• BIO:

    Chris Acquavella is a classical mandolinist & composer from San Diego, California, currently living in Welgesheim, Germany. He graduated First Class Honors from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London, England. Chris studied composition under the instruction of contemporary artist, Andrew Poppy. In 2004, Chris won the Wolfsan Foundation Music Award and was awarded the TCM Trust Silver Medal in 2006. In 2016, Chris’ composition, Four Melodies (R9550), won 1st Prize at the “Call for Scores” competition hosted by the Kalamazoo Mandolin Guitar Orchestra. From 2004 – 2006, he was a contributing composer for contemporary folk ensemble, Izbuha. Chris was lead composer for contemporary ensemble, Dzveli He, from 2008 – 2010. He has fulfilled commissioned works for the Bund Deutscher Zupmusiker e.V., the British BMG Federation, Mike Marshall & Caterina Lichtenberg, the Norddeutsches ZupfOrchester Hamburg and Duo MaRe. Chris focuses on composing ‘art music’ for plucked string instruments and mixed ensembles. He tries to incorporate various styles into his brand of classical form. Chris’ main influence is American minimalism and early American avant garde. Many of Acquavella’s compositions have an element of minimalism to them. However, he is not purely a minimalist composer. Chris is also influenced by Eastern European folk music, American folk music, and popular music styles such as Punk, Hardcore and Progressive Rock.  He is currently published by Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (DE) and Astute Music, Ltd.(UK).

    Here is a list of published works by Chris Acquavella. For published works please purchase from your local retailer or from the publishing house directly.

    SOLO:

    • Imardin, for solo mandolin – published 2012; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6457)
    • 2014, for solo mandolin – published 2015; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6629)
    • The Kensington Etudes, for solo mandolin/mandola – published 2023; Joachim-Trekel_Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6755)
    • Serenade for Ali, for solo mandolin – published 2020; Astute Music Ltd. UK (am514-35)

     

    SOLO Baroque Mandolin:

    • Journey for Pazardzhik, for baroque mandolino – published 2014; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6568)
    • El Diablo Come Burritos, for baroque mandolino – published 2019; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6709)) – Score also contains Chris’ arrangement of Captain O’Kane by Turlough O’Carolan, for baroque mandolino.
    • Stars Over Point Loma, for baroque mandolino – published 2021; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6731)

    MANDOLIN & GUITAR DUETS:

    • Music on Route, (Departure, Freedom to Travel), for mandolin & guitar – published 2012; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6458)
    • Aki-no-kure “Autumn Nightfall”– composed for Mare Duo, 2013; premiered by Mare Duo, 2015; published 2016, Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6631)
    • Yutuma, for mandolin & guitar – published 2020; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6728)

    MANDOLIN DUETS:

    • Wishes, for 2 mandolins – published 2015; Astute Music, Ltd., UK  (am514-28)
    • Walking the Streets of Amsterdam, for 2 mandolins – composed 2016; published 2017; Astute Music, Ltd., UK (am514-31)
    • Slowly Dripping Away, for violin (mandolin), cello and prepared tape – composed 2005; unpublished/available for performance only.
    • SE10 “The Rushstick Charmers”, for mandolin & mandola (GDAE); original version for mandolin and mandocello. Composed in 2011 for Caterina Lichtenberg and Mike Marshall; premiered by Chris Acquavella and Nate Jarrell 2012. Published 2022, Astute Music Ltd. UK (am514-62)
    • My Pint is Half Full, for mandolin and mandola – composed 2016; unpublished/available for performance only.

    Ensemble (3 or more instruments):

    • Mandolin Quartet No. 2 “The Purge”, composed 2006; Unpublished / available for performance only.

    MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA (zupforchester):

    • Setsugekka: Snow, Moon and Flowers, for zupforchester – Commissioned work by the BDZ for the 2018 Eurofestival; composed for & premiered by the Landesjugendzupforchester Sachsen, directed by Katja Wolf. published 2018; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9544)
    • Four Melodies, for zupforchester – composed 2015/2016; Won 1stPrize at the KMGO “Call For Scores”, published 2016, Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg – (R9550)
    • Yutuma, for zupforchester – composed 2006, premiered by New American Mandolin Ensemble 2013, published 2014; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9430)
    • Harusame “Spring-rain”, for voice and mandolin orchestra – composed 2011; premiered by JuZO NRW, conducted by Annika Hinsche 2014. Published 2014; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9572)
    • Look into My Soul, for solo mandolin and mandolin orchestra, composed 2014/2015; premiered by Chris Acquavella & Seattle Mandolin Orchestra, 2015. published 2020, Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9573)
    • Remembrance of a Beautiful Soulfor zupforchester. Commissioned work by the British BMG Federation for the 10th anniversary of the passing of Alison Stephens. North American premier on August 9th, 2023, at the San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp. published 2020, Astute Music Ltd. UK (am514-59) 
    • The Battle for Planet ONKARS, for zupforchester – composed 2024, Commissioned work by NZO-YOUNGSTERS-Teens, Jugendorchester des Norddeutschen ZupfOrchesters eV. It was funded through the BMCO’s “Amateur Music Fund” award. World Premier on June 22nd, 2024, Hamburg. published 2024; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag.

