The
name and artistry of Vladimir
Besfamilnov is well known in the international accordion community.
Full information on his biography could be found on his site as
well as review of his previous recording dated November
30th 2001
Besfamilnov's career as an accordion
concert artist and pedagogue has been extremely fruitful and rich.
His artistry in many ways impacted on the development of the accordion
in terms of its repertoire, use with another instruments, orchestras,
ensembles, etc. Besfamilnov always has been a great innovator,
ready to implement original, new and good, keeping up with the
times, composing and performing trends. This set of 12 CD's represents
some of the archive recordings made for Ukrainian National Radio
throughout many years of Besfamilnov's performing career, in particular
from 1953-1989. Recordings represent different stages of Besfamilnov's
artistry: from the beginnings of his career and performances on
the stradella accordion, to performances with the Symphony Orchestra,
Chamber Ensembles, Pipe Organ, Piano, Solo, using the most advanced
free bass accordion.
This particular recording Volume
5 contains a variety of recordings - some early ones as well as
later ones, using solo accordion, and performing one of his favorite
genres - miniatures.
Listening
to the set of the 12 Besfamilnov recordings is an extraordinary
musical journey. Early years are characterised by the passion
while in later years, the quality of extrovert wildness in his
youthful interpretation was replaced by a magical poetry and intense
inner feeling.
Besfamilnov's interpretations are
masterful. He plays with a gorgeous tone and an open-hearted response
to every phrase. Through particular attention to the voicing,
Besfamilnov has at his command, a rich palette of tone colour.
In the lyrical moments, particularly in the slow movements, he
spins out the sound with a spaciousness that makes you wait on
every note with baited breath. In this recording, one certainly
hears music-making of the first order, with Besfamilnov giving
a full-blooded account of these well-loved romantic pieces. It
is a performance with deeply emotional and outgoing spirit.
As he was my teacher, mentor and
friend, I do not wish to grade this recording, as I stand humble
in front of his artistry. He remains for me a phenomenon who stands
out not only for the radiance of his playing, but for his personal
radiance as well.
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