Beaches Fine Arts continues its 53rd season with Avi Avital, the first mandolinist to receive a classical Grammy nomination, and Viano Quartet, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Paul’s by the Sea, Jacksonville Beach. Admission is free and followed by a reception hosted by Oceanside Rotary.
St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church is located at 456 11th Ave. North.
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 Heifetz for his incredible virtuosity.
Passionate and “explosively charismatic” (New York Times) in live performance, he is the driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin: for more than two decades he has reshaped the history and the future of his instrument, playing it in the most prestigious halls all over the world.
In addition to that, Avital has expanded the mandolin repertoire not only with transcriptions of various pieces, but by commissioning more than 100 works for the mandolin including concertos for mandolin and orchestra by Jennifer Higdon, Anna Clyne, Avner Dorman and Giovanni Sollima.
Praised for their “virtuosity, visceral expression and rare unity of intention” (Boston Globe), the Viano Quartet has quickly soared to international acclaim as one of the most dynamic and in-demand quartets of their generation.
Winners of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2025, the ensemble has captivated audiences worldwide ever since they were awarded First Prize at the 13th Banff International String Quartet Competition, with appearances at renowned venues such as Lincoln Center in New York, Berlin’s Konzerthaus, Toronto’s Koerner Hall, Hong Kong’s City Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall.
The Viano Quartet are Bowers Program Artists at The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center from 2024 to 2027.
A reception to meet the artists follows the free concert in Christopher Lobby at the rear of the sanctuary.
For more information, go to beachesfinearts.org/avi-avital-and-viano-string-quartet.
