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Piazzolla & Galliano
Jovica Ivanović accordion
Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra | Vitaliy Protasov conductor, Valeriy Sokolov concertmaster
Internationally-renowned Serbian-Austrian classical accordionist Jovica Ivanović has released his newest album — PIAZZOLLA & GALLIANO — with Navona Records. The program features concertos from Astor Piazzolla and Richard Galliano, both legends in their own rights. Recorded with the Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra, Ivanović’s performances bring these masterworks to life with persuasive passion.
PIAZZOLLA & GALLIANO is the result of Ivanović's partnership with violinist Valeriy Sokolov. With Ivanović's capable hands on the accordion, Sokolov as concertmaster and Protasov as conductor of the chamber orchestra, the three set out to recreate the music of these two much revered composers. The album opens with Piazzolla's Aconcagua, a concerto for bandoneon, string orchestra, and percussion. The music bursts forth from the outset, full of the tantalizing excitement of Argentinian tango. Ivanović’s sensitive-yet-fiery style immediately sets him apart; the soloist glides effortlessly above the orchestra, lending a rich voice to the melody. It is not lost on Ivanović that Piazolla himself especially loved this piece, playing the bandoneon himself at performances in the 1980s. Ivanović treats Aconcagua with the same loving care as its composer did. And, now, thanks to state-of-the-art recording technology, we hear each note with sublime clarity.
Galliano’s Opale Concerto is a mix of Balkan, nostalgic Parisian, and American influences. From the outset, Opale is a pulse-quickening adventure; Ivanović reveals the depths of his classical training by making every fiery note sound rounded and deliberate. As with Aconcagua, Ivanović’s performance of this piece makes clear that it is particularly dear to his own heart.
The music of PIAZZOLLA & GALLIANO is perennially contemporary and exciting. Bridging cultures and generations, it speaks deeply to the human heart. Ivanović’s virtuosic performances are supple and thoughtful. Thanks to his musicianship, along with the high-fidelity quality of these recordings, listeners are invited to enjoy these works by Astor Piazzolla and Richard Galliano the way their composers first imagined them.
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"Ivanović is a superb accordionist, well-matched to the string players’ collective musicianship"
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Aconcagua: I. Allegro marcato | Astor Piazzolla | Jovica Ivanović, accordion; Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra | Vitaliy Protasov, conductor; Valeriy Sokolov, concertmaster | 8:15 |
| 02 | Aconcagua: II. Moderato | Astor Piazzolla | Jovica Ivanović, accordion; Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra | Vitaliy Protasov, conductor; Valeriy Sokolov, concertmaster | 8:47 |
| 03 | Aconcagua: III. Presto | Astor Piazzolla | Jovica Ivanović, accordion; Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra | Vitaliy Protasov, conductor; Valeriy Sokolov, concertmaster | 7:09 |
| 04 | Opale Concerto: I. Allegro furioso | Richard Galliano | Jovica Ivanović, accordion; Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra | Vitaliy Protasov, conductor; Valeriy Sokolov, concertmaster | 7:26 |
| 05 | Opale Concerto: II. Moderato malinconico | Richard Galliano | Jovica Ivanović, accordion; Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra | Vitaliy Protasov, conductor; Valeriy Sokolov, concertmaster | 5:49 |
| 06 | Opale Concerto: III. Allegro energico | Richard Galliano | Jovica Ivanović, accordion; Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra | Vitaliy Protasov, conductor; Valeriy Sokolov, concertmaster | 7:28 |
All tracks recorded December 5-6, 2018 at Large Concert Studio of Ukrainian Radio in Kyiv, Ukraine
Recording Session Producer & Engineer Andriy Mokrytskiy
Photos of Jovica Ivanović flausen.at
Executive Producer Bob Lord
Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Director Brandon MacNeil
A&R Miran Vaupotić
VP, Audio Production Jeff LeRoy
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Patrick Niland, Sara Warner
Artist Information
Jovica Ivanović
Serbian accordionist Jovica Ivanović was born in 1987 in Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within the pedagogical field he accomplished his diploma of Musical Education (ME) as well as his master in art-based education (KA) at the Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media in Germany, studying accordion. During his time at university, Ivanović earned prestigious scholarships such as the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now Award and the Germany Scholarship.
Valeriy Sokolov
The Ukrainian violinist, Valeriy Sokolov, is one of the most outstanding young artists of his generation.
Vitaliy Protasov
VITALIY PROTASOV attended the Tchaikovsky Music School in Simferopol and the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv. He graduated in 1998 from the faculty of Opera and Symphony Conducting after having mastered the class of Prof. Roman Kofman.
Ukranian Chamber Orchestra
Internationally renowned violinist Valeriy Sokolov founded a chamber orchestra in his native Ukraine in 2018. This group consists of the best young string players in the country. Since it’s formation, the group has been successfully performing all over the country as well as taking part in a recording for Sony Classics in Vienna in 2019.
Astor Piazzolla
Three years after ASTOR PIAZZOLLA’s birth in Argentina in 1924, his family moved to New York City. Presumably to connect him with his origins, his father bought him a bandoneon, which he mastered at the age of nine. Already as a young man Piazzolla was considered a serious composer and serious touring musician.
Richard Galliano
RICHARD GALLIANO was heavily talented and influenced by the art around him, so when he met the Argentinean composer and bandoneonist Astor Piazzolla in 1980, he let himself be encouraged to create the French “New Musette.”
Notes
Savo Ivanović
The paths of my music led me from classical training to passionate interpretations of nature and culture of the human being. Just as life takes you places when you let it happen, I let my music connect me with great musicians. Therefore, when I met Valeriy Sokolov, I found new inspiration and committed myself to an amazing experience. He had founded the Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra and I took great pride in having the chance to work with them and the conductor Vitaliy Protasov while performing together and learning from each other. The goal and extraordinary aspect about this project is the careful selection of music that is dear to me, that I can not only relate to, but feel in different vivacities every time I perform them. I chose Piazzolla and Galliano to be my companions on this fulfilling journey of presenting my close relationship to folk music and am very thankful for the cooperation, inspiration, and comfort their music and the orchestra offered me.
This experience took place at a time of my life during which my father was seriously ill and I was not sure I would have the strength to perform and work on sharing my music with others. At the same time, being on stage and recording these powerful and passionate concertos Piazzolla and Galliano had written, surely not only experiencing positive things either, encouraged me to proceed with this album and helped me focus, completing the album while also being there for my family. Sadly, my father passed away some months after the production of the album was finished, and it is of great honour and importance to me to dedicate it to him. Thank you, Savo, for your support and being my ultimate inspiration. You enabled me, you encouraged me generously, although or because you wanted to be a musician yourself and never got the chance to perform professionally. Your intense connection with music shaped me, our relationship and the way I perceive the world. When I play, I can feel you, still.
— Story by Jovica Ivanović, Text by Daniela Syczek
