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

  • May 10, 2025 - 2:00 PM EDT (UTC-4)

15 one-minute selections for Stas Venglevski

  • A Taste of Musette of Polka

    Bracha Bdil

    The work was written just to give a short taste of these traditional music style.

  • Une Minusclue Folia

    Karen Beaumont

    Karen Beaumont is a composer and organist who has toured internationally and recorded, both on the NAXOS label and for various publishers and composers. She produces radio shows for Riverwest Radio and teaches piano, organ, and theory.

  • Song of the River

    Ross James Carey

    Immediately prior to composing ‘Song of the River’ I had spent a few moments in contemplation by the river adjacent to our School of Music located in China’s central plains. Its presence is felt in the piece’s gentle feeling and quiet flow. Written for Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame with Stas Venglevski.

    Ross James Carey is a composer and professor at Sias University, China. From Aotearoa/New Zealand, his work combines quotation and cross-genre elements whilst looking at questions of place and identity. Recent works include Pendopo Dreaming for wind quintet, and a song cycle Chang’an Dreaming (poems by Margaret T. South).

  • May I pass?

    Ljibica Damcevic

    A composition reflecting the frustrations of public transport, blending real sounds like doors and sirens with the inner struggle of passenger thoughts. It highlights the rush of modern life and the overlooked patience required for simple acts, like waiting for a bus door to open.

    Ljubica Damčević obtained Master's Degree in violin at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. After completing her studies, she began theater career as a composer, violinist, singer, performer and actress. She was engaged with various theater groups. In addition to her pedagogical work, she performs classical, tango and

  • Milonga

    Stanley M. Hoffman

    Milonga is inspired by the music of Astor Piazzolla. (I’m starting to have more homages to him than I can count!) The first gesture in the Tango-like recurring melody recalls a favorite Tango, one that appears in my Fantasypiece for violoncello and bass, or orchestra. Yes, you read that right!

    Stanley M. Hoffman (b. 1959, Cleveland, Ohio) holds degrees in Music Composition from Brandeis University (PhD), New England Conservatory of Music (MM) and Boston Conservatory (BM). His music is published by ECS Publishing, Oxford University Press, and Fatrock Ink. Senior Editor at ECS Publishing Group 1998–2021. Freelance editor, composer.

  • Toccata Balcanica

    Nebojsa S. Macura

    This energetic piece is strongly influenced by the folk music traditions of the Balkan region in southeast Europe, in which the accordion plays a large part.

    Nebojsa S. Macura is a Serbian-American composer, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist residing in Wisconsin. He holds a DMA in composition from the University of Cincinnati. His works have been performed in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. He plays viola in the Middleton Community Orchestra and the folk band Karavay.

  • Lentedag

    Dominic McGonigal

    Stas is a virtuoso on the Bayan accordion, offering huge sonic possibilities. It is almost three instruments in one - bass, chords and treble. Lentedag is Dutch for spring, celebrating the joyous burst of life as the ground warms up and plants spring to life.

    Dominic McGonigal read music at Cambridge. He then combined a career in the music business with composing. His Ave Maris Stella Takes Flight won the Palimpsest Competition. His Cathedral Symphony premieres 7 July. His work described as "beautiful music", "great textures", "perfect sense of pacing".

  • Songlet

    Ryan Charles Ramer

    This piece is a simple,short song-- a "songlet", if you will. While it has no words, it is both happy and sad, with an intention to obscure regularity with the timr signature, to avoid complacency in the listener.

    Ryan Charles Ramer is a native of Medina Ohio, home of the state's largest historic district. He has been an active member of the Cleveland Composers Guild since 2012 and is currently the composer-in-resident at Cleveland Public Theatre. He has been composing since the 5th grade.

  • Before The Waves

    Ege Sayar

    -

    Ege Sayar, born in 1998, is a Turkish composer with diverse musical palette. Graduating with honors in composition with a talent grant from HKU Utrecht Conservatory(NL), he is currently pursuing his master's at Universität Mozarteum Salzburg(AT) with Sarah Nemtsov. His versatile compositions are often performed on different international occasions.

  • Formula 1

    Josh Schmidt

    "formula1" is the latest in a long line of 1 minute advetures for various instruments.

    Josh Schmidt is a composer/sound designer/musician based in Milwaukee. Josh has designed over 300 theatrical productions for companies including Lincoln Center, Atlantic Theatre, Roundabout, (NYC); Steppenwolf Theatre Company, (CHICAGO) and many others. Film credits include the upcoming release of THE END (Final Cut for Real/Neon).

  • The Frog’s Walk

    Volker Ignaz Schmidt

    the frog’s walk is the first number of a planned series of character pieces for bayan

    Volker Ignaz Schmidt (born 1971 in Germany) studied computer science although his passion is music. He has composed solo works, chamber music, vocal pieces, orchestral music, one opera, conceptual and electronic music. He has written piano textbooks and he worked in school projects on contemporary music.

  • Moths

    Jaz Thomasian

    moths fluttering by a cool breeze whispers softly shadows in the night

    Jaz Thomasian (they/them) is a Cleveland-based composer and sound artist. Their recent works include a percussion trio for amplified, handbuilt ceramic instruments and webcams; a solo for soprano saxophone and electronics; and a fully acoustic piece for large chamber ensemble.

  • Ground

    Willyn Whiting

    Ground (2024) is a short piece for accordion which takes advantage of the technique of the bellow shake. It's loosely inspired by the piece Bases (2000) by Russian composer Sergei Zagny.

    Willyn Whiting is a composer of acoustic, electronic and mixed music. His works have been performed/presented in Canada, the US, the UK, Germany, Italy and Taiwan. He is a Graduate of the University of North Texas, University of Western Ontario and University of Toronto.

  • Palm Branches

    Matthew Williamson

    The first in a series of sketchesfor solo Bayan based on poems by A.Blok. This one is a hymn to the beauty of the universe and to quiet moments of enlightenment when the miracle and beauty of God’s creations become overwhelming and one’s personal experiences (and pains) are given perspective.

    Matthew is from London, UK. His music has been performed by internationally acclaimed artists at venues including the Louvre in Paris.His music is a carefully-crafted cocktail of jazz, folk, and classical and contemporary traditions, that reflects the modern eclectic world we live in.

  • Bayan Barcarolle

    Andrew M. Wilson

    “Bayan Barcarolle” takes the traditional style of the Venetian boatmen’s song and gives it a few unsettling twists. The lilting six-eight metre of the original becomes a disturbing five in a bar, giving a hint of menace in the lagoon’s gentle ripples: adapted to the Bayan’s haunting sound.

    Andrew M. Wilson was born in 1960 and studied at London University. He is the Vice Principal of London’s National College of Music, and lives in Devon. His works are recorded, published and broadcast worldwide. He has won many international awards including an honorary doctorate from the Pestalozzi University, Florida.