Mandolin Concerts of Note

[margora]

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra is (very) pleased to announce the following free concert:

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra
Hall Library
1825 Broad Street
Cranston, RI
Sunday, April 29, 3 PM
Mark Davis, Director

I.

The King of Denmark's Galliard John Dowland (1563-1626)
Lachrimae Antiquae
The Earl of Essex Galliard
(Robert Margo, lutenist)

Concerto for Mandolin and
Zupforchester, op.4,no. 6, HWV 294 G. F. Handel (1685-1759)
(Joshua Bell, mandolinist) (arr. Tober-Vogt)

Groove #1 Owen Hartford

Impressioni Orientali, op. 132 Raffaele Calace (1863-1934)

II.

Three Movements for Mandolin Orchestra Francine Trester

Concerto per orchestra a pizzico Victor Kioulaphides

By Robert A. Margo

In the spring of 1604 John Dowland returned to England to publish Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares Figured in Seaven Passionate Pavans, with Divers other Pavans, Galiards, and Almands, Set Forth for the Lute, Viols, or Violons, in Five Parts. Prior to his return Dowland had been employed by the King of Denmark who was infamous throughout Europe for his drunken revels, which the music aptly captures. “Lachrimae Antiquae” is a consort setting of Dowland’s “greatest hit” known as “Flow My Tears” in the version for lute song. The Essex galliard also existed as a song, “Can She Excuse,” a man’s bitter lament of his beloved’s refusal to acknowledge his amorous intentions. The man in question, Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, was beheaded in 1601 for his failed plot to overthrow Elizabeth I. The lute part in this performance for plucked string ensemble is based on Dowland’s original with ornamentation and divisions added on repeats. Dowland’s timeless melodies have inspired countless musicians, including most recently the British pop star Sting whose recording “Songs from the Labyrinth”, a collection of Dowland’s lute songs was the best-selling classical CD last year.

During the baroque and early classical eras the mandolin enjoyed a brief spurt of popularity and a substantial quantity of music was composed for the instrument, some by Europe’s greatest composers including Beethoven, Mozart, and Vivaldi. Handel also wrote one original work using the mandolin, the aria “Hark! Hark! Hark! He Strikes the Golden Lyre” in the oratorio Alexander Balus. Originally for harp, the solo part in HWV 294 lays well on the mandolin’s fingerboard in this delightful adaptation for plucked string ensemble by Elke Tober-Vogt.

By the mid nineteenth century the mandolin had fallen into disuse in European art music. A revival ensued in the late nineteenth century, and the instrument became one of the most widely played in the Old and New Worlds. Virtuosos burst on the scene, tutors written, ensembles of all sizes and types formed, and vast quantities of music published. The greatest of all the early twentieth century mandolinists was the Italian Raffaele Calace, a “triple threat” who composed numerous pieces, performed widely and also personally constructed some of the finest instruments of the era. Written in February of 1925 during a sea voyage on return from a highly successful concert tour of Japan “Impressioni Orientali” is, in the words of Paul Sparks, author of The Classical Mandolin, “a wonderfully exciting and atmospheric piece strongly influenced by Middle Eastern scales and drones that creates an extraordinary range of timbre” (p. 145).

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra has long maintained an active program of commissioning new works for mandolin orchestra and of performing works commissioned by other ensembles. Owen Hartford has written numerous pieces over his long tenure with the Orchestra. Drawing its melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic cues from a mixture of minimalism and popular music, Hartford’s “Groove #1” receives its world premiere in this performance. Francine Trester is Associate Professor of Composition at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. A prolific and gifted composer for voice, piano, guitar and other instruments, and a virtuoso violinist herself, Trester has been the recipient of numerous awards and commissions, and her music has been performed throughout the world. “Three Movements” is her first composition to feature mandolin family instruments. Today’s concert closes with a remarkable new work, Victor Kioulaphides’ “Concerto per orchestra a pizzico”, composed for the prominent Dutch ensemble Het Consort and given its United States premiere in February 2006 by the Providence Mandolin Orchestra. This July the PMO will host the Het Consort and the two groups will perform together in recital in Providence.

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra was founded by the late Hibbard Perry in 1971. Since then, it has become one of the leading American mandolin ensembles, with regular appearances throughout the Eastern United States, Canada, and Western Europe. With well over two hundred pieces in its repertoire, the Orchestra features a wide range of musical styles from Renaissance dances to Baroque concertos, turn-of-the-century nostalgia, and avant-garde expressions. The group’s unique tonality has inspired exciting new works by Clarice Assad, Will Ayton, Owen Hartford, Eva Kendrick, Barbara Kolb, Robert Martel, Michael Nix, Stephen Funk Pearson, Francine Trester, and many others. The Providence Mandolin Orchestra is under the direction of Mark Davis. Mr. Davis pursues an active career as a solo and ensemble performer, educator, and conductor. Mark Davis directs a multi-level guitar ensemble program at the Wheeler School in Providence RI.

