Crossroads

Following her album “Piazzolla Reflections” (ALPHA664), Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova dedicates this new recording to Bach and compositions influenced by his music. She begins with the famous concerto BWV 1052, which has inspired so many arrangements for piano, violin, and even heavy metal guitar, “that I don’t think anyone will be surprised by a version for an instrument with two keyboards,” says Ksenija. The programme also features Sergey Akhunov with a work inspired by Bach’s Chaconne BWV 1004, “Beyond Bach” by the Venezuelan pianist and composer Gabriela Montero, renowned for her improvisations, and “Horizons” by the Anglo-Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova. Completing the programme is Bach’s chorale prelude “Ich ruf zu dir,” which Ksenija has played since childhood: “I think this organ piece works particularly well on the accordion. Both instruments use bellows, but the accordion offers a much more flexible range of dynamics. You can really let the music breathe.”