The most recent CD by Stas Venglevski entitled “Accordion Blend”, is available now. The CD consists of a “blend” of easy listening melodies – French musette, waltzes, Latin, novelty, polka, etc. The selections are all original compositions by Stas Venglevski, performed on solo bayan by Stas, with duets on accordion and bayan with Judy Moriarity, John Simkus,and Mary Tokarski. John Babbitt is on bass,Terry Smirl on percussion, Richard Moriarity on conga and Josh Tovar on guitar. The original cover art is by AAA board member Joan Grauman.
Stas Venglevski was born in 1964 in the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union. When he was just five years old, he began studying the bayan (button accordion) with a friend of his father’s. His first instrument was a quarter-size bayan with only a few buttons. In 1992 he entered the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and received a Master’s Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed russian bayanist Friedrich Lips. He twice won First Prize in the bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova. In 1992 he emigrated to the United States.
Stas’ repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the world. He performed the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Anthony Galla-Rini and also the world premiere of Bayan and Beyond, composed for Stas by Dan Lawitts. He is a regular participant of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced numerous recordings including transcription of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite for bayan as well as one of original compositions. He has published several books of original compositions.
Stas also performs as a member of the A Sta Sera Duo where he combines talents with accordionist, John Simkus, known primarily for his smooth jazz renditions. Their musical partnership has resulted in a unique repertoire and as a duo they have toured the United States and Europe extensively and collaborated on a CD of original compositions, Seasonings.
Stas is a past president of the prestigious Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) which was established in 1940 with the purpose of furthering the progress of the accordion by improving teaching standards, music, and all phases of music education. The ATG is a member of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) International Music Council (IMC-NESCO) which holds an annual competition and festival in various cities around the United States.
The CD is $17.00 which includes shipping. For further information and orders: stasvenglevski@sbcglobal.net
