Bičak, a Bulgarian folk melody, played on pedal harpsichord by Tom Pixton. Recorded in 1990.

1990 home recording

Bičak, Bulgarian folk melody

Giuševska Răčenica, a Bulgarian folk melody, played on pedal harpsichord by Tom Pixton. Recorded in 1990.

Giuševska Răčenica, Bulgarian folk melody

Topansko Oro, a Macedonian folk melody, played on pedal harpsichord by Tom Pixton. Recorded in 1990.

Topansko Oro, Macedonian folk melody

Variations on the English dance tune Bare Necessities, played on pedal harpsichord by Tom Pixton. Recorded in 1990.

Bare Necessities (English country dance variations)

Peacherine Rag, composed in 1901 by Scott Joplin, played on the pedal harpsichord by Tom Pixton. Recorded in 1990.

Peacherine Rag (1901, Scott Joplin)

John Bull (c. 1563-1628) was an eccentric organ and harpsichord virtuoso whose music survives almost exclusively in various manuscripts, although a few were published in the c. 1612 Parthenia collection. In Nomine, a plainsong derived from an early 16th-century mass by John Taverner, became a favorite compositional device by many Elizabethan composers. Bull’s quirky set of In Nomine variations survives in the famous Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, its unique syncopated suspensions ideally suited to the accordion.

In Nomine

Mom Bar is a haunting Armenian melody in 10/8 introduced to the Boston area by dance teacher and folklorist Tineke Van Geel in the 1990s. An old classic with a new arrangement. All instruments played by me!

Mom-Bar.mp3

Often called the national dance of Bulgaria, the răčenica has many regional variants and styles. This set of răčenica melodies was introduced by our friend and esteemed Bulgarian dance teacher Jaap Leegwater many years ago and is one of our favorite răčenica sets. Originally played by a brass band, my arrangement features several accordions, piano, synth, bass, and drums. All instruments played by yours truly!

Răčenica na Horo

Sedi Donka is a popular Bulgarian dance tune in 25/16 (7+7+11)

Sedi Donka

One of Bach's most intriguing canon in four voices, BWV 1073, played here on accordion

Bach Canon à 4

Jazzy version of this classic Bulgarian concerto-like piece created by the great Bulgarian accordionist Kosta Kolev, a Dobrudžan râčenica we know as Sej Sej Bob ("Plant beans!"). Accordion, piano, synth, bass, drum kit, all played by yours truly.

Say Bop!

Beautiful širto melody composed by Nikola Parov, Bulgarian multi-instrumentalist. As played here by the Pinewoods Band.

Pomaško Širto

This quirky melody, in a complex rhythm (9+9+4), is a favorite among folk dancers, and one of Yves Moreau's best known dance tunes. From the Pinewoods International Collection and played here by the Pinewoods Band.

Sandansko Horo

I heard this swingy reel-like tune on the radio during my first visit to Romanian in 1993 and later managed to track down a blank cassette of it. It is the ˝lăutar˝style of the south romanian Roma. Played here by yours truly with the Pinewoods Band.

Hora Lăutarească

Tom Pixton plays the first movement of J. S. Bach's Italian Concerto, on the 1980 "Grimaldi-Dulcken," a large FFF-g''' double made by Tom Pixton, recorded at Macalester College in 1980.

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