Iñaki Alberdi: “I have always tried to develop a sense of appreciation as a close way of communicating with the audience.”

At what age did you discover the vocation for the music?

Although I was greatly influenced because there had always been music at home and I had taken music theory lessons since I was 7, I took it as a way of life, without questioning myself much about it. But it was at 14 when I discovered the music as my calling; it was after meeting Carlos Iturralde, my teacher.

Why the accordion? Is it part of a family tradition?

Yes, my grandfather also used to play the accordion. The music itself has been passed down; my parents linked me to it unintentionally.

What is your rehearsal schedule?

I find it a bit bold to say that I dedicate a set amount of hours to it. But yes, I try to distribute my time mainly in research, almost as it were a working day. Then, the lessons I give twice a week at the Music High School in Catalonia and in the Music High Centre in The Basque Country come on are on my list of to-do’s. Finally, I use the rest of my free time for concerts.

What is your connection with Astor Piazzola’s work?

All the accordionists are connected with his work. Paradoxically, his music is written for the “bandoneón” (a type of accordion). But the contemporary accordion bears much more resemblance to the “bandoneón”. Personally,I am connected to it as I took part in a quintet which was composed of his work two or three years ago.

What is your last recording “Música de Cámara Actual” based on?

It’s based on some young composers, four of them being Basque. What they all have in common is that they are part of the 60’s generation. Indifferently from the style of each one (which is different) they are all connected by the great quality of their works. Because of geographical reasons, Gabriel Erkoreka, Ramos Lazkano and Zuriñe Gerenebarrena have always been near to me, working together, and that has made this work possible.

The musicians that accompany you: Miguel Ituarte, David Apellániz, Josetxo Silguero and Pilar Jurado…

With the exception of Pilar Jurado, all of them are Basque. Moreover, they all are a great reference in the field of the music on a state level.

Who collaborated with you to make this idea turn into a reality?

It would have been impossible to do anything without the Basque Government. The support I received from the Culture Department was very important. Other supportive groups were the AKoncert S.L company, which organized all my concerts, and the record label “Verso.”

Do you recognize any special characteristic in the music of the contemporary chamber music of The Basque Country?

Yes, there are some distinctive features. When you experience some critical moments, the situation itself makes peculiar artistic movements come up. This has created artists with different styles but with a deep sense of art. None of the three Basque musicians, whose works are on the record, can be describedas superficial musicians and this depth is thanks to the environment.

Iñaki Alberdi web site