He is a special presence in the world of contemporary music. Firstly, due to the instrument that he handles with an astonishing virtuosity - the mandolin; secondly, due to the uniqueness of the repertoire that he highlights in some extremely interesting personal transcriptions, because mandolin pieces have scarcely been written over the years; and thirdly, due to the emotion and the expressivenessof his way of performing.

His name is Avi Avital and he claims that one of his goals is to redefine the repertoire and the role of the mandolin as a classical instrument. It is a purpose that he hangs onto, because he has the wish to spread out the fan of a far more complex literature dedicated to the mandolin, as the music he loves, the one that he is connected to and wishes to perform, was not necessarily composed for his instrument.

For that reason, the three albums that were launched and signed by him so far reflect his performing preoccupations and suggest a sonorous world of a rare beauty that cannot be easily found these days.

You will fiind out more about the mandolinist Avi Avital, his artistic beliefs and the music he plays during the programme entitled The Portrait of a Nonconformist on Sunday, 4^th October, at 10.00.