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra gratefully acknowledges the support of the D’Addario Foundation.

Performers: The Providence Mandolin Orchestra

Director: Mark Davis
First Mandolin: Joshua Bell (concertmaster), Michael Cappelli, Yvette Cote, Chang Lee
Second Mandolin: Lynne Bell, Chris Capaldi, Antonia Carlyon, Owen Hartford, Rachel Panitch, Lisa Topakian, Paul Wilde
Tenor Mandola: Mack Johnston, Will Melton, Gayle Raposa
Octave Mandola: Robert Margo
Renaissance Lute, 8-course, in G: Robert Margo
Mandocello: Duane Golomb, Dan Moore, Matt Synder
Classical Guitar: Mark Armstrong, Christine Chito, Beverly Davis
Mandobass: Gino Cicchetti, Dave Parr

[Bruce Clausen]

Not exactly a mandolin concert, but brief mandolin content: the Vancouver Symphony will do Mahler 7 this weekend (Sat. and Mon. 8 pm, Orpheum), with yers truly on mando. I get one of these gigs every couple of seasons, and I love them. Of course you spend most of your time waiting to play, and the part when it comes is no great test of technique or musicianship. The money is good, but so what? ( I always joke with the other musicians that I'm by far the best paid player on a per-note basis.) What makes it for me is the thrill of just being there (in borrowed tails) in the midst of this 100-piece musical organism. I'm right under the conductor's nose, in the best seat in the house. Every time, I find myself wishing I'd taken up a proper orchestral instrument, so I could be a real part of this world instead of just an occasional visitor. We've just done the first rehearsal today, and it's going to be very good.

BC

[vkioulaphides]

Good morning, Robert, and all.

I am thrilled to see and hear that, on both sides of the Atlantic, my Concerto per orchestra a pizzico has gotten so much mileage in the able hands of Het Consort and the PMO, respectively. I cannot thank, or congratulate the two groups enough.

I reserve, however, the last snicker of compositorial vindication, as a Great Expert had initially pronounced that the piece was simply too hard for ANY plucked instrument orchestra to ever attempt, let alone perform.
My reply:



Cheers, and thumbs up!

Victor

[margora]

"I am thrilled to see and hear that, on both sides of the Atlantic, my Concerto per orchestra a pizzico has gotten so much mileage in the able hands of Het Consort and the PMO, respectively. I cannot thank, or congratulate the two groups enough."

Victor, many thanks! We (the PMO) are very excited about this concert, and not only because of the Kioulaphides. The Trester piece is wonderful and (like the Kioulaphides) seriously stretches our musicianship (in the case of Trester, there are shifting time signatures all over the place, sometimes from bar to bar). And we are very happy to be doing the Calace, a great piece and the first Calace I think the PMO has played (probably not ever but for quite a while). Plus I get to play the lute on the Dowland.

[John Goodin]

Very cool! Plus the PMO gets to feature Josh Bell fresh from his subway gig! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

John G.

[markmdavis]

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra is (very) pleased to announce the following free concert:

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra
Hall Library
1825 Broad Street
Cranston, RI
Sunday, April 29, 3 PM
Mark Davis, Director

I.

The King of Denmark's Galliard # # # # # # # # # John Dowland (1563-1626)
Lachrimae Antiquae
The Earl of Essex Galliard
# #(Robert Margo, lutenist)

Concerto for Mandolin and # # # # # # # # # # #
Zupforchester, op.4,no. 6, HWV 294 # # # # # # #G. F. Handel (1685-1759)
# #(Joshua Bell, mandolinist) # # # # # # # # #(arr. Tober-Vogt) # #

Groove #1 # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Owen Hartford

Impressioni Orientali, op. 132 # # # # # # # # #Raffaele Calace (1863-1934)

II.

Three Movements for Mandolin Orchestra # # # # #Francine Trester

Concerto per orchestra a pizzico # # # # # # # #Victor Kioulaphides

(the encore will be 'Libertango' by Astor Piazzolla in Alex Timmermann's arrangement)

The PMO was very honored in having the presence of composer Francine Trester and husband the esteemed guitarist Charlie Carrano at our last rehearsal. #We performed Fran's 'Three Movements' for her, and although she has heard the PMO perform the first movement of this piece, it was the first time she had heard us play the piece in its entirety. #We were, perhaps understandably, a bit nervous to play for her, but everyone was 'on their best behavior' and the piece came together very well. #Fran seemed genuinely delighted to hear us play the piece, and offered us very helpful insights on the piece. #
This is a fantastic piece of constant rhythmic and melodic counterpoint, and not easy to pull off! #Fran teaches at the Berklee School in Boston, and one may hear snatches of jazz harmonies and rhythm mixed in with some warm Brahmsian strains.
It seems each year the PMO chooses yet another piece which will really make us stretch our capabilities. #Last year it was Victor's tremendous Concerto per Orchestra a Pizzico; the year before it was Luis Baroso's Concierto de Media Luna.
We hope that some of you will be able to join us at the Hall Library to hear our premiere of Fran Trester's 'Three Movements for Mandolin Orchestra.'

