Mie Miki's
S'il Vous Plaît is akin to the "favorite encores" collections that violinists put together. The brief selections here range from Baroque to contemporary works, classical and pop, most arranged or transcribed for the accordion, but a few written for
Miki's instrument. For those who like the accordion, it will be hard not to like at least one or two things she's chosen. The Baroque pieces, originally for harpsichord, are given more dimension and character because of the accordion's ability to sustain notes; she can make secondary melodies come out a little more than they would on the original instrument. That capability also makes it possible to perform
Brahms' chorale prelude Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen, originally for organ.
Miki makes it very touching, as she does
Ibert's "Le vieux mendiant" and
Piazzolla's La bicicleta blanca. Of course, the fun side of the accordion is there in pieces like the Novelty Polka of André Astier and
Joë Rossi,
Zez Confrey's Dizzy Fingers, and
John Zorn's Road Runner. In that last one,
Miki interprets
Zorn's improvisational guidelines as if the work were more of a musical stream-of-consciousness than a cartoon soundtrack. Things that might otherwise be sound effects blend in with the snippets of
Beethoven, tango, and other melodies. Even
Handel's Harmonious Blacksmith is frequently insouciant, not always remaining as dignified as its theme. The eclectric selections don't necessarily hold together as a recital program might, but it does give listeners a good idea of the range of the accordion and
Miki's talent, plus a peek into her personality and why she enjoys her instrument and playing music.