Avi Avital

Mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital leads an ensemble that challenges the boundaries between classical and folk music. Each project of the Between Worlds Ensemble is dedicated to a different geographical region - the Iberian Peninsula, the south of Italy and the Black Sea - and paints a rich musical portrait of that region in bright colours and detailed nuances. Classical composers from each region are played side by side with traditional music that often inspired their work, performed together with renowned folk vocalists and instrumentalists as guest artists.

Explosively charismatic (New York Times) classical mandolin player Avi Avital teams up with jazz bassist Omer Avital for Avital Meets Avital. Of no relation, both musicians were born and raised by Moroccan parents in Israel.

Following his successful Deutsche Grammophon debut “Bach”, Avi Avital has continued to immerse himself in the music of J.S. Bach. For his upcoming tour in the Spring of 2019, the Grammy-nominated mandolin virtuoso from Israel has arranged two of Bach’s best known works, the Solo Partita No. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 and the famous Prélude from Cellosuite No. 1. The Extended Edition of his 2012 album includes around 33 minutes of newly recorded Bach as arranged by Avital.

The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital is one of the foremost ambassadors for his instrument. Passionate and “explosively charismatic” (New York Times) in live performance, he is a driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin repertory. “The exciting part of being a classical mandolin player,” he says, “is that it opens a wide field for creative freedom. When I commission new pieces and engage with different musical styles, I feel that I am bringing to light new faces of this unique instrument, uncovering what is hiding there.”

The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital is one of the foremost ambassadors for his instrument. Passionate and “explosively charismatic” (New York Times) in live performance, he is a driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin repertory. “The exciting part of being a classical mandolin player,” he says, “is that it opens a wide field for creative freedom. When I commission new pieces and engage with different musical styles, I feel that I am bringing to light new faces of this unique instrument, uncovering what is hiding there.”

Mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital announces his EP ‘Italy’, the first of 3 diversely themed EP’s released prior to the full album Song of the Birds.

Mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital announces his EP ‘Italy’, the first of 3 diversely themed EP’s released prior to the full album Song of the Birds.

Following his successful Deutsche Grammophon debut “Bach”, Avi Avital has continued to immerse himself in the music of J.S. Bach. For his upcoming tour in the Spring of 2019, the Grammy-nominated mandolin virtuoso from Israel has arranged two of Bach’s best known works, the Solo Partita No. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 and the famous Prélude from Cellosuite No. 1. The Extended Edition of his 2012 album includes around 33 minutes of newly recorded Bach as arranged by Avital.

From Bach to Bluegrass to Balkan Beats, the mandolin is the chameleon of the music world - every culture and musical genre features the mandolin or one of its close relatives - and Avi Avital is this beautiful instruments most charismatic, versatile exponent. A genre-defying tour of the globe exploring the nexus between classical, popular and traditional music uniquely inhabited by Avi Avital and his magical mandolin.