InConcert Sierra presents mandolin soloist Avi Avital and guitar duo Assad Brothers on February 24

A trio of superstars in the classical music world — mandolin soloist Avi Avital and the guitar duo Assad Brothers — are going to perform February 24 in Grass Valley, thanks to InConcert Sierra.

The celebrated Brazilian-born Assad Brothers with their exceptional artistry and uncanny musicianship, are teaming up with Israeli superstar Avital, the first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy Award and a fervent and “explosively charismatic” (The New York Times) player, to present a brand-new program that explores classical repertoire reimagined for guitar and mandolin.

The trio will explore both classical repertoire reimagined for guitar and mandolin, and traditional choro music, a popular genre in Brazil known for its upbeat rhythms and bravura virtuosity.

The Assad Brothers: Their exceptional artistry and uncanny ensemble playing come from both a family rich in Brazilian musical tradition and from studies with the guitar/lutenist Monina Távora (1921-2011), a disciple of Andrés Segovia. In addition to setting new performance standards, the Assads have played a major role in creating and introducing new music for two guitars. Their virtuosity has inspired a wide range of composers to write for them including Astor Piazzolla, Terry Riley, Radamés Gnattali, Marlos Nobre, Nikita Koshkin, Roland Dyens, Jorge Morel, Edino Krieger and Francisco Mignone.

Avi Avital: Acknowledged by The New York Times for his “exquisitely sensitive playing” and “stunning agility”, Grammy-nominated mandolinist Avi Avital is one of the world’s most exciting and adventurous musicians. He is deeply committed to building a fresh legacy for the mandolin through virtuosic performance in a range of genres and commissioning new works for mandolin. Avi Avital is internationally regarded for his performances at venues including Carnegie Hall (Weill Hall), Lincoln Center, Berlin Philharmonie, KKL Luzern, Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing and the Wigmore Hall.

The concert is at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, February 24.