Avi Avital
The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital has been compared to Andres Segovia for his mastery of his instrument and to Jascha Heifetz for his incredible virtuosity. Passionate and ‘explosively charismatic’ (New York Times) in concert, he is the driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin: for over two decades, he has reshaped the history and future of his instrument, playing it in the most prestigious venues around the world. In addition, Avi Avital has expanded the mandolin repertoire not only by transcribing various pieces, but also by commissioning over 100 works for the mandolin, including concertos for mandolin and orchestra by Jennifer Higdon, Anna Clyne, Avner Dorman and Giovanni Sollima.
Highlights of the 2024/25 season include performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Freiburg Barockorchester, Philharmonia Baroque, Venice Baroque and Il Pomo d’Oro. Avi Avital performs in recital and chamber music with Maurice Steger and Sebastian Wienand, Ksenija Sidorova, Omer Klein and Brooklyn Rider. He has returned to London’s Cadogan & Wigmore Hall, Berlin’s Philharmonie, Frankfurt’s Alte Oper, Rome’s Aula Magna Sapienza, Florence’s Amici della Musica, Madrid’s Auditorio Nacional, Hong Kong’s City Hall, Minnesota’s Orchestra Hall and San Francisco’s Herbst Hall.