Introducing Duo Mantar: Jacob Reuven, Mandolin;Adam Levin, Guitar
Good Morning Mandolin and Plucked Instrument Friends:
I want to take a moment to formally introduce the mandolin community to our new group, Duo Mantar, which is comprised of Israeli Mandolinist, Jacob Reuven (whom you may know already), and American classical guitarist, Adam Levin (me). We met two years ago after my father sent me a random email with a video of Jacob performing Eugene Ysaye’s famous solo virtuoso violin piece, Preludio (Obsession). I, similarly, adapted it for solo guitar. Hazaa! I wrote him and he just happened to be proposing two projects, both of which included the GUITAR! Lucky me. We met, rehearsed, and the rest is history.
Today, we embark on a new project together of Israeli music for mandolin and guitar. To our knowledge this has never been done before. We have both commissioned new works by todays top Israeli composers and arranged others for our combo. For me, it’s been a revelation; the music is fantastic and my musical partner, Jacob (Yaki), is a truly sensational musician.
This October 2019, we will record this Israeli music on the Naxos Label with master Canadian engineer Norbert Kraft. It will include works by Jan Freidlin, Paul Ben-Haim, Yehezkel Braun, Oren Lok, Josef Bardanashvili, Ittai Rosenbaum, and Marc Lavry. Take a moment to listen to some of their music. Two years ago, I had no idea they existed. Their music is simply wonderful. We go on tour tomorrow for 11 shows! Join us.
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