Accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, Sinfonietta Riga orchestra, conductor Normunds Šnē - Crossroads - CD Review, the 18^th of October, 2024

Johann Sebastian Bach - Concerto no. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052(arranged for accordion and orchestra by Ksenija Sidorova); Gabriela Montero - 'Beyond Bach'; Dobrinka Tabakova - 'Horizons'.

'Crossroads' is the title of the album recorded in September, 2023 in Riga, dedicated to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The album also includes contemporary compositions inspired by the great pre-classical master, written by Sergey Akhunov, Gabriela Montero, and Dobrinka Tabakova.

At the heart of these recordings is the renowned accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, a Latvian artist acclaimed on major international stages. She stands out for her charm, musicality, and extraordinary instrumental technique, drawing attention to the unique sounds of her accordion, both in contemporary and romantic-Baroque repertoire.

Born on the 18^th of May 1988, in Riga, Ksenija Sidorova began playing the accordion at the encouragement of her grandmother. From the age of six, she studied under Marija Gasele, focusing on both folk and classical repertoire. Later, she perfected her skills under Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she now teaches accordion. Alongside her teaching career, Sidorova maintains a busy performance schedule. She has performed as a soloist with major orchestras from her home country of Latvia, as well as with the Munich and Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestras, the Atlanta and Cincinnati Orchestras, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and many other prestigious ensembles.In 2012, she was awarded the Latvian Grand Music Award, and in 2017 she won the Echo Klassik Award for the 'Instrumentalist of the Year.' To date, she has released six albums, with her previous one being dedicated to the works of Astor Piazzolla. Piazzolla, a great admirer of Bach's music, often adapted the composer's works for his own instrument. With a similar vision, Sidorova has expanded on this idea, creating her own arrangements of Bach's compositions for accordion in her new album, in collaboration with the Sinfonietta Riga orchestra and conductor Normunds Šnē.

The most substantial piece on the album is Bach's Concerto no. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052, which originally dates back to 1720 and was composed for organ and orchestra. Bach later arranged it for solo harpsichord, but over the years, the concerto has been adapted for piano, violin, or flute. Now, Sidorova brings a new interpretation with her accordion version. She describes the piece as "wonderful, exuberant, so masterfully written that it requires no major changes in fingering to be played on accordion, giving the soloist a true opportunity to shine."