Programme

J.S. Bach (1685 – 1750)                        Prelude and Fugue in Eb Major BWV 552 (‘St Anne’)

(arr. R. Corbett)

I. Stravinsky (1882 – 1971)                   Petrushka

(arr. D. Gajic & R. Corbett)

Prior to joining the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in 2008, Djordje Gajic had a remarkable international reputation as a piano accordion soloist. This was due to impressive achievement at numerous major international competitions. Djordje’s work in Glasgow has transformed accordion tuition at the RCS into an internationally recognised centre of excellence for classical accordion. Thanks to his charismatic and energetic pedagogical methods, Djordje has helped elevate the status of the accordion throughout the UK into a respected classical instrument. Furthermore, in recent years Djordje’s alumni have emulated his success on the world stage. 

Djordje has performed with several acclaimed orchestras and ensembles including the Russian State Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Yvgeny Svetlanov), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra (BBC Proms, London), the Fibonacci Sequence Ensemble, Locrian Ensemble, Research Ensemble, and the Hebrides Ensemble. He is a prolific recitalist and over the last decade has performed across Europe, USA, Australia, and China. Djordje is also a highly regarded adjudicator and has been recruited for international competitions across Europe, China, and Australia. Reviews have commended the ‘passion, brilliance and supreme intelligence’ of his playing as well as its ‘pyrotechnical virtuosity, intelligent phrasing and dazzling interpretation’. 

Born in Glasgow in 1999, Ryan Corbett is a classical accordionist who has been described as ‘one of Scotland’s most exciting young musicians’ (The Scotsman). When Ryan was eleven his grandmother gave him a small accordion on which he taught himself to play Scottish traditional music. He started learning with Djordje Gajic at the age of fourteen and continues to do so. Ryan graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he is currently enrolled on the master’s course. Previously, he studied at the Music School of Douglas Academy and St Mary’s Music School.

Ryan was awarded the keyboard prize, first prize and Gold Medal at the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition, first prize at the Bromsgrove International Musicians’ Competition and prizes at international accordion competitions in Italy, Germany, and China. Ryan is a Tillet Debut Scheme Artist, Munster Trust Recital Scheme Artist and the first accordionist to be part of the prestigious BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Scheme since its launch in 1999. As a member of the BBC Scheme, he will be introduced to a wide audience through radio broadcasts, appearances at major venues including the Wigmore Hall, and performances with BBC orchestras. He recently collaborated with the Columbian cellist and fellow NGA Santiago Cañón-Valencia in a recording of Piazzolla and Ginastera. Ryan performed his accordion trio arrangement of Rameau for King Charles III on his official visit to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and subsequently he was invited to perform his arrangement of a Scottish tune at the King’s Honours of Scotland ceremony in St Giles Cathedral.