Guitar and Mandolin Orchestra 'Het Consort'

Composers - John Craton

Born in Anniston, Alabama, John Craton hails from an extended family of musicians, including both professionals and amateurs. His own career began on the violin at the age of ten, and he began studying piano at fourteen. He made his first feeble attempts at composing at age eleven. Craton demonstrated rapid advancement on both violin and piano and was playing in the Jacksonville State University String Orchestra while still in high school.
He studied violin under the late concert violinist Robert Louis Barron and John Maltese; piano under Louis Culver and Ouida Susie Francis; and music theory and composition under Gerald Moore and Henry Fusner. He began accepting private students in 1971 and has taught both violin and piano in Alabama, Tennessee, and Indiana. He received his B.A. from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and his M.A. from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Craton has played violin in the Jacksonville State University String Orchestra and String Trio, and piano with the JSU Woodwind Quintet. He also played violin, viola da gamba, and recorder with the Lipscomb University Early Music Consort and maintains an active interest in early music to this day. In 1973 he appeared in the Henry Fusner production of The Play of Daniel on rebec (a medieval ancestor of the violin). He briefly played second violin in the now-defunct Helen Fowler String Quartet of Indianapolis. Craton has appeared in numerous other recitals in Alabama, Tennessee, and Indiana, both as soloist and as accompanist. Due to a hand injury suffered in 2002, he was forced to abandon any hope of further public performance. Since that time he has dedicated himself to teaching and composing.

He currently resides in Indiana with his wife and three sons. Much of his compositional work has been in the area of chamber music, the bulk of which is for violin and piano. Among his other works are Beowulf (two versions, one a suite for ancient instruments and the other an orchestral suite), two operas (Inanna: An Opera of Ancient Sumer, based on ancient Sumerian texts, and The Curious Affair of the Count of Monte Blotto, a comic chamber opera), Pagan Festivals for string orchestra, three Mandolin Concertos, a Concerto for Tuba and orchestra, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock for tenor and strings, several song cycles, and a setting of Mongolian folk songs for Viola and orchestra. A number of his works are currently available in print from Wolfhead Music: http://www.wolfheadmusic.com/

One of John Craton´s latest compositions has its origin in the friendship between Alex Timmerman and John Craton. Their mutual enthousiasm for music and in particular to that of the mandolin, inspired John Craton to compose a very special work for Mandolin solo and Mandolin Chamber Orchestra. The composition takes its titel ‘The legend of Princess Noccalula’ from a legend of ancient Indian times and informs on the tragic fate of a Prinsess of the Cherokee tribe who was given against her own wish to someone in marriage.

In the following summary the composer informs us about his work: "The composition endeavors to detail Noccalula’s final day in the structure of a tone poem that is highly programmatic. It begins with the dawning of the sun over the primeval northeast Alabama wilderness. Noccalula awakens to the familiar sound of birdsong, and she sings a melancholy love song to her banished lover. Soon the wedding festivities commence, but from these Noccalula wanders away unobtrusively to say farewell to the birds, trees, and streams she has always cherished. Ending her life at the base of the waterfall, her love song emanates ethereally from the great beyond, and the work concludes with her spirit embracing the land she had loved, becoming one with nature".

The ‘Legend of Princess Noccalula’ was premiéred by the Dutch mandolinist Sebastiaan de Grebber and Mandolin Chamber Orchestra conducted by Alex Timmerman on the 1^st of April 2006 in Scherpenzeel (Netherlands) in the presence of the composer.

When not involved in music, Craton enjoys watching the Mets play baseball in the summer, the Saints football in the fall, and sumo wrestling whenever it is available in the U.S. He is an avid reader and has a special interest in history, particularly ancient history and the history of the First World War era. Mr. Craton is a member of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers ASCAP, the American String Teachers Association, the Indiana Music Teachers Association, Opera America, the CMS of America.

COMPOSITIONS

by John Craton for mandolin solo, mandolin duo & mandolin in combination with other instruments

Solo Mandolin (unaccompanied)

The Gray Wolf (2006) - Composed for and dedicated to Dutch mandolinist Sebastiaan de Grebber, the work is based on a short story of the same name by George MacDonald.

