These 12 Divertimentos were published in 1759 by the prominent Scottish composer James Oswald. These pieces were originally composed for the popular wire-strung cittern known then as the 'guittar'. Thebody of work was intended to help meet the demand for easy to intermediate solo guittar music. Oswald's 12 Divertimentos have been arranged here by John Goodin for the modern Mandolin inboth standard notation and tablature each piece includes three or four short movements full of pleasant melodies and interesting ideas. Whereas the original compositions were published in the key native to the guittar tuning (anopen C major chord) this book offers the music in a variety of Mandolin-friendly keys. These transpositions adhere to Oswald's original intent that the music be easy to play and pleasant to hear. While suitablefor teaching and performance these divertimentos are above all fun and satisfying to study and play.

Most of the music in this book comes from editions or manuscripts from England in the late 1500’s. There are also a few French pieces. The cittern was popular in Italy England and France. Aside from various tunings there weretwo main kinds of instruments being played during the 16th and 17th centuries: the 4 course (four sets of doubled strings) and the 6 course cittern with several editions of music to go along with both. The pieces I have chosenfor this book were all written for the 4 course instrument and fall into three main categories: dance music song arrangements and free pieces. The free pieces are basically preludes that explore the melodic range of theinstrument. As the title suggests these pieces can be played very freely and need not have a very strict tempo. The dance pieces are not really meant to be danced to but rather take their form and rhythm from the popular courtdances of the time. These can be played with a wide range of overall tempo but once a tempo is chosen should be strictly adhered to. The song arrangements are settings of popular songs of the time as well as more formal vocalsettings. Care should be taken in making the melody clear and singing. Since the range of the cittern and mandolin are the same John Holenko has kept the melodies intact. Because of the difference in tuning however thevoicing of the harmonies have been changed so as to fit on the mandolin.

Mandolin Book With Online Audio-Ticino is in a small area in southern Switzerland on the border with Italy. The Ticino region was a part of Italy until a few centuries ago. The Mandolin arrived in Ticino through immigrants and their music and took importantcultural roots. The 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 fromthis vast repertoire. The collection includes lots of popular folk songs virtuosic pieces by original Mandolin composers as well an Aonzo composition. The book is presented in English and Italian; the music in standardnotation and Mandolin tab.