Dr. William Schimmel recently performed in a series of concerts:
Feb 22 – Music from Japan – works by Noriko Koide
Feb 27, 28 and 28 – The New York Philharmonic – Babylon Suite by Jorg Widmann
His upcoming 2020 concerts include:
April 16 – I’m a Stranger here Myself – with Mark Nadler – Cafe Sabarsky
April 17 – The Yorkvillians – Bar Thalia
May 21, 22 and 23 – The New York Philharmonic – Mary Poppins
June – 6 – Curator of Schubert – A box of Melodies – Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center
June 16 – The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – Lied by Jorg Widmann
July 31, August 1 and 2 – The Seminars – Time Travel – Tenri Cultural Institute
Dr William Schimmel is a leading accordionist, composer and academic, based in New York, where he organizes the annual ‘Master Class and Concert Series (The Seminars)’ sponsored by the American Accordionists’ Association. He received a Merit Award from the AAA for his contributions spanning fifty years plus the “Accordionist of the Year” Award in 1988. He has performed with many major symphony orchestras in the US, many chamber groups, as well as with rock), jazz, and avant-garde groups.
As a Juilliard trained musician, he is frequently asked to play with the Philharmonic and other orchestras around the country. He also performs in the pit orchestras on Broadway, his most recent performance being the accordionist for the award winning production of “An American in Paris.” Over the years Bill’s music has been included in television shows and films. His best known appearance is in the tango scene of “Scent of a Woman” starring Al Pacino. (See video above)
Bill Schimmel learned accordion as a child and attended Julliard School of Music where he received his doctorate in composition. While he was still a student at the school, his career was launched after he recorded songs of avant gard composer, Luiano Berio. An authority on Kurt Weill, Dr. Schimmel has recorded all of Weill’s music with accordion. Beginning in 1981, Schimmel’s Tango Project has released a string of acclaimed recordings on the Nonesuch and Newport Classic labels. The first Tango Project recording went to No. 1 on Billboard’s classical charts and was named Record of the Year by Stereo Review magazine.
Schimmel has described the accordion as having a “built-in ironic duality,” both “elegant and vulgar.” That dual quality is captured in the tango scene of “Scent of a Woman,” where it adds a spirit of fun and an undertone of raw sexuality. He has served and continues to serve as Artist in Residence of The American Accordionist’s Association (AAA) where he also serves as Distinguished Lecturer in Residence and member of the Governing Board.
For further information: accordionbill@gmail.com