I would also like to note that Bob Margo is doing a really swell job playing divisions on his new lute for the Dowland set. #Let's hear it for Sting for making the lute the hip new instrument!
In the future we may start programs with the Dowland set, and end with the Alman Bros. 'In Memory of Elizabeth Reed' (featuring Mark Armstrong on lead electric guitar) that we can cover the entire spectrum of Western plucked instruments in one concert!

Pluck on!

Mark

[margora]

CORRECTION: the PMO concert this coming Sunday is at 2 PM, NOT 3 PM -- in case any cafe members are planning to come. Location (Hall Library in Cranston, RI) is the same.

[Acquavella]

I would like to invite everyone to my next concert:

Chris Acquavella & Alex Meyer
Mandolin & Guitar

Friday May 18,2007 at 08:00 PM

Venue:
Old Time Music
2852 University Ave.
San Diego, California 92104
Cost: $10.00
To order tickets please call (619)280-9035

Program:

Sonata in d-Moll K89 - D. Scarlatti
Speranze Perdute - A. Moreli
Summersuite by A.C. Miguel
Rondo Op 127 - R. Calace
Tasseil No Rio - L. Bonfa
Libertango - A. Piazzolla
Serenade of Old Napoli - Wolf-Ferrari
Prelude No.1 - R. Calace
Mountain Moor - S. Funk-Pearson

[Ali]

Great Stuff Chris,
Wish I could be there to cheer you on. I hope it goes really well. If you play Mountain Moor as well as you did in your finals you'll have the audience eating out of your hand! By the way, I think the Serenade of Old Napoli is by Wolf-Ferrari but not sure. Its certainly not actually by Hugo, just written out by him, and possibly arranged by him. I'm not sure I'm afraid.
Ali

[Jim Garber]

Great, Chris! I wish I could be there. It is good that you have established yourself in your new home city.

Interesting that the venue is called Old Time Music. Hmmmm... Indeed!

Best of luck.

Jim

[Jonathan Rudie]

Historic Old St. Paul's Tuesday Music Series
Free Classical Mandolin & Guitar Concert/Recital
Date: Tuesday, #May 15, 2007
Time: 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Jonathan Rudie, mandolin and Charles Roe, guitar & mandolin.
Old St. Paul's Church
Corner or Charles and Saratoga Streets
Baltimore, Maryland
410-685-3404

Program: Music composed for mandolin & guitar with works by Filippo Gragnani (Tre Notturni), R. Calace, & C. Munier.

Click here: Tuesday Music Series at Old St. Paul's, http://www.osp1692.org/tms.htm

[Neil Gladd]

After some revisions, I have finally posted the program for my next concert. It will be given twice, on May 18th and 19th, in Crystal City (Arlington, Virginia). The program is free, and is all contemporary American music. The one premiere, Cicadas, by Maurice Saylor, is actually a violin piece. It is published online, and looked like pretty mandolinistic violin writing to me, so I printed it out and gave it a try. Please note: I am playing it nowhere near the metronome marking given, but I think that tempo would even be pushing it on the violin! It is almost entirely crosspicking except for some tremolo near the end. The composer still hasn't heard me yet, so I'll let you know if I manage to convince him that it is really a mandolin piece.

[Jim Garber]

Just a reminder: The Het Consort will be in New York next week with their concert on July 19 at 7:30 pm.

Church of the Transfiguration ("The Little Church Around the Corner")
1 East 29th St.
New York, NY 10016
for further information contact the music office at 212-684-4174.

I am looking fwd to this event, and, of course, meeting Alex and the others for the first time!!

See you there,
Jim

[Linda Binder]

I truly wish I could be in NY for the Het Consort concert. #I'd love to meet Alex and the members of the group and hear them live and in person! # I'll be in Nebraska attending my niece's wedding. #Have fun Jim! #Best wishes to Het Consort!
Regards,
Linda

[margora]

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra is pleased to announce the following concert:

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra
Mark Davis, Director

With Special Guest Artists HET CONSORT, Alex Timmerman, Director

St. Martin’s Church
50 Orchard Avenue
Providence, RI
Saturday, July 21st, 8 PM

I.

