La Serenade – Valse Espagnole – A Famous Spanish Waltz by Olivier Metra

Olivier Metra has composed some famous and often played pieces. La Serenade – a Spanish Waltz –  is one  of his big successes

I had previously heard the name Metra because some of his compositions are played by mandolin orchestras. But I haqve never played or really recognized one of Metras compositions.

But some time ago I could by a pack of sheet music that had belonged to a mandolin orchestra, and in this pack I found the music for La Serenade – Valse Espagnole by Olivier Metra. Metra died in 1889, and so the copyright for his compositions has expired.

So I have decided to add a scan of the music for La Serenade by Olivier Metra for mandolin orchestra (mandolin 1 and 2, mandola, guitar) to my page with free sheet music for the mandolin.

La Serenade is a composition that is very well suited for mandolin and guitar or mandolin orchestra, and I am sure that the audience will like La Serenade if it is played well.

I have found some videos of La Serenade at youtube. My favorite version is this video with Ralf Leen (mandolin) and Yvonne Azaert (guitar)

METRA – Sérénade Espagnole – Ralf Leenen & Yvonne Azaert

Sérénade Espagnole – (Olivier METRA)
live performance – 4th July 2010 “Les Petits Concerts du Sablon” : www.jacobnorden.be
Ralf Leenen, mandolin (Embergher N°7-1900 ex-Ranieri)
Yvonne Azaert, guitar (Ramirez III – 1976)
www.mandolin.be

Another interesting video is the following version played by the Victor Orchestra played from an old 78 record. I do especially like the Spanish snappers that are used to create the typical Spanish mood in this performance:

Waltz by Olivier Metra

Victor orchestra conduced by A. Cibelli
RCA Victor

Playlist Olivier Metra – La Serenade

With recordings with mandolin and guitar, mandolin orchestra, accordeon and others:

Additional Information

Wikipedia about Olivier Metra (German): http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivier_M%C3%A9tra

NAXOS biography of Olivier Metra: http://www.naxos.com/person/Olivier_Metra/24629.htm

Free sheet music for mandolin, mandolin orchestra, guitar, including La Serenade for mandolin orchestra by Olivier Metra: http://www.mandoisland.de/eng_kostenlose_noten.html


CD recommendation (Amazon partnerlink)

Mandolino e violino in Italia – Anna Torge

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