Recording Artist/Discography

In the recording studio (November 2000).

Nearly all musicians like to record their art for posterity, and Henry is no exception. During the summer of 1993, while still living in West Virginia, he wrote 22 arrangements of Christmas carols for free-bass accordion, string quintet, harp, piano, and other instruments, and hired members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to record his first CD. A Classical Christmas was released in November 1993 on Henry’s label: Soli Deo Gloria. The following year the CD was released by a Pittsburgh record label: Alanna Records; and in Canada by the Montreal label: ATMA Records.

Henry sent several hundred copies of the CD to classical radio stations and newspaper music critics in the United States and Canada. The response was extremely favorable. A reviewer for the Washington Post declared that A Classical Christmas was, “the most interesting instrumental collection of Christmas music this year . . . featuring very imaginative arrangements of standard items by Henry Doktorski, who is also featured as accordion soloist with the Pittsburgh Chamber Orchestra. This one should surprise and delight musical sophisticates, who do not usually listen to the accordion. Its arrangements are not only cute and clever; they have real musical depth.”

Other newspapers and magazines also lauded Henry’s first compact disc recording. WQED-FM classical radio in Pittsburgh broadcast tracks from the CD extensively on air during their December 1993 fund drive, and offered A Classical Christmas as a gift for a $100 donation. They sold 125 copies in the first hour.

Henry recalled,

After the success of A Classical Christmas, Henry recorded five more CDs as accordion soloist, plus other CDs as an accordion sideman, with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, and other musicians and singers.

Discography as Accordion Soloist (CDs)

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A Classical Christmas, with the Pittsburgh Chamber Orchestra

(1993)

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, with the Duquesne University Chamber Players

(1998)

Vaudeville Accordion Classics: The Complete Works of Guido Deiro

(2003 double CD solo album)

Classical Accordion Recital

(2005 solo album)

The Complete Works of Pietro Deiro, Volume 1: Celebrated Polkas

(2006 solo album)

Ave Maria: Hymns to Mary

(2007 solo album)

Discography as Accordion Soloist (CD with Music Books)

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Latin Favorites for Accordion

Arranged by Gary Dahl, recorded by Henry Doktorski (2011).

Italian Favorites for Accordion

Arranged by Helene Criscio, recorded by Henry Doktorski (2010).

Ragtime Favorites for Accordion

Arranged by Helene Criscio, recorded by Henry Doktorski (2010).

Divine Hymns for Accordion

Arranged by Helene Criscio, recorded by Henry Doktorski (2010).

Italian Love Songs for Accordion

Arranged by Helene Criscio, recorded by Henry Doktorski (2012).

How to Play Accordion Method and Song Book

Recorded by Henry Doktorski (2007).

How To Play Diatonic Button Accordion Method Book & CD, Vol. 1

Written and recorded by Henry Doktorski (2007).

How To Play Diatonic Button Accordion Method Book & CD, Vol. 2

Written and recorded by Henry Doktorski (2009).

How To Play Diatonic Button Accordion Method Book & CD, Vol. 3

Written and recorded by Henry Doktorski (2011).


Discography as Accordion Sideman


Cinema Serenade, with violinist Itzhak Perlman and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Williams

(Sony Classical: 1997; over 92 weeks on the Billboard classical crossover chart.)

Piano for Latin Lovers, Charlie Shaffer, piano

(Alanna Records: 1998)

Passage to Paradise, Charlie Shaffer, piano

(Alanna Records: 1999)

Songs of the Heart, Daphne Alderson, contralto

(2003)

Accordionists and Teachers Guild, Vol. 1

(2004)

Serpent Rouge: Musical Selections from the Knockdown Revue

(2007)

Dump The Bosses Off Your Back, Anne Feeney: guitar, vocals

(Anne Feeney Records: 2008)

Vintage Alice & Dracula, Hila Plitmann, soprano; Cleveland Chamber Symphony; David Del Tredici, composer and conductor

(INNOVA: The label of the American Composers Forum: 2008)

Dancing on a Long Leash, Peter King: singer, song writer, guitarist

(2009)

Mercy: Songs for Western Pennsylvania, Jordan Umbach: guitars, vocals, harmonica

(2010)

Discography as Composer

Pavanes, Pastorales, and Serenades, James Gorton, oboe; Gretchen Van Hoesen, harp

(Boston Records: 1996)