Tag Archives: Owen Murray

News

Toralf Tollefsen -World Artist

Posted on by RomanoViazzani
‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’ is a fascinating and very readable book about the life, career and achievements of Toralf Tollefsen (1914-94), a much loved and internationally renowned accordionist from Norway, a man who truly became a legend in his lifetime. First published (in Norwegian) in 1994 to celebrate Tollefsen’s 80th birthday, this book is not actually a biography as such, but an anthology edited by Jon Faukstad containing a lengthy in-depth biographical interview with the great man by Faukstad, four informative articles about Tollefsen and his very significant contribution to the accordion (written by Mogens Ellegaard, Ola Kai Ledang, Jon Faukstad, and Birger Ostby), plus a complete and detailed discography, compiled by Tom Valle. Toralf Tollefsen has long been a legendary figure in the accordion world, especially in Britain where he lived between 1936/39 and 1946/61. There have been other accordionists equally skilled, but few could match Tollefsen’s charisma, stage presence or reputation, or the deep impression he made on a generation of accordionists in this country whose progress was often measured by how well they could play compositions and arrangements bearing Tollefsen’s name. This newly published English-language version tells a great deal about Tollefsen’s lifelong dedication to the accordion, and the reader will learn much about his ambitions, thoughts on repertoire, performance, his instruments, playing experiences in Britain and the USA, and his philosophy about life. The life of Tollefsen is, in a sense, the story of the modern accordion in Britain and Europe as this was the man whose long-held and eventually realised dream it was to pioneer the accordion’s transition from variety theatres to the classical concert stage, introducing the free bass instrument in the process. In the interview section Tollefsen discusses how he went from variety to classical music in the post-war years, and the problems he had to overcome with this transition. Originally published in Norwegian, ‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’ has been painstakingly translated and updated by Owen Murray, with assistance from Olga Jorgensen for the translation of the article by Professor Ola Kai Ledang. Special mention should be made of the initiative of Roland Williams, whose enthusiasm brought this project to fruition.
25
Jul

Toral Tollefsen, World Artist is a new publication we now have in stock featuring one of the first truly global accordionists of the concert platform. The book tracks the life of this pioneer of the concert accordion through interviews and articles contributed by the editor Jon Faukstad, Mogens Ellegaard, Ola Kai Ledang and others.

Continue reading →
Concerts, Events, News

Professor Owen Murray and student Iosif Purits play Piazzolla and Gordon Jacob Accordion Concertos – 5th June 2015

Posted on by RomanoViazzani
Owen Murray
25
May

Professor Owen Murray and one of his students at the Royal Academy of Music, Iosif Purits, along with Guitarist Chris Waddington present an evening of classical music for Accordion, Guitar and String Orchestra in the stunning surroundings of Giggleswick School Chapel. Performances will include the Gordon Jacob Accordion Concerto, the Concerto for Bandoneon and Guitar (Hommage à Liége) by Astor Piazzolla and other works by Scarlatti, Mussorgsky and Vivaldi.

Continue reading →
News

Toralf Tollefsen -World Artist

Posted on by RomanoViazzani
‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’ is a fascinating and very readable book about the life, career and achievements of Toralf Tollefsen (1914-94), a much loved and internationally renowned accordionist from Norway, a man who truly became a legend in his lifetime. First published (in Norwegian) in 1994 to celebrate Tollefsen’s 80th birthday, this book is not actually a biography as such, but an anthology edited by Jon Faukstad containing a lengthy in-depth biographical interview with the great man by Faukstad, four informative articles about Tollefsen and his very significant contribution to the accordion (written by Mogens Ellegaard, Ola Kai Ledang, Jon Faukstad, and Birger Ostby), plus a complete and detailed discography, compiled by Tom Valle. Toralf Tollefsen has long been a legendary figure in the accordion world, especially in Britain where he lived between 1936/39 and 1946/61. There have been other accordionists equally skilled, but few could match Tollefsen’s charisma, stage presence or reputation, or the deep impression he made on a generation of accordionists in this country whose progress was often measured by how well they could play compositions and arrangements bearing Tollefsen’s name. This newly published English-language version tells a great deal about Tollefsen’s lifelong dedication to the accordion, and the reader will learn much about his ambitions, thoughts on repertoire, performance, his instruments, playing experiences in Britain and the USA, and his philosophy about life. The life of Tollefsen is, in a sense, the story of the modern accordion in Britain and Europe as this was the man whose long-held and eventually realised dream it was to pioneer the accordion’s transition from variety theatres to the classical concert stage, introducing the free bass instrument in the process. In the interview section Tollefsen discusses how he went from variety to classical music in the post-war years, and the problems he had to overcome with this transition. Originally published in Norwegian, ‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’ has been painstakingly translated and updated by Owen Murray, with assistance from Olga Jorgensen for the translation of the article by Professor Ola Kai Ledang. Special mention should be made of the initiative of Roland Williams, whose enthusiasm brought this project to fruition.
28
Apr

Toral Tollefsen, World Artist is a new publication we now have in stock featuring one of the first truly global accordionists of the concert platform. The book tracks the life of this pioneer of the concert accordion through interviews and articles contributed by the editor Jon Faukstad, Mogens Ellegaard, Ola Kai Ledang and others.

Continue reading →
News

Royal Academy of Music – Bartosz Glowacki- Classical Accordion Final Recital

Posted on by RomanoViazzani
Bartek Glowacki
27
Apr

Bartosz Glowacki- Accordion Final Recital The Concert takes place at: The Royal Academy of Music, Marylebone Road, NW1 5HT London, United Kingdom on
Friday May 29th 2015 at 7:30pm – 8:45pm. Programme includes: Gubaidulina, Piazzolla, Lindberg, Zolotariyov, Majkusiak and Messiaen

Continue reading →
News

Royal Academy of Music – Free Lunchtime Accordion & Percussion Concert Friday 8th May 2015

Posted on by RomanoViazzani
The Academy’s Percussion and Accordion Departments collaborate for an exciting programme of twentieth-century music, including the UK premiere of Magnus Lindberg’s Metal Work.
27
Apr

The Academy’s Percussion and Accordion Departments collaborate for an exciting programme of twentieth-century music, including the UK premiere of Magnus Lindberg’s Metal Work.

Continue reading →
News

Royal Academy of Music – Accordion Department Events – Winter 2015

Posted on by RomanoViazzani
Royal Academy of Music
13
Jan

Royal Academy of Music – Accordion Department Events – Winter 2015 PLEASE NOTE THAT PROF. LIPS’S MASTER CLASS IS CANCELLED – ONLY THE EVENING CONCERT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON FEB 19th.  No change to March 6th Event Don’t miss the accordion department of the RAM’s events this winter to witness for yourselves what safe […]

Continue reading →