Audio Control Turn on Yuval's sonic flow

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Audio Control Turn on Yuval's sonic flow
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Three Plucked Strings was the name of the ensemble active from 2001 to 2007 formed by:
Avi Avital (mandolin)
Yuval Avital (classical guitar)
Yizhar Karshon (harpsichord)

The “Three Plucked Strings” ensemble was founded in November 2001, following the discovery of a rare composition for mandolin, guitar, and harpsichord by the composer Paul Ben-Haim. The manuscript, which had never been published or performed before, was found in the music archive at the National Library in Jerusalem by guitarist Yuval Avital. The discovery of the manuscript, its editing, and the performance of the piece by the Three Plucked Instruments ensemble, 32 years after it was written, sparked considerable interest among composers and music professionals in the country.

In the wake of Ben-Haim’s work, the members of “Three Plucked Instruments” decided to dedicate their activities to performing original music by Israeli composers. So far, composers such as Yitzhak Braun, Tzvi Avni, Chaim Alexander, Abel Ehrlich, Michael Wolpe, and Slava Ganelin have written more than ten new pieces for the ensemble, which together create a reflection of Israeli culture, showcasing its many influences and roots.

The ensemble has enjoyed considerable success in its performances in Israel, Italy, and Switzerland. Their performances have been broadcast on radio stations such as Kol Hamusika in Israel and WQXR in New York, as well as on the Israeli television station Channel 2.

While performing with the “Israeli Project” and expanding the Israeli repertoire for the ensemble, the members are working on their next program, which will incorporate contemporary works by composers from around the world.

“…the mandolin, guitar, and harpsichord create a unique sound color that has almost never been utilized in Western musical composition.
“…the three musicians are virtuosic in their instruments, and they exude charm and a free stage presence. The pieces themselves are surprising and moving – the lyricism of Braun, the sharpness of Ehrlich, and the severity of Alexander complete a rich musical picture where the ancient and modern, young and old, East and West meet.”
Noam Ben-Zeev, “Haaretz,” September 5, 2002.

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Massive Sonic Works:

/ˈmæsɪv ˈsɒnɪk wɜːrks/

Large-scale performances using collective participation to create powerful sound masses.

Yuval Avital’s “Massive Sonic Works” or “Opera di Massa Sonora” involves the creation of large-scale performances that utilize collective participation to craft a unique sound experience. These works focus on forming powerful sound masses through the collaboration of numerous performers, exploring new possibilities through sound rituals. The compositions often include graphic visual elements, written music, and easy-to-read instructions to allow interpretation by individuals without prior musical experience. This approach, sometimes involving hundreds of participants, aims to create what can be described as “crowd music.”

Some key works in Avital’s repertoire include:

– GARON (2012): An opera for 45 bass tubas do, percussions, and a crowd of performers.

– KARAGATAN (2013): A composition for 100 gongs and bamboo in the Philippines.

– REKA (2014): Commissioned by the Warsaw Autumn Festival and co-produced by the MiTo festival in Milan, involving traditional singers from unique cultures such as Tibetan, Zulu, Sardinian, Mongolian, and Samarkand traditions.

One of Avital’s significant compositions is MISE EN ABÎME, a milestone work that marks the beginning of his “Massive Sonic Works” series. Premiered in 2011, this composition involves a large ensemble of 100-200 non-musician vocalists, accordions, bass tubas, soprano, bass clarinet, percussions, didgeridoo, and conductors directing the performance in an immersive setup.

Another notable work is URLA, an immersive sonic experience with over 300 performers, showcasing diverse musical traditions in Matera, Italy. This piece combines traditional elements with modern instrumentation, theatrical actions, and innovative technological approaches, reflecting Yuval Avital’s interdisciplinary and transcultural artistic vision.

Yuval Avital’s creations blend complexity, cultural diversity, and technological innovation to create immersive and participatory sonic experiences that push the boundaries of traditional music composition and performance.