All The Rage - Mandolin Ensemble Music From 1897-1924

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There are few sounds as mesmerizing as the cascading tremolo of several mandolins playing in unison; quite literally, it's like nothing else. So it's no wonder that, at the turn of the 20th century, the mandolin--an instrument with European roots and American ingenuity behind it--became the instrument to play. Sure, the instrument's fame would fade in the mid-1920s when the banjo and guitar took center stage, but for nearly 20 years, it was America's instrument. The Gibson company--innovators in changing the style of the modern mandolin--had "teacher-agents" to help spread the gospel of the instrument and its varied repertoire while mando clubs sprang up everywhere. What were all these folks playing? As heard on this disc, a wide assortment of classical tunes, European ballads, waltzes, marches, and instrumental pop tunes. The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble performs all of these works with an amazing mastery: it's a classical ensemble like none you've ever heard before--nearly a dozen mandolins playing together. The great liner notes tell the story of the mandolin's evolution from ethnic folk to light-classical to bluegrass axe in fascinating detail, but the music--especially on 1903's "La Tipica" and 1910's "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice"--shines. Great sonics and memorable music will have you feeling nostalgic. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

The Boston Ideal March
Laughing Eyes
La Tipica
Dance Of The Lunatics
The Flying Wedge
Gloriana
All The Rage
Estudiantina
My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice
Sweet Corn
Texas Fox Trot
Silver Ripples
Gallantry
Fieldston March

Amazon.com

There are few sounds as mesmerizing as the cascading tremolo of several mandolins playing in unison; quite literally, it's like nothing else. So it's no wonder that, at the turn of the 20th century, the mandolin--an instrument with European roots and American ingenuity behind it--became the instrument to play. Sure, the instrument's fame would fade in the mid-1920s when the banjo and guitar took center stage, but for nearly 20 years, it was America's instrument. The Gibson company--innovators in changing the style of the modern mandolin--had "teacher-agents" to help spread the gospel of the instrument and its varied repertoire while mando clubs sprang up everywhere. What were all these folks playing? As heard on this disc, a wide assortment of classical tunes, European ballads, waltzes, marches, and instrumental pop tunes. The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble performs all of these works with an amazing mastery: it's a classical ensemble like none you've ever heard before--nearly a dozen mandolins playing together. The great liner notes tell the story of the mandolin's evolution from ethnic folk to light-classical to bluegrass axe in fascinating detail, but the music--especially on 1903's "La Tipica" and 1910's "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice"--shines. Great sonics and memorable music will have you feeling nostalgic. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Brash Bravado.......2003-10-08

This album contains music of historical importance for the mandolin. Two of the songs (My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice & Gallantry) were extremely beautiful, and were instantly among my all-time mandolin favorites. Much of the album, however, was too brash & too tinny for my taste. The "cascading tremolo" I was expecting was not as pervasive as I might have wished. If you are particularly fond of marches & dances (waltz, polka, etc.), this might be a great choice for you, but I could do without the bravado.

Modern Mandolinists Revisit the Past.......2000-03-01

This CD contains historically important mandolin music, which is lively and performed with peerless artistry. The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble provides a valuable musical perspective of the fretted instrument orchestras that were "All the Rage" at the dawn of the twentieth century. The repertoire is varied and delightful. The uniqueness of this CD will result in its being played over and over.

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