This album is a nod to lovers of the accordion as well as to everyone who enjoys contemporary music in its various formal and expressive manifestations.
Three different accordion concertos with orchestra come from the last two decades of the 20th century, each of which presents different formal solutions and sound qualities. The 1994 Opale concerto for accordion and string orchestra by Richard Galliano is almost a classic of the genre. The piece of this French composer combines neoclassical features with influences of jazz and tango, very characteristic of the accordion repertoire.
The name of Bronislaw Kazimierz Przybylski's composition from 1986, Concerto classico for accordion, string orchestra and percussion, refers to the very idea of a concerto form. It juxtaposes solo and orchestral episodes while drawing on the elegant neoclassical style.
The last piece, Concerto for accordion and chamber orchestra, is distinguished by its unusual one-movement structure, dissonant harmony and expressive texture, which allows the possibilities of both the instrument and the virtuoso artist playing it to shine through.
Michal Gajda is a classical and jazz accordionist, soloist and chamber musician, and Doctor of musical arts. His musical activity extends from solo accordion works as well as organ music, through Astor Piazzolla tango nuevo to contemporary music works. He performs as part of various classical and contemporary ensembles. He has performed as a soloist with such orchestras as Sinfonia Varsovia, The Symphony Orchestra of Zabrze Philharmonic, Silesian Chamber Orchestra under conductors: Ewa Strusinska, Slawek Adam Wrblewski, Robert Kabara, Slawomir Chrzanowski, Krzysztof Szydzisza, Adam Domurat.
