by John Craton
Below are listed all my works to date that incorporate mandolin, either solo or in ensemble. I have endeavored to list them with information regarding the availability of scores and with audio files that hopefully are a bit more listenable than the earlier ones posted. These audios are, for the most part, mp3s of the original Sibelius playback and are not live performances. Titles are listed alphabetically below the table.
Bloemen van Spanje (Flowers of Spain)
• two solo guitars and string orchestra, or two solo guitars and mandolin orchestra
This work was commissioned by and dedicated to Alex Timmerman and was premiered by soloists Mark & Beverly Davis and Het CONSORT in Zwolle, Netherlands, on 5 July 2008. The video recording of the premiere did not turn out well due to microphone placement, so the sound files below are simply mp3s of the Sibelius playback with string orchestra. The work is tentatively planned to be recorded professionally by Mark & Beverly Davis and Het CONSORT in the near future.
Audio files (mp3)
Horned Red Poppy
Myrtle
Centaury
Broomrape
Bellfower
WisteriaScores
Score and parts available on request by writing to the composer.
Charon Crossing the Styx
• mandolin and double bass
Commissioned by and dedicated to mandolinist Christopher Acquavella.Audio files
An mp3 of the Sibelius playback is available by clicking here.Scores
Score and parts are available on request by writing to the acomposer.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/charon.html
Concerto for 2 Mandolins & Orchestra (“Rromane Bjavela”)
• two solo mandolins and string orchestra, or two solo mandolins and mandolin orchestra
Composed for Sebastiaan de Grebber and Ferdinand Binnendijk, and dedicated to Marianne Timmerman-Hollander. The version for solo mandolins and mandolin orchestra is slated to be premiered in an upcoming season. In addition to the two orchestral versions, a piano reduction also has been prepared and is in preparation for publication. The audio files below were made from the Sibelius playback with string orchestra.
Audio files (mp3)
Allegretto–Andante–Allegretto
Adagio
Allegro–VivacissimoScores
Score is embargoed until after the premiere. Contact the composer for more information.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/2mands.html
The Curious Affair of the Count of Monte Blotto
• mandolin in score
A comic opera in three acts, a mandolin is called for in two numbers: the “Klezmer episode” in scene 3 of Act II, and the serenade in scene 1 of Act III.
Audio files
Only Sibelius playbacks:
Klezmer episode
Serenade: “Once my heart was captured”Scores
Score and parts available on request by writing to the composer.Webpage
www.craton.net/monteblotto
Danseries anciennes
• mandolin orchestra
Commissioned by and dedicated to Alex Timmerman, Danseries is a set of eight ancient dances in old style for mandolin orchestra. The work was premiered by Het CONSORT on 18 September 2009 in Bancigny, France.Audio files
Estampie [or watch video]
Pavane et Gaillard [or watch video]
Basse danse et Tourdion [or watch video]
Carole et Bransle gay [or watch video]
Piva [or watch video]Scores
Contact the composer for information about availability.
Dioses aztecas (Aztec Gods)
• solo mandolin and piano
A set of five concert pieces for mandolin and piano written for Sebastiaan de Grebber. The first movement, “Xochiquetzal,” was premiered by Sebastiaan de Grebber and pianist Eva van den Dool in Zwolle, Netherlands, on 5 July 2008. The audio files below are simply the Sibelius playbacks of these pieces.
Audio files (mp3)
Xochiquetzal [or watch video]
Xochipilli
Ayauhteatol
Mictlantecuhtli
Huehuecoyotl
Scores
Score is published by and is available from Wolfhead Music.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/aztec.html
Five Observations
• mandolin may be substituted for koto in score; also a version for mandolin orchestra
Five short works originally scored for soprano recorder, flute, koto, guitar, piano, voice, and windchimes, the koto may be played by a mandolin if desired. A version for mandolin orchestra also has been prepared.
Audio files (mp3)
Observation No. 1
Observation No. 2
Observation No. 3
Observation No. 4
Observation No. 5
Scores
Scores and parts are available on request by writing to the composer.
Four Whimsies
• mandola-mandocello duet, or mandolin-octave mandolin duet
Commissioned by and dedicated to Richard Walz. Duet versions for mandola-mandocello or for mandolin-octave mandolin are available. The final movement, “Lullaby,” has also been arranged for mandolin orchestra. The audio files below are Sibelius playbacks of the mandolin-octave mandolin version.
Audio files (mp3)
Uneager Awakening
Daydreams During Math
On the Playground
Lullaby
Scores
Scores and parts are available on request by writing to the composer.
