We’re looking forward to our summer festival! Over the next few weeks, we’ll introduce each artist performing in our 36th season. Guitarist Adam Levin will play on Sunday, July 28th.
Celebrated for his “visceral and imaginative performances” (The Washington Post), prize-winning classical guitarist, recording artist, and avid chamber musician Adam Levin has performed with orchestras, string quartets, and various duo combinations across the globe. Playing with mandolinist Jacob Reuven as Duo Mantar, their album Music from the Promised Land (Naxos, 2021) reached No.1 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Album Chart.
The program on July 28th offers a broadening of musical horizons: while the novel pairing of a mandolin and classical guitar is rare in the chamber music world, discover how magnificently they complement each other–and traditional stringed instruments–with music written by composers from across the Mediterranean. Levin will perform Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet. Described by Levin as being “evocative, fun, and quirky,” this piece helped establish the classical guitar for the concert stage. Levin will also play Turkish composer Masud Jamil’s Sama’i Nahwand for Mandolin, Guitar and Strings–an energetic and fast-paced piece that will be performed in classical orchestration for the first time at this concert.
Get to know Adam!
Q. How do you handle nerves before performing?
A. Yaki and I do something called Backstage Bach where basically we dance and sing while playing Bach, which usually turns into Bluegrass and a lot of laughing. That takes the edge off
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Recording an all Avner Dorman album and receiving all of our new Seasons-inspired commissions by Avner Dorman, Clarice Assad, Hamilton de Holanda, Aziza Sadikova and Curtis Stewart.
What do you always bring with you when you travel?
My nail files and my iPad
What are the top three songs on your personal playlist?
1. Remedy -The Black Crowes
2. Night Shift by Mary Halvorson
3. Procession violin concerto by Missy Mazzoli
Favorite quote/personal life motto:
“Your life is your argument”- Albert Schweitzer
A little known fact about you?
I’m obsessed with coffee in the morning and matcha green tea by afternoon. If I don’t have my tea in the afternoon during my teaching day, it’s gonna be a tough day.
Best advice you have ever received:
Don’t wait until the phone rings.
What’s your favorite type of food?
Sushi
What piece of music never fails to move you?
Chaconne by J.S Bach
