Polaris Duo Kiasma

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Suite anglaise No. 3 en sol mineur, BWV 808 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma):
• 1 Bach: Suite anglaise No. 3 en sol mineur, BWV 808 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): I. Prélude 03:11
• 2 Bach: Suite anglaise No. 3 en sol mineur, BWV 808 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): II. Allemande 03:45
• 3 Bach: Suite anglaise No. 3 en sol mineur, BWV 808 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): III. Courante 01:59
• 4 Bach: Suite anglaise No. 3 en sol mineur, BWV 808 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): IV. Sarabande 03:45
• 5 Bach: Suite anglaise No. 3 en sol mineur, BWV 808 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): V. Gavottes 03:40
• 6 Bach: Suite anglaise No. 3 en sol mineur, BWV 808 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): VI. Gigue 02:45
• Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887 - 1959): Bachianas brasileiras No. 5, W 389:
• 7 Villa-Lobos: Bachianas brasileiras No. 5, W 389: I. Aria (Cantilena) [Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma] 04:29
• Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683 - 1764): Zoroastre, RCT 62, Acte I Scène 3:
• 8 Rameau: Zoroastre, RCT 62, Acte I Scène 3: Les Tendres Plaintes (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma) 03:22
• Dardanus, RCT 35, Acte IV Scène 1:
• 9 Rameau: Dardanus, RCT 35, Acte IV Scène 1: Lieux funestes (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma) 05:19
• Les Boréades, RCT 31, Acte IV Scène 4:
• 10 Rameau: Les Boréades, RCT 31, Acte IV Scène 4: Air vif (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma) 02:24
• 11 Rameau: Les Boréades, RCT 31, Acte IV Scène 4: Entrée de Polymnie (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma) 04:39
• Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741): Sonate pour violoncelle et basse continue en mi mineur, RV 40 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma):
• 12 Vivaldi: Sonate pour violoncelle et basse continue en mi mineur, RV 40 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): I. Largo 03:06
• 13 Vivaldi: Sonate pour violoncelle et basse continue en mi mineur, RV 40 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): II. Allegro 02:03
• 14 Vivaldi: Sonate pour violoncelle et basse continue en mi mineur, RV 40 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): III. Largo 02:34
• 15 Vivaldi: Sonate pour violoncelle et basse continue en mi mineur, RV 40 (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma): IV. Allegro 01:21
• Traditional: Danny Boy (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma):
• 16 Traditional: Danny Boy (Arr. pour violoncelle et accordéon par Kiasma) 06:07
• Total Runtime 54:29

Info for Polaris

Since its inception in 2016, the Duo Kiasma has shared a common delight: to surprise audiences through the unexpected pairing of the cello and the accordion. Indeed, what could be more unusual than the combination of the ‘little prince’ of classical music with the accordion – the quintessential folk instrument, steeped in the memories, celebrations and melancholy of entire peoples?

Unusual, certainly. Ridiculous? Certainly not. Rostropovich himself claimed that the bayan (the Russian accordion) was a better match for the cello than the piano. Who are we to contradict the great Soviet maestro? Actually, these two instruments share the essentials: bow and bellows — both breathe and sing, capable of both strength and fragility.

After several years spent transcribing works by Bartók and Gluck, as well as Daft Punk and Ennio Morricone, the Duo Kiasma has gradually refocused its exploration on a repertoire that has emerged almost naturally: Baroque music. POLARIS thus marks a decisive milestone in the Duo’s journey. Like the star from which it takes its name, this album serves as a landmark in a constantly expanding aesthetic universe, revolving around three leading Baroque composers: Rameau, Bach and Vivaldi.

Kiasma Duo:
Pierre Fontenelle, cello
Frin Wolter, chromatic accordion

The Kiasma Duo
nomadic and with no fixed musical base, boldly explores a wide range of musical styles. Through their creativity, spontaneity and modernity, the two young virtuosos, Pierre Fontenelle and Frin Wolter, surprise their audiences by combining the sounds of their respective instruments – the cello and the accordion – in a repertoire that defies categorisation, reflecting their cross-disciplinary vision of the role of the performer in the 21st century. ​

Originally formed following a meeting between cellist Pierre Fontenelle and accordionist Cristian Perciun in Namur, the duo performs regularly in Belgium, France and Luxembourg and has been featured at festivals such as Les Fêtes de Wallonie, the Festivals de Wallonie, the Festival Accordé’Opale, the Royal Juillet Musical in Saint-Hubert and the Festival Musicorum, and has performed in prestigious Belgian venues such as the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and the Liège Philharmonie. In December 2018, the duo took part in the Christmas Concerts at La Monnaie and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, with the project culminating in the traditional Christmas Concert at the Royal Palace for the Belgian Royal Family. In the summer of 2019, they toured China, giving six performances on the island of Taiwan and in Shanghai. They will return to Taiwan in the summer of 2021. ​

In September 2019, Cristian Perciun left Belgium to start a new life. After a six-month hiatus, the duo was revived with the Luxembourgish accordionist Frin Wolter. ​

In April 2017, the Duo was awarded First Prize / Gold Medal in the Chamber Music category at the 6th Accordé’Opale International Accordion Competition (France). Pierre and Frin, winners of numerous international competitions, are simultaneously pursuing careers as soloists and teachers.

Booklet for Polaris