ISBN 9781610659406. By Carlo Aonzo, with Clara Ponzoni and Giorgio Borsani. Ticino is a small area at the southernmost tip of Switzerland on the border with Italy. The Ticino region was actually part of Italy until a few centuries ago. The mandolin arrived in Ticino through immigrants and their music, and put down important cultural roots there. The mandolin style in Ticino is a link to the old Italian folk music tradition, which has been largely lost in Italy and throughout other parts of the world. This book is a collection of some of the most famous pieces from this vast historical repertoire. The collection includes lots of popular folk songs, virtuosic pieces by original mandolin composers, as well as an original Aonzo composition. The book is presented in English and in Italian while the music is in standard notation and mandolin tablature. Audio available for download online.

ISBN 9781619112728. Italian Folk Music for Mandolin is an enjoyable collection of pieces from various parts of northern, central and southern Italy. This anthology includes complete texts and translations of the songs with accurate accompanying arrangements for two mandolins, or violin and guitar. The selections include medieval and Renaissance instrumental folk dances, sixteenth-century Neapolitan Villanelle, work songs, lullabies, narrative ballads, prisoner songs, and popular dances including tarantellas, pizzica, Sardinian ballo tondo, quadrille, waltz and saltarello. The book includes an accompanying online audio of all the pieces presented.

Simon Mayor presents five short string quartets on themes by Turlough O?Carolan.
Also suitable for mandolin family instruments.

Turlough O?Carolan is one of Ireland?s most celebrated baroque composers, responsible for some of the strongest and grandest melodies to come out of his homeland. He was a great friend of his Italian contemporary Corelli, who spent some time in Dublin and had a significant influence on O?Carolan?s music. But traditional music was an influence too, and, stylistically, his compositions occupy a fascinating middle ground between these two genres.

Contents: Carlan?s Frolics, Hewlett, Lord Brabazon, Princess Royal, Lord Inchiquin.

The audio sample here, part of Princess Royal, is of an impromptu 'read off' by seven string players, so most lines have two instruments. It's only an extract, but gives a flavour of the music.