Dr. William Schimmel performed the lavish accordion part in Georg Friedrich Haas’s “In Vain” at the Park Avenue Armory in New York on February 18th. The composition is scored for 24 players including accordion. This 75 minute masterpiece has two sections that are performed in total darkness – the second section employing flashing strobe lights.

Dr. Schimmel had previously performed this work at Miller Theatre at Columbia University as well as the EMPAC center in Troy, New York where the work was recorded for a future DVD release. The conductor was Michel Galante and the performing group was the Argento Ensemble, one of the leading new music groups in the U.S.

Dr. Schimmel’s future performances include:
On March 7, 11, 12 and 13, Dr. Schimmel will appear at the Metropolitan room with singer Tonia Berne Campbell in a show devoted to Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour and Edith Piaf.

On March 12, he will perform with New York City Opera star, Lauren Flanigan, in a Gala concert for the development of future young opera stars.
On March 31, he will perform “Spiral Jetty” by Anthony Cornicello and his own Concerto for Accordion, Violin and Cello at Brooklyn College.
On April 6, 9, 13, and 16, he will perform “Wozzeck”, by Alban Berg, at the Metropolitan Opera.

Dr. Schimmel’s performance in Marga Richter’s opera, “Riders to the Sea”, has recently been released on Leonarda Records. Soon to be released CDS and DVDS will include “Ropa Vieja” by Jorge Martin on New World Records, “In Orbit” with Dr. Mark Birnbaum on IPS Studio Muse Records, a DVD recording of “In Vain” and a CD for contemporary songs by Lisa Kirchner which includes Dr. Schimmel’s Suicide in C.

Dr. Schimmel also performed the accordion solos in the new feature film, “The Beaver”, starring Mel Gibson directed by Jodie Foster soon to be released.

He will also moderate and curate the 17th Annual Master Class and Concert Series sponsored by the American Accordionists’ Association – The Seminars on July 29, 30 and 31 at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York.
This year’s title is “Walton the Imperial: Crowned!”
For more Information: www.billschimmel.com – click the 2011 seminar page – and www.ameraccord.com – click annual Master Class

Two new books by Dr. Schimmel will be presented at The Seminars in July: “Corrente”, a series of compositions in all styles, idioms and notations and “Confessions of an Accordionist with St. Augustine Complex”, both published by Studio Muse Press.

Dr. Schimmel’s new music video, “Ever/Never” can be seen and heard on his site www.billschimmel.com along with numerous other videos that are performed with and directed by his wife, Micki Goodman.

“Portrait in Seven Shades” by Ted Nash has been re-released in a larger distribution on JLCO Records.
Two sections, Chagall and Pollock include solos by Dr. Schimmel with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra conducted by Wynton Marsalis. Dr. Schimmel was a Grammy Nomination contender in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category.

For further information: billschimmel@billschimmel.com