‘Los acordeones del s. XIX’ (The accordions of the 19th Century) is a unique CD featuring recordings of historical works for free reed instruments, all written in the 19th Century, and performed by the students of Gorka Hermosa, Professor of Accordion at the Conservatorio de Santander.

The CD notably includes the first recording of the very first original composition known for accordion, ‘Theme varié très brillant’, written in Paris in 1836 by Louise Reisner. There is also one of the very first classical duos for accordion, ‘Fantasia sobre Fausto’, by Antonio López Almagro in 1876, There are works for harmonium by Liszt, Saint-Säens, Berlioz, Franck, Elgar, Janacek, and compositions for the concertina by Regondi and Harcourt. The playing standards and sound quality are first class throughout this landmark recording.

The players/tracks include:

Nicolae Ginu – ‘Duo No 2, op 8’, Camille Saint-Säens
Juan Mati´as Cuartas – ‘The´me varie´ très brillant’ (1836), Louise Reisner
Carlos Valbuena Gonzalo – ‘Fantasia sobre Fausto’, Antonio Lopez Almagro
Catalin Bursan – ‘Romance sin palabras’, Antonio Lopez Almagro
Marta Navas Méndez de Andés – ‘On an overgrown path, no 4’, Leos Janacek
Sofia Ros Gonzáles – ‘Pieza corta, nos 1 and 15’, Cesar Franck
Pablo Da Silva Saiz – ‘Weinachtbaum, no 5’, Franz Liszt
Ana Gonzáles Arteaga – ‘Vesperklange’, Edward Elgar
Fernando Navas Méndez de Andés – ‘Serenade agreste’, Hector Berlioz
Fernando Navas Méndez de Andés – ‘Toccata’, Hector Berlioz
Fernando Navas Méndez de Andés – ‘Hymne pour l’elevation’, Hector Berlioz
Mikel Cerrada Laurrauri – ‘Waltz No 2’, Giulio Regondi
Marina Pereira-Cabral Pérez – ‘Sonata, nos 3 and 4’, James Harcourt

For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com