTI: Classical Album of the Week
    Posted At: September 10, 2018

    A happy and healthy New Year to all our listeners celebrating the Jewish High Holidays! And for ALL our listeners, here's our delightful Album of the Week: Between Worlds with Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital. Avital is acclaimed for his recordings of Baroque classical masters J.S. Bach and Vivaldi. Between Worlds, released by Deutsche Grammophon in 2014, is something entirely different. In it, the artist ...

  • Avi Avital is on a mandolin mission / Daily Telegraph
    Posted At: April 10, 2018

    AVI Avital is doing for the mandolin what the great Spaniard Andreas Segovia did for the classical guitar - lifting the instrument from being an occasional curiosity into becoming a concert hall mainstream player. He's doing it by combining his own arrangements of Baroque and folk pieces written for the violin with works commissioned from contemporary composers to expand the limited repertoire. Apart fro...

  • Sarah's Music features Avi Avital on Deutsche Welle
    Posted At: July 25, 2017

    Berlin, Berlin! Germany´s capital is full of music and many episodes of Sarah´s Music have been filmed here. Sarah Willis shares one of her favourite Berlin episodes...with Avi Avital. Acknowledged by The New York Times for his "exquisitely sensitive playing" and "stunning agility", Grammy-nominated mandolinist Avi Avital is one of the world's most exciting and adventur...

  • KUHA: Houston - Classical Classroom: Mandolin Man, Avi Avital
    Posted At: May 5, 2015

    According to Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Avi Avital, while the bass is not bad, it's more about that mandolin. Which is also what this whole episode is about! Avi tells all: Where did the mandolin come from? Who composes for it? Why does he advocate for such a strange instrument? And how much did he play that one REM song in high school? Learn all of this and more right here!  LISTEN TO...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi / WETA: CD Pick Of the Week
    Posted At: April 27, 2015

    Classical WETA 90.9 FM showcases notable new (or newly reissued) CDs each week. Hear selections from the CD on-air throughout the week, and check online to learn more about the artist and the music. Our friends at ArkivMusic join in by putting that recording on sale for the entire week and contributing a portion of each sale to WETA. Classical WETA and sister station VivaLaVoce.org join forces for ou...

  • New Classical Tracks: Capturing the magic of Venice with Avi Avital
    Posted At: April 8, 2015

    New Classical Tracks is a Syndicated Feature airing Nationally on Classical 24 & Statewide on Minnesota Public Radio. Listen to Julie Amacher's Feature with Avi Avital Treviso is a charming, historic town with Renaissance squares, palaces, richly frescoed churches, and streets woven with ancient waterways. According to mandolinist Avi Avital, this quiet, stress-free gateway to Venice was...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi / All Classical Portland: CD Pick & Interview
    Posted At: March 18, 2015

    Last summer, we introduced you to Avi Avital with "Between Worlds", Mr. Avital's second CD for Deutsche Grammophon, where the Israeli-born mandolinist sought to bridge classical and folk genres, and effortlessly navigated between those "worlds".  Now making Berlin his home, Avi is embarking on a tour with Venice Baroque Orchestra, playing works by that city's most famous son, Antonio Vivaldi...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi / WCRB: CD of the Week
    Posted At: March 16, 2015

    Each week WCRB: Boston presents a CD of the Week, which can be heard online and on-air at 99.5 WCRB. The week's pick is Vivaldi from the GRAMMY-nominated Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital. Praised as a both an "enthralling and sensitive soloist" (Boston Globe) and a "convincing advocate for his instrument" (Wall Street Journal), Avital is the first mandolinist signed to Deutsche Grammophon and has b...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi / Interview with WGTE: Toledo
    Posted At: March 12, 2015

    The GRAMMY-nominated Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital has been praised as a both an "enthralling and sensitive soloist" (Boston Globe) and a "convincing advocate for his instrument" (Wall Street Journal).  As the first mandolinist signed to Deutsche Grammophon, he has brought the instrument to entirely new audiences, building a fresh legacy for the mandolin through virtuosic performance and a commitme...

  • Avi Avital in NYC for Greene Space show / WQXR: Album Of the Week
    Posted At: March 9, 2015

    Vivaldi will always be a violinist's favorite but mandolin players have plenty of reasons to be thankful for the Red Priest's efforts on behalf of their instrument. He wrote two concertos for the mandolin, both of which Avi Avital plays on his new recording with the Venice Baroque Orchestra, one of today's most respected period-instrument ensembles. Born in Israel, Avital himself lived in Ita...