Les gravures de Gustave Doré
• mandolin & guitar
Originally composed for mandolin and double bass and titled Charon Crossing the Styx, the composition was reworked for mandolin and guitar and renamed Les gravures de Gustave Doré. This version is dedicated to Ferdinand Binnendijk and Saskia Spinder.
Audio files
An mp3 of the playback of the mandolin-double bass version is available by clicking here.Scores
Score and parts are available on request by writing to the acomposer.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/dore.html
The Gray Wolf
• solo mandolin
Composed for and dedicated to Sebastiaan de Grebber, the work is for unaccompanied mandolin and is based on a short story of the same name by Scottish author George MacDonald. The work was written for de Grebber’s CD Fantasia Romantica.
Audio files
A 60-second excerpt of the De Grebber recording may be heard here. The full recording can be found on the CD Fantasia Romantica played by Sebastiaan de Grebber, Stemra SDG2001-07.Scores
Score is published by and is available from Wolfhead Music.
The Legend of Princess Noccalula
• solo mandolin and mandolin orchestra, or solo mandolin and string orchestra
Commissioned by and dedicated to Alex Timmerman, the work is a tone poem for solo mandolin and mandolin/string orchestra. Premiered by soloist Sebastiaan de Grebber and Het CONSORT in Scherpenzeel, Netherlands, on 1 April 2006.
Audio files
A 60-second excerpt of the CONSORT recording with Sebastiaan de Grebber may be heard here. The full recording can be found on the CD Music for Mandolin Orchestra featuring Sebastiaan de Grebber and Het CONSORT, Stemra ATSDG03-08.Scores
Score and parts available on request by writing to the composer.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/noccalula
Mandolin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor
• solo mandolin and string orchestra, or solo mandolin and mandolin orchestra
Dedicated to Victor Kioulaphides, the concerto was premiered by Ferdinand Binnendijk and Het Orkest van het Oosten in Zwolle, Netherlands, on 15 June 2006. In addition to the two orchestral versions, a piano reduction also is available. The audio files below are actually videos of the premiere in Zwolle.
Audio files (video)
Allegro
Adagio (“Alabama Lullaby”)
AllegrettoScores
Piano reduction is available from Wolfhead Music. Score and parts of both orchestral versions are available by writing to the composer.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/mando1.html
Mandolin Concerto No. 2 in D Major
• solo mandolin and chamber orchestra (1110 2000 b-cl tmp perc str)
Dedicated to Richard Walz. In addition to the orchestral version, a piano reduction also is available. The audio files below are Sibelius playbacks.
Audio files (mp3)
Andante–Allegro
Adagio–Andante non troppo–Adagio
AllegroScores
Piano reduction is available from Wolfhead Music. Score and parts of the orchestral version are available by writing to the composer.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/mando2.html
Mandolin Concerto No. 3 in E Minor
• solo mandolin and string orchestra with percussion (timpani, bass drum, triangle, tambourine, castonets, cymbals, tubular bells, cimbalom, xylophone)
Dedicated to Gertrud Weyhofen and subtitled “Verdun, 1916,” the concerto commemorates the Battle of Verdun and is dedicated to the memory of all the soldiers who fought bravely in this great conflict, regardless of the colors under which they fought. It attempts to convey both the sacrifice and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit in wartime. In addition to the orchestral version, a piano reduction also is available. The audio files below are Sibelius playbacks.
Audio files (mp3)
Allegro agitato–Allegro non troppo–Allegro agitato
Adagio–Déchaîner–Adagio
Rapide–Moderato–RapideScores
Piano reduction is available from Wolfhead Music. Score and parts of the orchestral version are available by writing to the composer.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/mando3.html
Mandolin Concerto No. 4 in G Major
• solo mandolin and string orchestra with timpani
Dedicated to Alison Stephens, the concerto is an homage to the nineteenth-century American composer Theodore von La Hache and endeavors to reflect La Hache’s charateristic optimism. In addition to the orchestral version, a piano reduction also is available. The audio files below are Sibelius playbacks.
Audio files (mp3)
Allegretto non troppo
Adagio–Andante con moto–Adagio
Allegro vivoScores
Piano reduction is available from Wolfhead Music. Score and parts of the orchestral version are available by writing to the composer.
Pagan Festivals
• string orchestra, or mandolin orchestra
Originally composed for high-school level string orchestra, a version for mandolin orchestra is also available. The audio files below are of the string-orchestra version.Audio files (mp3)
Lughnasadh
Imbolc
Samhain
BeltaneScores
Score and parts available on request by writing to the composer.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/pagan.html
Perpetuum Mobile
• solo mandolin
A short work that was designed principally as an exercise or encore piece for unaccompanied mandolin.
