Once I played harmonica at the scouts. Accompanying the songs, you know? At the folk dance group where I danced as a child, 'the accordion' was the central instrument. Much later, through the Dutch-Bosnian Nihad Hrustanbegovic and through our compatriot Jef De Haes, I would become acquainted with something quite different from 'that accordion' and that 'simple' harmonica. They introduced me to a fully-fledged classical instrument for the big stages.
Promises and more concerts on accordion with string orchestra
Accordion teacher at, among others, the Lier Music Academy and at the Lemmens (LUCA School of Arts) Jef De Haes wanted to prove once again what all is possible with the accordion. He is a passionate teacher, an excellent pedagogue who knows how to motivate his students like no other and teaches them to play things for sold-out halls that you wouldn't think possible. It was an evening of discoveries: discovering young talents was one, and two was getting to know classical (contemporary) works for accordion and orchestra that had never or rarely been performed before.
The 14-year-old Jozefien Bergen, the 14-year-old Andreas Cremer, the 17-year-old Arlan Theuns and the already graduated and teaching Lieke Op't Roodt were the soloists, accompanied by the string orchestra La Passione under the direction of Kris Stroobants and with pianist Carl Vandoorne.
As always, we are lenient in our assessment when it comes to concert performances for a large audience where still (very) young musicians perform. They are not yet seasoned and are more prone to stage fright. We understand that, although it must be said and written that if there were moments when nerves threatened to take control, whoever was troubled by it managed to hide it very well for the many spectators.
World premieres!
The concert evening opened with Transits by composer Marcel De Jonghe (°1934). Jozefien Bergen (14) was allowed to present it together with the orchestra in world premiere. A contemporary work, at the same time classically inspired, full of melody, tensions that are beautifully resolved. Try to do that as a teenager—performing an entirely new work neatly set out?
The 14-year-old Andreas Cremer brought a work by North-Macedonian composer Bete Ilin (°1982) in which the Balkans is woven, but not obtrusively forming the leading thread. A somewhat shorter work that was convincingly performed by the young soloist and the orchestra. Anyone who still doubted whether accordion and orchestra could go through the same door at the start of the concert was now convinced that it could.
Vivaldi composed violin concertos by the dozen, and one of these concertos for two violins was skilfully arranged for two accordions and string orchestra. Again Andreas played, together with Arian Theuns (17) who nicely led and supported his younger companion. Italian instruments – Italy is the accordion country par excellence – and Italian music: that lived!
Two full-length repertoire works
Ukrainian composer Igor Shamo (1925-1982) wrote a concerto for accordion and orchestra that belongs on international stages. A searching piece of music, broad, expansive, sometimes full of fierce energy, determined and convincing. The 18-year-old Arian Theuns managed to convey all these elements beautifully.
The concert concluded with a true apotheosis, a European premiere of a concerto for accordion and symphonic orchestra that was gathering dust somewhere, written by Nikolai Silvansky (1916-1985, Ukraine). Soloist Lieke Op 't Roodt came into possession of the manuscript which she made legible, reduced for string ensemble, piano and (her) accordion, digitalized, rehearsed and performed it masterfully.
The evening concluded with enthusiastic applause and deservedly a standing ovation where teacher Jef unexpectedly received quite a bit of praise from Arian who spontaneously read a short text to honor his teacher, his mentor, his trailblazer and yes, also friend.