Once upon a time there were two accordionists… a fairytale pairing…
Paul Hutchinson & Karen Tweed
Paul and Karen almost never discuss accordions when they meet…or accordion music…or accordion bands. Nevertheless, they have decided to write new music for two accordions and perform it together. In fact, they’ve been threatening a duo ever since an impromptu slot at Oxford Folk Festival a few years ago and finally they’ve managed it.
King of the accordion Paul Hutchinson is perhaps best known for his work in the Folk Awards nominated duo Belshazzar’s Feast. Other notable collaborations include Hoover the Dog, Fruits of Paradise and The Playford Liberation Front. Whilst his ongoing project British Aisles takes him back to church, Paul continues to be an inspiring and innovative teacher and his strong belief that music shouldn’t be pigeonholed is evident in his prolific and diverse compositions.
English accordion queen Karen Tweed won an All Ireland Championship title on the melodica, when she was about 17 before deciding to concentrate on the accordion. One of the leading lights on the UK and international folk scenes Karen is noted for work with KathrynTickell, Ian Carr, The Poozies, Swap, 2 Duos Quartet and May Monday and as instigator of such adventurous projects as these and the 4K Plot, Circa Compania and The No1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra. As a soloist she’s astonishing and continues breaking accordionesque preconceptions and boundaries.
Individually brilliant, Paul and Karen together could be dangerous, hilarious or precarious, but most definitely entertaining. Expect lots of laughs and humorous banter between these two old pals too. The stuff of myth and legend, Beauty or the Beast? are bringing their magical music to four enchanted Dorset venues near you soon…and we’ll all live happily ever after!
Fri 15 Nov, 7:30pm. Tarrant Gunville Village Hall. Tel: 01258 830361
Sat 16 Nov, 7:30pm. Burton Bradstock Village Hall. Tel: 01308 897214
Sun 17 Nov, 7:30pm. Studland Village Hall. Tel: 01929 450204