(Photo John Craton and Sebastiaan de Grebber - 2006)

8 VARIATIONS on themes from Jakob van Eyck´s ´Der Fluyten Lust-hof´ (2006) - Composed for and dedicated to the mandolinists of Het CONSORT

(Photo Het CONSORT byJan Penninkhof - 2006)

1. Silvester in de Morgenstont (for Margreet van Litsenburg)

2. Janneman en Alemoer (for Niels Godart)

3. Bockxvoetje (for Pauline Ulderink)

4. Ho Ho op Myn Brack en Winden (for Yolanda Döpp)

5. Doen Daphne d´Over Schoone Maeght (for Ferdinand Binnendijk)

6. Ach Treurt Mijn Bedroefde (for Helma Damman-Ruitenberg)

7. Laura (for Ruth Rouw)

8. Wat Zal Men op den Avond Doen (for Marian van Dijk)

(free to download at http://www.craton.net/music/vaneyck.htm )

Mandolin and Piano

Dioses Aztecas (2006) A set of five concert pieces for mandolin and piano. Dioses aztecas (Aztec Gods) was written for and dedicated to the Dutch mandolinist Sebastiaan de Grebber. Although the Aztec pantheon consisted of more than 200 gods and goddesses, five of the most colorful were selected for musical representations in this collection: Xochiquetzal ("Flower Quetzal-Feather") — Goddess of flowers, dance, and love, she also was the patroness of artisans, prostitutes, and pregnant women. Her retinue consisted of birds and butterflies, and worshippers adorned themselves with animal and flower masks at her festival which was celebrated every eight years. Xochipilli ("Flower Prince") — Brother of Xochiquetzal, he was the god of song, dance, games, and gambling. Ayauhteotl ("Mysterious Goddess of Nature") — Goddess of crepuscular fog (morning and evening haze), she also was associated with vanity and fame. It is believed this association was due to the fact that, like the morning haze, fame quickly fades away. Mictlantecuhtli ("Lord of Mictlan") — The god of death and the underworld. Often pictured as a skeleton or a figure wearing a skull, he was associated with spiders, owls, and bats. Huehuecoyotl ("Old Old Coyote") — A trickster, Heuhuecoyotl was the god of pranks, music, dance, and song. Associated with the cunning coyote, he also was a shapeshifter who delighted in playing pranks on humans and other gods. Xochiquetzal, Ayauhteotl, and Huehuecoyotl utilize standard GDAE tunings for the mandolin. Scordatura is employed in the other two movements. In Xochipilli, the G course is tuned up a minor second to A-flat. Mictlantecuhtli requires tuning one string on the E course to E, the other to C-sharp; likewise, the D course is tuned with one string playing D, the other B-natural; A and G courses are tuned normally. The score is embargoed until after the premiere.

Mandolin and Violin

Sonatina No. 3 For Violin & Mandolin (2005) (dedicated to Sophia Kioulaphides).

Two Mandolins

Six Pantomimes for Two Mandolins

(free to download at http://www.craton.net/music/mandolin )

Mandolin Orchestra

The Legend of Princess Noccalula (2005) (dedicated to Alex Timmerman conductor of the Dutch Mandolin Chamber Orchestra Het CONSORT)

A one movement tone poem based on the Cherokee legend of Princess Noccalula written by John Craton in 2005 for Mandolin solo with Mandolin Chamber Orchestra (Mand solo + 1^st & 2^nd Mand, Mndla, Mndcello, Guitar and Chitarrone moderno [double Bass] and rattle). The Legend of Princess Noccalula was premiéred by the Mandolin Chamber Orchestra Het CONSORT conducted by Alex Timmerman with Sebastiaan de Grebber as the mandolin soloist at a concert on the 1^st of April 2006 in Scherpenzeel (Netherlands). A version for Mandolin solo & String Orchestra is also available. Both versions are published by Wolfhead Music. More information is found at http://www.craton.net/music/noccalula/index.htm .

Mandolin and Orchestra

Mandolin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor (2005) (dedicated to the composer/mandolinist Victor Kioulaphides, the concerto is largely conventional in style and features solo mandolin with string orchestra in three movements: 1. Allegro 2. Adagio ("Alabama Lullaby") 3. Allegretto.

The Mandolin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor was its World-premiére by the young Dutch mandolinist Ferdinand Binnendijk and Het Orkest van het Oosten conducted by Candida Thompson on the 15^th of June 2006, 19:00 hr. in the Concert Hall of the Nieuwe Buitensociëteit, Zwolle, Netherlands.

Mandolin Concerto No. 2 In D Major (2005) (dedicated to French/American mandolinist Richard Walz. The concerto consists of three movements: 1. Andante—Allegro giocoso 2. Adagio—Andante non troppo—Adagio 3. Allegro—Langoureux—Allegro

This Concerto is scored for solo mandolin and chamber orchestra (flute/piccolo, oboe, Bb clarinet, Bb bass clarinet, 2 horns in F, violins, violas, violoncellos, basses; percussion battery, which is manageable by one percussionist: timpani, vibraphone, taiko drum, hoot whistle, referee's whistle, triangle, ratchet, and optional can of beer).

