Stas Venglevski - bayan (free-bass accordion)

His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stanislav, "Stas," Venglevski, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the Bayan. A two-time first prize winner of Bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova, Stas is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed Russian Bayanist, Friedrich Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the United States.

Stas is an Accordionist, a Musician, an Arranger, an Entertainer and a Teacher. Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen and with Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Companion Show. Additionally, he has performed with symphony orchestras throughout the United States. He performed the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Anthony Galla-Rini and also the world premiere of Bayan and Beyond, composed for Stas by Dan Lawitts.

He is a regular participant the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra; has done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced 15 acclaimed albums including a transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for Bayan as well as one of original compositions. He has published several books of original compositions.

Stas founded Accordion XXI Century Series in 2010 so that the Midwest audiences can experience the amazing range of the Accordion and Bayan by bringing gifted artists from all over the world. In a concert setting, these gifted musicians share their skills and cultures to provide the audience with a unique musical experience. The performances feature the Accordion or Bayan in solo presentation and, when possible, in concert with other instruments.

The brilliant artistry and musical virtuosity of Stas afford an expanded dimension in music and an innovative musical adventure to the audience. Beyond his artistry he is a consummate entertainer capable of engaging any audience.

Concert Dates

  • June 4, 2023 - 2:00 PM EDT (UTC-4)

15 one-minute selections for Stas Venglevski

  • Autumn Miniature II

    Michalis Andronikou

    Autumn Miniature II was composed spontaneously for Stas Venglevski, and Vox Novus, on a cold day in November, in Calgary, AB, Canada.

    Michalis Andronikou is a composer and musicologist currently residing in Calgary, AB. He holds a PhD in composition and is interested primarily in acoustic chamber music.

  • Berüftes Duett für Zwei Piccoloflöten

    David Bohn

    David Bohn received degrees in composition from the University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the University of Illinois. He currently resides in West Allis, Wisconsin, and is the music coordinator at Peace Methodist Church in Brookfield. He is the President of the Wisconsin Alliance for Composers.

  • Micro-Gen

    Stephen de Filippo

    Micro-Gen is a short work that was composed using AI image generation. By providing choice terms to an algorithm, it then produced a series of shapes that hint at notation, but are still abstract. These images were then engraved, creating a work whose materials were generated through artificial intelligence.

    Stephen de Filippo is a composer from the regional South West of Western Australia. Working in both acoustic and electronic-acoustic domains, Stephen’s compositions centre on experimental performance practice, the intersection of kitsch and classical, and a notational style that utilises time durations as an alternative to conventional metre.

  • Bayan Weave #1

    John Kefala Kerr

    Bayan Weave #1 is part of a collection of musical fabrics I've composed for various instrumental groupings. Created in a manner analogous to the process of textile production, these interlaced miniatures commemorate my peasant heritage while also aiming to please, divert and amuse.

    John Kefala Kerr is a British-Greek composer, sound artist and writer. He has had work presented at festivals and venues in the UK, Europe, USA and Japan. John is currently Associate Artist at An Tobar and Mull Theatre in Scotland.

  • Anticipation & Participation

    Chihchun Chi-sun Lee

    “Anticipation & Participation” is written specifically in memory of the Georgia US Senate Runoff Election that took place on January 5, 2021. The importance of anticipation and participation resulted in a victory, in which both Democrat senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were successfully defeated Republican candidates. Initially “Anticipation & Participation” was written for harp, commissioned by Joseph Rebman and Georgia Runoff Commissioning Project. Later revised for Accordion.

    —Special thanks to the Ukrainian accordionist Roman Yusipey—

    Chihchun Chi-sun Lee received honors from Guggenheim Fellowship, Brandenburg Symphony Competition, IAWM’s Theodore Front Prize, ISCM/ League of Composers Competition, and commissions from BSO, Fromm Foundation, Barlow Endowment; NCAF, NSO, NCO (Taiwan); & National Orchestra of Korea. Her music has been performed in various international festivals and broadcasts worldwide.

  • In a minute

    Rosita Piritore

    'In a minute' for solo bayan is meant to exorcise the frenzy in which we live these days, where we often find ourselves running late and have to deal with deadlines “in a minute”.

