Video of Julien Labro
The Big Squeeze Concert takes place on Saturday, November 1, 8:PM at Hill Auditorium, 825 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109
The concert features the Accordion Virtuosi of Russia with Yuri Smirnov as artistic director and conductor. Performers include Julien Labro (bandoneón and accordina) with the Spektral String Quartet; Irish Duo: John Williams (button accordion and concertina) and Liz Carroll (fiddle); and Alexander Sevastian (bayan).
The accordion takes center stage with this festival showcasing a broad spectrum of performance styles and sounds that contribute to the instrument’s virtually ubiquitous position throughout global music.
This UMS-exclusive concert is co-curated by Julien Labro (of Hot Club of Detroit), a “fleet fingered accordionist who straddles the past-present fault line in particuarly alluring fashion.” (Detroit Free Press)
Representing the accordion on a grand scale, the Accordion Virtuosi of Russia features a 35-member orchestra of accordions of all sizes, performing popular Russian classical music arrangements. Julien Labro forms a unique collaboration with Chicago’s contemporary classical Spektral Quartet, presenting rarely performed works on the bandoneón and accordina (sister instruments of the accordion) by Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, and Nuevo Tango composer Diego Schissi. “[The Spektral Quartet is] leading the charge toward progressive, high-caliber contemporary classical music.” (Chicago Reader)
Be prepared to be blown out of your seat by Russian accordion wizard Alexander Sevastian, who “masters the accordion with the most absolute swiftness” (La Press – Montreal).
The Big Squeeze also features the Irish Duo: John Williams and Liz Carroll. Concertina master John Williams comes from a long line of Irish musicians with roots in County Clare; he joins National Heritage Fellow Liz Carroll to conjure lively jigs with the Irish Duo. “The depth of Williams’ gifts as an artist and musician are awesome. His playing seems to come from beyond him, as if the accordion is playing him instead of the other way around.” (Irish American Post)
For further information on this event: trender@umich.eduAPO
