Crossroads
Ksenija Sidorova; Sinfonietta Riga; Normunds Šnē
ALPHA 1090 (outhere-music.com/en/albums/crossroads)
Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova’s Crossroads features arrangements J.S. Bach’s music and later works by composers influenced by that master. She plays both solo and in ensemble with Sinfonietta Riga under conductor Normunds Šnē. Her accordion pictures show a right-hand piano keyboard. The left-hand button side appears to have a switch activated traditional chord stradella bass, and free bass multi octave single note bass buttons.
Bach’s famous three movement Concerto in D Minor, BWV1052 opens. Bach’s first 1720’s version featured solo organ and 1730’s version solo harpsichord, both with orchestra. Future arrangements by others include solo piano, violin, recorder and heavy metal guitar! Sidorova’s accordion arrangement has wide-pitched contrapuntal lines for both hands, colourful blending with orchestra, and tight accordion and orchestra contrasts in alternating sections.
Composer Sergei Akhunov’s solo accordion Sketch III has lyrical broken chords and single note lines. His Bach-inspired five movement Concerto Chaconne Bach has SO much to listen to from an opening mysterious low orchestral feel, high-pitched held accordion notes “squealing” above repeated orchestral chords, modernizing percussion hits and reflective calms. Dobrinka Tabakov’s virtuosic Baroque style The Quest: Horizons for solo accordion and orchestra features wide-ranging volumes with touches of contemporary sounds. Solo works Beyond Bach by Gabriela Montero, arranged by George Morton and Sidorova, and Sidorova’s arrangement of her childhood favourite Bach’s Ich Ruf Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639, highlight Sidorova’s impressive musicianship and breathing bellows control.
This is accordion and orchestra at their very best. A standing ovation for all!
