For more than three decades
the skill of one of the brightest masters of Russian bayan music,
Viktor Gridin (1943-1997) has brought joy to numerous admirers
of this genre in Russia. After he graduated from the Gnessin Institute
of Arts in Moscow (now Russian Gnessin Academy of Music), Gridin's
music orientation become Russian Folk and general variety music.
He was a member of the Variety Symphony Orchestra of All-Union
Radio and Television and the Aleksandrov Ensemble of Song and
Dance of the Soviet Army, but his mastery reached its true potential
during his work with the State Russian Folk Ensemble.
Wow! What an accordionist! In so many aspects
Gridin's performance is brilliant. Technically, the entire complicated
texture is performed lightly and easily at maximum speed. It
is truly hard to find a comparison to this phenomenal double-note
technique. It is virtuosity of the highest class!
Musically, Gridin's performance is very emotional
and heart-warming. There is an unusual cheerfulness, an intimate
lyricism and humor.
New colors are found in the performances by
both him as a soloist and when he is accompanied by the Ensemble
of Electric Musical Instruments. The variety of compositions
are marked by refined harmony, flexible syncopated rhythms and
diverse sound colorings. The performance is elegant and subtle,
with real understanding of each style.
Viktor Gridin is a true poet of the accordion!
