Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

The Mandolin: From Europe to America

Celebrating the Lloyd Loar Mandolin Centennial

As a duo, international mandolin virtuosos Mike Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg weave together their musical backgrounds—hers in the German classical conservatory, his in bluegrass and new acoustic music. Their musically inspiring and intensely intimate concerts are filled with interpretations of classical pieces, hot Brazilian choros, and tightly woven arrangements of new and traditional Americana standards.

This concert commemorates the 100^th birthday of Lloyd Loar’s personal Gibson F-5 mandolin, which was signed on February 18, 1924, and is on display in MIM’s special exhibition Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos. It also celebrates Loar’s legacy as an instrument designer and acoustic engineer.

A master of the mandolin, guitar, mandocello, and violin, Mike Marshall is a living compendium of musical styles and has created some of the most adventurous and interesting instrumental music in the United States. He cut his teeth on traditional American music in Florida and joined the groundbreaking David Grisman Quintet at 19. He formed the influential groups the Modern Mandolin Quartet and Psychograss, among others, and he has toured, recorded, and performed with legends such as Stéphane Grappelli, Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck, Chris Thile, Mark O’Connor, and more.

Caterina Lichtenberg is one of the world’s premier classical mandolinists. As a featured soloist, Lichtenberg has performed with the New Century Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt, the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, among many others. She has also performed with Art Garfunkel on live German television.