Mandolin Concerto No. 3 In E Minor (2005) (dedicated to the German mandolinist Gertrud Weyhofen) The Concerto is subtitled "Verdun, 1916," and commemorates the Battle of Verdun and is dedicated to the memory of all the soldiers who fought bravely in this great conflict, regardless of the colors under which they fought. It attempts to convey both the sacrifice and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit in wartime.

Concerto for solo mandolin, strings, and percussion (Solo mandolin, violins I & II, violas, cellos, double basses; percussion battery: timpani, bass drum, triangle, tambourine, castonets, cymbals, tubular bells, cimbalom, xylophone) in three movements:

1. Allegro agitato—Allegro non troppo—Allegro agitato 2. Adagio—Déchaîner—Adagio 3. Rapide—Moderato—Rapide.

Concerto for 2 Mandolins & Orchestra in G Minor (2006) (dedicated to Marianne Timmerman-Hollander and composed for Sebastiaan de Grebber and Ferdinand Binnendijk, this Double Mandolin Concerto is subtitled "Rromane Bjavela" ("Romani Evenings"). A strong Romani influence permeates the three movements: Allegretto—Andante—Allegretto, Adagio, and Allegro—Vivacissimo.

The Legend of Princess Noccalula (dedicated to Alex Timmerman conductor of the Dutch Mandolin Chamber Orchestra Het CONSORT). String version: mandolin solo, violins, violas, cellos, basses, guitar, and rattle. Mandolin orchestra version: mandolin solo, mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, guitars, chitarrones, and rattle.

A tone poem based on the Cherokee legend of Princess Noccalula. Two versions available: solo mandolin, strings, and guitar; solo mandolin and mandolin orchestra. The score shown here is for mandolin and strings and has been adjusted for better playback. This work was premiéred by the Dutch mandolinist Sebastiaan de Grebber and Het CONSORT conducted by Alex Timmerman in Scherpenzeel, Netherlands, on 1 April 2006. More information about the The Legend of Princess Noccalula can be found at www.craton.net/music/noccalula/index.htm.

Note: most scores of the music mentioned above are available for review at the American Music Center website.

Concerts of the past with mandolin music composed by John Craton:

Mandolin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor (movements 1 & 2). 13 February 2006, 19:30 hr. Ferdinand Binnendijk, mandolin; Eva van den Dool, piano. Gehoorzaal, De Muzerie, Zwolle, Netherlands.

Mandolin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor (movements 1, 2 & 3). 31 March 2006, 20:00 hr. Ferdinand Binnendijk, mandolin; Eva van den Dool, piano. Gehoorzaal, De Muzerie, Zwolle, Netherlands.

Variations on "Doen Daphne d’Over Schoone Maeght." 31 March 2006, 20:00 hr. Ferdinand Binnendijk, mandolin. Gehoorzaal, De Muzerie, Zwolle, Netherlands.

The Legend of Princess Noccalula. 1 April 2006, 16:00 hr. Het CONSORT; Sebastiaan de Grebber, mandolin; Alex Timmerman, conductor. Kerkgebouw De Achthoek, Scherpenzeel, Netherlands. The World-premiére of this composition in its original setting.

The Legend of Princess Noccalula. 10 June 2006, 16:00 hr. Het CONSORT; Sebastiaan de Grebber, mandolin; Alex Timmerman, conductor. Elandstraatkerk, The Hague, Netherlands. (Repeat performances will be held in France in September. More information on those concerts will be forthcoming.)

Mandolin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor. 15 June 2006, 19:00 hr. Het Orkest van het Oosten; Ferdinand Binnendijk, mandolin; Candida Thompson, conductor. Concert Hall of the Nieuwe Buitensociëteit, Zwolle, Netherlands. The World-premiére of this Concerto in its original setting. For a photo presentation of this concert and that of the 2nd performance on July the 1st click at the photo below.

(All photos byJan Penninkhof & Alex Timmerman - 2006)

Mandolin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor. 1 July 2006, 20:30 hr. Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra; Ferdinand Binnendijk, mandolin; Peter Sánta, conductor. Open Air Festival at the Rode Torenplein, Zwolle, Netherlands.

Variations on "Doen Daphne d’Over Schoone Maeght." 10 July 2006, 20:00 hr. Ferdinand Binnendijk, mandolin. Mandolin & Guitar Student Concert, Gehoorzaal, De Muzerie, Zwolle, Netherlands.

Future performances of mandolin music composed by John Craton:

The Legend of Princess Noccalula. 17 September 2006. Het CONSORT; Sebastiaan de Grebber, mandolin; Alex Timmerman, conductor. L’Église de Jeantes, Jeantes, France. (Time to be announced)

John Craton - Homepage: http://www.craton.net/john/