Well known French accordionist
and winner of the Coupe
Mondiale 1995, Bruno Maurice, graduated from the Paris Conservatorium
of Music with Frederic Guerouet and continued his accordion and
composition studies in Kiev, Ukraine, with famous Professor Vladimir
Besfamilnov and with composer-accordionists Vladimir
Zubitsky.
Bruno's program for this recording
is a 'stroll' through well known romantic favourites, both originally
written for the accordion as well as transcribed. Bruno's performance
is touchingly subtle and sensitive at times, and with dramatic
and emotional pathos at other times. Logics and elasticity of
musical phrasing, the way he makes his music breathe, is highly
professional. He feels it from the bottom of his stomach and it
is that feeling that finds its way to the listener's heart. His
tonal culture, his dramatic and dynamic build ups, are also impressive.
In Bruno's performance style it
is easy to recognise Professor Besfamilnov's musical 'signature'
and influence: above all - refined treatment of the musical phrase
and profound understanding of the musical contents of the pieces
performed. These are the points Professor
Besfamilnov made his main teaching
emphasis. "Trade elements" in performance, as he used to call
it, all sorts of technical preparation were there only to serve
higher musical meaning. Considering that Bruno's French teacher,
excellent accordionist Frederic Gureouet was also a student of
Professor Besfamilnov, the line of musical influence is understandable.
I must mention the instrument that
Bruno plays. This instrument is one of few, constructed and COMPLETELY
build by hand by famous Russian accordion builder and genius in
the field, Vasiliy Kolchin (1934-1998).
Instruments Kolchin made are of
unique construction and sound wise, and are considered to be "Stradivarius
of the accordion". I was fortunate to meet Mr. Kolchin in Moscow
in 1984, and play on his instruments. His wife, Anne Andrejevna,
was an excellent bellows maker (by hand). Kolchin named his instruments
"Appassionata", as Beethoven's Piano Sonata "Appassionata" was
a favourite piece of Lenin. Professor Besfamilnov owns the last
"Appassionata" made by Kolchin, crown of his work. Bruno named
his CD "Appassionata" in honour of the instrument he plays on.
Very, very enjoyable recording.
Why not find out for yourself!
|