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Arlekkinate |
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"Victoria" septet |
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"Victoria" septet |
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09 February 2006 |
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Here is an hour of music that is easy to listen to and above all clearly
shows what a (classical) group of accordions can achieve. The offered programme
- that alternates between original compositions for accordion groups (gotz
ecc), trancriptions (farkas) arrangements and elaborations (piazolla ecc)
- proposes different genres and artistic styles from composers of the 20th
century.
From evocative ( almost descriptive) pieces such as Piazolla's Otono Porteno
or Schamo's Dnjepr Walzer - to standard pieces more or less Classic"
or "virtuoso" - like the brilliant Toccata by the Lithuanian Bagdonas,
the intense Fugata by Piazzolla or the interesting variations and fugue
that make up the Lambada concertante by Tamulionis; we then proceed to traditional
dances - Antiche danze ungheresi, in "old style" by Farkas( transcribed
by Lech Puchnowski who is known internationally through his glorious Warsaw
Quintet) or even the Habanera by Balsys, then on to "transformed"
dances such as tango piazzolliano by Michelangelo 70 or the aggressive (wild)
Danza Salvaje by the same argentinian composer ( originally scored for a
string quartet), until finally we reach the captivating rhythmic ideas drawn
from the work the the german Gotz entitled Harlekinaden ( that inspired
the title of the album).
Overall a well accomplished work: from the selection of the tunes to the
respective interpretations, which denote a knowledge of style and differentation
as well as a good understanding between the players; the adaptations of
the 4 Piazzolla tunes (by the septet themselves ) are very effective as
they do not over inflate the arrangements of the great maestro's compositions
but use the many techno - phonic capabilities of the accordion ( used effectively
on occasion as a percussion instrument). I conclude with an appreciation
also of the extensive notes and illustrations in the accompanying booklet.
It is to be hoped that this is the first of many albums from the "Victoria
Septet" |