Groove #1 Owen Hartford

Song for My Father Clarice Assad

The Cat in Springtime Mark Davis

Concierto de Media Luna Jose Luis Barroso
Recuerdos- Elegia- Danza

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra

(Pause)

Stifteteli – Hassapiko – Ballos Luca Mereu

The Legend of Princess Noccalula John Craton
Sebastiaan de Grebber, mandolin solo

Concerto per Strumenti, Op. 155 Raffaele Calace (1863-1964)

HET CONSORT

II.

Palladio Karl Jenkins

Canzone I Jurriaan Andriessen (1925-1996)

Latin Sketches Owen Hartford

Concerto per orchestra a pizzico Victor Kioulaphides
Allegro energico-Adagio molto-Allegro spiccato

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra and HET CONSORT

Program Notes

By Robert A. Margo

As a classical instrument, the modern (four-course) mandolin has its origins in the eighteenth century, but it was around the turn of the twentieth century that the instrument reached its zenith of popularity in the Old and New Worlds. By World War I interest in the mandolin had largely died out in America, but the instrument retained a passionate following in Europe and Japan. Beginning in the 1970s the United States has experienced a revival of interest in classical mandolin. Although much music written for classical mandolin is for soloists or small chamber groups, a unique body of work exists for the “mandolin orchestra,” larger ensembles patterned after string orchestras. This evening’s concert features two of the world’s leading mandolin orchestras – the Providence Mandolin Orchestra (United States); and HET CONSORT (Zwolle, the Netherlands), on their first American tour.

The contemporary American mandolin orchestra includes first and second mandolins (tuned in fifths, the same as the violin), the tenor mandola (viola), the mandocello (cello), the mandobass (string bass), and classical guitar as harmonic support. The European version is similar but substitutes the octave mandolin (tuned one octave below the standard mandolin) for the tenor mandola. Differences also exist in performance technique and, especially, instrument choice. European orchestras typically use “bowl” or “round” back mandolins while American ensembles (with some exceptions) tend to favor flat or carved back instruments originally popularized by Orville Gibson. Of special note are the bowl back instruments of Luigi Embergher, an Italian luthier who perfected the so-called “Roman” mandolin and whose instruments are highly valued and sought after today. All of the mandolin-family instruments used by Het Consort were constructed by Embergher.

With one exception (Jenkins) all of the works on this evening’s program were originally composed for mandolin orchestra, most at the request of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra or Het Consort. Daughter of the celebrated classical guitarist Sergio Assad, Clarice Assad’s “Song for My Father” is filled with the infectious melodies of her native Brazil. Owen Hartford is the PMO’s resident composer. Performed this evening by the combined forces of the PMO and Het Consort, his “Latin Sketches” blends popular idioms with formal structures. A stew of minimalism and bouncy rhythms permeate Hartford’s “Groove #1”, as well as Mark Davis’s homage to his pet cat, one of the PMO’s signature pieces. Jose Luis Barroso’s “Concierto de Media Luna” evokes a fiery Spanish atmosphere with its allusions to flamenco harmonies and rhythms. Luca Mereu is an Italian composer and performer on mandolin, mandola, and guitar whose works have been published by Berben, Cantoberon, and Domani Musica, and widely performed throughout Europe. A prolific writer of chamber and vocal works in various idioms and best known for his film and theatrical music, Jurriaan Andriessen was a Dutch composer who studied with his father Hendrik at the Utrecht Conservatory and later in Paris with Olivier Messiaen. Raffaele Calace was, without question, the most famous of the early twentieth century composers for mandolin. Equally adept as a performer and instrument maker, most of Calace’s voluminous output is for mandolin solo or in chamber settings but he did produce a few remarkable works for orchestra, such as Op. 155. John Craton and Victor Kioulaphides are established contemporary composers who have written for mandolin in various settings. “The Legend of Princess Noccalula” is a programmatic work based on an ancient Indian legend about a Cherokee princess who chooses to end her life rather than be given away in marriage. The Kioulaphides’s concerto was commissioned for Het Consort and received its world premiere in 2005, and its US premiere (by the PMO) in 2006. About the concerto the composer writes: “The form of the piece was determined during several conversations with Alex Timmerman … The final outcome was a work that features each and every section as occasional soloists. The Concerto is in three movements, fast-slow-fast: a Sinfonia first movement, a notturno second one, and a Rondo finale, subtitled ‘Telemanniana’ fusing the gallantries of the Master from Magdeburg with the modern material of the earlier two movements”. Famous as the theme music for a De Beers (diamond) commercial, “Palladio”, by the British composer Karl Jenkins, has been expertly arranged for mandolin ensemble by Alex Timmerman.

