The Sounding Joy

By Marilynn | Published: June 28, 1988

This CD is composed of some of the performers’ favorite English and traditional carols, and seasonal works of some of the great composers, in unique arrangements for mandolin and guitar. Many people claim the warmth and simple beauty of “The Sounding Joy” keeps them sane when the holiday season threatens to turn frantic.

Buy Now
$15.00 The Sounding Joy by the Mair-Davis Duo (CD)


Songs List

  1. The Holly and the Ivy
  2. It was the Holly
  3. Maria Walked Amid the Thorn
  4. Gower Wassail
  5. Down In Yon Forest
  6. Sheep May Safely Graze – J. S. Bach
  7. A New Noel
  8. Brightest and Best
  9. Wexford Carol
  10. Lord of the Dance
  11. Coverdale’s Carol
  12. A La Nanita Nana
  13. Carol of the Bagpipers
  14. King Herod and the Cock
  15. The Praise of Christmas
  16. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring – J.S. Bach
  17. Joy to the World
  18. Lo How a Rose – Michael Praetorius
  19. Maria’s Journey – Johannes Brahms
  20. A Christmas Carol – Charles Ives
  21. Masters In This Hall – Gustav Holst

Reviews

“These warm all-acoustic non-vocal renditions of the classics and the familiar provide a peaceful antidote when it feels as if the holiday season is running amok.”

Al Stankus
Boston Sunday Herald (USA)

“If you long to celebrate simple joys at Christmastime, then this diversified garland of carols, folk tunes, and chorales will meet with your approval. The Mair-Davis Duo has fashioned arrangements of elegant artistry, which capture to perfection the beauty of the season.”

Koldys
American Record Guide (USA)

“Bearing musical tidings of comfort and joy, seasonal music by Bach, Brahms, and Handel are offered by the Mair-Davis Duo on ‘The Sounding Joy’.”

The New York Times (USA)

“An intriguing meld…chamber settings that have a subtle rhythmic pulse and a warm sense of interplay.”

The Washington Post (USA)

“The happiness and joy associated with the season are proclaimed through familiar carols and songs in simple yet effective arrangements…I’ll play this one often.”

CD Review (USA)

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  • “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…”

    – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    “A lovely concert! We estimate your spell-bound and enthusiastic audience at close to 1800 people…”

    – Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors (USA)

    “Marilynn Mair lives up to her reputation as an excellent mandolinist, with clear tone, a beautiful tremolo, and creative expressiveness.”

    – Zupfmusik Magazin (Germany)

    “Mair is unstoppable… capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.”

    – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)

    “A sparkling concert… absolutely brilliant!”

    – Guitar Magazine (England)

    Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time.

    – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    Marilynn Mair on mandolin…touches the deepest and most engaging reaches of the ancient and passionate ‘Latin soul’.

    – Carlos Agudelo, Billboard Magazine

    “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.”

    – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity… It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.”

    – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita”

    — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    “Marilynn Mair acquits herself very well indeed, a most accomplished player, able to deal with the many intricacies the repertoire demands of her.”

    – Chris Kilvington, Classical Guitar (England)

    “The final repeat of the melody transmitted a strong feeling of peace and tenderness that escaped no one in the audience. It is this sensitivity and subtleness that characterized the overall performance.”

    – Brian Hodel, Guitar Review (USA)

    “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.”

    — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)

    “A brilliant concert from beginning to end…The performance was extraordinary.”
    – La Rioja (Spain)

    “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.”

    – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.”

    – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.”
    – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)