Button accordion or piano accordion

[saundersbp]

However, regarding actual music... I personally think writing for the accordion should take into account the different types of accordion, and work within appropriate parameters so that music is playable on any system. I think it is quite common practice now to see adaptations within scores to open the music to all systems. Recognition and respect for different types of accordion is a good thing in my opinion.

The accordion composer Gorka Hermosa (who is a chromatic button accordionist) recently wrote a piece Meditatio, that received its world premier by Grayson Masefield - who not only plays a piano accordion, but with quint free bass. This is the sort of respectful and inclusive nature of writing that I find refreshing. I think it is good to appreciate the differences in accordions within a single family of instruments...​

Diversity, equality and inclusion ;-)

Seriously though, since getting a little obsessed with the music of Vladislav Zolotaryov, I've found a lot of the composing of music must have been done on a CBA as the progressions are so natural and fall under the fingers. I've also tried playing them on a piano and they are much harder!

BTW, this guy is great. I haven't really played 'real' classical accordion music before, just transcriptions, mistakenly dismissing the repertoire as either second rate or so untuneful/incoherent/pretentious that no one in their right mind would want to listen to it. This guy died young, but he is absolutely first rate.

 

[Walker]

Seriously though, since getting a little obsessed with the music of Vladislav Zolotaryov, I've found a lot of the composing of music must have been done on a CBA as the progressions are so natural and fall under the fingers. I've also tried playing them on a piano and they are much harder!

BTW, this guy is great. I haven't really played 'real' classical accordion music before, just transcriptions, mistakenly dismissing the repertoire as either second rate or so untuneful/incoherent/pretentious that no one in their right mind would want to listen to it. This guy died young, but he is absolutely first rate.

I've listened to his music over the years... some excellent pieces and not too abstract either. Zolotaryov was a great composer for bayan. I used to love the piece Monastery of Ferapont played by the bayanist Oleg Sharov. I met him once when I was just a kid!



I also find I really enjoy playing old-time waltzes (in a vaguely North American style) on button accordion. I hope to find a five-row CBA so I can keep at it. Folk music and buttons seem quite natural to me.

 

[saundersbp]

I've listened to his music over the years... some excellent pieces and not too abstract either

This is my favourite at the moment and a lot of strad bass too!

 

[JerryPH]

This is my favourite at the moment and a lot of strad bass too!

So gentle but powerful at the same time.

 

[saundersbp]

I used to love the piece Monastery of Ferapont played by the bayanist Oleg Sharov. I met him once when I was just a kid!

I've just dug out the music to this one too. It's pleasantly surprised me as it's a rare piece that is easier to play than it sounds, on buttons at least. I'd say it's about as easy as the boys from blue hill! Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[Walker]

It's pleasantly surprised me as it's a rare piece that is easier to play than it sounds, on buttons at least.

No bother, you would have found it sooner or later. There is lots of nice music out there.

In the last few years I have looked more towards renaissance, baroque, romantic and also some contemporary composers from Italy, France, Denmark, USA etc. rather than modern Russian composers, because I just enjoy their musical characteristics more. I also seek out two particular types of "classical accordion" - the C system button accordion (C both sides) or the Quint system PA. These two variants "speak to me". Nothing wrong with any other systems - I just like the way the RH & LH combine on these particular systems more than any others.

So, back to the original question...

I was listening to a video of an Italian accordion student called Giuseppe De Nitto who plays piano accordion. I like the way he plays Scarlatti:



Can I just ask anyone - if you listen to the music, would the music sound much different if played by a button accordionist? Could you tell if it was a PA or CBA if you never got the visuals?​

 

[dak]

No bother, you would have found it sooner or later. There is lots of nice music out there.

In the last few years I have looked more towards renaissance, baroque, romantic and also some contemporary composers from Italy, France, Denmark, USA etc. rather than modern Russian composers, because I just enjoy their musical characteristics more. I also seek out two particular types of "classical accordion" - the C system button accordion (C both sides) or the Quint system PA. These two variants "speak to me". Nothing wrong with any other systems - I just like the way the RH & LH combine on these particular systems more than any others.

