Back to the sources:the rebirth of a forgotten repertory
The ensemble Artemandoline
The « Artemandoline », ensemble founded by Juan Carlos Muñoz and Mari Fe Pavón, insist upon using original scores in order to restore the mandolin and its incomparable repertoire to its former glory. Passionate musicians they spend their time updating forgotten early music masterpieces written for their instrument.
They are rigorous both in their work and in their research as well as aiming to be innovative and creative in their musical intent. Theirs is a simple ambition: through the disc or a concert they wish to reveal by these unique works, the emotion, humanity and the modernity capable of appealing to today’s audiences. Since their beginnings Artemandoline’s constant challenge has been to prove that ‘early’ music does not belong to the past, enjoyed only by a privileged elite. The selected repertoire despite belonging to a certain era, has a timeless and universal value perfectly suited to today’s world. The ensemble consistently aspires to recreate, bring to life and share this music with spontaneity, intelligence, and emotion. Artemandoline can be qualified as being innovative and unique, a pioneer and one of the major plucked instrument ensembles of this type in the world.
Changing in size the ensemble may perform as a small instrumental formation or as a chamber orchestra, from its beginnings the group has done its utmost to mix different musical genres, performing XVIIth to XIXth century repertoires on period instruments. The musician’s fiery passion is particularly appreciated by its public, their art of communicating and lively approach expressing all the emotions of historical music. Very quickly the ensemble demonstrated its instrumental quality thus defining its own distinct identity. Music critics and audiences alike are immediately thrilled by their original and enthusiastic style.
Artemandoline has achieved international recognition and perform on the most prestigious stages. The ensemble is regularly invited to numerous festivals devoted to early music: