The Accordionist Blog

Review of Classical Accordion CD in Musicians’ Union Magazine Spring 2012

PaulChamberlain — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:01:49 +0000

Impressive debut from master of instrument

Chamberlain won a first class degree in classical accordion from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and has been acclaimed at festivals from the UK to Bahrain. Also a member of the Scottish Tango Ensemble and the HotScotch Ceilidh Band, he has won many national competitions and is recognised as a leading talent on the free-bass button instrument. Bach’s Prelude & Fugue in D Minor, Rameau’s L’Egyptienne, Nagayev’s Sonata No.1 and Toccata by Khachaturian are all performed here with energy and sophistication. Chamberlain’s remarkable technique and the scope of his instrument shines throughout.

Upcoming concerts in North of England – Dewsbury and New Mills

PaulChamberlain — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:56:40 +0000

Paul Chamberlain is to perform two concerts in March in Yorkshire.

The first is a lunchtime recital in Dewsbury Town Hall on Wednesday 14th March 2012 at 12.30pm.

A first for Dewsbury Town Hall, the brilliant young Scottish accordionist Paul Chamberlain is to perform the lunchtime concert on Wednesday March 14 at 12.30pm.

The current UK virtuoso champion he plays a repertoire which stretches from Bach to contemporary Russian music. This concert promises a few surprises with Paul’s imaginative programming and the opportunity to hear the accordion as never before.

One of the first classical accordionists to graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Paul is a highly accomplished player appearing at many music festivals across the world.

Paul will be playing the following programme at Dewsbury Town Hall:

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (BWV 565) – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
L’Egyptienne – Jean-Phillipe Rameau (1683-1764)
Sonata No 1, 1st Mov (Allegro Sostenuto) – Alexander Nagayev (b.1947)
Spanish Caprice – Moritz Moszkowski (1854-1925)
Romance – Franck Angelis (b.1962)
Capriccio – Albin Repnikov (b. 1932)
Toccata – Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)

Tickets are priced at £5 (£3.50 concessions) and are available from Kirklees Booking Offices, tel: 01924 324501 or online athttp://www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls or pay on the door

The following evening, Thursday 15th March, Paul will perform again at Providence New Mills United Reformed Church at 7.30pm

: New Mills Church

For further details about this concert, call 0161 449 5370 or 01663 747599.

Scottish Tango Ensemble at Hawick Music Club – 25th February 2012

PaulChamberlain — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:53:18 +0000

Hawick Music Live! presents a really quirky concert. THE SCOTTISH TANGO ENSEMBLE was formed in 2009 and is a collaboration of four dynamic musicians: Gemma O’Keefe, violin, Paul Chamberlain – born in Bowden – accordion, Tom Berry, double bass and Fiona Macleod piano. They cover all styles of tango music from the classic Salon and Milonguera repertoire through to the Nuevo Tango associated with Astor Piazzolla. They will also include items for the classical repertoire such is their versatility! The auditorium will be transformed into a dark, rather sultry Latin America “dive” where the tango and other such sexy music will “steam” away the February climate – you have been warned …

Single tickets from VisitScotland Box Office in Tower Mill: 01450 360688, online at www.thebooth.co.uk, or at the door on the day.

Season tickets for all seven concerts – £40, £35, £5 and family £80 Tel: 01450 370171, Email: mcdonaldbill@btinternet.com

CD Reviews of new release – Paul Chamberlain – “Classical Accordion”

PaulChamberlain — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:12:49 +0000

Paul’s recent solo CD “Classical Accordion” has been reviewed by Håkan Widar of the Swedish Accordion Association. Here is a translation of his article.

Paul Chamberlain “Classical accordion”
Not often we hear any English soloist nowadays. Paul Chamberlain plays in the Russian tradition, yet has his own style. Clear appropriations, with a big punch, dynamics and feel. The repertoire is music of Bach, Rameau, Nagayev, Angelis, Khachaturian and Moszkowski.
Contact: www.theaccordionist.com

The article can be viewed on the Swedish Accordion Association website : www.dragspelsforbundet.se

Paul Chamberlain - Classical Accordion Debut CD

The CD was also reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers for the Accordions Worldwide website, where it is also available for sale through www.musicforaccordion.com

Classical Accordion

This new recording by the Scottish musician, Paul Chamberlain, provides a fine example of repertoire which might be chosen for a recital. It has both original and arranged repertoire, shows very well the possibilities for both left and right hands on the accordion, and has a variety of musical styles by some of the more popular composers performed in the accordion world.

Many University/Conservatory music majors quite often open their recitals with the music of Bach, Rameau, Scarlatti, or Couperin; Paul Chamberlain includes both Bach’s Prelude & Fugue in d minor, BWV 554 and Rameau’s L’Egyptienne on this CD. While various ideas abound regarding ornamentations, touch and phrasing for music, particularly from these composers, it is interesting to hear those used by Chamberlain. Both pieces adapt quite successfully to the accordion.

Angelis is undoubtedly one of the most prolific and popular composers of music for the accordion today, and deservedly so since he offers such diverse techniques and melodically arresting ideas throughout his compositions. His Romance, included on this CD, has been heard on numerous recordings and in many competitions throughout the world. Angelis is both a fine accordionist and an outstanding composer, two attributes which, when combined, no doubt offer a multitude of reasons why his compositions are so exciting.

The Moszkowski Spanish Caprice and the Khachaturian Toccata also are heard in many competitions today since they demand fine displays of both technique and musicality from the performers.

Nagayev’s Sonata No. 1, although perhaps no longer as popular as it once was, is also one of the original Russian pieces which many soloists often feel rounds out a recital and offers compelling proof positive that they are familiar with, and well-versed in, the kind of comprehensive repertoire an accordionist of today must perform if they are to be taken seriously.

Paul Chamberlain has distinguished himself in many different accordion competitions and has performed extensively at music festivals across Europe as well as appearing on live television in Russia and Finland. He is an active concert performer, band leader and a founder member of “The Scottish Tango Ensemble.” The notes included in this CD tell more about his activities and honors.

You will enjoy this recording. Paul Chamberlain proves that accordion artistry is found in many countries around the world today; he is to be congratulated for selecting a musically interesting repertoire which gives him ample opportunity to show his strengths as a performer.

Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers… January 2012.

Scottish Tango Ensemble perform at Strathdee Music Club – 10th December 2011

PaulChamberlain — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:57:25 +0000

The Scottish Tango Ensemble are playing at Strathdee Music Club on Saturday 10th December 2011 at 7.30 pm. Victory Hall, Aboyne – Scotland.

Please visit the music club website for further information – www.strathdee-music-club.co.uk/concerts.html

Broadcast on Radio Scotland – Classics Unwrapped

PaulChamberlain — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:26:22 +0000

Paul’s new CD was featured by Jamie MacDougall on his Classics Unwrapped programme on BBC Radio Scotland last Sunday. It’s available on iPlayer and begins at 1h03

Classics Unwrapped: Cornelius Cardew and Children in Need

www.bbc.co.uk

The SSO’s Merchant Sinfonia concert, plus Jamie training his choir for Children in Need.

Scottish Tango Ensemble at Newton Stewart Music Club – Sunday 13th November 2011

PaulChamberlain — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:21:18 +0000

The Scottish Tango Ensemble

On Sunday 13th November 2011, the Scottish Tango Ensemble will be performing at Newton Stewart Music Club in Dumfries and Galloway.

The concert which is at The Cinema in the town, begins at 7.30pm and will feature a collaboration of four dynamic young musicians dedicated to bringing the wonderful music of The Argentine Tango to audiences throughout Scotland.

They cover all styles of tango music from the classic Salon and Milonguera repetoire through to the Nuevo Tango associated with Piazzolla.

More information can be found on the cinema website www.nscinema.co.uk

Purchase CD Online at CD Baby

PaulChamberlain — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:19:37 +0000

Accordion Showcase at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, Glasgow

PaulChamberlain — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:14:57 +0000

On Saturday 8^th of October, the accordion department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland held an Accordion Showcase concert in the junior academy. Organised by Djordje Gajic who established the accordion department in Glasgow, the concert attracted a near capacity audience in the Guinness Room. Performances were given by current junior academy students Freddie Henderson, Zach Ronan and Valerie Barr, followed by postgraduate student Paul Chamberlain. Djordje Gajic gave a stunning solo performance before being joined by his wife Andrea Gajic to bring the concert to a rousing finish with Piazzolla’s Grand Tango.

There is a wide variety of music classes available for each student. Students may also have the opportunity to take part in, or attend, concerts at a number of venues around Scotland. Since all the classes are held on a Saturday, students can enjoy their music-making without interruption to their normal weekday school and family life.

The atmosphere is supportive, encouraging and welcoming – above all, students are encouraged to fully develop their musical potential.

Further information can be found on the conservatoire’s website – www.rcs.ac.uk

Scottish Tango Ensemble – October Tour

PaulChamberlain — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:00:02 +0000

The Scottish Tango Ensemble are embarking on a mini tour later this month.

20th October – 12.45pm – Merchants House,Glasgow (www.westbournemusic.com)

21st October – 1pm – Inverness Town House

22nd October – 7.30pm – The Institute, New Lanark (www.musicinlanark.co.uk)

Their series of concerts in Glasgow, Inverness and New Lanark promise to bring the spirit of Buenos Aires to the concert hall.

The concerts will feature the work of popular Tango composer Astor Piazzolla complimented by other more traditional Salon Tango repertoire from the genre along with some other solo items.

The ensemble features Gemma O’Keeffe – Violin, Fiona McLeod – Piano, Tom Berry – Double Bass and Paul Chamberlain – Accordion.

More information about the ensemble can be found on their website – www.scottishtangoensemble.com