Transcendent Bach
Avi Avital bears a unique claim to fame: he is the first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy Award. Known as both an ardent champion of his instrument and a remarkable virtuoso on it, Avital makes his Minnesota Orchestra debut, December 5 and 6, in concerts celebrating Bach’s music.
Not quite sure what Bach on the mandolin will sound like? Avital has actually made it something of a specialty with two albums dedicated solely to Bach transcriptions. "I believe Bach’s music is so deep, so absolute, so universal that it crosses boundaries of instruments, culture and language," he says. "There is always something to be discovered with Bach."
Take a listen to see what he means.
Is there any melody as sublime as Bach’s Largo from the Concerto in G minor? (And yes, Avital will play this exquisite piece at Orchestra Hall.)
And for something a little different, check out this Avital original, performed before thousands at the BBC Proms in the Park.
Music—and this is very present in Bach’s music—contains everything. It contains the whole life and the whole being, inside. When I play, though, I try to cancel everything, in a way to disappear to just become a channel to this music.”
Hear Avi Avital and the Minnesota Orchestra, led by Jordan de Souza, performing the Best of Bach, December 5-6.
