Norbert Scholly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtuosic bluegrass music, dramatic Balkan sounds, sensitively plaid musettes and own compositions make the program. Humorously the duo celebrates joy, high spirits and melancholia.

Torta Mista

Nina Leonards on the gypsy violin and Norbert Scholly on the guitar present a treat of world music. The excellent playing of the studied musicians takes the listener on a journey from Africa via Turkey and Southern Europe. as far as the Balkans. Besides two virtuoso original compositions, there are also interpretations by Astor Piazzolla or Dave Brubeck. You should definitely try this "mixed cake.

La Strada dei Colori

A trip through the world on „La strada dei colori“, the street of colors. This global trip leads through the colorful music traditions of Balkan, Africa, Middle and South America and Europe. Tango, reels, polkas, folk dance performed with unusual instruments, partially idiosyncratically arranged, partially own compositions. The entire world’s music - played the Duo Topolino way.

Swiodeschka

This production presents virtuoso blue grass music, dramatic Balkan sounds, sensitively played musettes and original compositions. The duo humorously celebrates joy, high spirits and melancholy. Two musicians, two heart-felt desires – one album. Swiodeschka fulfils the long standing dream of two artists from different musical directions: to record a CD with music they would only rarely come across in their "normal working lives". Norbert Scholly, who plays various different guitars, is usually at home in the jazz world and is an established sideman performer on the scene, as well as recording his own albums. Nina Leonards studied classical violin and has accompanied Reinhard Mey, Manfred Leuchter and Louis Sclavis among others. They present a musical journey through numerous countries of the world. It includes the blue grass music of the southern states, but equally gypsy swing from Hungary, the Balkans and France. Sometimes traditional (Swiodeschka – sung in a Russian gypsy dialect, Angyalom – sung in Hungarian), sometimes conforming more to a jazz idiom (Round & Round, Sofia), they always present original arrangements for surprising moments. And things get really exciting when they mix the cultures together. El Choclo even creates a new style: "Bango", a combination of Balkan and Tango music. In El Amor en el Cielo, a hint of Spanish fervour is injected into the Balkan sound. The duo Topolino was founded in 2007. "The smallest possible combo is a great challenge for musicians, since it is a completely different form of collaboration and communication compared to a band," the Norbert Scholly explained. The CD Swiodeschka now presents the result of nearly three years of live performances, with a selection of pieces that have emerged as highlights during that period.
Guest: Nicolas Simion - Sax, Clarinet, Taragota

Rocktimes-Review, 18.08.2009: (...) With its CD "Swiodeschka" (little star) the duo has presented a totally convincing debut. I am already looking forward to its successor! And I do hope to be able to enjoy the two of them live one day...... Norbert Neugebauer

Sound and Image.de, August 09: (...) Together they dive into various culture areas, perform bluegrass, tango, musette, Russian folk, neo jazz or gipsy swing. Their portfolio is enormous and their enthusiasm for music will catch you. (...)

Saarbruecker Zeitung, 01.10.2009: (...) Their musical portfolio is amazingly diversified – merry bluegrass, brisk gipsy swing, performed the same convincing way as French musettes, swinging Balkan pop and Russian melancholia (…)

alh Folk Magazin, August 09, chose Duo Topolino’s Swiodeschka CD of the month. (…) All resistances are melting away, (…) when the three of them are playing folk dance. You should build a memorial for them. (…). Get the CD and it will get you.