In this fun concert, I perform the Bach D-minor Prelude and Fugue first on the piano, and then on accordion in the style of a Neapolitan Tarantella. The third piece is called Pink Tango. It combines the Bach Prelude with the Pink Panther theme by Henry Mancini, played as a tango on accordion, cello and triangle. The tango is in the Nuevo Tango style of Astor Piazzolla, who is one of my favorite composers.
The relationship between the music of Bach and of Piazzolla is something I have been thinking about for several years. In 2014, Pernambuco performed a concert called From Baroque to Tango, which included music by both composers. Piazzolla grew up playing Bach, in fact as a young person in New York City, he used to play Bach on his bandoneon. The Color Pink continues in this vein. This is the first time I have played Bach on the accordion. It is also my debut on the triangle.
Playing the Pink Panther theme makes me smile. It reminds me of one of my favorite cartoon characters from my childhood. The original recording of the Pink Panther Theme is a treasure. The solo by Plas Johnson on tenor sax is one of the best known jazz solos ever recorded. And the enthusiastic triangle playing by Frank Capp is what made me want to try the instrument myself.
Program
Prelude and Fugue VI in D-minor J. S. Bach
from The Well Tempered Clavier Vol.1
The Color Pink Daniel Goodman
1. Pink Tarantella
Bach's Prelude in D-minor arranged for accordion in the style of a Neapolitan Tarantella
2. Pink Tango
The Pink Panther meets J.S. Bach in a trio for accordion, cello and triangle
