Emil Johansen has prepared a potpourri of musical arrangements and originals for the accordion with the intentions of performing enjoyable music for the listener. It is just that. The soloist, born in 1977, began accordion studies at the age of eight in 1985 but did not begin the study of free-bass accordion until 1998. This is somewhat the same for many other players: they only begin free-bass accordion after they have played traditional accordion for a while. Emil Johansen now earns his living teaching both guitar and accordion as well as serving as a free-lance musician. He has been able to earn his living from his passion for music and the accordion. In addition, along the years of study, he has On this recording he includes his own friendly notes about each piece and presents them somewhat in the style of a performer introducing his pieces to the audience: short, succinct, and interesting for everyone. J. S. Bach is represented by the Air and the First Variation from "The Goldberg Variations." Although a very short introduction to this important musical gem, Emil plays with style and affection for the chosen portions of the much longer and very difficult repertoire. In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg is assuredly one of the most familiar pieces by that composer and proves it is fun to hear in solo form, too. Everyone has heard many versions of "The Flight of the Bumblebee" performed by both orchestras and soloists of all kinds. It never loses its appeal although the opera, from which it was originally written, is rarely performed and certainly not as well-known as this short but fast technical exercise. Viktor Gridjin, a prolific Russian composer of the well known "Rassypucha" solo and many other pieces quite popular for the accordion/bayan, is represented by the "Enliven melodies" arranged from the duet for solo by the soloist. No accordionist seems to dare omit repertoire by Astor Piazzolla these days and, on this recording, he is represented by the lovely "Tango - s'il vous plait" which is once again wonderful to hear, no matter how many times one may have heard Piazzolla or this particular selection. Richard Galliano has become well-known and popular throughout the world, both as a performer and as a composer. Emil Johansen has chosen three pieces: "Waltz for Margaux", "Song for Joss", and "Cheating." "Dad's Having Fun" by A. Lassagne and J.M. Torchy supplies the fun ragtime piece. "On Tour in the U.K." and "Linda's Waltz" composed by the performer provide a bit of whimsy regarding a concert tour in Scotland and England as well as an affectionate waltz for his wife. The very popular accordionist of the past, Toralf Tollefsen, is represented by one of his early traditional hits for the accordion, a novelty fox trot titled "Promenade Rhythm." "Swedish Waltz Fantasy" by Wille Johnsson and arranged by Emil Johansen, brings the recording to a close. The CD was recorded in March of 2004 and produced by the Performer, Emil Johansen. It can be ordered from his website: www.emiljohansen.net The price is 150 Norwegian Kroner, plus delivery costs. It is very well produced; the accordion has a fine sound and the listener will enjoy the variety of styles included on the CD. Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers, July, 2010. |
