THE FREE-REED REVIEW
I must admit that when I returned to the accordion after being away from it for almost 40 years, I thought I would never play a polka. I felt that the polka limited both the image and the potential of the accordion. Before long, though, I found myself playing polkas because they are fun.
The polkas presented here by Doktorski are both interesting and fun. Each has its own personality, and Henry brings all of his classical training and finesse into play to bring their personalities to life.
I must admit that my favorite is the Celestina Polka. Someone once said that nobody has done for the polka what Astor Piazzolla did for the tango. While that is true, I think that Henry's interpretation of the Celestina Polka is a step in that direction. People complained that one could not dance to a Piazzolla tango. Well, one could not dance to the Celestina Polka either. It plays --in fact toys-- with the tempo and breaks the polka mold.
As mentioned above, Doktorski brings his classical training to the interpretation of these polkas. His phrasing is a delight and his choice of registrations add variety to the selections. I look forward to the release of "The Complete Works of Pietro Deiro Volume 2".
Robert Stead
Detroit, Michigan
POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL
When I began accordion lessons my grandfather called the accordion a
squeezebox and my early renditions of polka melodies were often done
without music charts and usually in the key of "C."
Using the term squeezebox when writing about Henry Doktorski's
latest
CD, The Complete Works of Pietro Deiro, Volume 1: Celebrated Polkas, is
almost sacrilegious. Doktorski's mastery of the instruments, dedication
to
musical perfection, and complexity of melody and bass interpretations
makes
me appreciate my uncle's (my accordion teacher) work trying to make me
a
true accordionist.
Doktorski's interpretation of this 18 track collection of Pietro
Deiro
produces everything from a march tempo on Forbidden Polka, to the
magical fingering of Rhapsody Polka, to the short and simple lines
of
Polish Polka.
Pyramid Polka highlights Doktorski's combination of
bass
and right-hand combinations to give the song its own identity and
demonstrates both quality of timing and excellence of musicianship. In
several selections the listener can revel in the unique aspect of a
stand-alone performance, reminiscent of a time when accordionists would
be
on a theater stage as a solo act, amazing the audience with their music
and
skill.
Henry Doktorski's career accomplishments fill pages. . . . With all
this
and more to his credit, there is one basic concept that surfaces after
listening to this recording by this accordion great. Henry Doktorski
loves
music and enjoys sharing it with you, the listener, his audience.
Steve Litwin
Polka Editor/Associate Editor
Polish American Journal
World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame inductee - 2004
Buffalo, New York
POLKA JAMMER NETWORK
Hello Henry:
I received your CD and played it on my LIVE show
last night. I wanted to let
you know that I had quite a response from my
listeners.
I'll be more than happy to play any future releases you send me.
Jim Kucharski
Program Director
POLKA JAMMER NETWORK
All I can say is WOW!!!
Andy Citkowicz
Host of "Polka Party"
24-7 POLKA HEAVEN
Henry, very impressive performance and CD. I will
feature it and two other
new releases on my Monday evening 9 p.m. Eastern time
program, next Monday
March 27. Very nice music. Thanks for sending it to
me. I'm sure our audience
will enjoy it.
Ray Zalokar
Program Director
HÅKAN WIDAR
Halland, Sweden
Your playing is really very clear and you really make a fine contribution to preserving the old accordionmasters. I am looking forward to future volumes of Pietros playing.
DR. JOSEPH CICCONE
(Nephew of Carmen Carrozza)
Chappaqua, New York
I am immensely enjoying your Guido and Pietro Deiro CDs! Bravo!
|
