Mandolinist Avi Avital has long enjoyed crossing musical borders. This season, he brings a series of three concerts to the Pierre Boulez Saal that reflect his wide-ranging inspiration and interests. Between Worlds is an exploration of different genres, cultures, and musical worlds: at the center of the project is the Between Worlds Ensemble, founded by Avital in 2014 and consisting of ten classically trained musicians who are equally at home in non-classical repertoire. For each of the three concerts, this core group will be joined by several artists or an ensemble representing a specific cultural and geographical region from around the world, in programs including classical pieces as well as traditional and folk music in newly created arrangements. “The sense of being at home in places that seem foreign and even discovering aspects of yourself there is an idea that I find very moving,” says Avital. “That philosophy is at the heart of this project.” To open the series, Marina Heredia, one of today’s most fascinating voices of flamenco, will become part of the Between Worlds Ensemble, joined by José Quevedo “Bolita” and Paquito Gonzalez for a program dedicated to music from the Iberian Peninsula.