Bored with a career in banking Paul Chamberlain tried to learn the classical accordion at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland but it took them two years to take him on with this relatively new instrument, the classical accordion. Now he is an acclaimed accordionist on the international scene and with a recording to his name. He told me that his £18,000 accordion went back to its maker in northern Italy for fine tuning before he recorded his recent solo album 'Accordion Sensations'.
In his recital he played six works from several countries and several centuries - all quite fascinating and spell binding. On his right hand side was the piano keyboard somewhat modified and with an extra two rows, on his left he played the accompaniment. And all the time squeezing the box in and out. But there was more. He asked if we wondered why he used his chin at the top of the instrument. There, he said, he had some switches to further alter his options.
Paul told us of the influence of Russia. He played us works by both Aram Khachaturian and Vladislav Zolotariev and then from one of the great exponents of the instrument, Franck Angelis's Romance. We heard Scarlatti and Carl Maria von Weber - but also music from the Argentinian Astor Piazzolla.
Paul's undoubted enthusiasm was engaging and it went towards giving us a treat of a recital.
Recital: 5th August 2014 at 3pm. To be repeated on 9th August 2014 at 3pm. £8.00 (£6.00)