Avi Avital and Hanzhi Wang – October 12, 2023 LiveEvents October 5, 2023 632 Bourgie Hall presents Avi Avital, mandolin & Hanzhi Wang, accordion A varied and dazzlingly virtuosic program performed by two outstanding artists rarely heard together in concert. Artists Avi Avital, mandolin The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital has been compared to Andres Segovia for his championship of his instrument and to Jascha Heifitz for his incredible virtuosity. Passionate and “explosively charismatic” (New York Times) in live performance, he is a driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin repertory. He has commissioned over 100 works for the mandolin including concertos for mandolin and orchestra by Anna Clyne, Jennifer Higdon, Avner Dorman, David Bruce and Giovanni Sollima which he has performed with orchestras and conductors such as the Munich Philharmonic with Krzysztof Urbański, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Robert Spano, Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI and Ryan Bancroft and the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Daniele Rustioni. Born in Be’er Sheva in southern Israel, Avital began learning the mandolin at the age of eight and soon joined the flourishing mandolin youth orchestra founded and directed by his charismatic teacher, Russian-born violinist Simcha Nathanson. He studied at the Jerusalem Music Academy and the Conservatorio Cesare Pollini in Padua with Ugo Orlandi. Winner of Israel’s prestigious Aviv Competitions in 2007, Avital is the first mandolinist in the history of the competition to be so honoured. Hanzhi Wang, accordion Acclaimed for her “staggering virtuosity,” Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist to ever win a place on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 60-year history. An ambassador for her instrument, Hanzhi has been praised for her captivating stage presence and performances that display passion and finesse. A groundbreaking artist, Hanzhi’s other firsts include being named Musical America’s “New Artist of the Month,” an interview and performance on the 2,145th episode of New York WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase as the first solo accordionist on the program. Hanzhi won First Prize in the 40th Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition in Italy. She inspires the next generation of accordionists with lectures, performances, and masterclasses at the Manhattan School of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music, Tianjin Music Conservatory, Ghent Music Conservatory (Belgium), and in Norway and Portugal. Composers Martin Lohse, James Black, and Sophia Gubaidulina have written and dedicated works to her. Ms. Wang earned her Bachelor’s degree at the China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She completed her Master’s degree and Soloist Diploma at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen with the renowned accordion professor Geir Draugsvoll. Program J.S. BACH Chaconne from the Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 (solo mandolin) KREISLER Praeludium and Allegro “in the Style of Pugnani” STRAVINSKY Suite italienne from Pulcinella (excerpts) SCARLATTI Sonata in C major, K. 159 MOSZKOWSKI Étincelles BARTÓK Romanian Folk Dances SARASATE Spanish Dances, Op. 22, No. 1, Romanza Andaluza FALLA Spanish Dance No. 1, from La Vida Breve SAINT-SAËNS Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 7:30pm To purchase your tickets visit: www.mbam.qc.ca/en/bourgie-hall/
