basque variations

The Variations on a Basque Melody are based on a folk chant from the Basque region of France, and unfold in the familiar, Mediterranean manner of various figurations around an underlying melody. The Variations on a Basque Melody (© 2005) are played here by Ferdinand Binnendijk, one of the mandolin players of Het CONSORT, on an Embergher (Pecoraro) concert mandolin model N. 5bis.

Victor Kioulaphides was born in Athens, Greece, and moved to New York in 1979 where he studied double bass and composition at The Juilliard School and The Manhattan School of Music. Today he is a Member of ASCAP, American Music Center, American Federation of Musicians and his compositions are i.e. published by the Liben Music Publishers and the New York Classical Guitar Society. Besides his busy activities as a classical double bass player is a faculty member at the Lucy Moses School for Music and Dance.

The release of this video is authorized by Victor Kioulaphides and the Mandolin Chamber Orchestra Het CONSORT.
See and hear Ferdinand as he performs nowadays:
http://youtu.be/SlWhRs8ISno

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mandolin
• Victor
• Kioulaphides

[splog]

Check the new link at the end of the description, to see and hear Ferdinand perform recently

[victorkioulaphides]

Graag gedaan. What really matters, however, is the absolutely WONDERFUL way that Ferdinand plays this piece.

Also, in reply to some earlier posts, this, and all my works for unaccompanied mandolin are available as free downloads through my website (accessible through Google, of course)

[splog]

@victorkioulaphides

You're absolutely right about Ferdinand and it's really great that you make these works available for free. thanks again.

[victorkioulaphides]

Yes, for the sake of full disclosure: I am Greek myself, and in fact this piece was composed during a stay at our country home on the Corinthian Gulf; that said, the theme on which I based these variations is in fact Basque, from the Biarritz region.

[splog]

@victorkioulaphides

Thanks Victor, for setting us straight about that!

[RockyMcPiper]

Marvelous... I wish I'd taken up the mandolin when I was his age. The piece has kind of a 17th century sound to me (but what do I know).  Hooray for the Basques, from a distant Celtic cousin!

[Worldmusicrevolution]

this is beautiful. i never knew the bask people had such beautiful music

[bayonne64able]

ce morceau n'a aucune influence ni variation provenant de la musique basque mais plutot méditerraneene

[JamKar1]

Beautiful sound young man!

[lazylazyshark]

sweeet!

[Destined2bJnT]

Having recently discovered my heritage to be both Celtic and Basque, I stubbled onto this video of Ferdinand Binnendijk playing this piece so magnificently, that naturally after hearing it, I want to start playing the mandolin as I already play a number of other instruments. So, thank you Ferdinand and thank you Victor Kioulaphides. Bravo! It is absolutely wonderful and you both inspire me. :D

[ju4nito]

There's no basque region in France but a colony. Freedom!!

[LouieG7777]

@RockyMcPiper I'd say more like brothers ; )

[OrchestradiMandolini]

Het blijft mooi, Jan! Veel groeten, Alex.

[michanita]

Sounds incredible. I love how that hallway makes it have a slight echo & drifting quality in the sound. It's like the music is telling a story with the tones and wavelengths. Great video & playing & awesome recording quality!!