AVI AVITAL

This Grammy-nominated mandolinist is one of the world’s most exciting and innovative musicians, deeply committed to building a fresh legacy for the mandolin through virtuosic performance and by commissioning new works for the instrument.  Recognized by The New York Times for his ‘exquisitely sensitive playing’ and ‘stunning agility’, he now records exclusively with Deutsche Grammophon.  His debut release (2012) featured his own transcriptions of J. S. Bach’s Concertos for harpsichord and violin in arrangements for mandolin and orchestra. His next disc will introduce chamber music compositions from Ernest Bloch and De Falla to traditional Bulgarian Folk Tunes and will be released in early 2014.  This is the first performance in the Vancouver Recital Society’s history to feature the mandolin.

PLAYHOUSE, 3PM, JANUARY 12