Art of the Mandolin

1. Concerto for 2 Mandolins in G Major, RV 532 : I. Allegro (3:38)
2. Concerto for 2 Mandolins in G Major, RV 532 : II. Andante (4:27)
3. Concerto for 2 Mandolins in G Major, RV 532 : III. Allegro (3:01)
4. Adagio for Mandolin and Harpsichord in E Flat Major, WoO 43b (Transcr. for Mandolin and Harp) (4:32)
5. “Death Is a Friend of Ours” for Mandolin, Harp, Harpsichord, Theorbo, Guitar : I. Inside the Wave (3:24)
6. “Death Is a Friend of Ours” for Mandolin, Harp, Harpsichord, Theorbo, Guitar : II. The Death of Despair (4:48)
7. “Death Is a Friend of Ours” for Mandolin, Harp, Harpsichord, Theorbo, Guitar : III. Death Is a Friend of Ours (3:40)
8. Prelude for Mandolin Solo (4:15)
9. Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 89 : I. Allegro (Transcr. for Mandolin and Basso continuo) (2:44)
10. Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 89 : II. Grave (Transcr. for Mandolin and Basso continuo) (1:08)
11. Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 89 : III. Allegro (Transcr. for Mandolin and Basso continuo) (1:46)
12. Sonata a Tre for Mandolin, Guitar, Harpsichord : I. Allegro aperto (3:24)
13. Sonata a Tre for Mandolin, Guitar, Harpsichord : II. Lentamente recitando (3:35)
14. Sonata a Tre for Mandolin, Guitar, Harpsichord : III. Lo stesso movimento (4:15)
15. Carillon, Récitatif and Masque for Mandolin, Guitar, Harp : I. Carillon. Allegretto (5:34)
16. Carillon, Récitatif and Masque for Mandolin, Guitar, Harp : II. Récitatif. Adagio (2:19)
17. Carillon, Récitatif and Masque for Mandolin, Guitar, Harp : III. Masque (1:27)

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)