Of Note

Bach to the Future! Friday!

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

Back from Macau (China)

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

Marilynn’s new book is out!

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

AMGuSS ~ the 2017 edition

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

Mandozine Radio Featured Artist ~ January 2017

Marilynn is honored to be the Featured Artist this month on John Baxter’s Mandozine Radio. Check it out!… Read More »

Posted January 18th, 2017

AMGuSS Registration information

Email Registrar Fran Rivkin (email hidden; JavaScript is required /* */ ) for information on paying by check,
or you can pay by credit card by clicking the buttons below:… Read More »

Posted January 18th, 2017

News

They’re back– Marilynn’s Mel Bay “Mandolin Sessions”

bustommMarilynn wrote 6 articles for Mel Bay’s “Mandolin Session” before the online publication ceased, and though they are not still up on the Mel Bay webpage they were saved by the “Wayback Machine”. Each article is written about one of the exercises from her two method books, and each includes a pdf of the exercise, and an mp3 of Marilynn playing it. All 6 direct links work again, and are listed below– enjoy!

Integrating a Variety of Rhythms

Expressive Tremolo

Read More »
Posted January 12th, 2017

Enigmatica at Blithewold ~ December 3 @ 3:00 PM

enigmatica1Enigmatica will be giving its annual holiday concert at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol RI. Seating is limited, and the concert is included with admission to the beautifully decorated house and gardens. You can reserve a seat at the Blithewold webpage.Read More »

Posted November 11th, 2016

Marilynn & Luiz – One concert left– this week-end!

Slide1Marilynn and her longtime duo partner, Luiz Simas, piano, will be performing twice in the next few weeks.

Sunday, October 23 @ 2:00 on the campus of Roger Williams University, the Duo will give a concert to celebrate Marilynn’s transition form Professor of Music to fulltime musician, author, and composer. Marilynn has written 3 new choro that will have their premier performaces.

Saturday, November 5 @ 7:30 the Duo will perform as part of the Brazilian Music Foundation’s II Read More »

Posted October 31st, 2016

Enigmatica @ Blithewold ~ December 3, 2016

enigmatica1 Start your holiday season with music! Come see Enigmatica’s popular annual holiday concert @ Blithewold Mansion on Saturday, December 3, 2016 @ 3:00. We’re playing music from our three CDs and seasonal music for Hanukkah, Christmas, and the New Year. You can get more information and make reservations here.Read More »

Posted November 30th, 2015
    • “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)