Our Song – Avi Avital & Omer Klein

The charismatic Avi Avital is undoubtedly one of the greatest mandolin players of our time. His recordings for Deutsche Grammophon are internationally acclaimed. For this program, Avital delves into classical music and also explores jazz. His congenial partner is the jazz pianist Omer Klein at his side, who has undoubtedly been elevated to the first rank of contemporary jazz pianists by the Jazz Podium.

Together they have developed a program that includes a very free performance of jazz pieces, original compositions and Israeli songs. But Avital cannot leave out Johann Sebastian Bach, his childhood hero. And here, too, he can count on Omer Klein, because he shares the great composer’s admiration. And so both have added a mandolin arrangement of Bach’s Partita No. 2, BWV 1004 to the program. This is where the improvisation of STEINWAY artist Omer Klein comes in and leads the piece on to a completely unique interpretation.

The garden concert at Villa Seligmann is an absolute highlight every year. On the open-air stage, lively soundscapes are created with reference to Jewish music as it is created in Germany today.

“For the 2024 garden concert, we have been able to attract two greats of classical music and jazz who have their own unmistakable sound,” says Eliah Sakakushev-von Bismarck, Director of Villa Seligmann. “With Avi Avital and Omer Klein, both born in Israel, it will be a celebration of crossover and improvisation in the spirit of friendship. I’m really looking forward to the concert and hope for good weather on a warm and humorous summer evening with lots of guests. Many thanks to our sponsor, the VHV Foundation, for its repeated support of our garden concert.”

Artists

Omer Klein was born in Israel in 1982. He studied jazz and classical piano at the New England Conservatory in Boston and moved to New York to further his studies. He has lived in Germany since 2009. Omer Klein has been under contract with Warner Music since 2017. In 2018 he received the ECHO Jazz Award for his album “Sleepwalkers”. In March 2023, his 10th album “Life&Fire” will be released, with which his trio will also celebrate their 10th anniversary as a band. He has played concerts at numerous international festivals and regularly performs with mandolin star Avi Avital, the NDR Big Band, classical percussionist Alexej Gerassimez and the Aris Quartet. In the fall, he will celebrate a premiere with the Babelsberg Film Orchestra.

Avi Avital was born in Be’er Sheva in the south of Israel. As the first mandolin player to receive a Grammy Award nomination, he is the leading ambassador for his instrument. Through his passion and his “explosively charismatic” live performances(New York Times), he is one of the driving forces behind the revival of the mandolin: For more than twenty years, Avital has been shaping the future of his instrument and has established it in the most prestigious concert halls worldwide. In addition, he has expanded the mandolin repertoire not only with his own transcriptions, but also with over 100 commissioned works. As a sought-after soloist, Avi Avital regularly works internationally with outstanding orchestras and conductors. He is also a regular at major international festivals. Avi Avital is the exclusive artist of Deutsche Grammophon.

Tickets

Premium ticket (seat in the first rows directly in front of the garden stage): 35 euros, admission from 6 pm
SOLD OUT Single ticket regular (free choice of seats): 28 euros, admission from 6 p.m.
SOLD OUT Reduced ticket (free choice of seats, for pupils, students, trainees, holders of the HannoverAktiv-Pass or people with a disabled pass): 10 euros, admission from 6 pm SOLD OUT

NEW: Standing room or seat in the rear area with your own seating (blanket, folding chair…): 15 euros, admission from 7.20 pm.
Only at the box office. Tickets are available in the webshop, by e-mail to karten@villa-seligmann.de or by telephone on 0511 844887-200.

Please note that we will be taking photos and videos during this event. The image material is used for our website and/or social media channels as well as for press work. By participating, visitors to this event agree to this.

Important note: The concert is an open-air event. In the event of bad weather, a postponement will be sought. In this case, all tickets remain valid. Tickets purchased will be refunded if the event is canceled. There is no entitlement to compensation.

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