Sponsors
Books (Text)
eSheet (pdf file)
eTracks sound files
Sponsors
Free Services
Books (Text)
Statistics
Sponsors
Share
Link to share - cut and paste:
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=21-Apr-2023&lang=en&s=19960
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=21-Apr-2023&lang=en&s=19960
21-Apr-2023
World Premiere of "Dargaville Impressions" Composed by Ian Watson - New Zealandby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
 |
 Kevin Friedrich will present the World Premiere of a new work titled "Dargaville Impressions" composed by well-known English accordionist and composer Ian Watson, on 28 May 2023 in Dargaville, New Zealand. Written for accordion, organ, bass accordion, timpani and glockenspiel, the two movement work was commissioned by Kevin Friedrich in honor of the refurbishment of the historical organ at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the 150th Anniversary of the Dargaville township in northern New Zealand. Picture right: Original 1926 Croft organ. The organ itself was a commission from New Zealand organ maker George Croft in 1925 by the Dargaville children upon the passing of their Mother, Anne (Annie) Dargaville. Previously, the Church’s dramatic Stained Glass Window had been added in memory of their father, the town’s founder in 1872, Joseph McMullen Dargaville. With this second refurbishment of the historical instrument, only the pipes remain from the original organ, but they have been proudly incorporated into the current bank of pipes found today. Composer Ian Watson, said he was impressed by the photos of Dargaville and how dramatic the light looked at times. The piece ‘Dargaville Impressions’ captures his impression of the town, without actually having visited it. The 1st movement features mostly the accordion, with support from organ, timpani and bass accordion. He imagined the light coming into the church from the memorial Stained Glass Window. The 2nd movement 'Annie' is all about the organ featuring dramatic dynamic crescendos resulting in echoes around the venue. The movement then reprises the haunting 1st movement theme, capturing the light as it magically illuminates the Stained Glass Window once again. Auckland based organist Michael Bell will join Kevin for the joint recital featuring solo works from each musician as well as a program of organ and accordion duets. The duo will be joined by fellow musicians from the North Shore Accordion Orchestra (Auckland) as well as Lionel Reekie (accordion, vocals and glockenspiel), Joan Emmett Brown (bass accordion) and Linda Emmett Litt (timpani). Joan and Linda are the daughters of Kevin’s original accordion teachers, Ben and Doreen Emmett. They will perform on the historical Emmett family instruments housed at the Dargaville Museum, including Ben Emmett’s bass accordion and his two hand-made Timpani. In addition to the Watson premiere, the concert will feature works by Bach, Hine, Zolotaryov, Venglevski, Macky, Daverne, Piazzolla, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sousa, Lithgow and more. The Dargaville concert will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday May 28th, 2023 at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 58 Hokianga Road, Dargaville, New Zealand. The organ and accordion works will also be performed in Auckland on 4 June 2023 as part of the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) annual festival. Dargaville Impressions will also be presented at the upcoming July ATG Festival, USA, where Kevin will be joined by organist Tony Payne, Associate Professor of Music, Director of Special Programs and Artist Series at Wheaton College and Ron Dake (bass accordion) and Nathaniel Holman (percussion), as part of one of the ATG gala festival concerts. Picture below: Refurbished Croft Organ. Picture courtesy of Bruce Russell. |
 |