Art of the Mandolin is Avi Avital’s first recording program consisting exclusively of pieces originally written for the mandolin. His personal take on the best existing repertoire for the instrument, and a showcase presentation of the fullest spectrum of its expressive potential.

From Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Mandolins in G Major through Beethoven's seldom performed Adagio in E flat Major to contemporary pieces commissioned over the last few years by Avi himself works by composers like Antonio Vivaldi, Domenico Scarlatti, Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul Ben Haim, David Bruce, Giovanni Sollima , Hans Werner Henze

This project represents a return to the heart of the instrument from a very long journey, which had Avi and his mandolin travel to the terrain of the violin, the harpsichord, the flute… This is the moment to call it home, and present pieces written for mandolin.

Musical Partners: Venice Baroque Orchestra, Anneleen Lenaerts (harp), Sean Shibe (guitar), Yizhar Karshon (harpsichord), Ophira Zakai (theorbo)

• Beethoven: Adagio for mandolin and fortepiano in E flat major, WoO 43b
• Ben-Haim: Sonata a Tre for Mandolin, Guitar, Harpsichord
• Bruce, D: Death Is a Friend of Ours
• Henze, H: Carillon, Recitatif, Masque
• Scarlatti, D: Violin Sonata in D minor, K89
• Sollima: Prelude for Mandolin Solo
• Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Mandolins, Strings and Continuo in G, R.532