Italian Mazurkas Anyone?

[frankie]

Is anyone dancing to this music again out y'all's way?

Similar to Sheri and David's experience, people have occasionally spontaneously danced when we play, but most of the places and groups near us that host dancing are more interested in contra and english country dancing with the rare group that sponsors "international dance" (this usually means eastern-european, I think). My own interests are, perhaps, a bit broader than 'ballo liscio' in particular, so I'm happiest when there are different kinds of songs in the mix and to me, that makes a lot of sense when playing for a group of listeners in any case. ymmv...

Your signature reminds me... it's just about time for una tazza!

[frankie]

Let's face it: this is museum music!

Mebbe on some level it is, but that's no reason to blow MORE dust on it!

[DavidKOS]

Mebbe on some level it is, but that's no reason to blow MORE dust on it!

I prefer to blow the dust off and have some fun in the museum.

[brunello97]

Thanks, Y'all.... we're planning on coming on up to the Cotati festival next month so we should be out there under the tent failing to execute a proper mazurka. Honestly, we resort to waltzing and ours is likely much more Texan than it would ever be Italian. Same with our polka varieties. It sounds like a great time, Sher. We're looking forward to it!

But honestly we love to dance and would love to see the ballo liscio dance scene come alive. It think it would be a great hit particularly with young people. When we are at our place in Liguria we love to go to the summer sagras in the local villages. Always a dance band for all ages: mazurkas, waltzes, polkas, fox trots, beguines, tangos. I wouldn't confuse it with BL, though, it's typically a much more mid century hodge podge.

Typically horn bands and likely with a drummer to try to keep everyone straight. It's the North so I don't think I've ever seen a mandolin in one of these small town show bands, unfortunately. But, once the locals see you can dance you won't have a moment of rest! Thankfully no one is too picky over my technique.

I have a colleague from Warsaw who I played an Italian mazurka (recording) for and she quite adamantly said: "That's not a mazurka!" I guess everybody can get territorial about their music....

Not going to stop me.....

Mick

[brunello97]

Sorry for the duplicate post....my browser is acting a bit oddly....

[Matt Vuksinich]

Thanks, Sher and David (e Frankie) for the enthusiastic discussion.

Is anyone dancing to this music again out y'all's way?

Mick

YES, absolutely!

Using a different repertoire than our usual orchestral pieces, Aurora Mandolin Orchestra plays 2 or 3 well-attended dances yearly; and Silver Strings Ensemble also does a couple. Mazurkas, waltzes, tangos, foxtrots, rumbas, sambas--not all strictly Ballo Liscio, but substantially so.

The surprising thing to me is that of the 15-30 couples who come to these dances, the majority are under 35-40! So there's some hope for the preservation of our tradition--although we really need fresh blood PLAYING these tunes, not just dancing them! I suppose that's where this forum comes in: to demonstrate to the younger musicians that there truly is an interested audience.

Matt

[frankie]

Anyway, the whole point is to help the OP learn some Italian mazurkas and other music.

Oh - I totally agree, and it's the reason I posted what, in my admittedly limited experience, were some common (and fairly accessible) tunes within Sheri's archive.

As a collection, Sheri's archive is a fabulous and generous resource. For someone like the OP, it's an ocean of stuff with no obvious place to get started - this happens to be exciting to some folks and a disincentive to others, of course. If there were a list of 10-15 pieces that are good as a starting place for a newcomer, that would be a nice thing, I think. Similarly, a list of 15-20 that represent what you and Sheri consider to be excellent examples of the style would also be a nice thing. I tend to shy away from technical definitions of artistic excellence (I'm just a regular guy with a perverse attraction to music that is more demanding than I am talented), although I'm happy to share what I like.

[DavidKOS]

If there were a list of 10-15 pieces that are good as a starting place for a newcomer, that would be a nice thing, I think. Similarly, a list of 15-20 that represent what you and Sheri consider to be excellent examples of the style would also be a nice thing.

I have a hard time determining what should be starting points and/or excellent examples of the style, as they often overlap.

I will offer these tunes as some of my personal faves out of the archive - with the caveat that I have at best only sight-read through most of the music, certainly I have not mastered the whole repertoire, and thus may be missing some gems.

