Writing this story, I was inspired by the boy Paul who actually exists and lives with his family not far from Lyon. He's the son of friends, and throughout his childhood he has been really passionate about playing the mandolin. However, most of all I was thinking about my own nieces and nephews. I have 11 of them at the moment, some of which already play musical instruments.

I hope that with Teleman(n)dolin I could maybe open a window for them into this world of Baroque music, which I am so privileged to live and work in.

 

 

Part One: Paul and his dream

 

Once upon a time, more than 200 years ago, there was a boy named Paul. Paul's family lived in the beautiful town of Mâcon on the Saône River and had a long tradition and fame as fishermen. Paul himself was too young for fishing, but he loved to join his older brothers, enjoying the smell of the fresh silure (giant catfish) every evening on the way home, often chased by the village cats. However, more than anything, he adored the precious moments where he could play in the sand, building castles and dreaming about knights and princes, while listening to the fishermen playing the mandolin. These moments belonged only to him.

 

One day, while Paul was enjoying the sun on his soft skin, his father asked him, "son, did you ever think about what you would like to be when you grow up?"

"Oh yes dad! I would like to play the mandolin", said Paul.

"Play the mandolin?! Son, I mean, what would you like to do as a profession? You know, nobody

plays the mandolin for his living, it's just a hobby of course!"

"But daddy", said Paul, "I am sure, if I could play the mandolin, I would be so happy that I would never want to stop. I am sure this could also be a wonderful profession daddy, I really do believe that!”

"Well son", said the father, "in that case I suggest we better find you a decent teacher!

The best would probably be to visit Versailles, all the greatest musicians are there, perhaps we can find one who would teach you to play the mandolin".

 

Paul didn't believe his ears, first he sat still, then it came almost uncontrolled out his lips "Reeeeally???"

"Of course" said Paul's father, "if that's what you really want".

Paul: "really REALLY want! Thanks dad!"

"Now go to sleep", said Paul's father, "the sun is already almost gone, and tomorrow with sunrise,

we'll start the journey. It might take some days till we reach Versailles, you should get

some sleep!".

"I love you dad, good night!"

“Good night”.

 

That night, as much as Paul tried, he couldn't not fall asleep. He has always heard of Versailles, the palace, the gardens, the king and the royal family, and of course, all the great musicians... Rebel the violinist, the flutist Philidor, Couperin and his cembalo, Marais who plays the viol, but... he never heard about a mandolinist! Will they find one? Can his dream really be so near?

 

 

Part two: The journey

 

A couple of days have passed on the road, yet Versailles didn't seem near. The way wasn't very comfortable and the sky got full of dark clouds. Paul's back was hurting, besides, he missed his mother and his brothers. But always when he was just about to burst in tears, a voice within him appeared: "Never give up on your dreams!". Paul looked at his father, and it seemed almost as if they both could hear it, crystal clear, that same inner voice. They hugged, and kept following the road.

 

And so, after not less than a week, an amazing view appeared, it was by far more impressive than they have ever imagined it. The grand canal, the trees rowed in most impressive order and the great golden gates gave the impression of a place beyond reality!

 

Paul couldn't believe his eyes, he was so excited that even after such a hard journey, he had to spend his first night in Versailles with both eyes wide open. Tomorrow is the big day, he will enter the magical city and there he will find his mandolin teacher! He surely will! It must be!

 

 

Part Three: In the Palace

 

The morning came and to the palace they went. "Where shall we start, who should we ask...?", wondered Paul. "Can I help you gentlemen?", ask an old man who seemed to be working at the palace.

"Yes sir, ehh... it's my son, you see... he would like to learn to play the mandolin, perhaps you can tell us, who could be the right man to approach?"

"Alor... mandoline... I don't know... but I am sure François Couperin would know, they call him „Le Grand“, the best musician for the king. If you want to find him, go up the round staircase over the royal chapel and you'll find his room just on the right – good luck!"

"Merci!“ called Paul and his dad at once. The old man nodded kindly and dissapeared in the morning mist infront of the castle.

 

After just a few moments, Paul couldn't believe it, they were actually entering the most beautiful room that he had ever seen, with the most impressive harpsichord that Paul could ever imagine. Yet the most impressive presence in that unbelievable ambiance belonged undoubtly to the man playing that cembalo so masterly! The two apologized for the interruption, and told the master their whole story from the beginning.

 

"Mandoline? No no no" said Couperin, "I could teach you the Clavicin, it's the king of all

instruments... show me your hands.. well... what about the legs.. hmm.. not bad... maybe

some organ lessons?”

 

Paul was overwhelmed from this whole examination and didn't understand why Couperin speaks so fast, he just shook his head, trying to understand what this weird fellow with the harsh accent says”

„No?“ said Couperin. „Ahh... Genetelman, I have no time, good luck to you, au revoir!”

 

"He wasn't very pleasant dad!" said Paul when the door closed behind them.

"Don't worry son, we've made all this way, I am sure we'll find just the right master for you. I heard about Antoine Forqueray, he is said to have recently written a piece for the harpsichord called La Mandoline, he certainly must have some more sentiments for the mandolin!".

 

And so they went through the Palace of Versailles from one master to the other...

 

Forqueray sent them politely to Robert de Visee: "he is the best guitarist in France, and your mandolin maybe isn't all that far from his guitar, he might be willing to give you some guidance.“

 

"I have no time at all" said Visee. "The king needs me at his breakfast, lunch, dinner,

tea, weekends, ceremonies..." … and then came Marin Marais, who said: "Pardon? an Italian

instrument?! I play the French viol! A viol of 7 strings! Mandolin has neither my insterest

nor my time!" before he shut the door.

 

"How unfriendly!" said Paul, "and how arrogant" added his father...

 

 

Part four: The last chance?

 

On the way out of the palace, they found the same old man who they met before. He approached them carefully and asked quitely, "and? did you find what your heart requested?"

 

"Sadly not", sighed Paul, "but I guess my father was right from the first place. Life will just go on the way it used to be, I will learn fishing and will forget about this magical palace“.

 

"ahh... no... You know what... There is a visiting musician from Germany in Versailles these days, they say he plays all the instruments in tut de monde...! his name is Georg Philipp Telemann and I have seen him wondering in the royal flowery garden next to the canal, perhaps you should give it a try with him!"

 

The old man had a sweet smile that somehow made Paul and his father feel so pleasant again. They almost lost their hope to find the right person for Paul, but shall they not try this last chance??"

 

"Oh thanks so much" said Paul's father, you are very kind, may I ask you for your name, old man?

 

„My name is Marc-Antoine Charpentier. But that is of absolutely no importance, come with me and I shall show you where to find Monsieur Telemann!“

 

 

We don't know exactly what happened next, but the legend says, Paul actually travelled to Germany along with Telemann and became one of the master's most excellent students! There's even an opinion that Paul adapted much of Telemann's music for the mandolin, just for his personal pleasure, and that this notebook must have got lost somewhere over the centuries... 

 

Don't you wish you knew how it would sound like? 

Well, fortunately, now you can!!

 

I hope you have enjoyed the story about Paul and the mandolin, now you are ready to listen to the

CD.

 

Good night!!

Alon Sariel