Jacob Reuven has established himself as one of the leadingmandolin players in Israel. He has performed with most of the leadingIsraeli orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, theJerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Beer Sheva Sinfonietta, the IsraelCamerata, and the Israel Contemporary Players, and has played underthe baton of Zubin Mehta, Mstislav Rostropovich, Antonio Pappanoand others. In addition to the regular mandolin repertoire, Reuvenoften performs music for the violin in his mandolin, both as a soloistwith orchestras and in recitals of mandolin and mandola. Jacob is anenthusiastic chamber musician and has collaborated with suchensembles as the Jerusalem Quartet and the Vivace Ensemble. He isa member of the award winning Kerman Mandolin Quartet, with whichhe has also toured Europe and is a member of Barrocade – the IsraelBaroque Collective, with whom he often performs as a soloist. InBarrocade’s recently released first CD he is featured as a soloist in theVivaldi Mandolin concertos. Jacob Reuven dedicates much of his timeto composing original music for the mandolin and to performing withthe World Music Ensemble – Mactub.

Jacob Reuven's mandolin is the creation of the Israeli mandolin maker,Arik Kerman. Out of dozen instruments used by mandolin players inIsrael, this is the only mandolin which Mr. Kerman has given to a playeras a gesture of encouragement for his musical career.

Repertoire

Perception - Solo works for violin performed on mandolinThe vast repertoire of the violin can be smoothly and successfullyperformed on the mandolin because of its similar tuning. The result iscapturing and surprising: the mandolin provides warmth, richness anda nostalgic flavor to this music. Jacob Reuven who is known for hisvirtuosic and precise interpretations of violin music both with orchestraand solo, presents a memorable experience in this recital dedicatedto the solo violin music of Bach, Ysaÿe and Paganini.

Vivaldolino – Vivaldi's masterpieces for the mandolinJacob Reuven masters the mandolin repertoire of Antonio Vivaldi–passionate works expressing Vivaldi's exceptional writing of virtuosointense music, tender delicate movements and surprising passageswhich have become his identifying mark.

The Hebrew MandolinThe mandolin is a central instrument in Israeli folk music and song.Jacob Reuven has initiated a project that incorporates rearrangementsof Israeli songs for the mandolin and a symphonic orchestra. Theconcert includes also contemporary Israeli music for mandolin andstrings.

Ensemble MactubThe belief, shared by Jacob Reuven and other musicians, that musiccan bridge different cultures and religions, particularly in the complicatedsituation in Israel, was one of the foundation stones upon whichMactub Ensemble was formed. The ensemble was founded in 2000aimed at the performance of Classical Arabic repertoire, virtuosomasterpieces of Turkish and Egyptian origins and more. Its membersare leading Jewish and Arab musicians and the concerts provide a realclassical Arabic experience, thus introducing to the audience repertoirerarely performed.

Solo and OrchestraJacob Reuven is in demand by Israeli orchestras for the performanceof varied repertoire for orchestra and mandolin as well as works forthe orchestra and violin. His repertoire list includes:Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen Gypsy Airs - Op. 20 No. 1Bloch - Baal Shem, "3 pictures of Hassidic life"H.Wieniawski - Legende Op.17, for violinSaint-Saens - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso for Violin andOrchestraJ.N. Hummel - Concerto for Mandolin in GHoffman - Concerto for Mandolin in D