Celia’s Samovar was written for the accordionist/bayan player, Stas Venglevski, in 2012. I was inspired by a relative’s beautiful silver samovar, which her family had brought to the US in the early 1900s when they emigrated from Russia. Her vivid stories of the dangerous journey her family undertook will always remain with me. The piece is a kind of fantasy incorporating several extended techniques for the player which Mr. Venglevski demonstrated to me. There are quasi improvisational sections as well.