So, back to the original question...

I was listening to a video of an Italian accordion student called Giuseppe De Nitto who plays piano accordion. I like the way he plays Scarlatti:



Can I just ask anyone - if you listen to the music, would the music sound much different if played by a button accordionist? Could you tell if it was a PA or CBA if you never got the visuals?​

Ok, that's stupid, but pretty much in the beginning there is so much fingernail on keytop noise (like in the trill endings) that doesn't have a similar sound on CBA that this gives it away. Probably not what you've been thinking of but quite conspicuous.

 

[saundersbp]

Could you tell if it was a PA or CBA if you never got the visuals?

With the Russian music I am exploring at the moment, yes. Lack of legato and flow when I listen to piano accordion efforts desperately trying to stretch crazy distances ...

 

[Walker]

With the Russian music I am exploring at the moment, yes. Lack of legato and flow when I listen to piano accordion efforts desperately trying to stretch crazy distances ...

horses for courses...

 

[saundersbp]

horses for courses...

The right tools for the right job...

 

[Tom]

No bother, you would have found it sooner or later. There is lots of nice music out there.

In the last few years I have looked more towards renaissance, baroque, romantic and also some contemporary composers from Italy, France, Denmark, USA etc. rather than modern Russian composers, because I just enjoy their musical characteristics more. I also seek out two particular types of "classical accordion" - the C system button accordion (C both sides) or the Quint system PA. These two variants "speak to me". Nothing wrong with any other systems - I just like the way the RH & LH combine on these particular systems more than any others.

So, back to the original question...

I was listening to a video of an Italian accordion student called Giuseppe De Nitto who plays piano accordion. I like the way he plays Scarlatti:



Can I just ask anyone - if you listen to the music, would the music sound much different if played by a button accordionist? Could you tell if it was a PA or CBA if you never got the visuals?​

I like his playing, thanks. No, I would not be able to tell if it were PA or CBA. But, to be honest, it would not occur to me to listen for such. As Popeye would say, “I knows what I knows and I likes what I likes (but please don’t make me explain why or think too hard).”

 

[Walker]

I like his playing, thanks. No, I would not be able to tell if it were PA or CBA. But, to be honest, it would not occur to me to listen for such. As Popeye would say, “I knows what I knows and I likes what I likes (but please don’t make me explain why or think too hard).”

Hi Tom. I've tried listening to the Scarlatti with no visuals. I would not have been able to tell if it were a button accordionist or a piano accordionist playing (if I didn't know already).

However, what I would have been able to tell is:

1. I really like this type of music on the accordion - certainly more than most of the newer classical/contemporary music written for accordion.
2. It's a wonderfully skilled accordionist playing subtle and beautifully balanced music.
3. It sounds like a good Italian accordion (definitely not Russian in character).
4. It's an instrument of great capability.​

 

[saundersbp]

Zolotaryov was a great composer for bayan. I used to love the piece Monastery of Ferapont played by the bayanist Oleg Sharov. I

I've had a go at this one - great piece. You can really see the dark forests that go on forever around the monastery and hear the bells!

 

[Walker]

I've had a go at this one - great piece. You can really see the dark forests that go on forever around the monastery and hear the bells!

The piece beckons you to sit at the back on a highly varnished (and slightly creaky) pew... and just be still, leaving the sound waves to do their thing. The pulse of the music hinting for your quiet contemplation. All the while the Cathedral space subtly softens and amplifies the accordion's voice. In a age where everyone and their dog seeks to be "impressed" by technical feats, there is greater need than ever to find peace and calm. Good work Ben.​

 

[saundersbp]

In a age where everyone and their dog seeks to be "impressed" by technical feats, there is greater need than ever to find peace and calm. Good work Ben

That's very kind of you. I wouldn't have known the piece of you hadn't mentioned it! It's a good one to learn to use the bellows for phrasing as the hands are nice and repetitive so you can concentrate on more important musical things than just the right notes.