Azul 8.7.09
MICHAEL WARD-BERGEMAN, HYPER-ACCORDION
Michael Ward-Bergeman is a passionate performer, songwriter and composer. His sensitive and creative approach to music making has led to performances and collaborations with world-class musicians and composers from across a wide range of genres.
Ward-Bergeman aims to remain faithful to the spirit that unites many of the world’s richest music traditions while continuing to develop his own unique voice. On the accordion, he has created innovative performance techniques that work in harmony with his inspired use of 21st century music technology. His vision has reached its culmination in the hyper-accordion, an acoustic accordion with extended range and expressive capabilities.
Ward-Bergeman has enjoyed a close friendship and working relationship with composer Osvaldo Golijov over the past decade. His work with the hyper-accordion has been featured in many of Golijov’s compositions, including the Grammy nominated Ayre written for soprano Dawn Upshaw, Tekyah written for BBC 2’s Holocaust—A Music Memorial Film from Auschwitz; Azul, a cello concerto originally written for Yo-Yo Ma; and on the soundtrack to Francis Ford Coppola’s Youth Without Youth.
In April 2007, Ward-Bergeman premiered his composition Three Roads, featuring vocalist Christina Courtin, at Carnegie Hall.
In late 2007 he was awarded the first commission ever given by the Terezin Chamber Music Foundation for a work to be written for the soprano Dawn Upshaw and ensemble. Treny had its world premiere at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall on November 2, 2008. The Classical Music Network review described the piece as “dark, lyrical, mysterious and the most woeful lament for the death of a daughter.”
Ward-Bergeman is a founding member of the American Roots music trio Groanbox Boys. They have released three original recordings and toured extensively throughout the UK, to much critical acclaim. In January 2009, the group will collaborate with composer David Bruce and New York City’s Metropolis Ensemble on a program to include an accordion concerto written by Bruce for Ward-Bergeman, a new work for Freedom Boot and ensemble written by Ward-Bergeman and a full set of original music by Groanbox Boys.
Ward-Bergeman is committed to sharing his music making with as wide an audience as possible. To this end, he has performed in pubs, bars, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, metro stations, village halls, churches, festivals, concert venues, and on street corners throughout the world.
He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and currently resides in London, UK. He is online at www.mjwb.co.uk
Photo: Chadri Chinalai
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