The 2009 Beltrami Accordion Festival.

Aberdeen Arts Centre November 2009

Roads were flooded and the audience wet but it seemed right from the first note that nothing was going to dampen the spirits at Aberdeen Arts Centre Theatre on Sunday 1st November 2009.

The Beltrami Festival got off to a flying start with Norman English, Compere and Producer “warming up” the audience with his own superb renditions giving us a trip to the Galaxies by way of “Somewhere out there”, followed by “Telstar” and finishing with “A Bright Star in Cepheus”

We were then treated to accordion music by 13 year old Gregor Allan, who, in spite of having to leave his sick bed to perform that night, gave his all and warmed the hearts of his audience with his accordion playing. Gregor, we were informed, has donated thousands of pounds to Leukaemia research, earned by his obvious talent.  

Next on the bill was a great treat for lovers of Italian songs, powerfully and beautifully sung. Salvatori Vaccarino delighted his audience by performing many of the well known and much loved numbers that transported us to warm Italian resorts and far away from the wet North East of Scotland. Salvatori matched the greats with his rendition of “O Sole Mio”.   

The final act in the first half seemed to arrive so quickly as spectators showed their obvious approval of the opening performances and if anyone was still a bit chilled from their journey to the theatre, Craig Paton, Ann Nichol, Duncan Christie and Sam Rutherford rounded up the first half with a toe - tapping, hand clapping performance that left the audience looking for more.

Just prior to Craig Paton and friends starting their set, Craig was presented with a most spectacular looking Beltrami Accordion that had been designed and made by Claudio Beltrami. The bespoke accordion depicts the Scottish Saltire and thistles and the sounds that Craig brought from it more than proved, not only his ever maturing talent but the quality of the instrument. Craig impressed us all with his carefully memorised words of thanks to Mr Beltrami in Claudio’s native Italian, before transporting us all with his rousing performance, aided and abetted by the enthusiastic playing of Ann on the fiddle and Sam on the piano.

It is usual in an interval that there is a mass exodus to the cafe-bar. However the interval at a Norman English production, gave us even more for our money, when the beautiful music of Stuart Hannabuss flowed from the grand piano on the stage. Stuart can frequently be heard at Bruce Millers Music store in Aberdeen.

Following the very enjoyable interval, Norman introduced the audience to Romano Viazzani, Simon Mulligan and the wonderful vocalist Melody Castellari who had flown in from Italy especially to be with us in Aberdeen.

Romano had entertained audiences at last year’s festival, as a solo artist but as lead in a trio he ably demonstrated his versatility. The writer, for one, was privileged to hear music and vocals in a style that may never have been previously brought to Aberdeen.

Melody’s style of singing, Simon, a renowned concert pianist and Romano’s brilliant accordion performance, left the audience stamping and clapping and just when we thought we could clap no more, we were asked to welcome to the North East, Brazilian born Chico Chagas along with the talented guitarist Jonathan Preiss and the wildly supported Adriano Adewale, Percussionist. This Trio was to be heard to be believed.

Chico gave us accordion playing that we had never experienced previously. He was enhanced by the guitar playing of Jonathan and very nearly over shadowed by the amazing Adriano who used the minimum of instruments to maximum effect. This trio made music. They also made the audience leave with smiling faces.

Similar to last year only in that the 2009 event almost defies words, I can only recommend any one who missed this or previous years at a Norman English produced festival, to mark their diaries now for 3rd October 2010, only then will they appreciate the wealth of talent and styles of music brought to us by these versatile, internationally acclaimed performers.

The show sponsors, Beltrami Accordions, Bruce Millers Music Store, Steve Clinkscale Music and The Redgarth Hotel Oldmeldrum, all felt justified in lending their support to such a first class festival and feedback suggests that the quality of the whole evening more than made up for the extreme weather conditions that night. 

Sylvia Wilson