Crossroads

After Piazzolla's Reflections (ALPHA664), Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova devotes this new recording to Bach and compositions influenced by his music - starting with the famous Concerto BWV 1052, which has inspired so many arrangements for piano, violin and even heavy metal guitar, "that I think a version for an instrument with two keyboards will surprise no one," says Ksenija. The programme also features Sergey Akhunov, a composer already heard on her latest album, with a work inspired by Bach's Chaconne BWV1004; Beyond Bach by Gabriela Montero, the Venezuelan pianist and composer famous for her improvisations; and Horizons by English-Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova. The programme concludes with Bach's chorale prelude Ich ruf zu dir, which has accompanied Ksenija since her childhood: "I think this organ piece works particularly well on the accordion. Both instruments use bellows, but the accordion offers a much more flexible dynamic range. You can really let the music breathe.