Andover Concert Series

Performed at:

Seven Classical Concerts


Season 77
September 2023 to April 2024

Thu 25 Apr 2024 7:30pm

Ben de Souza and AGM
(Classical Accordion)

Programme:

JS Bach - Adagio from oboe concerto in D minor
Makkonen - Like Swans
Väyrynen - Variations on a theme by Paganini
Zolotaryov - Sonata No. 2
Mozart - Adagio in B minor
Nizhnik - "Mactoub" Partita No. 2
JS Bach - Fugue in G minor
Mancini - Moon River


The Interval will follow the 77th Season AGM

Ben de Souza

Ben de Souza

Further Information:Ben de Souza
Ben de Souza

Ben de Souza is one of a growing number of British classical accordionists at the forefront of promoting the instrument in this country. His playing shows “great technical assurance and control, beautifully understated expression, and real soul.”

Ben is a regular recitalist and chamber musician and has performed extensively throughout England. He has collaborated with West Forest Chamber Ensemble, The Assembly Project, Bloomsbury Festival and Newbury Spring Festival, while in 2018 he made his orchestral debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra, under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy. The accordion takes Ben across the UK and has allowed him to perform in venues such as St David’s Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Stoller Hall, Hampton Court Palace and South Hill Park Arts Centre.

Having previously studied with Romano Viazzani, Ben completed his undergraduate studies with Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music. He has also received tuition from many of the world’s leading accordionists including Friedrich Lips, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, Bjarke Mogensen, Mie Miki, Iñaki Alberdi and Matti Rantanen among others.

Ben is passionate about educating the next generation of British accordionists and has a busy private teaching practice encompassing students of all ages and abilities. He also holds the position of Accordion Teacher at Salisbury Cathedral School and The Purcell School.

Ben has trained as an accordion repairer and tuner with Beltrami Accordions, Italy, and works part-time as an accordion repairer for ZZ Music.

Ben also holds a Masters in Choral Studies from the University of Cambridge, where he studied conducting with Stephen Layton and Graham Ross. In addition to his work as an accordionist, Ben is a freelance choral conductor, working with a range of choirs. He is the founding conductor of Clare Hall Choir at the University of Cambridge, and is Director of Music at Earley St Peters church, Reading Ben is also Musical Director of Farnham & Bourne Choral Society and Newbury Chamber Choir and works with Taplow Children’s and Boys’ choirs.

When not involved in something musical Ben can be found volunteering at Didcot Railway Centre, building finescale model railways, or doing anything football-related.

March 2024 Concert

Season Summary
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September 2024 Concert

Presented by:

Andover Music Club
Registered Charity No. 1016967

Presenting live classical music to
a wide audience since 1945


Patron:
David Owen Norris MA (Oxon),
FSA, FRAM, FRCO, FRNCM.

Performed at: