Bachtopus is excited to release the fifth commission from their 2020 Composers Commissioning Fund, which was written by composer and accordionist Will Holshouser for Bachtopus. “Scintillation in Isolation” was composed during the general quarantine in New York City during the spring of 2020. The title refers to the quiet maintenance of hope in the midst of fear and chaos, and the sharing of that hope through music, arts, and acts of solidarity.
Will said, “Thanks to Bachtopus accordion quartet (Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka, Jeanne Velonis) for commissioning this piece, and for their beautiful playing and hard work, and the kaleidoscopic accordion video! What a pleasure to be part of this project.”
Accordionist Robert Duncan said, “It was a pleasure working with Will Holshouser and the rest of Bachtopus on this piece! The timing in this piece had to be perfect, and I’m so grateful to have such patient and dedicated collaborators.”
Will Holshouser was given an accordion as a surprise when he was still young and impressionable. He has since found a unique niche for himself as an accordionist, improviser, and composer in many different areas of music. He tours regularly with jazz violinist Regina Carter and her band Reverse Thread.
He also plays in a collaborative trio with Amsterdam-based improvisers, drummer Han Bennink & saxophonist/clarinetist Michael Moore. This group has a new CD out and has toured in Europe, the US and Africa. Will’s long-standing trio features Ron Horton on trumpet and David Phillips on bass. Together since 1998, these three have developed a truly unified group sound. The trio has three CDs out on the Portuguese label Clean Feed. Their third CD, Palace Ghosts and Drunken Hymns was recorded in Portugal with the late, brilliant pianist Bernardo Sassetti as special guest.
Will has also played with David Krakauer, Antony and the Johnsons, Martha Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright, Andy Statman, Phillip Johnston, Matt Munisteri & Brock Mumford, the Raymond Scott (tribute) Orchestrette, Roberto Rodriguez, Mark Morris Dance, New York City Ballet, Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others.
Will studied composition with Anthony Braxton and Bill Barron at Wesleyan University, where he received a grant to research Cajun and Creole music in Louisiana. After moving to New York in the early 1990s, he studied accordion with Dr. William Schimmel. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and daughter.
Bachtopus is Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka, and Jeanne Velonis. Recorded at our respective homes during quarantine. Audio mixing and video editing by Rob Duncan.
The Bachtopus Accordion Ensemble’s 2020 Composer Commissioning Fund is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
Contributors:
• Brooklyn Arts Council
• New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
