Classical Composers

15th-21st Centuries

Some of the earliest mandolin performances date to the 15th through the 18th centuries, where the greatest composers incorporated mandolin into their orchestral arrangements.  Vivaldi, utlized the milanese mandolin in his Oratorio Juditha triumphans, while Handel's incorporated the same in his selection "Alexander Balus".¹  Mozart, on the other hand, used the neapolitan mandolin in the famous serenade of Don Giovanni, as did Beethoven in his sonatas²

The mandolin has been used by other composers as well, including Paisiello, Handel, Mahler, Schoenberg, Webern, and  Hummel, to name just a few. Its use extends well into modern orchestral arrangements.