Alison Stephen’s Mandolin Trilogy

Episodes, Excursions & Adventures

EPISODES, EXCURSIONS ET ADVENTURES

Alison Stephens' trilogy, Six Episodes, Six Excursions, Six Adventures, published at Astute Music (available in printed version or pdf) remains a model for the elaboration of learning tools. Alison Stephens composed 18 solos for the mandolin, all of them exquisite pieces, in a large variety of styles, that can very well be used as concert pieces. The cool part is that each piece addresses a specific technique but places it in context. We find two voiced melodies with accompaniment, multi-voiced pieces, pieces in the second and third position, arpeggio techniques, pieces using double stops and chords, harmonics, ornaments, and, of course, the star of romantic technique, duo-style.

Highlights of the work

1 - Melodies with accompaniment and multi-voiced pieces

2 - Arpeggio techniques

3 - Chords and double-stops

4 - Harmonics, Pizzicato and Glissando

5 - Ornaments and duo-style

Jean Comeau for Mando Montréal

Jean Comeau studied piano in his childhood and was addicted to Chopin's concertos. He also studied serial composition, flute, organ and singing. During his career as a french and theater teacher in high school, he founded the Bateleur's theater company for which he has written, composed music, made costumes and builds sets for 17 years. Now retired from teaching, Jean devotes himself full time to his passion: the mandolin