Duo Mantar

Duo Mantar consists of two virtuosos: American classical guitarist Adam Levin and Israeli mandolinist Jacob Reuven. They have been described as “visceral and imaginative” and “transcendental and exuberant,” respectively. This unique pairing is rare in the chamber music world; however, the two plucked instruments complement each other naturally.

Levin and Reuven began playing together in 2017 and share a passion for Israeli music, Hebrew, and Jewish songs. Both are committed to expanding the repertoire for mandolin and guitar by actively commissioning today’s most sought-after composers. In June 2021, they released “Music from the Promised Land” on the Naxos label, reaching number one on the Billboard Traditional Classical Albums Chart.

They have toured Israel, Spain, and across the United States. Upcoming projects include commissioning, studying, premiering, and recording several double concerti by some of Israel’s most respected composers: Avner Dorman, Ziv Cojocaru, and Ittai Rosenbaum. They will also tour with Levin’s guitar trio, The Great Necks, and perform never-before-heard arrangements of Beethoven’s infamous violin concerto, as well as Bach’s double violin concerto with two mandolins.

In February 2023, they will record and release their second album of Avner Dorman’s concerti for mandolin, guitar, and mandolin and guitar. Jacob performs on a mandolin built by Israeli luthier Arik Kerman, while Adam Levin plays guitars crafted by American luthier Stephan Connor and French builder Dominique Field.

Adam Levin, American classical guitarist

Adam Levin is an award-winning touring classical guitarist, teacher, music activist, and leader. He has received national and international prizes in performance and is the recipient of prestigious awards including the Fulbright Scholarship, Program for Cultural Cooperation Fellowship, and Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship for researching contemporary Spanish repertoire in Spain. Levin has commissioned over 30 solo and chamber guitar works from Spanish composers and has completed a four-volume encyclopedic album collection for Naxos and Frameworks Record Labels. His discography includes twelve commercially released recordings.

Levin is a faculty member at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is a founder of the guitar education non-profit organization Kithara Project and serves as the artistic director of the University of Rhode Island Guitar Festival and the Rhode Island Guitar Guild. Endorsed by Augustine Strings, Levin performs on guitars crafted by Stephan Connor and Dominique Field. For more information, visit Adam Levin

Jacob Reuven, Israeli Mandolinist

Renowned worldwide for his musical integrity and effortless brilliance, Israeli mandolin player Jacob Reuven is among the most sought-after mandolin virtuosos. Reuven’s expansive musical horizons span from Baroque to newly commissioned contemporary works, delivering exuberance alongside uncompromising musical standards in all his performances.

Reuven has mastered the interpretation of solo violin repertoire, becoming the first mandolin player to perform violin pieces with an Israeli orchestra. His precision and technical mastery have earned him a global following and recognition. He has performed under the baton of esteemed conductors including Zubin Mehta, Mstislav Rostropovich, Antonio Pappano, Mendi Rodan, and Zsolt Nagy. For further details, please visit Jacob Reuven