Characterized by its innovative sound and aspirational repertoire, the duo 16Strings stretches the limits of mandolin playing.
Mandolin players Jacob Reuven and Mari Carmen Simon have ventured to where no mandolin player has travelled before and founded the duo 16Strings. The duo, named for its remarkable tuning, transforms the traditional mandolin tuning from four double-strings to eight unique strings, and thereby compresses a whole quartet into two magnificent instruments.
16Strings performs mostly repertoire written originally for two violins, such as duos by Ysaye and Bartok, as well as contemporary music written for two mandolins. The duo is always on the lookout for new pieces and composers, and welcomes opportunities to explore any music fresh from the press.