Directory

Duo - Instrumental

Instrumentation

• Robert Anderson - Cello
• Igor Saienko - Accordion, Bandoneon

Repertoire

Example programme:

Arvo Pärt: Fratres

J. S. Bach: Viola da Gamba Sonata no 1

Graciane Finzi: Impression Tango

Olivier Messiaen: Louange à l'Éternité de Jésus

Astor Piazzolla: Le Grand Tango

Manuel de Falla: 7 Canciones Populares Españolas

Biography

Scottish cellist Robert Anderson and Ukrainian accordionist Igor Saienko first played together in an RSNO chamber music concert. With years of experience performing as chamber musicians across Europe, they offer diverse programmes in this highly portable configuration of cello and accordion!

Robert is principal cello (no. 2) of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, and a member of the cello section of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He is also a regular guest player with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Born and bred in Glasgow, he studied at the RSAMD, the Bremen Hochschule and the Menuhin Academy in Switzerland, and during his studies he won prizes including 1st prize and the audience prize at the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc String Quartet Competition, and the Bloch Prize for String Players from the Caird Trust. As a chamber musician he has performed at festivals such as Gstaad, Bach Lutry and Mendelssohn on Mull, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. His cello is by Tobias Gräter of Heidelberg.

Igor Saienko is a soloist of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine, and a regular jury member of national and international competitions including the annual “Trophée Mondial De L'accordéon”. He was born in 1983 in Galle, Germany, and moved to Ukraine at the age of two. In 2001, after the first year of studies at the National Music Academy of Ukraine, Igor was invited to play in the Rizol Button Accordion Quartet of the National Philharmonic society of Ukraine. In 2016-2019 he was an artistic director of the ensemble. He is co-founder of Kyiv Classic Accordion duo, who in 2019 made a video recording for the National Television of France, for the show "Au Bonheur de Nacre" devoted to accordion. Igor cooperates with leading national orchestras and ensembles of classic and contemporary music, and has been a guest artist at festivals in Poland, Lithuania, Italy, United Kingdom. Igor’s concerts include performances with button accordion, accordina and bandoneon.