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra was founded by the late Hibbard Perry in 1971. Since then, it has become one of the leading American mandolin ensembles, with regular appearances throughout the Eastern United States, Canada, and Western Europe and well over two hundred pieces in its repertoire from Renaissance dances to avante-garde expressions. The Orchestra has performed with noted soloists Carlo Aonzo, Butch Baldassari, Robert Paul Sullivan, Anatoliy Trofimov, Tamara Volskaya and Richard Walz. The group’s unique tonality has inspired exciting new works including those by Clarice Assad, Will Ayton, Michael Bell, Mark Davis, Owen Hartford, Eva Kendrick, Barbara Kolb, Robert Martel, Michael Nix, Stephen Funk Pearson, and Francine Trester.

Het Consort, a mandolin chamber orchestra based in Zwolle, The Netherlands, was founded in 1990. Het Consort has received worldwide recognition and awards, including the ‘Honorary Award’ by the Comunita Montana “Valle del Liri” (Lazio-Italy) in 2003. Contemporary composers who have written for Het Consort include Annette Kruisbrink, Marc Matthys, Luca Mereu, Victor Kioulaphides, John Craton, and Jeff Hijlkema. Het Consort has performed extensively throughout Europe including Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France, Spain and Italy, and has worked with many well-known musicians including Peter Doberitz, Tove Flensborg, Ugo Orlandi, Pavel Steidl, Michael Troster, Richard Walz, and Gertud Weyhofen.

Mark Davis is Music Director of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra. A highly-respected concert artist in the field of guitar and mandolin music for more than three decades, Mark Davis appears on many CD recordings, including the Grammy-nominated ‘Vienna Nocturne,’ and has been a featured artist at various international events such as the Festival Internacional Musica de Plettro in Spain, and the Kobe International Music Festival in Japan. Mark Davis directs a classical guitar program at the Wheeler School in Providence, Rhode Island. Mark Davis regularly performs in a guitar duo with Beverly Davis, and the two recently released a CD, “Ayres and Dances for Two Guitars”.
Alex Timmerman is Music Director of HET CONSORT. He studied classical guitar with Pieter van der Staak, Jorge Oraison, and John Mills. One of the world’s premier experts on historical plucked instruments, he is the author of De Mandoline en de Gitaar door de Eeuwen heen (The Mandolin and the Guitar Through the Centuries). In demand throughout Europe as a concert artist, conductor, and lecturer Alex Timmerman has taught mandolin and guitar at the Centrum voor Kunstzinnige Vorming de Muzerie in Zwolle since 1999 and at the ArtEZ High School for the Arts in Zwolle, Arnhem, and Enschede (Netherlands) since 1997. In addition to his teaching and performing activities, Timmerman works for the musical instrument department of the Haags Gemeentemuseum of The Hague.
Sebastiaan de Grebber is one of Europe’s leading performers on classical mandolin. Commencing his study of the mandolin at the age of eight, de Grebber studied with Alex Timmerman and Ugo Orlandi, and holds bachelor and master degrees in music. Sebastiaan de Grebber has given premieres of works by John Craton and Victor Kioulaphides. In August 2006 de Grebber and his duo partner (pianist Sarah Beernink) were awarded first prize at the Amsteradm Uitmarkt Chamber Music Concours. His debut recording, “Fantasia Romantica“, was recently released.

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra gratefully acknowledges the support of the D’Addario Foundation, the United States.

HET CONSORT gratefully acknowledges the support of the Fund for Amateur Arts and Performing Arts, The Netherlands.

Performers:

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra

Director: Mark Davis
First Mandolin: Joshua Bell (concertmaster), Michael Cappelli, Yvette Cote, Chang Lee
Second Mandolin: C.W. Abbott, Lynne Bell, Bob Capaldi, Antonia Carlyon, Owen Hartford, Rachel Panitch, Lisa Topakian, Paul Wilde
Tenor Mandola: Mack Johnston, Will Melton, Gayle Raposa
Octave Mandola: Robert Margo
Mandocello: Duane Golomb, Dan Moore, Matt Snyder
Classical Guitar: Mark Armstrong, Christine Chito, Beverly Davis, Jeff Griffith
Mandobass: Gino Cicchetti, Dave Parr
String Bass: Bob Asprinio

HET CONSORT

Director: Alex Timmerman
First Mandolin: Sebastiaan de Grebber (concertmaster), Yolana Döpp, Pauline Ulderink
Second Mandolin: Ferdinand Binnendijk, Marian van Dijk, Margareet van Litsenburg
Octave Mandola: Helma Damman-Ruitenberg, Ruth Rouw
Mandoloncello: Niels Godart
Classical Guitar: Frido Kuijlman, Robert Streef, Tom Edskes
Chitarrone Moderno: Marianne Timmerman-Holander

[margora]

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra is pleased to announce the following concert by HET CONSORT:

The Philomenian Public Library Music Series Presents

HET CONSORT
Alex Timmerman, Music Director

26 North Road
Jamestown RI
Sunday, July 22nd, 7 PM

I.

