Author Archives: Marilynn

Of Note

Enigmatica’s Annual Blithewold Concert

By Marilynn | Published: November 28, 2017

Enigmatica gives its annual gift of music to the community on Saturday, December 9, at 3:00 PM, returning to Blithewold’s “Music in the Living Room” holiday series. Enigmatica donates its concert of Baroque, world and seasonal music to benefit Blithewold, so the music is free with admission to the mansion. This event is part of many folks’ holiday tradition, so we suggest you reserve a seat online for a couple of bucks extra, and arrive early.… Read More »

Posted November 28th, 2017

News

Need a unique gift for a music lover?

By Marilynn | Published: November 28, 2017

You can now buy all of Marilynn’s CDs and books on Amazon. They are listed by many sellers, including Marilynn’s own company, Uncommon Strings. Amazon ships worldwide so they are the convenient choice if you live outside the USA or Canada.

Click here for the CDs.

Click here for the books.… Read More »

Posted November 28th, 2017

Of Note

Bach to the Future! Friday!

By Marilynn | Published: November 13, 2017

No automatic alt text available.Enigmatica is one of 40+ groups playing at the 5th annual Bach marathon in Providence RI, on Friday, November 17. The event runs from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM, and the octet is on at 7:30, playing Marilynn’s arrangements of several of Bach’s Goldberg variations, originally written for harpsichord. It’s at Manning Chapel on the Brown University campus. More info here.… Read More »

Posted November 13th, 2017

Books

The 100 – Techniques & Exercises for Mandolinists

By Marilynn | Published: October 1, 2017

How to play faster, cleaner, louder, more musically, and with greater confidence

The 100 cover imageThis book is a master class in musicianship for mandolinists, written and recorded by one of the most highly regarded performers and teachers of her generation.

Buy it now at Amazon.

Marilynn Mair is a world-renowned mandolinist with over a thousand concerts, two dozen CDs and two previous Mel Bay books to her credit. In The 100 -Techniques & Exercises for Mandolinists, she presents 100 tips and techniques … Read More »

Posted October 1st, 2017

Of Note

Back from Macau (China)

By Marilynn | Published: August 17, 2017

Marilynn performed in China, for the 100-anniversary performance of the opera “Eine Florentinische Tragodie,” written by Alexander Zemlinsky, with a libretto by Oscar Wilde. And while it was an intriguing new musical challenge to play with a 75-person orchestra under a good conductor on the other side of the world, chamber music will always be Marilynn’s first love.… Read More »

Posted August 17th, 2017

Of Note

Marilynn’s new book is out!

By Marilynn | Published: July 23, 2017

Mel Bay has published their 3rd book by Marilynn!

The 100 – Techniques & Exercises for Mandolinists is a compendium of thought-provoking discoveries and theories developed over the course of her career. This is Marilynn’s most personal method book to date, and gives a look into the way professional musicians practice, work out repertoire, and develop the interpretive skills to bring their music to life.

Order one directly from Mel Bay! Or you can buy a copy on Amazon.… Read More »

Posted July 23rd, 2017

Of Note

AMGuSS ~ the 2017 edition

By Marilynn | Published: July 18, 2017

Our American Mandolin & Guitar Summer School, the pioneer of the American mandolin-guitar summer workshop scene came roaring back to the campus of Roger Williams University, in Bristol RI, in June. Pictured are happy campers on deck before their departure. Stay tuned for our announcement of dates for 2018!

… Read More »

Posted July 18th, 2017

Events • Workshops

SummerKeys 2017

By Marilynn | Published: June 24, 2017

Marilynn will once again be hosting her mandolin week in Lubec, Maine, July 10-14. Private instruction from Marilynn is the SummerKeys’ focus. If you love her “The Complete Mandolinist” method book, and have wished you could have access to Marilynn’s expertise in a private-lesson setting, please join us in 2017!

Registration is open!  But there’s only one more place to fill!… Read More »

Posted June 24th, 2017

Events • In Concert

A Florentine Tragedy

By Marilynn | Published: June 24, 2017

Marilynn will play the mandolin part for the opera “A Florentine Tragedy” with the Macao Orchestra in Macao (China).

Details… Read More »

Posted June 24th, 2017

Events

The American Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra

By Marilynn | Published: May 23, 2017

Thursday, June 29 at 7:00 PM

The American Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra

Musicians from across the country create a 30-member plucked-string orchestra

Performing music from the Baroque to the 20th century.

Mary Tefft White Cultural Center
University Library
Roger Williams University
One Old Ferry Road, Bristol Rhode Island

Admission free… Read More »

Posted May 23rd, 2017

    • “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)

    • “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 travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.” – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    • “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)

    • “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.” – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

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

    • “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 é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita” — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    • “Mair is unstoppable… capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.” – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair on mandolin…touches the deepest and most engaging reaches of the ancient and passionate ‘Latin soul’.” – Carlos Agudelo, Billboard Magazine

    • “A lovely concert! We estimate your spell-bound and enthusiastic audience at close to 1800 people…” – Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors (USA)

    • “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)

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

    • “A sparkling concert… absolutely brilliant!” – Guitar Magazine (England)

    • “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)

    • “Marilynn Mair lives up to her reputation as an excellent mandolinist, with clear tone, a beautiful tremolo, and creative expressiveness.” – Zupfmusik Magazin (Germany)