From the CD: "Meet Excelsior!" We play the music of 20th Century composers, but we don't play it quite as written. The collective background of Excelsior's members encompasses many styles of world music, jazz, rock, etc., and we strive to bring all of these resources into our interpretation of the music. In addition to the unusual sound of the band, we stretch the pieces a little using improvisation and sonic and textual effects. So the result is in a sense no longer classical music, but rather DECLASSIFIED....." With this CD, the Excelsior band has certainly brought something new, unusual and different into the accordion world. I personally have never before had an opportunity to hear some of the world's great composers, such as Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Poulanc interpreted in this abstract way. Personally, I have to admit that their style wasn't exactly what I am used to hearing. It may be that I am too conservative! I must say though that I feel this band has great potential in the more traditional fields of rock and jazz. |