Palladio Karl Jenkins (b. 1944)
(arr. Alex Timmerman)

Rêverie de Poète Giuseppe Manente (1867-1941)

Mazurka, Op. 141 Raffaele Calace (1863-1934)

Mistica Arrigio Capelletti (1877-1946)

Concerto per Strumenti, Op. 155 Raffaele Calace

Concerto per Orchestra a Pizzico* Victor Kioulaphides (b. 1961)
Sinfonia-Notturno-Rondo

II.

Basque Variations Victor Kioulaphides
(arr. John Craton)

The Legend of Princess Noccalula* John Craton (b. 1953)
Sebastiaan de Grebber, mandolin soloist

Perpetua Melomania II* Jeff Hijlkema (b. 1971)
(World Premiere)
Suite Greca Luca Mereu (1963-)
Stifteteli – Hassapiko – Zeibekiko –
Kalamatianos – Ballos

Starred (*) compositions were written for HET CONSORT

Program Notes

By Robert A. Margo

As a classical instrument, the modern (four-course) mandolin has its origins in the eighteenth century, but it was around the turn of the twentieth century that the instrument reached its zenith of popularity in the Old and New Worlds. By World War I interest in the mandolin had largely died out in America, but the instrument retained a passionate following in Europe and Japan which continues to the present day. Beginning in the 1970s the United States, too, has experienced a revival of interest in classical mandolin. Although much music written for classical mandolin is for soloists or small chamber groups, a unique body of work exists for the “mandolin orchestra.” The concert this evening features one of the world’s leading mandolin orchestras – HET CONSORT (Zwolle, the Netherlands), on their first American tour.

The contemporary European mandolin orchestra is loosely patterned after the string orchestra. There are first and second mandolins (tuned in fifths, GDAE, the same as the violin), the mandoloncello (cello), the chitterone moderna (string bass), and classical guitar as harmonic support. The octave mandola, tuned one octave below the mandolin, is the middle voice, substituting for the viola. European orchestras typically use “bowl” or “round” back instruments, the original form of the classical mandolin. Of special note are the bowl back instruments of Luigi Embergher, an Italian luthier who perfected the so-called “Roman” mandolin and whose instruments are highly valued and sought after today. All of the mandolin-family instruments used by HET CONSORT were constructed by Embergher.

With one exception (Jenkins) all of the works on this evening’s program were originally composed for mandolin or mandolin ensemble, three at the request of HET CONSORT. Raffaele Calace was, without question, the most famous of the early twentieth century composers for mandolin. Equally adept as a performer and instrument maker, most of Calace’s voluminous output is for mandolin solo or in chamber settings but he did produce a few remarkable works for larger groups, such as Op. 141 and 155. Near contemporaries of Calace, Giuseppe Manente and Arregio Capelleti wrote numerous pieces for mandolin ensemble in a traditional, lyrical Italian style that are still popular with mandolin orchestras worldwide today. Victor Kioulaphides and John Craton are established contemporary composers who have written for mandolin in various settings. The Kioulaphides’s concerto was commissioned for HET CONSORT and received its world premiere in 2005, and its US premiere (by the PMO) in 2006. About the concerto the composer writes: “The form of the piece was determined during several conversations with Alex Timmerman … The final outcome was a work that features each and every section as occasional soloists. The Concerto is in three movements, fast-slow-fast: a Sinfonia first movement, a notturno second one, and a Rondo finale, subtitled ‘Telemanniana’ fusing the gallantries of the Master from Magdeburg with the modern material of the earlier two movements”. Craton’s “The Legend of Princess Noccalula” is a programmatic work based on an ancient Indian legend about a Cherokee princess who chooses to end her life rather than be given away in marriage. Craton is also responsible for the ensemble arrangement of Kioulaphides’ “Basque Variations,” originally for solo mandolin. Borrowing from pop music and from minimalist composers like Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Terry Riley, Dutch composer Jeff Hijlkema’s "Perpetua Melomania II" receives its world premier this evening. Luca Mereu is an Italian composer and performer on mandolin, mandola, and guitar whose works have been published by Berben, Cantoberon, and Domani Musica, and widely performed throughout Europe. Famous as the theme music for a De Beers (diamond) commercial, “Palladio”, by the British composer Karl Jenkins, has been expertly arranged for mandolin ensemble from the string orchestra version by Alex Timmerman.

