Alphen Opus 2 is a 12-piece accordion
orchestra. The group was founded in 1995 and is led by the Russian-born
conductor Serge Latychev, who is presently living in Heiloo, the
Netherlands. Alphen Opus 2 spends much time and thought on promoting
contemporary works by Dutch composers. Their repertoire also includes
many pieces by composers of diverse nationalities from various
periods. In 1996 the orchestra made a concert journey to Moscow,
and in 1998 was invited to the International Sata Hame Soi Accordion
Festival held in Ikaalinen, Finland.
Conductor, Serge Latychev studied
accordion at the famous Gnessin Music Academy in Moscow. After
graduating Serge led and conducted different ensembles, including
the ensemble "Harmonika" and the "Orenburg Cossack Choir". In
1990 Serge moved to the Netherlands, where he currently teaches
accordion and conducts several choral and instrumental groups.
The repertoire of this accordion
ensemble includes original compositions as well as transcriptions.
Their program starts with the 8 movement piece entitled "Collection".
Written in the contemporary style as its name implies, the piece
is a collection of musical pictures and moods, performed very
skilfully.
The next piece on their program
is "Libertango" by Piazzolla. In this piece, just like in every
piece that they play on this recording, the ensemble shows great
togetherness and unity. Excellently balanced they produce an amazing
sound picture together. In Libertango, throughout their performance,
they have preserved the very character of the tango while building
it up dramatically and emotionally. The beauty of the main theme
in Libertango never ceases to touch me. It is wide but then it
is also very intimate, it is melancholic but then it has that
inner strength to it - and the ensemble have captured splendidly
these nuances.
It is obvious that the ensemble
is led by a very experienced conductor who's musical skills, intuition
and knowledge are of a very high standard. His musical thinking
is refined and deep and talented musicians of the ensemble follow
his instructions very exactly.
Boardwalk is their next piece on
this recording and what an interesting piece of music! I loved
it! It has a pulse and spirit of its own where dynamically the
build up is created on a very strong rhythmical pulse, and really
sounds impressive.
Overall, this is an excellent ensemble
of a very high musical standard. Their performance is a pleasure
to listen to.
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