February 26, 2026: Guest host Brandi Parisi welcomes Avi Avital with the Oregon Symphony; and Cascadia Composers to the Irving Levin Performance Hall.
Tune in Thursday at 3:00 PM PT at 89.9 FM in Portland, OR or from anywhere in the world on our website.
ABOUT
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.
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. He plays on a mandolin made by Israeli luthier Arik Kerman.
Learn more at aviavital.com.
Cascadia Composers is a welcoming and far-reaching cooperative of living composers that promotes a kaleidoscopic cross-section of new musical art, reflecting and beautifying our modern world.
Based in Oregon and comprised of over 100 composers, this non-profit is the largest local chapter of the National Association of Composers USA, and a go-to resource within the Pacific Northwest for exciting and inspirational music. Inclusive and accessible, Cascadia Composers celebrates diversity and an expansive palette of artistic voices.
Keep reading at cascadiacomposers.org.