OK, we've mentioned the following that I play somewhat regularly:

Tra Veglia E Sonno
Sogno Di Bimba
Speranze Perdute
Tesoro Mio
Dolores
Sogno d'Amore
Maria Mari
La Farfalla
Stella Divina
Il Golfo Incanto
Diavoletta

That's not to say any of the other tunes aren't worthwhile - it's just that these are among the ones I usually suggest first.

Some "easier" tunes"

La Bella Piemontese
Norma
Dolci Ricordi (good tremolo exercise too)
Che Ridere (medium difficulty)
La Bella Bruna (medium + difficulty)
Sicilianedda
Vita Palmeritana

Some more advanced faves:

Una Notte a Palermo
Bacio Ideale
Notte d'Incanto
Il Primo Bacio
Il Bacio
Mazurka Brillante
Marsala Mia (the Am arrangement! - I think the Bm version is for Bb clarinet)
Angels' Dream (not too hard)
Bocca di Fatta (hard!)
Telefono aka Il Portovoce (double-stop 3rds in 2 different octaves)
Migliavacca (!)

Then there is the regional music and the vocal music - even in Italy there is renewed interest and research into the vast repertoire of traditional local music.

I also highly suggest a visit to this page:

http://brucezweig.com/music/matteo/

http://www.brucezweig.com/music/matteo/history.html

"Matteo was a wonderful mandolin player who was born in Sicily in 1911 and came to the US in the late 1930's. He had a beautiful tone and wonderful technique"

http://www.brucezweig.com/music/matt...t_fountain.zip

http://www.brucezweig.com/music/matteo/bonus_tracks.zip

mp3's

http://www.brucezweig.com/music/matt...13%20songs.tif

the charts

[brunello97]

YES, absolutely!

Using a different repertoire than our usual orchestral pieces, Aurora Mandolin Orchestra plays 2 or 3 well-attended dances yearly; and Silver Strings Ensemble also does a couple. Mazurkas, waltzes, tangos, foxtrots, rumbas, sambas--not all strictly Ballo Liscio, but substantially so.

The surprising thing to me is that of the 15-30 couples who come to these dances, the majority are under 35-40! So there's some hope for the preservation of our tradition--although we really need fresh blood PLAYING these tunes, not just dancing them! I suppose that's where this forum comes in: to demonstrate to the younger musicians that there truly is an interested audience.

Matt

Thanks, Matt! That is so great to hear. Please pass along word when your AMO will be hosting una serata / seranata di ballo.

Mick

[brunello97]

"Matteo was a wonderful mandolin player who was born in Sicily in 1911 and came to the US in the late 1930's. He had a beautiful tone and wonderful technique"

Photos of Matteo often show him with what looks like a Gibson A50 or maybe it was an A40 like the OP's who started this great conversation? Matt, Sheri or David would likely know.

Mick

[mandopops]

I’m jumping into this discussion late, but Frankie mentioning my former teacher, Maestro Giovanni Vicari, prompted a response. Yes, Frankie on his Tra Veglia, he shows who’s the “boss”.
I enjoy Sheri & David’s continuing insights & expertise on Italian Mandolin. Having had an Italian master as a teacher & having played in Italian Mandolin ensembles, I like to keep that tradition alive. I have been playing more Bluegrass than ever the last few years, but I play duets with a Guitarist & we play Classical to Jazz & I bring in some Italian pieces from time to time. I should to more. Even at Bluegrass band practices & jams, when there is a lull, I’ll play a few passages of an Italian or an Opera tune. It may get a quizzical look, but like it or not, they will have heard it.
Light Classical or museum Museum? Ok. With the Bluegrass band I sing “New River Train”. That song ain’t no spring chicken.
Joe B

[Jairo Ramos]

"Mio Dolce Sogno" by Giovanni Vicari it is one of the most beautiful waltzes I have ever heard...

[frankie]

Light Classical or museum Museum? Ok. With the Bluegrass band I sing “New River Train”. That song ain’t no spring chicken.

Yep!

[frankie]

"Mio Dolce Sogno" by Giovanni Vicari it is one of the most beautiful waltzes I have ever heard...

Wow... I couldn't agree more... what a tune that is!

You know what makes me REALLY crazy about it? The bowed bass on that recording is FANTASTIC. It's ALL good from top to bottom!