    Rosita Piritore (Agrigento, 1996) is an Italian pianist and composer.

  • The Secrets You Keep

    Ryan Charles Ramer

    This piece was written to take advantage of the full range of Stan Venglevski's instrument. The piece is a slowly falling melodic line that goes from the top note at the beginning all the way down to the bottom note at the end.

    Ryan Charles Ramer is a composer from Cleveland Ohio whose compositional style lies at the intersection of Baroque, Romantic, and Modern. His output includes opera, chamber and choral music, orchestral work, hundreds of art songs, and countless pieces for keyboard (2-13 hands). He has many videos on Youtube.

  • Just before you say goodbye

    Cornelia Schmid

    After a concert tour of Stas in Switzerland “Just before you say goodbye” Part A: memories fill the soul while driving to the airport Part B: rush at the airport while check in Part C: melancholic moments before saying goodbye. Part D: the time to part

    My name is Cornelia Schmid. I’m a mother of four children and a farmer. Since the age of 11, I play accordion. I’m the president of AKKORDeMOTION in Switzerland. We organize concerts and internatioal music camps. I love to play accordion and sometimes to compose music.

  • The laughing clown

    David Unger

    The laughing clown is a virtuosic etude in ABA-form designed to excercise both hands equally, altering the same material between the hands in counterpoint with slight alterations.

    David Unger studied at Ingesund College of Music (Pedagogical institution) 2004-2008 and 2013, Gothenburg University (choral singing) 2007-2008 and Uppsala University (Baroque counterpoint) 2019. David works as a teacher in Classical singing, Composition and Music theory at Oskarshamns Folkhögskola in south eastern Sweden.

  • Last Breath of the Cerulean Sky

    Robert Voisey

    Thank you to Stas for motivating me to pick up a pen.

    Robert Voisey wrote a little music that got played a couple of places.

  • Notte stellata

    Anna Vriend

    "Notte stellata" (starry night) evokes the sensation felt when looking at a dark sky full of stars, without any airplanes or satellites.

    Anna Vriend won third prize in the VIII International Composition Competition Opus Ignotum (Czech Republic) with “Což ten slavíček”, a work for women’s choir and obligato flute. Her pieces “Windflow” (hichiriki) and “Bagatelle” (toypiano) were performed by Thomas Piercy and David Bohn respectively on Fifteen Minutes of Fame in 2022.

  • Past Waves

    Willyn Whiting

    Willyn Whiting (He/Him) is a Canadian composer of concert music who was born in 1993, in Winnipeg (MB). His compositional practice is often assisted (otherwise informed) by techniques of Spectral Analysis and Algorithmic Design. These techniques serve to conceal, disguise and explore the larger topic of Process.

  • Cathedral

    Matthew Williamson

    Above the mice in the crypt, the congregation misinterpret and manipulate sacred words and each other, but shards of stained-glass light distract their gaze upwards to be enthralled and inspired by the awesome creativity and craft of the cathedral's magnificent high vaulted ceiling.(For S.V. and his Petosa Cathedral Bayan.)

    Matthew Williamson is from London, England. He's been writing music as a hobby for over 20 years but is now looking to fulfil a dream and launch a professional career as a composer. His music has recently been performed at the Louvre, Paris. https://mwilliamson-composer.com/

  • Flying Elephants

    Yehuda Yannay

    Stas Venglevski and Yehuda Yannay are celebrating 30 years of professional and personal friendship this year. I simply asked Stas for a title for this miniature and he responded: "Flying Elephants." This is very appropriate for us, residents of Wisconsin, since the Barnum & Bailey Circus resided and was dismantled here after 148 years, and it's elephants were retired to live out the rest of their lives on a pasture in Florida.

    Yehuda Yannay is an American-Israeli composer, conductor, filmmaker, actor and a winner of international and national composition awards. He produced more than a 130 works that include music for orchestra, electronic, live electronic and synthesizer pieces, film, music-theater, and a long list of vocal and chamber music pieces.

  • "Little toccata in the Bulgarian rhythm."

    Yuriy Zhikrivetskiy

    A short piece based on the Bulgarian rhythm 3+2+3 and folk tunes.

    I was born and studied at the former USSR. Now I live in Ilinois.