The choice of instruments for this ensemble was very successful. They all blend in together very well making a very pleasant and interesting sound. The combination of accordion with guitar, mandolin, banjo, charang, violin, viola and double bass is full of colours, capable of expressing all sorts of feelings and moods. At times they sound very romantic and sentimental (especially when they combine recorder, guitar, violin and accordion). They can also be very entertaining, bright, happy..... Because of the many tone colours they are able to produce, their repertoire is very wide, which they generally play in their own manner rather than in a formal concert form. They would easily fit in a five star hotel, or in a Russian migrants restaurant somewhere in the heart of New York, or even a Paris cafe! As an ensemble they are well balanced, with no instrument noticeably standing out. The accordion appears very delicately, with good use of the correct switches, altogether making a very pleasant sound. I also have to mention the violinist who plays with a lot of style and soul. |
