Bach in the dark with cello and accordion

Fans of Bach in the Dark, the concert series presented  by cellist Rachel Scott have been delighted by the array of unusual musical partners with whom she has performed over the four years since the series began. Soprano Jane Sheldon, pianist Sally Whitwell, percussionist Ben Sibson, Cor Anglais player Rachel Tolmie and cellist David Pereira have all joined Rachel in her performances. She continues to tickle curiosity with her choice of performing partner for her August concerts.

ARIA award winning piano accordionist Anthony Shulz will join Rachel in the crypt of St James Church in Sydney to play  programme that is grounded in Bach, but takes flight into the realms of Bartok, Bloch and Brazilian popular music.

She explains what created this idea: “Some time ago I stumbled on a You Tube clip of a Lithuanian cellist playing with accordionist, and was mesmerised by the sound. What a wonderful marriage of tone colours! I asked a few cellists in Australia if they’d worked with an accordion player, and was told I was crazy. Why would I want to play with an accordionist? Was I going to do a concert of tango music? When I mentioned I wanted to play Bach and Bloch I was seen as even more wacky.

Finding a good accordion player was hard. Finding a good accordion player who was prepared to adapt existing classical repertoire was harder. Finding a good player who thought outside the box was nearly impossible.

When Anthony’s name was mentioned to me and I nervously made a phone call. Would he be prepared to play with me? Would he be prepared to arrange all sorts of music? Imagine my delight when he said he’d love to!

Rehearsing has been exciting for the two of us. We are both playing with new sound colours, taking ourselves out of our comfort zones, and both loving it! I hope you can join Anthony and myself for an evening of Bach, Bloch, Bartok and Brazilian popular music. You won’t have heard anything like it before!”

Anthony Schulz’s playing encompasses numerous style from classical to Berlin Cabaret, Argentinian Tango, folk and Brazilian music, jazz, rock and fusion. He lists his influences as Piazzolla, Murakami, Hesse and Stan Getz.  Anthony Schulz performs in World Music jazz ensemble Frock  with whom he has toured to Europe and Asia including the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. He has performed with leading Australian and international artists including The Australian Pops Orchestra and the Victorian State Orchestra (Wozzeck). He has recorded for Paul Grabowski and Elena Kats-Chernin. Anthony currently tours and performs with FROCK, the free improvisation ensemble ANANKE and with the multi award winning ensemble Zulya and the Children of the Underground which won the 2007 ARIA Award for best World Music Album.

Tickets: $30; Bookings essential as seating is limited. Call Rachel on (02) 9591-1207 for reservations.