Mandolin For Classical Music
If you’re interested in playing stringed instruments, the mandolin is an excellent option to learn on. With its distinct sound and versatility across all musical genres ranging from rock and country through classical and folk.
The mandolin has a rich history of use and early music pieces were composed specifically for it, yet its classical repertoire is less well-known compared to that of violin or guitar.
Mandolin Concerto in C Major by Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi composed only a handful of mandolin pieces in C Major during 1725; that same year was when he composed The Four Seasons.
Vivaldi was raised in Venice where his father encouraged his musical interests. From age 15 until his ordination in 1703 he studied to be a priest before turning his focus solely to music.
His passionate admirers included members of European royal families and patrons dubbed him a knight. Gloria e Imeneo was composed especially for King Louis XV’s wedding ceremony.
Vivaldi was an outstandingly prolific composer, authoring numerous operas and instrumental pieces. Additionally, his performances in Vicenza proved highly successful.
Double Mandolin Concerto by Vivaldi
The mandolin is part of the lute family of stringed instruments and has its origins dating back to 12th-century Italy, where it flourished into a popular folk instrument during Baroque period and even classical pieces specifically composed for it.
Vivaldi’s Double Mandolin Concerto is a three-movement piece in ternary form, consisting of lively first movement followed by more reflective, slower second movement.
In the first movement, strings are rapidly played with mandolins just audible in the background. After finishing their statement, however, the strings become quiet so soloists may be heard clearly.
Vivaldi instructs the mandolinists in the second movement to play an E minor tune that echoes back and forth among themselves, before instructing them to perform a pizzicato part together with violins and violas.
Mandolin Concerto in D Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the titans of classical music, was an extraordinary child prodigy who realized his immense talent as an adult composer and created an astonishing body of work that included symphonies, concertos, operas, and his iconic Requiem Mass. At Musicroom we offer an extensive range of Mozart sheet music that suits different instruments and arrangements – you may just discover your next favourite composer!
The mandolin for sale became increasingly popular during the 18th century and could be found playing all styles of music. Mozart wrote one of his most celebrated mandolin pieces for Madame Adelaide of France (Louis XV’s daughter) in 1766 – an elegant and complex mandolin concerto which has now been arranged for piano as an outstanding addition to any pianist’s repertoire. Although initially composed in C Major it has since been considered to be in D Major with no slow second movement.
