Legend has it that the humble mandolin was first used to serenade passengers on gondolas in Venice, so it’s only fitting that mandolinist Avi Avital has been captivating audiences across the globe with the sheer brilliance and lyrical subtlety of his playing. Recognised by The New York Times for his “exquisitely sensitive playing” and “stunning agility,” in 2010 Avital became the first mandolin player to receive a Grammy nomination in the category “Best Instrumental Soloist.”

His finesse, energy, and breath-taking virtuosity are matched by the star accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, who joins him for this very special Music Network tour. Like Avital, the young Latvian goes far beyond her instrument’s folk roots, whether stealing hearts with some smokily beguiling tangos, or transfixing audiences with her delicate but staggeringly precise transcriptions of Bach and Scarlatti.

With two such charismatic performers sharing the stage, prepare to be utterly seduced!

Béla Bartók (1881- 1945)
Romanian Folk Dances
Jocul cu Bâtă | Brâul | Pe Loc | Buciumeana | Poarga Românească | Mărunţel

Manuel de Falla (1876–1946)
6 Canzoni Popolari Spagnole
El Paño Moruno | Asturiana | Jota | Nana | Canción | Polo

J. S. Bach (1685 - 1750)
Partita BWV 1004 in D minor / Ciaccona

Fritz Kreisler (1875 - 1962)
Prelude and Allegro

Ian Wilson
Spilliaert’s Beach

Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)
Revis Fairytale
1. Chichikov’s Childhood 2. Officials 3. Waltz 4. Polka

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) 
Histoire du Tango
Café 1930 | Night-club 1960

Nikolai Budashkin (1910-1988)
Concerto in A minor

Full tour details here.