Fantasia
	Alexander Sevastian
	Alexander Sevastian
	30 May 2012

This new recording is the third solo album by Alexander Sevastian and, like everything this artist does, it is superb in every manner. It is extremely fine playing from the very first note until the last and you will enjoy everything you hear.

The program notes written by Mr. Sevastian and Rebecca Pellett are also very fine, written with care and worthy of the musical selections chosen for this CD. He explains why he chose the composers Vladislav Zolotaryov and Wolfgang Amadeus . Each piece, and indeed every movement of the Zolotaryov repertoire, become far more interesting and understandable by reading the excellent accompanying notes.

The recording opens with the two pieces by Mozart, the Organ Fantasia in f minor, K. 608, and the Twelve Variations on a French song, “Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman”, KV. 265, originally for piano. The theme of the Twelve Variations is very well-known as the children’s song, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” but these variations are not child’s play! Although beautifully simple in some instances, they are also terrifically exciting and probably somewhat technically terrifying to some would-be performers.

The Zolotaryov pieces, Partita and the Sonata No. 3, are important milestones in the history of the repertoire for the bayan. Both require listeners to become familiar with the sounds of the 12-tone technique as well as newer compositional details explored by the composer. The first-time listener will learn to appreciate both pieces, if not on the first hearing. They are pieces which will always remain fundamental for all serious accordionists/bayanists to study, whether actually capable of performing or not. They are also part of the growing repertoire which future composers of serious music for the instrument should examine as part of their preparation for writing for the instrument. And, while there are already recordings available of the Zolotaryov and the Mozart, particularly, one will only benefit from having this newly recorded CD in a personal library.

It must be mentioned also about the final piece included on this recording. As a bonus track, the artist has included the phenomenal Carl Maria von Weber An Invitation to the Dance. Whether in a public performance or on a recording, Mr. Sevastian seems to outshine himself when playing this extremely difficult piece. It is always admirably performed! This piece is difficult for symphony orchestras, so you may well imagine the vast amount of technique and musical artistry needed to perform it as Alexander Sevastian does; it is another proof of his stature in the musical world.

I recommend very highly this new CD, Fantasia, by Alexander Sevastian. Let us hope there will be many more such recordings in the future. The sound is excellent throughout, recorded, edited, mixed and mastered by Taras Trubbleclef.


Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers – May 30, 2012