HET CONSORT, a mandolin chamber orchestra based in Zwolle, The Netherlands, was founded in 1990. The Orchestra has received worldwide recognition and awards, including the ‘Honorary Award’ by the Comunita Montana “Valle del Liri” (Lazio-Italy) in 2003. Contemporary composers who have written for HET CONSORT include Annette Kruisbrink, Marc Matthys, Luca Mereu, Victor Kioulaphides, John Craton, and Jeff Hijlkema. HET CONSORT has performed extensively throughout Europe including Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France, Spain and Italy, and has worked with many well-known musicians including Peter Doberitz, Tove Flensborg, Ugo Orlandi, Pavel Steidl, Michael Troster, Richard Walz, and Gertud Weyhofen.

Alex Timmerman is Music Director of HET CONSORT. He studied classical guitar with Pieter van der Staak, Jorge Oraison, and John Mills. One of the world’s premier experts on historical plucked instruments, he is the author of De Mandoline en de Gitaar door de Eeuwen heen (The Mandolin and the Guitar Through the Centuries) as well as numerous articles in musical journals as Croatia’s Gitara, Italy’s GuitART, and Tabulatuur, the official journal of the Dutch Lute Society. In demand throughout Europe as a concert artist and conductor Alex Timmerman has taught mandolin and guitar at the Centrum voor Kunstzinnige Vorming de Muzerie in Zwolle since 1979 and at the ArtEZ High School for the Arts in Zwolle, Arnhem, and Enschede (Netherlands) since 1997. He has given lectures on the history of mandolin and of the guitar throughout Europe including at the third symposium of the European Guitar and Mandolin Association (EGMA) in Trossingen, Germany (2004); the symposium ‘Vincente Árias (1833 – 1914): Costruttore di chitarre’ in Vicenza, Italy (2005); and at the Cremona Music Fair in Cremona, Italy (2006). In addition to his teaching and performing activities, Timmerman works for the musical instrument department of the Haags Gemeentemuseum of The Hague.

Born in 1980, Sebastiaan de Grebber is one of Europe’s leading performers on classical mandolin. He began his musical studies on mandolin at age eight with Alex Timmerman, and at age 14 became a regular member of HET CONSORT and eventually concertmaster. A participant in many international music and mandolin courses and competitions, he also studied with Italian maestro Ugo Orlandi, and has completed bachelor and master degrees in music. In August 2006 de Grebber and his duo partner (pianist Sarah Beernink) were awarded first prize at the Amsterdam Uitmarkt Chamber Music Concours. A master of the virtuosic Italian mandolin repertoire of the early 20th century, he is also a champion of new music for the instrument, and has performed with various Dutch new music groups such as the “K2 Ensemble” and the “Newman Ensemble” directed by Ab Sandbrink. Sebastiaan de Grebber has given premieres of works by John Craton and Victor Kioulaphides. His debut recording, “Fantasia Romantica“, was recently released.

HET CONSORT

Director: Alex Timmerman
First Mandolin: Sebastiaan de Grebber (concertmaster), Yolana Döpp, Pauline Ulderink
Second Mandolin: Ferdinand Binnendijk, Marian van Dijk, Margareet van Litsenburg
Octave Mandola: Helma Damman-Ruitenberg, Ruth Rouw
Mandoloncello: Niels Godart
Classical Guitar: Frido Kuijlman, Robert Streef, Tom Edskes
Chitarrone Moderno: Marianne Timmerman-Holander

HET CONSORT gratefully acknowledges the support of the Dutch Fund for Amateur Arts and Performing Arts.

[violmando]

I really wish I could be there to see my friends from AMGuSS in the PMO AND the wonderful HET consort, but I'm off to Pittsburgh that weekend for an early music workshop. All of you who can go, DO--ENJOY these FINE musicians!! Yvonne

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello,

I was away from the Board for a while and i couldn`t wish all the best to Alex and his wonderful orchestra, so here they are: Good luck with your trip to the US, great success with the performance and pleasant moments meeting the US mando friends!

And a short notice about our concert activity. We already made two concerts in the hall of the Union of the Bulgarian composers and in Plovdiv (the second biggest town in BG). For anyone who might be interested here are some pictures.

It is a strange formation indeed - two basses, piano, mandolin and guitar. So far we are not playing all together. We both perform the following pieces: M. Guiliani - "Duo Concertante" 3. movement, Teleman - "Fantasia" and V. Abt`s "Angel`s Serenade".
The basses play some usual for the bass pieces by G. Botezzini, Koussevitsky, Ramo and Reiche, as well as pieces for bass by Bulgarian composers.
What we also played is Grieg`s "Anitras Dance" - arranged for mandolin, guitar and bass.
The program became interesting, variegated and well balanced. The audience liked it a lot. We received an invitation to take part in a festival on the Black Sea Coast - the city of Pomorie (19-22. July).
We already arranged and played together the piece "Reunion" from the soundtrack of "Captain Corelli`s Mandolin" for mandolin, guitar, piano and bass. And now we are in the process of arranging a short, but very effective piece by Igor Frolov for the same formation.

