#5015, Guy Won't You Play Your Accordion
Guy Klucevsek [from Starkland’s Bandcamp] "was one of the world’s most versatile and highly-respected accordionists. 'A master of experimental accordion music' (Keyboard), this 'rebel with an accordion ... combines poker-faced wit and imagination with command of his instrument, forcing you to re-think the accordion’s limitations' (Downbeat). He played with an illustrious variety of pre-eminent composers and musicians, including Laurie Anderson, Tom Waits, Natalie Merchant, John Zorn, Pauline Oliveros, Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas, Kronos Quartet, Brave Combo, and Alan Bern. Klucevsek also appeared on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and accompanied soprano Renée Fleming at the memorial service for Senator John McCain. He was a recipient of the distinguished United States Artists Collins Fellowship, an unrestricted $50,000 award given to 'the most compelling artists working and living in the United States'", (Guy’s bio from Starkland’s Bandcamp). Guy Klucevsek passed away on May 22, 2025.
Listen to some of his recordings, including work inspired by Ethiopian music but given a Moroccan title and from his 2024 release, Little Big Top, with trumpeter Volker Goetze; a little bit of hardcore punk by guitarist/composer Eliott Sharp and work by drummer/composer Bobby Previte from an alleged Polka record; and a string arrangement of his work, “Flying Vegetables of the Apocalypse” played by violinist Todd Reynolds. Also, hear a performance of a work for dueling accordions, featuring composer and radio host David Garland, performed in-studio in 1988.
Program #5015,Guy Won't You Play Your Accordion (First aired 6/05/25)
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek, David Garland
WORK: William Obrecht - Guy, Won't You Play Your Accordion? [1:00]
RECORDING: Polka from the Fringe
SOURCE: Starkland
INFO: https://starkland.bandcamp.com/album/guy-klucevsek-polka-from-the-fringe
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek
WORK: Fred Frith: The Disinformation Polka [4:06]
RECORDING: Polka from the Fringe
SOURCE: Starkland
INFO: https://starkland.bandcamp.com/album/guy-klucevsek-polka-from-the-fringe
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek, David Garland
WORK: David Garland: Forest Fractures [5:42]
RECORDING: WNYC Live, April 1988
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: The song was released on My Vortex Camera (Control Songs, Vol. 3) | https://davidgarland.bandcamp.com/track/forest-fractures-2
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek
WORK: Ratatatatouille [4:41]
RECORDING: The Multiple Personality Reunion Tour
SOURCE: Innova
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube | https://guyklucevsek.com/recordings/
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek
WORK: Elliott Sharp : Happy Chappie Polka [1:36]
RECORDING: Polka from the Fringe
SOURCE: Starkland
INFO: https://starkland.bandcamp.com/album/guy-klucevsek-polka-from-the-fringe
ARTIST: Guy Kucevsek & Volker Goetze
WORK: Fez Up [4:30]
RECORDING: Little Big Top
SOURCE: Motema Music
INFO: https://guyklucevsekvolkergoetze.bandcamp.com/album/little-big-top
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek and Bellows Brigade
WORK: Pauline, Pauline (for Pauline Oliveros) 4. Dronespeak; Piper's Lament; [5:49]
RECORDING: Carousel of Dreams
SOURCE: Jenjan
INFO: https://guyklucevsek.com/june-18-2018/
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek, Todd Reynolds
WORK: Hymnopedie No. 2 (for Erik Satie) [3:53]
RECORDING: Teetering on the Verge of Normalcy
SOURCE: Starkland
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube | https://guyklucevsek.com
ARTIST: Todd Reynolds
WORK: Guy Klucevsek: Flying Vegetables Of The Apocalypse [3:17]
RECORDING: Hope Dies Last
SOURCE: Starkland
INFO: https://starkland.bandcamp.com/album/guy-klucevsek-hope-dies-last
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek
WORK: Carl Finch: Prairie Dogs [2:49]
RECORDING: Polka from the Fringe
SOURCE: Starkland
INFO: https://starkland.bandcamp.com/album/guy-klucevsek-polka-from-the-fringe
ARTIST: Guy Klucevsek
WORK: Bobby Previte - The Nova Scotia Polka [4:59]
RECORDING: Polka from the Fringe
SOURCE: Starkland
INFO: https://starkland.bandcamp.com/album/guy-klucevsek-polka-from-the-fringe
