Published Friday, August 17^th 2007

“Richard Galliano and the Hoboken Trio: An absolute Delight!”

by L.B. Roquebrune, Cap-Martin

Richard Galliano’s appearance at the Château harkens a triumph for the accordion. There are certain concerts where the artists seem to be touched by grace. In attempting this delicate and artistic magic, the performers offer such a presence that they breath in unison. It could only have been under a starry sky, with a light fog hanging in the air and an “packed” audience that the Hoboken Trio could have performed that night on the Rainier Square: Enchanting.

 

An extraordinary pallet

Arriving on tiptoe less than an hour before the concert, the musicians discovered an open-air stage that would be the theater for their great musical performance. The concert was sold out and a buzz generated in the audience as additional seats were set up- on stage! The trio opened the concert with a gentle finesse, playing a piece by Joseph Hadyn specially arranged for the accordion. Then Richard Galliano, standing alone, delighted us with a “intense force”marked by a sensitivity and virtuosity that reaches to every corner of the venue, mirroring Claude Nougaro, with whom he composed this seminal work in 1993.

The Hoboken Trio, composed of Saskia Lethiec (violin), Renaud Dejardin (cello) and Jérôme Granjon (piano), took the opportunity to astound the audience with its masterful interpretations. Bach’s BWV 1060 concerto reached a state of perfection.

Far From Cliché

Far from “old time clichés” where accordion music made our grandparents dance in post-war balls, the intention of Richard Galliano is to introduce his instrument to all genres of music, even classical, Galliano succeeds in making the accordion seem as if it had always been a piece of a philharmonic. However, the skeptical, even his peers, are not easily convinced. Richard Galliano has only to perform, sweeping away conventions and bringing the accordion to the people as no one else has.

Bearing witness is the captivated audience who watched the concert and its delectable “Ravelian” movements, relayed, of course, by the master Galliano. After the traditional reminder, the final piece brings the spectators to their feet, in sync, as if one sole and same person.

After playing at the Oliveraie at Cap, followed by the Square Rainier III, one can only hope that Richard Galliano will observe the old adage “good things come in threes”. Will the Hoboken Trio and the master accordionist tiptoe away, as subtly as they arrived? One thing is for sure; these are four virtuosos that the people of Roquebrune will not be quick to forget.

 

LB R - Nice matin