Modern Mandolin Quartet - Americana

**NewsFetcher** · Aug-31-2012, 7:24am

The Mandolin Cafe has posted the following news release:
Modern Mandolin Quartet - Americana

The Modern Mandolin Quartet returns after an extended recording absence with their strongest and most impressive release to date, "Americana," a remarkable collection of compositions that reflect the American spirit.

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**M.Marmot** · Aug-31-2012, 8:22am

They had me at Phillip Glass 'Mishima' suite... one of my favourite soundtracks from Mr. Glass, it will be interesting to see what they can do with it.

**Scott Tichenor** · Aug-31-2012, 8:40am

I received a preview copy some time ago and can say without hesitation that it's a stunning recording. The arranging is as good as the playing. Hits on all cylinders. Right now this gets my vote for the finest mandolin recording of 2012, hands down.

**Ken_P** · Aug-31-2012, 10:22am

Is the arrangement of "Cool" the same one as they did many years ago on Intermezzo? Everything else seems new - I can't wait to hear the Dvorak! Also, is there a non-iTunes source for digital copies?

**PJ Doland** · Aug-31-2012, 11:38am

Glass's Mishima on an album called "Americana"?

That's precious.

**Scott Tichenor** · Aug-31-2012, 11:50am

Originally Posted by Ken_P

Is the arrangement of "Cool" the same one as they did many years ago on Intermezzo? Everything else seems new - I can't wait to hear the Dvorak! Also, is there a non-iTunes source for digital copies?

Intermezzo was recorded in 1990 with Mike Marshall on mandolin I believe. Since this recording lists for this piece - P. Binkley, M. Flinner, D. Rath and a. Roszkiewicz as arrangers and Mike Marshall does not appear on the recording I'd say that's your answer. This information is from iTunes. I don't have any further secret information or where else it might appear. I typically only link to amazon and iTunes because they're reliable and the addresses never change, or if they do, they forward correctly. Something that can be said about few sites. Wasn't available at Elderly at the time of this publication.

**M.Marmot** · Aug-31-2012, 4:21pm

Originally Posted by PJ Doland

Glass's Mishima on an album called "Americana"?

That's precious.

It certainly is...

but then so is having a suite from Dvorak, but i think both certainly hang under an Americana theme.

I suppose the choice of the soundtrack from Paul Schrader's 'Mishima' does seem a bit odd (especially as, now that i look the tracks i don't think there are any which represent the surf-guitar numbers such as 'Kyoko's House' which might have been my first stop for a mandolin piece) but then choice of materials seem to suggest that the Americana in question here is a real multi-cultural one.

Given Dvorak's interest in developing an american classical canon as a start, then Copland, Bernstein, Gershwin, and Monroe and rounding up with Glass' film soundtrack its a compelling arc - each in their own way have contributed something unique, and uniquely American to music, Mr. Glass and film soundtracks are arguably the best exemplars of a readily recognizable American classical sound/form today?

Its all very arguable but i am still intrigued by this album.

**Charlieshafer** · Aug-31-2012, 4:30pm

Without hearing it yet, I'm loving the thoughtfulness behind the selections. This really needs to be a quadruple disc set, as there are so many arcs to be drawn between Copland and old-time tunes, especially, of course, Bonapart's Retreat, as well as the less obvious ones. You could do a cd of nothing but songs titled "Hoedown" from this to Oliver Nelson's, and so on. Copland's music scores for movies would fill it's own cd. I'd give anything to hear an all-mandolin version of the overture to the "Red Pony." Anyway, time to get a copy.

**scapier** · Aug-31-2012, 8:35pm

Hoorah!

**Santiago** · Sep-02-2012, 5:10pm

I just downloaded the album on Itunes and I recommend it. Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention. I've been playing Hoedown on fiddle for years, and I was just starting to play it on mandolin. NOW, I am inspired!