Dazzling AdLibitum Recital at Music Club

Cowal Music Club’s concert on Sunday 23rd February in Dunoon’s Burgh Hall featured  the Ad Libitum Duo, - Andrea & Djordje Gajic, violin and accordion, who gave a simply fantastic afternoon recital.  Both are Professors at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow, with Andrea having in 2023 been appointed Head of Strings there.

Sunday’s bad weather meant that the omens for the concert were unfavourable, and the Duo had to drive via Arrochar to reach Dunoon, but nevertheless the afternoon’s music-making was full of character and atmosphere, as well as quite remarkable virtuosity.

The quality of playing was highly impressive, and all the arrangements worked beautifully, with most of the repertoire being played by memory – and with complete assurance.

From Bach to Piazzolla, the large audience appeared fascinated throughout, not least hearing large sections of Vivaldi’s ‘The Seasons’ played very effectively on just 2 instruments!  In a way it was surprising to hear Bach’s D minor Toccata & Fugue for organ played so successfully on a solo accordion, and  towards the end of the recital,  Sarasate’s ‘Carmen Fantasy’, with its virtuosity including glissandi, harmonics, double-stopping and spiccato, was simply breathtaking!  So much so, in fact, that the enthusiastic applause demanded an encore, - which was duly delivered - the famous Czardas  (written 1904) by Vittorio Monti, which is often cited as a favourite and highly effective showpiece for violin. Both Andrea and Djordje excelled again with a thrilling, - and very memorable performance.

Both instruments sounded marvellous in Dunoon Burgh hall’s excellent acoustic, - one of the hall’s great attributes, and each item on the programme was presented very professionally by the performers.  It was a highly successful afternoon  - the perfect antidote to the poor weather outside!

Cowal Music Club’s next concert is scheduled for Sunday March 23rd at 2.30pm in the Burgh Hall, when Naho Hayashi and Mianoora Kosonen will perform a varied programme of piano music.