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The Canadian Concert Accordionist, N. Antonio Peruch, has made an appreciable contribution to
the concert repertoire available to the serious accordionists of the world in several ways. Not
only through the three well-known composers represented and their equally arresting
compositions, but Peruch has also given outstanding performances of the three concerti with
orchestras of considerable professional repute and has captured them on this very fine recording.
The first is Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra (1998-1999) by Malcolm Forsyth (1936 - 2011) performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director
Grzegorz Nowak. This is a live recording made by CBC at the Opening Gala Concert of the
Resound Festival of Contemporary Music, Francis Winspear Centre for Music, Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada on Feb. 6, 2001. It was an important milestone to have an accordion concerto
performance at the special event.
There are three movements: I. Energico, brutale 8:33; II. Calmato; III. Spiritoso; ben ritmato
6:07. The first movement is engaging with triplet figuration featured, much bellows work and
quick runs. The second movement is extremely nice with excellent exploration of the range of
the accordion. The last movement introduces interesting rhythms and important bellows shakes
once again. I would have liked to have the accordion heard a bit louder throughout albeit it did
indeed have an important and equal voice in the orchestra. All three movements are quite
accessible for all audiences; I found the first movement particularly enjoyable. Peruch
demonstrates excellent musicianship and control over his instrument at all times.
Pensieroso for Classical Accordion and Orchestra (1992-1993) by Violet Balestreri Archer
(1913-2000) is next, performed with the Camerata Romeu Chamber Orchestra, conducted by
Music Director Zenaida Romeu, in Havana, Cuba in February 2010; solo accordion part recorded
at the CBC Studios, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in August 2011. This was Archer’s last
commissioned work. Before her death she had written brief sketches of the first and last of the
originally planned three-movement work, but with a sudden burst of inspiration completed the
second movement, and gave Peruch her blessing to perform the now-one-movement work. It is
almost 22 minutes in duration and is quite foreboding from the very opening. Bellows shakes
once again figure prominently throughout and, although executed very well, the relief shown in
the large full chords of both hands and in the very fast runs in the right hand is welcome. The
instrument demonstrated particularly fine response of reeds throughout all ranges.
The third is Concerto for Accordion and String Orchestra by Allan Gilliland (b. 1965) and
performed with the Camerata Romeu Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zenaida
Romeu and recorded in Havana, Cuba in February, 2010. This is the most modern of the three
presentations with orchestra. The first movement (4:52) is aptly titled Wind Machine; it has
many fast runs in both hands, lovely melodic moments and is a relief from the numerous bellows
shakes previously mentioned. The second movement (8:44) titled Krista Marie after his wife,
has fast and very clean playing in both hands with outstanding fluidity, lovely melodic lines, a
nice change in rhythmic interest, and demonstrates truly beautiful, stunning writing by the
composer! The final movement (5:21), titled Rumba Rondo, has a “deliberately rhythmic feel of
the Latin rumba, composed in a very standard classical form, the rondo.” There is a feeling of
perpetual forward motion with exciting but subtle rhythmic accents always present, even in
extended runs by the active soloist.
Another outstanding feature of this CD is the exceedingly fine performances by the
accompanying orchestras! These are professional orchestras of the highest quality; you will find
no “out of tune” playing, whether in the beautifully crafted melodic lines or on dynamic attacks
in all ranges and performed notably and equally well by the string, brass and woodwind players!
The accordion soloist, N. Antonio Peruch, has indeed used his passion and virtuosity on the
instrument to light the flames of inspiration for three of Canada’s finest composers resulting in
the compositions on this CD. He “commissions and performs music that explores the
exceptionally expressive sonorities of his concert accordion.” Peruch has been Knighted by the
Republic of Italy in recognition of his contribution to Italian music and culture. In addition, his
international achievements in music have been recognized by a Gold Medal from the Province of
Treviso in Italy, a Government of Alberta Achievement Award, a City of Edmonton Civic
Honours Award, and the prestigious University of Alberta Alumni Association Award of
Excellence. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. In addition to English, he is
fluent in French, Italian, Spanish and Latin.
There are very enlightening liner notes regarding the soloist, N. Antonio Peruch, the three
important Canadian composers, the conductors and the orchestras included with the CD. These
compositions will appeal to many diverse audiences; they will provide not only enjoyment for
the listener, but, even more importantly, offer further important repertoire and performance
opportunities for accordionists throughout the world. The generous financial assistance of the
Canadian City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Arts Council, and the Alberta Foundation for the
Arts, as well as the Canada Council for the Arts and The Instituto Cubano de la Musica is
gratefully acknowledged, once again proving how important such cooperative collaboration is to
musicians everywhere.
I recommend this CD very highly for a number of reasons. You will enjoy listening to all three
compositions; all are very well performed. It is important that such important compositions be
given as much exposure as possible, particularly when they are by highly successful composers.
And, lastly, fine performers, regardless of instrument, need to be recognized for their artistry and
dedication to music. N. Antonio Peruch is to be lauded for the successful presentation of these
three pieces, resulting in public performances of note, and finally, for preserving them on this
CD for the future.
The CD Logos Futura is FisarmonicArt Recording AP201101 and is available for purchase
through The Gramophone Inc. at 1-800-231-7594 (toll free in North America). Ordering
information is available on The Gramophone’s website at www.gramophone.ca
Reviewed by Joan C.Sommers – September, 2013.
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