Guy Klucevsek

Accordionist and composer Guy Klucevsek has created a repetoire unlike that of any other player of that instrument through the commissioning of over 50 works from as many composers who exhibit a wide range of musical imagination, from the plaintively melodic to the energetic and quirky. He has performed throughout Australia, Europe, and the States, and in 1996 formed an international group called The Accordion Tribe who toured and recorded. Klucevsek has issued several solo recordings and has also recorded with Laurie Anderson, Anthony Braxton, Bill Frisell, Fred Frith, Robin Holcomb, Pauline Oliveros, RÍlache, and many other new music artists. Among his approximate 30 dance and theatre scores is a music theatre piece entitled "Squeezeplay", a collaboration with composer Mary Ellen Childs, and performers David Dorfman, Dan Hurlin, dancers Victoria Marks and Claire Porter, and saxophonist/ composer/ performer Dan Froot, from which Klucevsek plays selections on this videotape. The first is a wonderfully lilting tune in quickly exchanging 3/4 and 2/4 time for a dance by Claire Porter called "Clairvoyant" followed by "Waltz Waltz" in a slow, nostalgic, autumnal triple meter. Next is "The Heart of the Andes", the title piece for a theater work by Dan Hurlin. The solemn and noble harmonies are balanced by a sweet mellismatic melody. "Inside Score" was composed for a video by Victoria Marks and that video, consisting of surreal and nostalgic images, appears as a thought bubble and also in full screen as Klucevsek performs. Following the performance, Klucevsek discusses the astonishing popularity of the accordion in the 1950's, how he first encountered John Zorn, and how that led to meeting many contemporary musicians. He also elaborates on the production of "Squeezeplay". Click here to view clip.