When so many popular musical events contain more cacophony than harmony, this one was the total opposite. Michael Bridge and Kornel Wolak give us performances that would please the most persnickety listeners. True, they are a unique duo in the world—beyond their combination of digital accordion with acoustic clarinet. More significantly, their extraordinary skills, technical control, intelligent interpretations, and perfect ensemble must be heard to be appreciated. Dr. Wolak teaches and performs in an international spectrum while Bridge is interrupting his DMA work in order to concertize.
The program showed inspired musicianship in excellently chosen repertory! Michael began with solo pieces on his EVO digital accordion. His astonishing performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture persuaded many of the virtual accordion’s true artistic potential in the hands of an artist of genius. Here’s only one example: Michael demonstrated three levels of right-hand partial-depression that could be tracked through differently produced overtone construction in concurrent, individual contrapuntal lines. His control of left-hand depression levels sounded more obvious effect differences. Yes, the instrument clarifies the techniques that Michael has mastered. For many however, the program highlight came in the duo’s final pieces, performed with an acoustic Gola borrowed from the museum. The audience jumped to its feet applauding and shouting “Bravo.”
Kornel proved equal genius. On a standard clarinet model, his tone control over the instrument’s full range was beyond compare. In a wide variety of musical epochs and styles, his intonation and fluency were impeccable. His beautifully constructed jazzy sounds again sent the audience to its feet.
In a grueling two-month sequence of 20 concerts through Wyoming, Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, and North Dakota, these two accomplished artists took time to provide a benefit appearance for AWAM. The demo/workshop was short-notice, so in contrast to their normal 1,500-2,000 attendees, our group was very small. In our audience were university professors, expert musicians and students who became privy to another unusual experience—both men spoke freely and responded personably to numerous questions. It provided an engaging hour that allowed insights into each personality.
On a personal note: I had a particularly warm reunion with Michael, having met him at the 2013 Coupe Mondiale in Victoria, British Columbia, enjoyed his participation in my 2017 repair seminar, followed by a performance of Bach’s cello suite that remains exemplary. He never fails to mention his appreciation for what AWAM provides, which he elucidated during his (2017) web-posted walk through the museum while playing our beloved “cello” accordion. I was pleased to meet Kornel during our breakfast on November 5 after the two overnighted in our Duluth “parsonage.”
I consider Michael the Northern Hemisphere’s answer to the great European accordion masters. Kudos to Michael and his teacher/mentor Joseph Macerollo (University of Toronto). Years ago, Macerollo visited our evolving Duluth museum and graciously played for the surprised students.
