Classical Accordion: Great Article by Guardian UK

The article Accordion Reborn published Wednesday November 19, 2009, got my attention. From the Guardian, a thorough and highly accessible article on the state of contemporary ‘Classical’ Accordion music. Specifically Denmark, which since at least the 1970’s has been a bastion of creativity and genius in this genre.

For most people, the sound of the accordion conjures up images of bearded morris dancers, or jolly sea shanties sung with raised tankards of real ale. But in Denmark, the accordion has a classical life, with a whole generation of serious musicians developing new means of expression on an instrument Mark Twain once called “a Steinway on your lap”.

Supporting and fleshing out the work and world of composer Jexper Holmen, we learn about his newest project being performed in England.

Alongside Holmen will be two Norwegian accordionists, Frode Andersen and Frode Haltli, accomplished classical players who graduated from the prestigious accordion programme at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. So are there lots of high-flying jobs for accordionists in Scandinavia? “I would never aspire to become a full-time classical accordion soloist,” admits Haltli, “because I wouldn’t be able to eat.” In addition to solo work, Haltli plays with a jazz ensemble and a folk group, and has released a CD of new arrangements of traditional Norwegian melodies.

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