TCHAIKOVSKY: Nutcracker Suite; LLOBET: Four Catalan Folksongs; FAURE: Pavane; VIVALDI: Concerto in D for Lute, Two Violins & Basso Continuo RV 93; DELIBES: Flower Duet from Lakme – Modern Mandolin Quartet – Dorian Sono Luminus DSL-92121 [Distr by Naxos] *****:
What an absolutely delightful Christmas-oriented CD among the stack of same old/same old we have been receiving! The quartet consists of four mandolinists, with two of them doubling on guitar and one playing a mandocello – whatever that is. A couple of the delicious arrangements are by member Paul Binkley, including the opening unfamiliar Four Catalan Folksongs – they’re a total gas.
I don’t think I’ve enjoyed the over-played-at-this-season Nutcracker ever so much as this treatment by the Modern Mandolin Quartet. It’s full of enthusiasm and a wonderful, compelling sound. I only wish it were surrounding me, which Dolby ProLogic attempts to do. I have an old photo of my aunt playing in a Swiss mandolin orchestra, and it brings back memories of the unique sound these historic instruments which were once so popular, can provide today. Fortunately they have been taken up by present virtuosi such as Mike Marshall to captivate listeners for a long time to come. The Vivaldi Concerto is also much more interesting than with the usual instrumentation. Excellent sonics too.
Pluck up your Christmas music experience with this wonderful album!
– John Sunier
