Claudio Jacomucci, founder and teacher of the Italian Accordion Academy, gives Master Classes all over the world. He is considered one of the most skillful accordionists on the international scene and his work has contributed to developing new performing techniques and innovative pedagogy. It is, therefore, no question that he would perform an outstanding concert on this CD devoted entirely to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). There are many different ways to perform the preludes and fugues of J.S. Bach, often depending upon the instrument being used by the performer. This has no doubt served the artist well, but it also provides a window into the world of the composer who often wrote his music for one instrument, then used it not once but again for other instruments. Even if Bach did not indicate phrasing, for example, in the original composition he might have done so when he used it for another. It is not only phrasings, however, that often change; tempi are many times either slower or faster depending upon the instrument or the performer. And one of the fascinations of listening to fine musicians perform such beautiful repertoire is the study of how they make the composition theirs. It is without a doubt that Claudio Jacomucci has studied the music of J.S. Bach and the performances of other fine artists. Teachers of young emerging performers so often earmark particular recordings as ones for their students to study; this CD just might become one of those. Jacomucci plays each piece with a clear, clean line while bringing out the accents, dynamics, and expression in a manner not often heard or perhaps even possible, on instruments other than the accordion. He provides a showcase not only for the composer's music but also for the accordion and for himself as performer. He accomplishes it with élan, polish and precision. So many competitions in the music world require the performance of music from The Well-Tempered Clavier as a real test of true musicianship, meaning the performer not only performs technically well and with abundant control but understands the reason behind all his choices. Regarding the above-mentioned phrasing and tempi, the acclaimed book, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Volume I, edited by Dr. Willard Palmer, Alfred Music Co. publishers, provides a ready source not only for the actual notes, but also for much well-researched and exceedingly valuable information about those topics and many more. It is pointed out that the Praeludium and fuga II in C minor, BWV 847 is indicated at a tempo of Allegro moderato (100-112) and Allegretto moderato (66-72), respectively. The editor cites the actual performance tempi of artists such as Bischoff, Czerny, Busoni, Gould, Landowska, Tureck, Kirkpatrick, and Richter. One cannot help but notice the several choices. It is these choices which also give other performers the choice, if you will, to play faster or slower. Claudio Jacomucci has chosen to play quite fast in some instances but not without musicianship. It is fine playing and demonstrates that true musicians may indeed vary their interpretations from that which one may have heard and assumed as the one and only way to play a piece. The music speaks for itself! One must mention the well-known, difficult and popular Passacaglia and Fuge, BWV 582, also heard on this recording. This organ composition is ideal for studying the musical form of the passacaglia and it has been arranged for various instruments, more notably for orchestra. For those who might still resist any such arrangements, we must remember Bach arranged and re-arranged many of his compositions several times. He did not seem to think it wrong to use either music or instruments as appropriately needed. The artist on this CD, Claudio Jacomucci, has certainly used the accordion appropriately in performing each and every piece heard on this outstanding recording. It is a fine recording and I most certainly recommend you seek it out and purchase it. You will admire the work of the performer, Claudio Jacomucci, and once again enjoy the repertoire of the composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. The web site for the artist is: www.claudiojacomucci.com He may be reached at: info@claudiojacomucci.com Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers |
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