This accordion and clarinet duo based in Edinburgh gave a showcase of different music styles from around the world. The venue was intimate, with approximately 20 attendees, but the room upstairs at Valona & Crolla was small enough for it not to feel empty. Being an acoustic performance the volume was appropriate for the size of the room.
They began the set with Jewish hora which possessed an exciting range in tempo and showcased an example of accordion-playing at its most accomplished. They did not stick to any one genre for a long period of time and their diversity was astonishing as they fluctuated between styles expertly. Perhaps the most surprising and entertaining moments of the evening were those which delved into the Chinese Polka and Balkan genres, coming as a welcome addition to the Western classical music they played.
David Vernon on accordion and Dick Lee who altered between an A clarinet, a B flat clarinet, a Bass clarinet and a recorder combined blistering pace with beautifully crafted melodies. This technical excellence was not limited to playing others’ compositions: they also performed their own material beautifully. Furthermore, they articulately introduced each genre, telling stories behind each song and descriptions of styles of music that are commonly neglected in popular media. The interactions between the two were light-hearted and humorous: they engaged with each other, sometimes appearing competitive, while they also had lively interactions with the audience.
The only misfortune of the evening was not being able to enjoy the Balkan compositions in the way they would have traditionally been enjoyed, with dance. The evening was very much more given to steady applause between songs, which worked better for the Western classical genre they did such justice to.
