Savannah Music Festival | March 22-April 7, 2012

Original Air Date: Week Beginning May 3, 2010

When mandolins began evolving from the lute family in Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries, they were designed with a round back or bowl back in what was known as the Neopolitan style. By the end of the 19th century, a new style with a carved top and back construction inspired by the violin family of instruments began to supplant the European-style mandolins, especially within the United States. On this episode, we listen to a wide range of mandolins and compositions going back several centuries, as performed by three of the most unique and distinct mandolinists in our time: Chris Thile, Mike Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg.

Listen: SMF Live 303 - Chris Thile, Mike Marshall & Caterina Lichtenberg - Part One