Few artists challenge notions of what the accordion can or can’t do quite like Poland’s Motion Trio. Since 1996, Motion Trio has been taking its unorthodox playing techniques (bellows scraping, accentuated vibrato) and eclectic repertoire (jazz, rock, avant garde) from the streets where they first honed their skills to the concert hall. According to trio founder, Janusz Wojtarowicz:
“Our idea is to take this instrument, which is only thought about for weddings or polka or tango, and to make it as serious as any other classical instrument… We want to show the world that this is a versatile instrument that can play everything from contemporary classical music to folk or even avant garde music.”
Last Sunday, the trio played at Carnegie Hall in New York and I found an excellent clip of their performance online. It cuts off abruptly at the end, but you’ll get the idea — their playing is inspired, quirky, and totally captivating.
1 Comment:
My husband and I traveled from Falls Church, VA for the second time to see “Motion Trio” and were thrilled and moved by their wonderful music. The first time we saw them live was at Joe’s Pub in NY. Great concert also. So close you could really see how they interacted with each other. But Sunday’s concert at Carnegie was beyond outstanding.
I have been watching accordionists for a long time and it is rare when you see a good accordionist group perform in a place that has the correct acoustics. And the acoustics really did Motion Trio justice. The sound was tremendous moving and flowing through the hall. You could hear every sound they made and were close enough to enjoy how they fed off each others emotional and collaborative efforts.
Their music is very modern. But, from one who loves polkas, waltzes and all the old stuff. I also love them also. They intertwine all of the facets of the music into a sound that appeals to all. There were a lot of children in the audience also and they were captivated. And, after all that is what really counts. Appealing to the young so they can carry on as accordionist, after we can’t play anymore.
by Karen Malan-Uribe on January 20th, 2008