When you start playing a certain instrument, it doesn’t open up to you entirely right away. It’s just like a good wine – the bouquet of taste unfolds gradually, surprising you with every flower it brings. Just like wine, music instruments are also to be properly savored with time.
I remember the old times, when what started with an indifferent playing of the “Shave and a Haircut” with years grew into a deepest passion for piano. As for the accordion, as a kid I used to perceive as the “old grandpas’ music instrument” and didn’t have much appreciation for it until not so long ago. But surprising how one’s attitude can change all of a sudden. In German accordion derives from the word ‘akkord’ which literally means “harmony”. And look how harmonious it does seem in fact!
I was surprised to find out that the US love has so much love for accordion. If it’s pretty clear with Russia’s historic love for it coming from the USSR times, with the US it’s a bit different. Today, there are even a few American cities that declared accordion as their ‘official music instrument’ (Ilinois, Detroit, Skokie).
The special charm of accordion to me is partly in its resemblance with the organ. Have you ever noticed how similar they sound? It’s amazing. Just like the organ, accordion mightily shakes the air and can easily teleport you into a huge concert hall if set your imagination free. Here’s a wonderful ‘street performance’ of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor on two accordions to make clear what I mean exactly. Isn’t it beautiful..
I remember the old times, when what started with an indifferent playing of the “Shave and a Haircut” with years grew into a deepest passion for piano. As for the accordion, as a kid I used to perceive as the “old grandpas’ music instrument” and didn’t have much appreciation for it until not so long ago. But surprising how one’s attitude can change all of a sudden. In German accordion derives from the word ‘akkord’ which literally means “harmony”. And look how harmonious it does seem in fact!
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| Accordionist by Michał Koralewski |
The special charm of accordion to me is partly in its resemblance with the organ. Have you ever noticed how similar they sound? It’s amazing. Just like the organ, accordion mightily shakes the air and can easily teleport you into a huge concert hall if set your imagination free. Here’s a wonderful ‘street performance’ of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor on two accordions to make clear what I mean exactly. Isn’t it beautiful..
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