Emmanuel Gasser has just released his third CD. Only 15 years old, Emmanuel is busy practicing, composing, performing, and competing and winning in accordion competitions. In an interview with Emmanuel, he answered the following questions:
1. How long did it take you to record your new CD?
It took me 10 months.
2. Who do you study accordion with?
Presently my mentor is Jelena Milojevic.
3. What are your future musical aspirations/ career goals?
I would like to earn high marks in important international competitions, improve my compositional skills and become a concert accordionist as well as an entertainer of all genres.
4. What honors have you received? Competitions won?
I won 9 trophies and 14 awards at the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships in British Columbia and 7 trophies and 1 award at the American Accordionist Association Festival in Charleston South Carolina; the Youth Entertainment Award in recognition of my outstanding talent at the 2010 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention. In 2011 I won the “Frank Marocco Scholarship” for being an absolute outstanding and dedicated accordionist. I am also the winner of three Gold certificates each year in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 at the Sudbury Kiwanis Music Festival. In 2012 I won four gold certificates at the Sudbury Kiwanis Music Festival.
I also love to play in orchestras. I played in the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships Massed Band and Bursary Band in 2010 and 2011. In 2010 and 2011 at the Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra. In the AAA International Accordion Orchestra in Charleston SC in 2011. All times conducted by Professor Emeritia Joan Cochran Sommers. In February 2012, I played in the FMAE International Accordion Orchestra under the baton of the world-renown Maestro Stas Venglevski. I also performed many solos and duets on the world stage in Las Vegas NV, Mesa AZ, Spokane WA and Charleston SC. I also played with great success at the Sturgeon Falls Fiddle Festival in 2011 for two days. I had the great honor to play the opening concert for the world-stars Jelena Milojevic and Grayson Masefield. I have already 36 original compositions to my credit. Nothing makes me happier than to see my audience being overjoyed at my concerts.
5. When and where are your future performances?
July 7, Dinner & Dance Extravaganza in Edmonton
July 9-14 KIOTAC (Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships), competing in 8 categories and entertain on Platzl
July 19-22 Victoria Accordion Festival, competing in 4 categories
July 25-29 ATG in Chicago, competing in 7 categories and playing in the orchestra
6.What are the names of the selections on your new CD?
Ab Uff d’Pischte (Hans Biffiger) March (3:43)
Im Gerli-Hüsli (Willi Valotti) Waltz (4:07)
S’Toggeburg Ab (Walter Grob) Schottische (3:07)
Erinnerungen an Sigriswil (Hans Biffiger) Polka (2:36)
Elena-Tango (Hans Biffiger) Tango (3:42)
Es Häxeträumli (Hans Biffiger) Waltz (3:44)
Dizzy Fish (Emmanuel Gasser) Schottische (3:07)
Im Sunnehöckli (Walter Grob) Polka (1:29)
Ha-Ro-Ka-Pa-Fox (Hans Biffiger) Foxtrot (4:47)
Es Isch Summerzyt (Hans Biffiger) Waltz (3:34)
Ueli-Schottisch (U. Martinelli/J. Omlin) Schottisch (3:18)
The Campground Polka (Emmanuel Gasser) Polka (2:50)
So gfallts am Fritz (Willi Valotti) Waltz (3:08)
Vreneli-Schottisch (Walter Grob) Schottisch (2:45)
E Satte Spatz (Hans Biffiger) Polka (3:10)
Hochzyts-Tango (Hans Biffiger) Tango (2:59)
Am Schöne Thunersee (Hans Biffiger) Waltz (3:33)
Polketta (Fernado Fantini, arr. Renato Bui) Polka (2:16)
Im Appezöller-Ländli (Carlo Brunner, 2nd acc. Emmanuel Gasser, arr. Herwig Peychär) Waltz (2:56)
Giggle-Schottisch (Emmanuel Gasser) Schottisch (1:44)
In Der Arvenstube (Hermann Illenberger) Waltz (4:10)
The Let’s Get Drunk Polka (music by Emmanuel Gasser, lyrics by Timothy Dare) Polka (2:10)
Herbschtelet (Hans Biffiger) Waltz (3:36)
Abschied (Hans Biffiger) Waltz (4:01)
Gasser loves playing, devoting up to six hours a day practicing. He enjoys the tradition of the accordion, connecting with his roots in Switzerland where his parents are originally from. Emmanuel feels that the accordion has a strong cultural history in Europe and all over the world. “Almost every country has the accordion in its culture. It’s a beautiful sound. It’s an amazing instrument, you can play just about anything on it.”, said Gasser.
Emmanuel lives with his family on a dairy farm in St. Charles but enjoys traveling to accordion festivals when he has the opportunity. He is dedicated to his accordion and enjoys meeting his musical friends and fans. Emmanuel has many musical accomplishments for someone so young and a bright accordion future.
For further information: juniormaestro01@yahoo.ca
