Avi Avital & Ksenija Sidorova

Avi Avital (mandolin) and Ksenija Sidorova (accordion) form a dynamic, innovative duo in contemporary classical music.

Join St. Louis Classical Guitar as we present a concert with Israeli mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital and Latvian accordion star Ksenija Sidorova, a fusion of virtuosic technique, folk roots, classical depth, and world rhythms, on Friday March 19, 7:30pm at the Ethical Society.

Avi Avital (mandolin) and Ksenija Sidorova (accordion) form a dynamic, innovative duo in contemporary classical music. The Israeli mandolin virtuoso—known for his luminous tone and genre-blending flair—and the Latvian accordion star—celebrated for her expressive intensity and charismatic presence—fuse virtuosic technique, folk roots, classical depth, and world rhythms into fresh, exhilarating performances.

In this exhilarating collaboration, they present a program that traces on the irresistible rhythmic arc of dance music: from courtly brilliance and introspective lyricism, through exuberant folk vitality and whimsical grotesquerie, to fervent passion and serene, poetic calm.

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. He has commissioned over 100 works for the mandolin including concertos for mandolin and orchestra by Anna Clyne, Jennifer Higdon, and Giovanni Sollima which he has performed with orchestras and conductors such as the Munich Philharmonic with Krzysztof Urbański, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Described as “revelatory” (The Telegraph) and “one of the most magnetic soloists you will ever see” (Seen and Heard International), Ksenija Sidorova is widely recognised as the leading ambassador of the classical accordion. Celebrated for her “verve, style, attitude and impeccable virtuosity” (ZealNYC), she brings a compelling blend of technical brilliance and expressive musicality to every performance. Her repertoire spans over three centuries encompassing works by J.S. Bach, Astor Piazzolla, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Václav Trojan, alongside a growing body of contemporary works written specifically for her. A passionate advocate for new music, Sidorova continues to expand the accordion repertoire through new commissions and collaborations.