So, that`s the news from the "East front" #

Best,
Plamen

[vkioulaphides]

AHA! Bass and mandolin! Oh, how I wish I were there!

It must have been great fun, Plamen. What Bulgarian bass-music did the Fair Ladies of the Low Octave play? I only know of some music by Todor Toshev, who was (is?) a professor at the Sofia Conservatory, I believe. What duets did they play? Presumably one or more of Bottesini's unaccompanied Grand Duos?

It all looks wonderful... As I am sure you know, Plamen, Plovdiv was called Philippoupolis in antiquity, as it was at the time the outermost frontier of the Macedonian kingdom of Philipp II (father of Alexander the Great); but the picture of the amphitheater you posted looks decidedly Roman, perhaps from Trajan's or Hadrian's time. Can you tell me what you know about it?

I am sure the music was wonderful, too. Some day I will LOVE to tour Bulgaria's "valleys of roses"...

Cheers,

Victor

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello, Victor!

You are absolutely right! It was great fun! I really like to be among professional musicians! They all are great people! Much better than lawyers and much much better than lawyer`s crazy clients! Really, i feel very relaxed and comfortable.

The Bulgarian bass pieces were composed by Krassimir Taskov (a modern piece called "Enigma") and Georgi Zlatev-Tscherkin ("Sevdana" originally composed for piano and cello). Bottesini`s piece (thanks for the right spelling) is "Capriccio Bravura" - solo bass and piano. The pieces for two basses are by J.P. Ramo (again not sure about the spelling) and Reiche - "Eine kleine Bassmusik" - very attractive piece!

Of course, I know about Philippoupolis! And I know also who Phillip was (thanks for the explanation in the brackets ) You are quite right about the amphitheater! It was erected in the beginning of the II. century by the emperor Trajan. Not by him himslef, of course, but when the Empire was under his rule. Built with around 7,000 seats, each section of seating had the names of the city quarters engraved on the benches so the citizens at the time knew where they were to sit. Unfortunately during V. century Atilla the Hun came to Plovdiv, and wreaked havoc causing damage to the amphitheatre.


You know that you (and everyone else attending the Board) are always welcome to Bulgaria!

Good luck!
Plamen

[vkioulaphides]

Oh, I know you know, Plamen. But, as this is a public forum, I provide reference for the information of the general public, not just us Balkan neighbors.

"Unfortunately... Atilla the Hun came... and wreaked havoc...

Nowadays, we have real estate developers, instead.

OK, back to our regular programming: I am thrilled to await Alex and Het Consort. I will attend the New York performance (of course), plus the Saturday night in Providence, and will be delighted to meet any and every mando-friend who comes up to say hello.

Cheers,

Victor

[Alex Timmerman]

Hello All,


Thanks Jim, Linda, Yvonne, Plamen and others for your well wishes for our US trip. I am sure that we will have a great time! And good luck with all your mandolin activities too!

More thanks here also to Robert Margo for taking care for the Programm and excellent progamm notes.

And Victor, I am sure we all are as excited as you are; time is really flying now! In less than a week from now we are in Manhattan thinking what to do with our free time in New York and - later next week - in Providence with our friends of the PMO! Just wonderful!
We feel very fortunate that we have such good friends in the US and that it is really going to happen all. #


We look forward to it very much!
Many greetings from all of us,

Het CONSORT/Alex

[Jim Garber]

I love that drawing, Alex!

I hope that we will at least be able to shake hands with your very busy schedule. In any case, I will be so happy to hear your group in NY. I wish I could make it up to Providence as well.

Jim

[Linda Binder]

This just in from mandolinist Joe Brent:

The International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) is playing the Flatfile Galleries in Chicago on September 25th at 7:30. It's a free concert, part of the weeklong ICEFest. Our program will include:

Hans Werner Henze, Carillon, Recitatif, Masque (mandolin, harp, guitar)
Goffredo Petrassi, Seconda Serenata Trio (mandolin, harp, guitar)
Astor Piazzolla, L'Histoire du Tango (mandolin, harp)
Reiko Fueting, Red Wall (guitar)
harp duet TBA
commissioned work TBA (mandolin, guitar, 2 harps)

Joe Brent, mandolin
Dan Lippel, guitar
Bridget Kibbey, harp
Nuiko Wadden, harp

[vkioulaphides]

As I read the above, dear Linda, I feel the pangs of conscience... ... Joe has asked me to write his group a trio for mandolin, guitar, and harp (especially as I have on occasion worked with both Dan and Bridget, and am well acquainted with their fine playing) but, alas, no ink has gone down on paper yet. *sigh*

Perhaps as soon as I finish the Greek Lyrics for Neil, the next project should be this. If you have any contact with Joe, please let him know I have not forgotten him.

Cheers,

Victor