  • Avi Avital interview with Classical Guitar Alive
    Posted At: March 5, 2015

    GRAMMY-nominated Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital has just released Vivaldi, his third album on DG that returns the instrument to its origins-the Venetian Baroque and master composer Antonio Vivaldi. Avital captures the mystical spirit of Venice, shedding and schredding new light on Vivaldi's musical genius by performing his own transcriptions of the composer's works. He is join...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi - interview with KMFA: Austin
    Posted At: March 5, 2015

    GRAMMY-nominated Avi Avital has been praised as a both an "enthralling and sensitive soloist" (Boston Globe) and a "convincing advocate for his instrument" (Wall Street Journal).  As the first mandolinist signed to Deutsche Grammophon, he has brought the instrument to entirely new audiences, building a fresh legacy for the mandolin through virtuosic performance and a commitment to commissioning new ...

  • Avi Avital sings Happy Birthday to Vivaldi
    Posted At: March 4, 2015

    An ordained priest, Antonio Vivaldi was one of the most prolific composers of all time creating hundreds of works. Renowned for his concertos and operas, including Argippo and Bajazet, Vivaldi's influence, innovation and contribution to the Baroque Period was significant.  Avi Avital's celebrates the composer and the great VBO orchestra on his new DG release - Vivaldi. Avital says:&...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi / interview with Indiana Public Radio
    Posted At: March 4, 2015

    The GRAMMY-nominated Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital has just released Vivaldi, his third album on DG that returns the instrument to its origins-the Venetian Baroque and master composer Antonio Vivaldi. Avital captures the mystical spirit of Venice, shedding and schredding new light on Vivaldi's musical genius by performing his own transcriptions of the composer's works. He is joined on the disc b...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi: Interview with WABE: Atlanta
    Posted At: March 2, 2015

    GRAMMY-nominated Avi Avital is the first mandolinist signed to Deutsche Grammophon and has brought the instrument to entirely new audiences. His new release - Vivaldi,  returns the instrument to its origins-the Venetian Baroque and master composer Antonio Vivaldi capturing the mystical spirit of Venice. WABE: Atlanta - Lois Reitzes interviewed Avi for today's Monday March 2 - ...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi / KDFC: CD Of the Week
    Posted At: February 24, 2015

    Israeli mandolin master, Avi Avital has had a lot of experience transcribing music to fit his instrument since there is relatively little music written specially for the mandolin. In the case of the Vivaldi Mandolin Concerto in C, however, he has the pleasure of performing a great work in its original form. That being said, this new recording also contains a host of Avital's nimble transcriptions, fr...

  • Avi Avital stops by WFMT before his show at 'University of Chicago'
    Posted At: February 20, 2015

    GRAMMY®-nominated mandolinist Avi Avital has been called one of the world's most exciting and enterprising musicians, deeply committed to building a fresh legacy for the mandolin through virtuosic performance and distinctive new repertoire while celebrating the instrument's classical roots. This Wednesday - February 24, Avital will release Vivaldi, his third album on DG that returns the instrumen...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi is Classic 107: Winnipeg / 'March Classical Recording of the Month'
    Posted At: February 17, 2015

    The GRAMMY-nominated Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital has been praised as a both an "enthralling and sensitive soloist" - Boston Globe) and a "convincing advocate for his instrument" - Wall Street Journal). As the first mandolinist signed to Deutsche Grammophon, he has brought the instrument to entirely new audiences, building a fresh legacy for the mandolin through virtuosic performance and a commitment t...

  • Avi Avital - Vivaldi / WFMT: New Release Of the Week
    Posted At: February 15, 2015

    Avi Avital re-imagines the sounds of Venice in this vivid homage to the most beloved composer of the Italian Baroque, Antonio Vivaldi. After his introduction with Bach and the colorful exploration of world music on ‘Between Worlds,' Avital presents four popular Vivaldi concertos on this album with the Venice Baroque Orchestra, as well as an 18th-century Venetian gondolier song with tenor Juan Diego...

  • Avi Avital on being a mandolin ambassador / Classic FM interview
    Posted At: August 1, 2014

    Bringing a new audience to the mandolin and the harpsichord, Avi Avital always seems to find mandolin ensembles in the most obscure places. Even before performing on stage at the Bristol Proms, he gave a masterclass to Bristol's mandolin group - a rare treat to play with one of the best mandolinists in the world. Speaking to Classic FM's Jane Jones, he explained exactly why he's planning ...

  • Avi Avital - Between Worlds / Otago Daily Times review
    Posted At: June 14, 2014

    Avi Avital is the Israeli mandolin virtuoso. He showed his class in an unlikely 2012 album of solo Bach. Now with Between Worlds he is joined by very talented friends on accordion, harp, clarinet and other instruments in an entertaining programme of a dozen classical ''pops''. It is entertainingly ''different'' in arrangements of Villa Lobos' Aria from Bachianas Br...

  • Avi Avital performs for Sinfini Music session
    Posted At: May 19, 2014

    Avi Avital has been taking Australia by storm, touring to Sydney and Melbourne and introducing audiences to the virtuosic possibilities of the mandolin. Last year we were lucky enough to have Avi perform at our live Sinfini Café session in the UK. He played a fantastic duet with the accordionist Martynas and it made us want to hear more. So we cleared a space in one of our meeting rooms and as...
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