Re: Mandolin Quartet
Of course all kinds of combinations are possible, but if you are writing for groups that exist and are "ready to play," there are mandolin orchestras consisting of 1st and 2nd mandolin, mandola, mandocello and bass, and often classical guitar. In other words, more or less parallel to a string orchestra. Many of the players in these groups get together as quartets. Within that configuration, as in the annual CMSA conventions, you will find octave mandolins on the mandola part and the occasional liuto (10 string) on the mandocello part. Like a few local/regional groups, we do have a mandobass in the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra, but many feel the string bass works better and of course these are much easier to find. I had a composition in the New Music for Mandolin Orchestras session at CMSA, and I was required to provide a variety of versions--different clefs and transpositions, a classical guitar part, etc.
Now, all that is about orchestra, and you ask about a more chamber-sized group. So I refer you to my colleague Bob Margo, who is much more experienced and knowlegable. From his post in a Cafe discussion of plucked ensembles:
"There are two types of quartets -- "classical" and "romantic". Classical quartets emulate string quartets -- M1, M2, alto mandola (CGDA), and mandocello (or liuto cantabile). A "romantic quartet" consists of M1, M2, European mandola (GDAE, or what we call octave mandolin in the US), and classical guitar. Assuming one of your mandolin players switches to octave mandolin, then you have a romantic quartet."
Again, you can put together any variety of instruments, but if you are writing for groups that currently exist, I hope this has been helpful. One further thought, you mention piano; consider a harpsichord if one is available, as the more "plucked" sound will blend with the mandolins.
Jim
Dr James S Imhoff
Boston University
Oregon Mandolin Orchestra
1912 Gibson K4 Mandocello; Thomann Mandocello; Stiver F5; American? Bowlback; Martin 00016; Dusepo Cittern/liuto cantabile
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