 What
a happy duo recording! The music is mostly accordion solo compositions
arranged for accordion duo including John Gart's Vivo and Scherzo
and Wolmer Beltrami's Il Treno. Alongside those popular pieces are
the Galla-Rini's artful arrangement of George Gershwin's jazzy Three
Preludes and several other well-known pieces beautifully arranged
and popular with audiences worldwide. Only the Fredrik Högberg
composition, dancing according to me, for which the CD is named,
is new music. Accordion enthusiasts everywhere will truly relate
to and enjoy the repertoire on this recording. When I say the music
is popular, I do not mean to disparage or disapprove of it in any
way; I only mean it is familiar music from the past. With the exception
of the Högberg, which was newly written for Sundeqvist and
Farmen, and was given its premiere performance during the 2006 Coupe
Mondiale in Norway, many of us have played these accordion pieces
in one form or another. So they bring back good memories of happy
experiences and many accordionists of all ages do play these pieces
today.
Fredrik
Högberg should continue to write for the accordion. He is a
fine craftsman and has a keen sense of both melodic and rhythmic
ideas which match the instrument's qualities very well. His piece
dancing according to me is easy to listen to, quite interesting
and, of course, both Sundeqvist and Farmen play it extremely well,
with just the right flavor and energetic style.
The arrangements
are colorful and finely arranged, the compositions are well-known,
and both players compliment each other. The balance between instruments
is not a problem, even though they are different makes; however,
the balance between bass and treble is not always as satisfactory
since it seems the bass is somewhat too strong at various times.
Otherwise, the recording is more than pleasing throughout. I wish
the duration and the publisher for each of the pieces had been listed
since this often comes in quite handy at a quick glance and for
players wishing to obtain the music for their own use. The liner
notes are very interesting and informative and the general design
and layout of photos and written word is quite attractive.
I most
certainly recommend this recording to everyone; it is an exceedingly
accessible concert of accordion duo music with appealing repertoire
popular among most accordionists today. You will definitely enjoy
this music.
The CD is
produced by Fredrik Högberg at www.courthousemusic.com
CD Review Joan
Cochran Sommers, 07 March, 2008
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