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0:00/3:43
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Laughing Eyes 4:530:00/4:53
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I Am the Walrus 3:460:00/3:46
The Bristol Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble is an enthusiastic amateur plucked string orchestra committed to quality and joy in our music making.
We play a very varied repertoire including 20th cent. composers such as Bela Bartok, Eric Satie and Gustav Holst, along with both standard (i.e. tango, french chanson) and not so standard (Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Middle Eastern music) mandolin orchestra pieces as well as film music by Ennio Morricone and other composers.
Here is us performing two Beatles pieces at the Bristol Folk House in March 2018 together with the amazing New American Mandolin Ensemble.
I Am the Walrus and A Day in a Life
Below a shot from our pre Christmas 2017 performance at Bristol Beacon (than Colston Hall)
2017 has been a brilliant year also, with our first headlining evening performance at the Bristol Folk House
Other Recent performances have been at the BMG Federation in Glasgow, where we were winners of the Fun Trophy, All Saints Church Bristol, Cube Cinema Bristol and St.Stephens Church Bristol.
We also have appeared live on Radio Bristol (2015) and are always looking for new musical adventurers to expand our horizon.
Great highlights have been workshops with world class mandolinist Avi Avital at St.George Brandon Hill (2016) and the Bristol Old Vic 2015 (See photo gallery below).
Come and join us : mandolins and guitars (all shapes and sizes) very welcome.
Rehearsals are twice a month on the first and third Saturdays 10.00 -12.00 at The Helliwell Room, Horfield Parish Hall, Wellington Hill, BS7 8ST
Ensemble History
The Ensemble was started by Dave Griffiths www.mandolinexpress.co.uk in the Autumn of 2005 to create a place where his pupils and other mandolin players could meet to make music together . It started with a couple of “Come and try the Mandolin” Days at the Folk house followed by a beginners course. The aim of the Ensemble was to share experiences and discover the fun of making music in a group. It was mandolins only first. Guitars were incorporated later to achieve a more orchestral sound.
The Ensemble was started by Dave Griffiths www.mandolinexpress.co.uk in the Autumn of 2005 to create a place where his pupils and other mandolin players could meet to make music together . It started with a couple of “Come and try the Mandolin” Days at the Folk house followed by a beginners course. The aim of the Ensemble was to share experiences and discover the fun of making music in a group. It was mandolins only first. Guitars were incorporated later to achieve a more orchestral sound.
While the emphasis was on fun and learning, the Bristol Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble took on the challenge of taking part in several BMG rallies. www.banjomandolinguitar.org/rally.htm
The repertoire consisted of Dave’s arrangements of existing tunes ranging from classical, folk, jazz, latin pop and included several original compositions .
Knud Stüwe has become the M.D. in April 2011
2015 Workshop with Avi Avital
Photos by Mark Douet www.markdouet.com/#!/index
Previous events
Looking forward to playing a programme with an emphasis on music from the East + film music.
BathTub Orchestra with special guests Bristol Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble
Price: £5 adv / £7 on the door Under 16’s free accompanied by an adult Doors open: 7:00 pm Start time: 7:30 pm
Tickets on the door £5.00 Concert will include Mozart's "Elvira Madigan" with pianist Caroline Mercier, film music by Ennio Morricone and more.
LIVE MUSIC FILM SCREENING RAFFLE FOOD BYOB! Suggested £5 donation on the door
Joint concert with New American Ensemble
Bristol Folk House, 40a Park Street, Bristo, BS1 5JG Bristol
Ticket price: £10.50 Advance £12.50 on the door inc admin fe
Price: £5 on the door (Raising Funds for Borderlands Bristol)
A Warm Hearted evening of beautiful sounds
Raising Funds for Borderlands Bristol With music from The Island Folk Choir, Nabra, + DJ £5 on the door Bring some nibbles or treats to share Families Welcome
An evening of middle eastern food, live music by NABRA, art auction and sponsored poetry recitations about ‘Exile’. The ticket cost of £35 includes entry, food and a glass of wine or a soft drink. All funds raised by the charity Trauma Foundation South West will help provide free counselling and psychotherapy for highly traumatised refugees, asylum seekers and those affected by war, conflict and persecution. For further information or to buy a ticket go online: http://www.tfsw.co.uk/poetryfundraiser Registered Charity No. 1146885 - Company No. 07956417 Registered in England and Wales
£6.50 Advance £7.50 On the door inc admin fee film music by Ennio Morricone and Henry Mancini as well as pieces by Antonio Vivaldi, Luigi Boccherini, Eric Satie, Villa Lobos, Peter Maxwell Davis, Jimmi Hendrix and the premier of a piece by ensemble leader Knud Stüwe
Join us for a special evening of food, music and inspiration, celebrating the work of Bridges for Communities!
Brejeiro will transport you to Brazil through the sunshine and sparkle of Brazilian Choro music. From its roots in Portuguese and Brazilian folk song the music embraces the fusion of South American Latin rhythms and North American jazz. An infectious and uplifting mix of mandolins, cavaquinho, flute and guitar propelled by Latin percussion, Brejeiro combine driving rhythms and haunting melodies, skilfully improvised and exquisitely arranged, capturing the essence of Brazil.
Bristol Peace Feast with Student Action for Refugees featuring music by Nabra
In partnership with Student Action for Refugees.
Join us for an evening of food and music, celebrating the diversity of our city and the contribution that refugees and asylum seekers make to it.
Celebrating music from around the world. free event.
Syrian dinner cooked by members of the refugee families residing here in Bath. Details in poster below. Tickets are £10 and the proceeds will go to Citizens UK, who support refugees charities and groups across the UK. now sold out
Villa Lobos, Eric Satie, Bocherini, Jimmy Hendrix, film music and more with special guest Esther Steward on Oboe. Duet performances featuring Clare Hall/BobPepper and Dave Griffiths/Knud Stüwe.
Classical Arab pieces, Bach and Beatles. Plenty of improvisation in various Middle Eastern Maqam.