© 2004 Ralf Leenen 

THE SOUND OF THE EMBERGHER MANDOLIN

RECORDINGS ON EMBERGHER INSTRUMENTS
by Ralf Leenen and the Royal Estudiantina La Napolitaine
(for better sound quality, it is advised to listen through headphones)
The history of the Embergher workshop, pictures and full details of their instruments can be found in the book:
"The Embergher Mandolin" by Ralf Leenen and Barry Pratt.

Alphabetical index:

BACH, J. S. - Fuga, BWV 855 - Die Kunst der Fuge, Contrapunctus IX, BWV1080 BOTTESINI, G. - Passione Amorosa (arr.: V. Kioulaphides) (Video) CALACE, R. - I° Concerto, opus 113 (fragments) - Danza dei Nani (Video) - Moto Perpetuo - Pavana, opus 54 (fragment) - Preludio I, (Video) - Preludio X, opus 112 CALACE, R - LEENEN, R. - Moto Perpetuo CECERE, C. - Concerto in La Maggiore * Allegro ma non presto (Video) * Largo (Video) * Grazioso (Video) DELIBES, L. - Coppélia, ouverture (fragment) DE VLEESHOUWER, A. - De Droom van Houten Clara DOWLAND, J. - The Earl of Essex Galliard GAL, H. - Capriccio - Capriccio (Video) GERVASIO, G. B. - Duo in C major GRUBER, F. X. - Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht / Silent Night, Holy Night HANDEL, G. F. - Suite in d minor, HVW437 KIOULAPHIDES, V. -  de Grote Markt -  El Malecón (Video) -  Variations on a Basque Melody -  Quartetto Classico N° 3 "Manhattan" KUWAHARA, Y. - The Song of the Japanese Autumn (fragment)

MARKS J. - Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer LECLAIR, J.-M. - Sonata in e minor, opus 3 N°5 LEDUC, E. - Troika Fantasie LEENEN, R. - Suite per Mandolino solo (2000) * I. Preludio (Video) * II. Presto (Video) * III. Larghetto * IV. Finale: Allegro Giocoso MENDELSSOHN, F. - First String Quartet, Canzonetta MOZART, W. A. - Rondó alla turca, KV331 PURCELL, H -  Rondeau from Abdelazer, Z570 - Triosonate in C major, Z795 RANIERI, S. - Valse Caprice (Video) REICHENBACH, M. - Linstead Market SARTORI, G. - Dolce Visione (Video) SCARLATTI, D. - Sonata in  D minore, K. 9 - Sonata in  G minore, K. 35 SCONTRINO, A. - Minuetto VIVALDI, A. - Concerto in D major, opus 7 N°11, RV208a - Concerto in a minor, opus 3 N°6, RV356

Recordings on Embergher instruments by Ralf Leenen
(for better sound quality, it is advised to listen through headphones)

CONCERTO IN A MINOR, Opus 3 N°6 (RV 356)  (A. Vivaldi ) for mandolin, strings and basso continuo - mandolin solo:  Embergher N°4-1906 (Goldfuchs Strings) Recorded: 09/1998 All tracks and instruments of the following recordings are played by Ralf Leenen. MINUETTO (Antonio Scontrino - arr. by Silvio Ranieri)   - mandolin 1&2: Embergher N°4-1906 (Goldfuchs strings) - mandola 1&2: Embergher N°2-1904 (Goldfuchs Strings) - Guitar: René De Bondt 1989 Recorded: 10/07/1994 DUO (G. B. Gervasio) - mandolin 1&2: Embergher N°4-1906  (new set Embergher strings of the 1920s) Recorded: 22/07/1994 FUGA BWV855 (J. S. Bach - arr. Ralf Leenen)    (pitch: a'=415Hz) - mandolin: Embergher N°6-1958 (Goldfuchs Strings) - mandola: Embergher N°2-1904 (Goldfuchs Strings) Recorded: 07/2000 SUITE N°4 IN D MINOR - (HVW 437) (G. F. Händel - arr. K. Wölki/R. Leenen) 1. Allemande - 2. Courante - 3. Sarabande & variations - 4. Gigue
- mandolin 1&2: Embergher N°4-1906 (Goldfuchs strings) - mandola:  Embergher N°2-1904 (Goldfuchs Strings) - mandoloncello: Theophano c.1920  (Goldfuchs Strings) Recorded: 09/1998 TRIOSONATE IN C MAJOR  (Z795) (H. Purcell) Canon by twofold augmentation in the 5th and 8th above Canzona - Largo - Allegro - mandolin 1&2: Embergher N°7-1900 (Strings by Barry Pratt) - mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner Strings) Recorded: 2003 LINSTEAD MARKET (arrangement for mandolin solo by Michael Reichenbach) (More recordings and music by M. Reichenbach can be found on the arranger's website)  - mandolin: Embergher N°5bis-1947 (Strings by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 20/03/2006 CONTRAPUNCTUS IX a 4 alla Duodecima (Die Kunst der Fuge, BWV1080) (J. S. Bach) - mandolin1: Embergher N°5bis-1947 (Strings by Barry Pratt) - mandolin2: Embergher N°5-1926 (Strings by Barry Pratt) - mandola: Embergher N°1-1925 (Dogal Carbon Steel Strings) - mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner Strings) Recorded: 03/04/2006 SONATA IN E MINOR, Opus 3 N°5 (J.-M. Leclair) I. Allegro ma poco II. Gavotte (Andante grazioso) III. Presto - mandolin 1&2: Embergher N°5bis-1925 (Dogal Carbon Steel light strings) Recorded: 08/04/2006 RONDÓ ALLA TURCA (KV331) (W. A. Mozart - arr.: R. Leenen) - mandolin: Embergher N°5bis-1925 (Optima Goldin strings) - mandola 1,2&3: Embergher N°1-1925 (Dogal Carbon Steel Strings) - mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner Strings) Recorded: 16/04/2006 TROIKA FANTASIE (Ernest Leduc) - mandolin 1: 2 x Embergher N°5bis-1925 (Optima Goldin strings) - mandolin 2: 2 x Embergher N°5bis-1925 (Optima Goldin strings) - mandola: 2 x  Embergher N°1-1925 (Dogal Carbon Steel Strings) - guitar: René De Bondt 1989 Recorded: 21/04/2006 VARIATIONS ON A BASQUE MELODY (Victor Kioulaphides) (original composition for mandolin solo.) Click here to visit the homepage of Victor Kioulaphides and find more information about this composer and his works for mandolin.  - mandolin: Embergher N°5bis-1947 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 03/05/2006  DE GROTE MARKT (Victor Kioulaphides) (original composition for mandolin solo.) Click here to visit the homepage of Victor Kioulaphides and find more information about this composer and his works for mandolin.  - mandolin: Embergher N°6-1958 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 06/05/2006  RONDEAU from ABDELAZER (Z570) (Henry Purcell) - mandolin 1&2: Embergher type A-1958 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) - mandola: Embergher N°1-1925 (Dogal carbonsteel strings) - mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner strings) Recorded: 11/05/2006 PRELUDIO X - opus 112 (Raffaele Calace) (Calace dedicated this prelude to the Belgian mandolin virtuoso and former soloist of La Napolitaine: Frans De Groodt) - mandolin: Embergher model N°5-1926 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 13/05/2006 THE EARL OF ESSEX GALIARD (John Dowland) - cantus: mandolin 1: Embergher N°5-1926 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) - altus: mandolin 2: Embergher N°5-1926 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) - tenor: mandola 1: Embergher N°1-1925 (Dogal Carbonsteel strings) - quintus: mandola 2: Embergher N°1-1925 (Dogal Carbonsteel strings) - bassus: mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner strings) Recorded: 02/06/2006 QUARTETTO CLASSICO N° 3 "MANHATTAN" (Victor Kioulaphides) (original composition for mandolin quartet.) Click here to visit the homepage of Victor Kioulaphides and find more information about this composer and his works for mandolin.  