Sponsors
Books (Text)
eSheet (pdf file)
eTracks sound files
Sponsors
Free Services
Books (Text)
Statistics
Sponsors
Gelbe Seiten Veranstaltungen
Recordings (CD, DVD, Video)
Printed Music
Statistics
Free Services
Sponsors
Share
Link to share - cut and paste:
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=13-Jan-2017&lang=de&s=12589
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=13-Jan-2017&lang=de&s=12589
13-Jan-2017
by Rita Davidson Barnea
|
 |
| Picture above: William Schimmel warms up before a performance of the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center in New York. Video above: The best known film appearance of William Schimmel is in the tango scene of "Scent of a Woman" starring Al Pacino. The Wall Street Journal featured accordionist Dr. William Schimmel in an article in the January 9, 2017 publication written by Charles Passy. The article describes how Bill Schimmel, "an expert on Kurt Weill, has been the accordionist for the New York Philharmonic for over 40 years. The New York Philharmonic often features unusual instruments which becomes a challenge for them to find a musician who is not only accomplished on his instrument but can also have a working knowledge of following a conductor and being a part of a symphony orchestra. Dr. William Schimmel has all of these credentials and more. As a Juilliard trained musician, he is frequently asked to play with the Philharmonic and other orchestras around the country. He also performs in the pit orchestras on Broadway, his most recent performance being the accordionist for the award winning production of 'An American in Paris'." On September 19, 2016 a free concert to honor the 70th birthday of William Schimmel was held at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. The concert was sponsored by the Composers Concordance and the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble presented contemporary music in honor of Bill Schimmel who has commissioned and premiered many new works. Over the years Bill’s music has been included in television shows and films. His best known appearance is in the tango scene of "Scent of a Woman" starring Al Pacino. (See video above) Bill Schimmel learned accordion as a child and attended Julliard School of Music where he received his doctorate in composition. While he was still a student at the school, his career was launched after he recorded songs of avant gard composer, Luiano Berio. An authority on Kurt Weill, Dr. Schimmel has recorded all of Weill's music with accordion Beginning in 1981, Schimmel’s Tango Project has released a string of acclaimed recordings on the Nonesuch and Newport Classic labels. The first Tango Project recording went to No. 1 on Billboard’s classical charts and was named Record of the Year by Stereo Review magazine. Schimmel has described the accordion as having a “built-in ironic duality,” both “elegant and vulgar.” That dual quality is captured in the tango scene of “Scent of a Woman,” where it adds a spirit of fun and an undertone of raw sexuality. He has served and continues to serve as Artist in Residence of The American Accordionist's Association (AAA) where he also serves as Distinguished Lecturer in Residence and member of the Governing Board. Directed by Peter Jarvis, the Composers Concordance program featured eight world premieres including music composed by Schimmel alongside compositions by John Clark, Dan Cooper, Franz Hackl, Jarvis, Gene Pritsker, David Taylor and Payton MacDonald. Performers will include Schimmel, Pritsker on guitar, the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble and the B3+ Brass Trio. Bill will be the moderator/curator of the AAA 23rd Master Class and Seminars July 28-30, 2017 at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York City. For further information: accordionbill@gmail.com |