The Classical Mandolin - Tapa dura

It is essential reading, of course, for anyone interested in the mandolin, and to those it is highly recommended. It is also . . . recommended to anybody who is not so blinkered that they can read only books on their own speciality. If you are aware enough of musical instruments to be open to those in which you do not specialise, then you will gain from reading this. (Jeremy Montagu, FoMRHI Comm.)

Sparks gives an excellent and readable account of the makers, leading players, composers and their music, journals, mandolin orchestras, organisations, and phenomenal popularity of the mandolin during its heyday. Anyone concerned with the history of plucked musical instruments or with the history of music in the nineteenth century will want to consult this sequel to The Early Mandolin. (Ann Viles, Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society)

Once again, Paul Sparks has presented us with an utterly unique book. Taking up where his The Early Mandolin (Oxford University Press, co-written with James Tyler) left off, The Classical Mandolin continues the story of the instrument . . . thoroughly documented, finely presented, with copious illustrations . . . Sparks' fine sense for both words and history makes the book entertaining and challenging. (Keith Harris, Classical Mandolin Society of America)

J'avais dit au sujet du premier livre de cet auteur "s'il est un seul livre que vous devez posséder sur la mandoline et en particulier sur son histoire, c'est bien celui-ci . . ." Eh bien, The Early Mandolin a aujourd'hui un petit frère pour lequel le même compliment s'applique, et c'est la suite de l'histoire de la mandoline, de 1815 à nos jours . . . cet ouvrage qui, on le voit, est réellement indispensable. (Jean-Paul Bazin, Le Plectre)

Although the mandolin is now regarded as a marginal instrument in the classical world, a century ago it was one of the most widely played musical instruments in Europe and North America. Regularly used in operas and symphonies, and forming the basis of plucked instrument orchestras, the mandolin could also be heard in recitals at major concert halls. The Classical Mandolin traces the rise of the modern Neapolitan mandolin, examines the lives and worlds of leading specialist composers (such as Raffaele Calace and Carlo Munier), and looks at its use by mainstream composers from Verdi and Mahler to Schoenberg and Boulez. The mandolin's enduring popularity in folk music is also discussed. The book looks finally at present-day orchestras and soloists, examines aspects of technique, and offers guidance on contacting specialist organisations worldwide.