Power Play

Andreas Borregaard, accordion

Laura Bowler & Sam Redway: POWER PLAY (2024) Irish Premiere
Philip Venables/Ted Huffman: My favourite piece is the Goldberg Variations (2021) Irish Premiere

Danish accordionist Andreas Borregaard presents two new works written for him as part of his ongoing exploration of the contemporary music performer. 

Programme note POWER PLAY:
A playful yet confronting examination of class, money and power drawing on the traditions of commedia del arte. Andreas Borregard as Zanni finds himself in a space of almost no control, no worth and desperation. He is confronted by a voice of power presenting as human.  

Programme note My favourite piece is the Goldberg Variations: 
My favourite piece is the Goldberg Variations is based on interviews with Susanne Borregaard (mother of accordionist Andreas Borregaard) conducted during the summer lockdown of 2020. 

Andreas approached me about writing a piece involving extended performativity beyond simply playing the accordion. I was drawn to the idea of the accordionist as storyteller, almost in the troubadour sense. We met with writer Ted Huffman in Berlin to speak about Andreas’ own life and work, which in turn led to interviews with his mother over Skype. 

My work with Ted often uses verbatim text and this piece continues our exploration of queer histories. From this interview material, we formed twelve snapshots of a life over seven decades. 

The piece is dedicated to Susanne Borregaard with great appreciation for her contribution.

Presented by New Music Dublin 
Sponsored by RTE/NCH/Arts Council Ireland