The Mandolin in the 18th Century

By Marilynn | Published: June 28, 2005

The 18th century brought the “Age of Enlightenment” to Europe, and grace, elegance, and refinement to its music. Marilynn Mair, mandolin, performs original music from Vivaldi to Beethoven, accompanied by piano and string quartet. From the brilliance of Venice in the Baroque to the elegance of Vienna in the Classical Age, these beautiful pieces reflect a period of extraordinary artistic achievement for the mandolin. Marilynn Mair & Friends bring the spirit of 18th century mandolin virtuosos into the 21st century.”Best Classical CD of 2003″ – www.co-mando.com

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$15.00 The Mandolin in the 18th Century (CD)

Songs List

1-3. Grande Sonata in C major – Johann N. Hummel
Allegro con spirito
Andante moderato siziliano
Rondo
4-6. Concerto in C major for mandolin – Antonio Vivaldi
Allegro
Largo
Allegro
7. Adagio in E flat minor – Ludwig van Beethoven
8-10. Concerto in G major for mandolin – Johann Adolf Hasse
Allegro
Largo
Allegro
11. Andante and Variations in D major
12-15. Quartet in F major – Giovanni Hoffman
Allegro molto
Adagio
Menuett
Rondo
16. Sonatina in C minor – Ludwig van Beethoven
17. Sonatina in C major – Ludwig van Beethoven

Reviews

“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”

“I often think of Marilynn as a champion of new music, and she has performed and recorded her share of contemporary works. But stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… It seemed that on Marilynn’s last CD, Nadando em Luz, she really came into her own as a performer of choro music. This CD strikes me in a similar way — it is Marilynn’s re-emergence as a classical mandolinist, and her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.”

Terry Pender
Mandolin Quarterly

Posted June 28th, 2005. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

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

    – Zupfmusik Magazin (Germany)

    “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)

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

    – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

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

    – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

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

    – Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors (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 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 is unstoppable… capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.”

    – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)

    “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 sparkling concert… absolutely brilliant!”

    – Guitar Magazine (England)

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

    “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita”

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

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

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

    – Carlos Agudelo, Billboard Magazine

    “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)

    “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)

    “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)