Audio files
An audio of the Sibelius playback may be heard here.Scores
Score is available as a free PDF download here.
A Silly Jig
• mandolin orchestra
As the title implies, the work is just a silly, jocular jig composed for Alex Timmerman and Het Consort Mandolin Orchestra of The Netherlands. It is currently embargoed until after the premiere.
Audio files
Scores
Webpage
www.craton.net/music/jig.html
Six Pantomimes for Two Mandolins
• mandolin duo
Six humorous duets for two mandolins, dedicated to Nelleke Weyhofen. The work was premiered by Gertrud Weyhofen and Martine Sikkenk in Hammelburg, Germany, on 7 August 2007. The work also has been discussed in the spring 2006 issue of Mandolin Magazine, volume 7, number 4, pp. 19-21. The audio files below are merely the sibelius playbacks.Audio files (mp3)
No. 1 [or watch video A or watch video B]
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6Scores
Score is available for free download at www.craton.net/music/PDFs/Pantomimes.pdf.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/mandolin
Sonatina No. 3 for Violin & Mandolin
• violin and mandolin duo
A short sonatina for a beginning violinist with mandolin accompaniment. The work was written for and dedicated to Sophia Kioulaphides. The violin part is all in 1st position.Audio files
1. Moderato
2. Adagio
3. AllegrettoScores
Score and parts are available for free download on the website linked below.
Three Tableaux from George MacDonald
• alto recorder, mandolin, violoncello
Three movements inspired by scenes from the writings of Scottish author George MacDonald: The Earlier Visions of Tuefelsbürst (from the short story The Cruel Painter); Liliths Mirror (from the novel Lilith); and The Light Princess, the Toad, and the Page (from the fairy tale The Light Princess). Composed for and dedicated to Evelien Wolting, Ferdinand Binnendijk, and Caterina Trujillo Alonso.Audio files
The Earlier Visions of Teufelsbürst (Allegretto)
Liliths Mirror (Slow)
The Light Princess, the Toad, and the Page (Humoresque Presto)
Scores
Score and parts are available on request by writing to the composer.
Variations from Der Fluyten Lust-hof of Jakob van Eyck
• mandolin solo
Eight sets of variations taken from van Eyck’s opus, each set dedicated to a mandolinist with Het CONSORT in 2006. The set of variations on “Doen Daphne d’Over Schoone Maeght” was premiered by Ferdinand Binnendijk in Zwolle, Netherlands, on 31 March 2006, and a later video recording of Binnendijk performing this work is linked below. The other audios are Sibelius playbacks.Audio files (mp3/video)
Silvester Inde Morgenstont
Janneman en Alemoer
Bockxvoetje
Ho Ho op Myn Brack en Winden
Doen Daphne d’Over Schoone Maeght
Ach Treurt Mijn Bedroefde
Laura
Wat Zal Men op den Avond DoenScores
Score is available as a free PDF download here.
Biber – Sonata Representativa
Arrangements of Works by Other Composers
• mandolin orchestra
The sonata that was originally for solo violin and continuo, arranged for mandolin orchestra or string orchestra. By Heinrich Ignaz Biber.Audio files
None available.Scores
Score and parts are available on request by writing to the arranger.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/biber.html
Dobyns – Three Rags
• mandolin orchestra
The only three known works of American composer Gerladine Dobyns, arranged for mandolin orchestra.Audio files (mp3)
Bull Dog Rag
Holly and Mistletoe
Possum RagScores
Score and parts are available on request by writing to the arranger.Webpage
www.craton.net/music/dobyns.html
Gianneo – Cinqo Piezas
• solo mandolin and mandolin orchestra, or solo mandolin and string orchestra
Five short pieces originally for violin and piano which have been arranged for solo mandolin and mandolin orchestra or string orchestra. By Argentine composer Luis Gianneo.Audio files (video)
Vidala & Cancion Incaica
Chacarera, Cancion de Cuna & ZapateadoScores
Score and parts are available on request by writing to the arranger.
Kioulaphides – Four Souvenirs
• mandolin orchestra, or string orchestra
Four individual works originally for unaccompanied mandolin, grouped as a set and arranged for mandolin orchestra or string orchestra. By Greek-American composer Victor Kioulaphides. The first movement is shown in the mandolin-orchestra arrangement; the others are of the works in their original format. “Variations on a Basque Melody” is also featured on the CD Music for Mandolin Orchestra, played by Het CONSORT with Alex Timmerman conducting (Stemra ATSDG03-08).Audio files (video)
Variations on a Basque Melody
de Grote Markt
Idillio
El malecónScores
Score and parts are available on request by writing to the arranger.
RETURN to catalogue.