Alon Sariel Interview | The Mandolin, Bach and Musical Expression

When I first heard a recording of composer Nimrod Borenstein's Mandolin Concerto, I was captivated by the sound of an instrument I had always associated with fairytales and enchanting landscapes. Curious to discover the true voice of the mandolin, I invited Israeli-born, Vienna-based mandolinist, lutenist and conductor Alon Sariel to join me for a conversation about his remarkable musical journey. Widely regarded as one of today's most versatile plucked-string performers, Alon Sariel has earned international acclaim through his contagious musicianship, flawless technique and exceptional artistry. As a multi-instrumentalist and celebrated interpreter of Johann Sebastian Bach, he continues to inspire audiences while exploring a repertoire that stretches from early music to contemporary works, often shining a light on lesser-known composers alongside musical giants such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In this interview, Alon shares how he first discovered the mandolin as a young boy and why the instrument became his lifelong passion. He also reflects on an unusual aspect of his musical education: although he studied the mandolin, his professor was actually a violinist. Rather than focusing solely on technical perfection, this experience taught him one of the most valuable lessons of his career—that music is never simply about playing the right notes, but about interpretation, expression and communicating emotion. We also explore the unique character of the mandolin, its rich history and remarkable versatility, revealing an instrument that extends far beyond its romantic stereotypes. His recently published final instalment of the acclaimed Plucked Bach trilogy was selected as an Editor's Choice by Gramophone and has received numerous international distinctions, further establishing him as one of the leading voices for plucked-string instruments today. Join us for an inspiring conversation about curiosity, musical storytelling and the expressive power of the mandolin—a fascinating journey with one of the most innovative musicians of his generation. https://www.alon-sariel.com The Inspiration by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/