JOHNSTONE – Mediterranean Suite – FOUR ACCORDIONS [only available from “Creighton’s Collection”]

Movements or sections:
Piece No. 1 – ‘Allegro grazioso’ (Mediterranean Skies): this is an elegant piece with a gentle melody, a delicate accompaniment, generally all very transparent, which all put together gives a feeling of the romantic ‘swing’ which one can often feel in many of the Mediterranean zone countries – sunny days, far removed from the grey clouds and cold weather of other parts of the continent! The small central section contains a part of especial interest and expression for the second accordionist. {approx. 5’30”}
Piece No. 2 – ‘Habanera’ (Tempo di habanera, tranquilo): In this piece the ambience places us in an authentic traditional Habanera full of sweetness and sensuality, especially tranquil and calm. This movement, the first written of the three, contains some motives which re-appear in the other movements. Johnstone makes us remember the words of Manuel de Falla when he said that the Habanera is really none other than the ‘Andalucian tango’. {approx. 4’00”}
Piece No. 3 – ‘Tarantella-Scherzo’ (Allegro comodo, ma con fuoco): the last piece displays constantly energetic rhythms, but also warmly ‘cultivates’ an endearing gracefulness as a result of incorporating varying characteristics of the Tarantella, which is found principally in the southern part of Italy: however one can also see in this composition the influence of the Scherzo, regularly used from Beethoven’s age onward by many of the great classical and romantic composers. Above all, the general forward propulsion and counterpoint between the four instruments convert the work in a piece of virtuosity. {approx. 4’30”}