Music from Florence for Plucked-Instrument Orchestra

CARLO MUNIER (1859-1911): Giglio Fiorentino, Preghiera, Quartet in D, ENRICO MARUCELLI (1873-1907): Valzer Fantastico, Capriccio Zingaresco, Patrol, GIUSEPPE BELLENGHI (1847-1902): Souvenir de Florence, CARLO GRAZIANI-WALTER (1851-1927): Dante e Beatrice, LUIGI BIANCHI (18??-19??): Nebel.

Description: The so-called mandolin orchestra flourished in Italy toward the end of the 19th century and was exported to the U.S. and other countries by mandolin-playing Italian immigrants to the extent that the sound became an Italian stereotype in Hollywood movies. Here are eight works for the equivalent of a mandolin chamber orchestra (mandolins, mandoras, mandoloncellos, harps, guitars and string bass) and one for a quartet: two mandolins, mandora and guitar. Even if you think you know the sound you might still be surprised at the way these plucked strings can emulate a string orchestra at times. Ensemble da Camera Gino Neri; Giorgio Fabbri.