The highly acclaimed Russian-born composer and naturalized American citizen Alexander Tcherepnin (picture right) 1899-1977) accepted three solo commissions from AAA Composers Commissioning Committee Chair Elsie M. Bennett in 1960 (Partita), 1965 (Invention), and 1967 (Tzigane).

Invention is a highly chromatic and contrapuntal piece in several contrasting sections that works very well on either the stradella or free-bass accordion.

Tzigane is a folk-like offering that divides into two dramatic sections, Sostenuto and Animoto. The composer described it as being made up of synthetic “folk themes” of his own creation cast in the “Romanian gypsy character.” Both are very clever and entertaining little gems, well worth hearing and performing.

I wrote two articles on them for the annual AAA Festival Journal printings in 2003 (Partita) and 2014 (Invention and Tzigane). I have now expanded and updated both articles, and the 2014 one has just been converted this month into html format for easier reading.

View the latest article about Invention and Tzigane by Alexander Tcherepni is online at:
http://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions18.php

Picture below: Alexander Tcherepnin with wife, pianist Lee Hsien Ming, and Elsie Bennett at a Brooklyn Music Teachers Guild event, May 7, 1965.