Liszt - Fantasy On Motifs From Beethoven's Ruins O.These forces trade off until the strings bring the movement to a close. The soloists are accompanied by the quieted strings and continuo with their statement. As the strings finish their first statement, they become quiet so as to let the soloists be heard. This first movement begins with strings playing rapidly and loudly with the mandolins barely being heard in the background. That is the reason for the technique of rapidly alternating between the pair of strings to give more tonal presence to the instrument. Modern amplification has helped, but of course the instrument of Vivaldi's time not only did not have amplification besides the sound box of the instrument, but they were strung with gut strings that produced even less volume. Allegro -The mandolin is not known for its volume or staying power. Modern tuning for the mandolin is the same as the violin. The instrument that is usually now regarded as the mandolin is an instrument with 4 sets of pairs of strings, with each pair tuned to the same pitch. When smaller mandolas were developed, they were called the diminutive of the name, mandolino. It's name itself comes from yet another plucked instrument in the family the mandola.

The modern mandolin was developed from the lute in Italy and has a complex evolvement history from lute to mandolin.

The lute made its appearance in Europe in the 12th century by way of Andalusian Moors and the Crusades. It's history goes back to ancestors of the modern version w hich evolved from still older Arabian instruments. The mandolin is an instrument within the lute family of stringed instruments.

Vivaldi guitar concerto program notes