On Saturday, May 14, 2022 a concert was presented for Guy Klucevsek in celebration of his 75th birthday at Roulette in Brooklyn, New York. Having retired from the concert stage in 2019, Klucevsek is proud to hand over the performances in this program of solos, duets, and quartets to a distinguished cast of musicians he has worked with over many years and, in some cases, decades: Todd Reynolds, violin, Jenny Lin, piano, and accordionists the Bachtopus ensemble (Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka, Jeanne Velonis), Alan Bern (doubling piano), Will Holshouser and Nathan Koci.

The pieces Klucevsek selected represent 40+ years of his composing, from Oscillation No. 2 for piano (1980), through The Grass, It Is Blue (Ain’t Nothin’ But a Polka) (1986), Flying Vegetables of the Apocalypse (1988), Eleven Large Lobsters Loose in the Lobby (1991) and Bar Talk (1998) (in memory of Béla Bartók), up to pieces from the 21st century, including seven World Premieres.

Musicians included:
Alan Bern, accordion and piano
Bachtopus Accordion Ensemble (Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka and Jeanne Velonis)
Will Holshouser, accordion
Nathan Koci, accordion
Jenny Lin, piano
Todd Reynolds, violin

It was an evening of admiration and love, expressed by his musical friends performing his music. Guy’s friend, Cheryl Tan, said, “Memorable night at Roulette — a concert honoring my dear dear friend and Headlands Center for the Arts mate, the accordion composer Guy Klucevsek, to mark his 75th birthday. Musicians flew in from all over (Berlin!) to perform his pieces — and they were all so moving, witty and just beautiful. For one piece there were seven accordions (plus a piano and violin) on stage. And I loved the “Eleven Large Lobsters Loose in the Lobby” piece, which featured the Bachtopus ensemble clacking the keys on their accordions, thumping the instruments and stomping their feet — the sounds of crustacean mayhem.

Bravo, dear Guy, and thank you for all the music, light and laughter you bring to the world. We love you to bits.” Todd Reynolds, violinist and good friend of Guy, shares, “This man. This man right here. This man at 75, surrounded by his friends playing his music. A master of melody, a master of rhythm, a master of accordion, and a man and musician I’ve had the great fortune to play with for many years now.”

For more information: gklucevsek@mac.com

Photo left: Guy, his wife Jan, and cousin Frankie