    Method Books:

    • The Mandolin Companion by Alison Stephens & Chris Acquavella; composed 2004 – 2016. unfinished work by Alison Stephens completed by Chris Acquavella. Published 2016; Astute Music, Ltd., UK  (am514-25)
  • BIO:

    Chris Acquavella is a classical mandolinist & composer from San Diego, California, currently living in Welgesheim, Germany. He graduated First Class Honors from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London, England. Chris studied composition under the instruction of contemporary artist, Andrew Poppy. In 2004, Chris won the Wolfsan Foundation Music Award and was awarded the TCM Trust Silver Medal in 2006. In 2016, Chris’ composition, Four Melodies (R9550), won 1st Prize at the “Call for Scores” competition hosted by the Kalamazoo Mandolin Guitar Orchestra. From 2004 – 2006, he was a contributing composer for contemporary folk ensemble, Izbuha. Chris was lead composer for contemporary ensemble, Dzveli He, from 2008 – 2010. He has fulfilled commissioned works for the Bund Deutscher Zupmusiker e.V., the British BMG Federation, Mike Marshall & Caterina Lichtenberg, the Norddeutsches ZupfOrchester Hamburg and Duo MaRe. Chris focuses on composing ‘art music’ for plucked string instruments and mixed ensembles. He tries to incorporate various styles into his brand of classical form. Chris’ main influence is American minimalism and early American avant garde. Many of Acquavella’s compositions have an element of minimalism to them. However, he is not purely a minimalist composer. Chris is also influenced by Eastern European folk music, American folk music, and popular music styles such as Punk, Hardcore and Progressive Rock.  He is currently published by Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (DE) and Astute Music, Ltd.(UK).

    Here is a list of published works by Chris Acquavella. For published works please purchase from your local retailer or from the publishing house directly.

    SOLO:

    • Imardin, for solo mandolin – published 2012; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6457)
    • 2014, for solo mandolin – published 2015; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6629)
    • The Kensington Etudes, for solo mandolin/mandola – published 2023; Joachim-Trekel_Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6755)
    • Serenade for Ali, for solo mandolin – published 2020; Astute Music Ltd. UK (am514-35)

     

    SOLO Baroque Mandolin:

    • Journey for Pazardzhik, for baroque mandolino – published 2014; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6568)
    • El Diablo Come Burritos, for baroque mandolino – published 2019; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6709)) – Score also contains Chris’ arrangement of Captain O’Kane by Turlough O’Carolan, for baroque mandolino.
    • Stars Over Point Loma, for baroque mandolino – published 2021; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6731)

    MANDOLIN & GUITAR DUETS:

    • Music on Route, (Departure, Freedom to Travel), for mandolin & guitar – published 2012; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6458)
    • Aki-no-kure “Autumn Nightfall”– composed for Mare Duo, 2013; premiered by Mare Duo, 2015; published 2016, Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6631)
    • Yutuma, for mandolin & guitar – published 2020; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (T6728)

    MANDOLIN DUETS:

    • Wishes, for 2 mandolins – published 2015; Astute Music, Ltd., UK  (am514-28)
    • Walking the Streets of Amsterdam, for 2 mandolins – composed 2016; published 2017; Astute Music, Ltd., UK (am514-31)
    • Slowly Dripping Away, for violin (mandolin), cello and prepared tape – composed 2005; unpublished/available for performance only.
    • SE10 “The Rushstick Charmers”, for mandolin & mandola (GDAE); original version for mandolin and mandocello. Composed in 2011 for Caterina Lichtenberg and Mike Marshall; premiered by Chris Acquavella and Nate Jarrell 2012. Published 2022, Astute Music Ltd. UK (am514-62)
    • My Pint is Half Full, for mandolin and mandola – composed 2016; unpublished/available for performance only.

    Ensemble (3 or more instruments):

    • Mandolin Quartet No. 2 “The Purge”, composed 2006; Unpublished / available for performance only.

    MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA (zupforchester):

    • Setsugekka: Snow, Moon and Flowers, for zupforchester – Commissioned work by the BDZ for the 2018 Eurofestival; composed for & premiered by the Landesjugendzupforchester Sachsen, directed by Katja Wolf. published 2018; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9544)
    • Four Melodies, for zupforchester – composed 2015/2016; Won 1stPrize at the KMGO “Call For Scores”, published 2016, Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg – (R9550)
    • Yutuma, for zupforchester – composed 2006, premiered by New American Mandolin Ensemble 2013, published 2014; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9430)
    • Harusame “Spring-rain”, for voice and mandolin orchestra – composed 2011; premiered by JuZO NRW, conducted by Annika Hinsche 2014. Published 2014; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9572)
    • Look into My Soul, for solo mandolin and mandolin orchestra, composed 2014/2015; premiered by Chris Acquavella & Seattle Mandolin Orchestra, 2015. published 2020, Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg (R9573)
    • Remembrance of a Beautiful Soulfor zupforchester. Commissioned work by the British BMG Federation for the 10th anniversary of the passing of Alison Stephens. North American premier on August 9th, 2023, at the San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp. published 2020, Astute Music Ltd. UK (am514-59) 
    • The Battle for Planet ONKARS, for zupforchester – composed 2024, Commissioned work by NZO-YOUNGSTERS-Teens, Jugendorchester des Norddeutschen ZupfOrchesters eV. It was funded through the BMCO’s “Amateur Music Fund” award. World Premier on June 22nd, 2024, Hamburg. published 2024; Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag.

    Method Books:

    • The Mandolin Companion by Alison Stephens & Chris Acquavella; composed 2004 – 2016. unfinished work by Alison Stephens completed by Chris Acquavella. Published 2016; Astute Music, Ltd., UK  (am514-25)