I. "Times Square" II. "Central Park" III. "Tugboat on the Hudson" IV. "Grand Central" Recorded: 18/06/2006 SONATA IN D MINORE, K. 9 (Domenico Scarlatti - arr.: R. Leenen) - mandolin1&2: Embergher N°5bis-1922 (Strings by Barry Pratt) - mandola: Embergher N°1-1925 (Dogal Carbon Steel Strings) - mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner Strings) Recorded: 05/07/2006 SONATA IN G MINORE, K. 35 (Domenico Scarlatti - arr.: R. Leenen) - mandolin: Embergher type A -1958 (Strings by Barry Pratt) - mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner Strings) Recorded: 05/07/2006 RUDOLPH, THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (Johnny Marks) - mandolin1&2: Embergher model N°5bis-1925 (Strings by Barry Pratt) - mandola: Embergher N°1-1925 (Fisoma Strings) - mandoloncello: Embergher N°1-1906 (Lenzner Strings) Recorded: 22/12/2006 STILLE NACHT, HEILIGE NACHT (Franz Xaver Gruber - arranged for solo mandolin in "duo style" by Jim Dalton) (Please click here to visit the arranger's website.) - mandolin: Embergher N°5bis-1925 (Strings by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 23/12/2006 PRELUDIO I (Raffaele Calace) - mandolin: Embergher N°5-1926 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 22/04/2005 (Click here for an MP3 stereo simulation) EL MALECÓN (Victor Kioulaphides) (original composition for mandolin solo.) Click here to visit the homepage of Victor Kioulaphides and find more information about this composer and his works for mandolin.  - mandolin: Embergher N°5bis-1947 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 20/01/2007 (Click here for an MP3 stereo version) SUITE PER MANDOLINO SOLO (Ralf Leenen) I. PRELUDIO Mandolinists who are interested in playing and/or performing this Suite: please click here - mandolin: Embergher N°5bis-1947 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 27/02/2007 (Click here for an MP3 stereo version) SUITE PER MANDOLINO SOLO (Ralf Leenen) II. PRESTO Mandolinists who are interested in playing and/or performing this Suite: please click here - mandolin: Embergher N°5bis-1925 (Strings handmade by Barry Pratt) Recorded: 03/03/2007 (Click here for an MP3 stereo version) MOTO PERPETUO  for 2 solo mandolins (R. Calace - R. Leenen) 2 mandolins: - Oleg Videnov plays the original solo part of "Moto Perpetuo" (composed by Raffaele Calace) - Ralf Leenen plays the 2nd "Moto Perpetuo" solo part (composed by Ralf Leenen) Recorded: 04/03/2007 DANZA DEI NANI opus 43 (R. Calace) Live recording during concert at the Palazzo Roverello (Ferrara, Italy) - Ralf Leenen, mandolin (Embergher 5bis 1947) - Elisa Franco, piano Recorded: 06/04/2007 to be continued...	All recordings are played on traditional round wound strings which give the original bright sound of the mandolin. The plectrums used are the large 'Roman' model, as used by Silvio Ranieri. (click image to enlarge) How to hold the mandolin and plectrum? (Method of Silvio Ranieri)
Recordings on Embergher instruments by Ralf Leenen  and the Royal Estudiantina La Napolitaine  (www.mandolin.be)
MOTO PERPETUO  (R. Calace - arr. R. Leenen) mandolin solo: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°5b-1947 (Goldfuchs strings) orchestra: - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 (Goldfuchs strings) - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Lenzner strings) - Jos Peeters: Embergher mandoloncello N°1-1928 (Goldfuchs strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B. Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: Kolveniershof - Rubenianum, Antwerp,  23/06/2001. CONCERTO IN D MAJOR, Opus 7 N°11 (RV208a)  (A. Vivaldi - arr. R. Leenen) I. Allegro II. Adagio III. Allegro mandolin solo: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°7-1900 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) orchestra: - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandoliola N°1-1930 (Lenzner strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B.  Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert:  Hof van Liere, Antwerp,  01/07/2004 CANZONETTA from the 1st String Quartet   (F. Mendelssohn - arr. Silvio Ranieri) orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°7-1900 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Lenzner strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B.  Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert:  Hof van Liere, Antwerp,  01/07/2004 COPPELIA - Ouverture (L. Délibes - arr. Silvio Ranieri) (Fragment - full version available on our CD: "Primo Concerto") orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°6-1958 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Lenzner strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B. Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: "Plectro Rioja 2005", church of Villamediana, 25/08/2005. PAVANA  opus 54  (R. Calace) (Fragment - full version available on our CD: "Primo Concerto") orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°6-1958 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Lenzner strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B.  Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: "Plectro Rioja 2005", church of Villamediana, 25/08/2005. THE SONG OF THE JAPANESE AUTUM  (Y.Kuwahara) (Fragment - full version available on our CD: "Primo Concerto") orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°6-1958 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Lenzner strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B.  Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: "Plectro Rioja 2005", church of Villamediana, 25/08/2005. I° CONCERTO per mandolino solo e orchestra, opus 113  (R. Calace - arr. Ralf Leenen) (Fragments - full version available on our CD: "Primo Concerto") I. Marziale II.  Largo Tranquillo III.  Rondó  mandolin solo: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°6-1958 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) orchestra: - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Lenzner strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B. Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: "Plectro Rioja 2005", church of Villamediana, 25/08/2005. CAPRICCIO  (H. Gál) (also available on our CD: "Primo Concerto") orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°6-1958 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Goldfuchs strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Lenzner strings) - Florentina Claessen: Theophano mandoloncello c.1920 (Lenzner strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B.  Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: "Plectro Rioja 2005", church of Villamediana, 25/08/2005. DE DROOM VAN HOUTEN CLARA (A. De Vleeshouwer - arr. R. Leenen) orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°7-1900 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Barry Pratt: Embergher mandolin N°6-1958 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 (Fisoma strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Fisoma strings) - Florentina Claessen: Embergher mandoloncello N°1-1909 (Goldfuchs strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B.  Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: "O.L.V. kapel - Centrum't Elzenveld", Antwerp, 11/11/2006. DOLCE VISIONE (G. Sartori) orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°5bis-1947 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 (Optima 2105 Strings) - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Galli strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Fisoma 3120 strings) - Florentina Claessen: Embergher mandoloncello N°1-1909 (Goldfuchs strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B. Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: Antwerpen (Deurne), 11/05/2007. PASSIONE AMOROSA (G. Bottesini) Arranged by Victor Kioulaphides for 2 mandolins and guitar This music is published by Trekel - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandola N°1-1925 (Fisoma 3120 strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola model N°1-1922 (Fisoma 3120 strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  Live recording during concert: Antwerpen (Deurne), 11/05/2007. VALSE CAPRICE (S. Ranieri) World première of this unpublished work for mandolin and guitar. - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°5bis-1947 (Strings by Barry Pratt) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  Live recording during concert: Antwerpen (Deurne), 11/05/2007. CONCERTO IN LA MAGGIORE (C. Cecere) - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°5bis-1947 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) orchestra: - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandolin N°5bis-1947 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 (Optima 2105 Strings) - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Galli strings) - Florentina Claessen: Embergher mandoloncello N°1-1909 (Goldfuchs strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B. Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: Antwerpen (Deurne), 11/05/2007. 1. "Allegro ma non troppo" 2. "Largo" 3. "Grazioso" CAPRICCIO (H. Gál) orchestra: - Ralf Leenen: Embergher mandolin N°5bis-1947 (Strings made by Barry Pratt) - Guy Lemière: Embergher mandolin N°6-1954 (Optima 2105 Strings) - Carl Cappelle: Embergher mandolin N°1-1925 (Galli strings) - Filip Lemière:  Embergher mandola N°1-1922 (Fisoma 3120 strings) - Florentina Claessen: Embergher mandoloncello N°1-1909 (Goldfuchs strings) - Yvonne Azaert: J. Ramirez III guitar 1976  - Roland Timmerman:  B. Lang double bass 1969 Live recording during concert: Antwerpen (Deurne), 11/05/2007.	Design of the ROMAN PLECTRUM model Embergher-Ranieri The thickness of these plectrums, originally made of tortoiseshell, can vary between c. 0,8mm - 1,8mm (0.031" - 0.071"), depending on the instrument (mandolin, mandola, ...) and the preference of the player. However, the thickest point of the plectrum should be in the middle. On both sides, the surface of the plectrum is to be rounded towards the edges in order to make a thin edge all around, and two points. These plectrums are more difficult to play with, but after enough practising, using the correct technique, the result is a more rich and full yet clear sound and a much better balanced tremolo, enabled by the plectrum's shape and length (c. 65mm (2.56") when new). (click image to enlarge) Silvio Ranieri with an Embergher model N° 5b, 1915, holding a Roman Plectrum (see detail)

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