What an Orchestra!!! It is very rare to find one orchestra which has all the elements to make it successful. The Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra combines all these elements: they are highly professional, their music programme is very appealing to every audience, age and nationality! Proof to this is the fact that the New Zealand Government has on three occasions honoured these fine accordionists by appointing them "New Zealand Cultural Ambassadors". Formed in 1976, the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra has toured overseas extensively. Highlights include 8 International Goodwill Concert Tours to Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, performing for British Royalty, at the Closing Ceremony of the 1990 Commonwealth Games (before 35,000 people), TV appearances in North America, China, Hong Kong and Europe. It is fascinating how well all the instruments this orchestra uses blend in together: accordion with drums, organ, synthesiser, glockenspiel. No doubt it took a lot of experience and knowledge to achieve such a balance, and to make all these instruments sound like one, always within the frame of good musical taste. I have to mention vocalists Erica Knights, Lionel Reekie, Carolyn Reekie and Wendy Robinson. Their singing gives specific aroma to this recording and helps make it so entertaining. |
