Author Archives: Marilynn

Of Note

Marilynn in London ~August 2014

mmBRASAMarilynn finished out her summer presenting a paper at the Brazilian Studies Association congress, held this year in London. Her paper, “The French Connection – from Chopin to Choro and Back Again” was part of a panel on Tracking Influence in Brazilian Music. There were over 800 participants in London for the 4-day event, making this the largest Brazilian studies conference ever held outside Brazil.… Read More »

Posted September 20th, 2014

Of Note

Enigmatica has a new CD coming – October 2014.

enigmatica1Enigmatica has a new CD! ENIGMATICA3 – New American Music for Mandolin Ensemble. The disc marks Enigmatica’s 15th anniversary, and features music from band members Catherine Hawkes, Robert N. Martel, and Marilynn, and works written by Will Ayton, Jim Dalton, Radim Zenkl, and Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglione.… Read More »

Posted September 20th, 2014

Of Note

Celebrating Will Ayton

rwuwillhsSunday April 27 @ 2:00 PM Marilynn, Enigmatica, and almost 50 musicians will gather on campus for a gala concert and reception honoring the long teaching career of retiring Professor of Music, and composer extraordinaire, Will Ayton. Download the poster with all the info here: ayton5.… Read More »

Posted April 26th, 2014

Ask MarilynnOf Note

From the mailbox:

Sometimes a letter arrives that says so much about Marilynn’s work:
Dear Marilynn,
I last communicated with you some time ago when I was seeking advice on acquiring a passable(or any) tremolo. This was after collating your on-line advice from the internet and any hard copy that I could get. … Read More »

Posted February 6th, 2014

Of NoteUncategorized

A February Night in Brazil

Luiz+MMairSaturday February 8, 2014 at 8pm

Luiz Simas with
special guest Marilynn Mair
at Amazing Things

160 Hollis St. (Rt 126)
Framingham, MA 01702

Read More »
Posted January 3rd, 2014

Of NoteUncategorized

A February Afternoon of Plucked Strings

Sunday, February 9 @ 2:00 PM
Marilynn will perform her original works and the music of Ernesto Nazareth, Lou Harrison and others, with Luis Simas, piano, and Enigmatica, a mandolin octet.… Read More »

Posted January 3rd, 2014

Events

A Night in Brazil

Luiz+MMair

Saturday February 8, 2014 8pm

Luiz Simas with special guest Marilynn Mair
at Amazing Things

160 Hollis St. (Rt 126) Framingham, MA 01702

Rio-born Brazilian composer/singer/pianist Luiz Simas is a genuine Carioca! A New Yorker since ‘89, he has performed in the US, Brazil and in Europe. Luiz’ voice and music have warmed major venues including Birdland, Carnegie Hall and Bargemusic. He’ll be joined at Amazing Things by his special guest Marilynn Mair, who has performed at Carnegie Hall, at

Read More »
Posted January 3rd, 2014

News

Marilynn & Enigmatica on YouTube

Enig3Several videos have been posted on YouTube, featuring duets of Marilynn, Bob, and Charlie, and the whole ensemble– enjoy! You can search “Enigmatica mandolin” on YouTube to find them or link directly below:… Read More »

Posted December 30th, 2013

News

Interview with Marilynn

5. mmBandaoSue Wagner interviewed Marilynn for GoLocalProvidence in December, just before she returned from Rio, on playing mandolin and her life as a musician. A link to the article.

Older interviews also online– here’s one.… Read More »

Posted December 19th, 2013

Of Note

Rio, September – December, 2013

MomentoMarilynn returned mid-December from a month in Rio, writing and playing music, and moving her research ahead as part of her autumn sabbatical. This was her second trip to Brazil this fall. She performed in the Momento Rio Bandolim 2013 festival in September, stayed into October, and returned in November. Always a time of musical renewal, this fall has produced several new pieces that will be part of Marilynn’s CD of original music set for release in 2014.… Read More »

Posted December 12th, 2013
    • “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)