Set of 6 short fugues (or fughettas)  for mandolin quartet (2 mandolins, mandola & guitar)

Scored in a variety of musical styles

NOT TO BE TAKEN TOO SERIOUSLY

Fugues just for Fun

J. Dowland - Flow My Tears -

A. Barrios - Valse op.8 -

Composed by Roberto Brisotto (1972)
Performed by "La Rosa dei Venti"
Martina Tardi: soprano
Petra Grassi: soprano
Marco Barbon: tenore
Luca Scaccabarozzi: basso
Live recording
21/8/2014
International Choral Festival "Voci d'Europa"
Mamoiada (NU) - ITALY

Missa Brevis "In Humilitate"

Live recording (world premiere)
September, 19 - 2011 "34° Settembre Musicale"
San Giusto Cathedral, Trieste (ITALY)
Roberto Brisotto (1972): "La Prière Incessante" for flute and organ
Mascioni" Organ (1922) : 3 manuals (58 notes), pedal (30 notes), 
48 stops, electric transmission.
Flute: Tommaso Bisiak
Organ : Roberto Brisotto (Organist in residence in San Giusto Cathedral)



La Prière Incessante

Simple Symphony

3rd Movement - Sentimental Saraband

transcribed/arranged for mandolin orchestra

For more info, see the Wikipedia article
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Symphony

Simple Symphony 3rd Movement - Benjamin Britten

Musician : Dave Lees - Instrument: Paul Shippey "Tone" mandolin (2016) - Titles: The Fisherman's Island / The Fermoy Lasses
Two Irish reels played on a brand new Paul Shippey mandolin. This is a great mandolin, and has given my enthusiasm for playing a huge boost.
The first reel is one of the many tunes composed by Ed Reavy (1898-1988) a fiddle player born in Co. Cavan who emigrated to the USA at a young age. The second is a traditional tune that's been around for a very long time. 

The Fisherman's Island / The Fermoy Lasses

The live recording of my composition for my portfolio.  

Drum Kit Inspired Strings

This simple carol by 17th century English composer, William Ballet, adapted for mandolin quartet.

Merry Christmas

Lute Book Lullaby - William Ballet

A great song written by Robin Laing. This track is one of the results of the workshop run by Nigel Gatherer on 23rd March 2019. The theme of the workshop was songs and music of Edinburgh.

MM12: Burke and Hare

A sort of double fugue which developed while 'messing around' on the mandolin
with a nod to Alec Templeton

Scored for 2 mandolins, mandola and guitar

A happy start to the New Year - not to be taken too seriously !

Fugues just for Fun - No 1

A slowish ragtime tune which was 'inspired' (dare I say that?) after hearing El Condor Pasa by Simon & Garfunkel on the radio.

Just to keep it serious ... there's also nearly a quote from a Bach fugue hidden in the second Mandolin part !!

For 2 mandolins, mandola & guitar

Fugues just for Fun - No. 2

Perhaps this would be better called a 'Fughetta', but what's in a name ?

I've called it Hootenanny Hoedown ....... with turkey

I admit that the middle section isn't too original !

Scored for 2 mandolins, mandola & guitar

This is the 3rd of (hopefully) a set of six.

I't's probably better a touch faster, but my playing isn't quite secure enough for that.

Fugues just for Fun - No 3

Fourth of a set of six

Scored for 2 mandolins, mandola and guitar

Subtitle 

Neapolitan Waltz (or Spaghetti Fughetti ........ or - thanks to Bertram Henze - Fughetti Bolognese)

I suppose, being Neapolitan, it should have been the 6th (!!?*)

My wife, June, and I had the first waltz to this on Sunday 20th January 2013.






Fugues just for Fun - No 4

fifth of a set of six Fugues and fughettas

scored for mandolin quartet - 2 mandolins, mandola and guitar.

 entitled the Bell Hornpipe. I had the idea of using the Westminster chimes as a fugue subject but also had of the sound of a hornpipe in my head, and so decided to combine the two. The rather clangy bell section in the middle is deliberate as bells are often a little discordant, but it also gives the opportunity for the bell like quality of the mandolin to be used to good effect.

Fugues just for Fun - No 5

The final one of the set

entitled 'Initials'

This is a Baroque style fugue. The fugue subject starts with my initials - A D B

for Mandolin quartet of 2 mandolins, mandola and guitar.

Fugues just for Fun - No 6

05. Autumn Leaves

Retired
Wrote a number of short pieces of music - both instrumental and choral - in the 1970s and 80s. Originally trained as a classical violinist. Also guitar (self taught).
Having suffered an injury to my left shoulder I am now unable to hold a violin in position, and have difficulty with a guitar at full stretch, but I find I can manage a mandolin and so am now, though much out of practice, revisiting violin music and playing (and writing) pieces specifically for the mandolin. I hope you find something among my efforts which you enjoy.

Scores and parts are available for most of these pieces; please message me if you want any of them.

Fugues just for Fun - No 6

andabouk

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