Desert Island Music (revisited)

[Walker]

How time flies! It's been nearly three years since the 'Desert Island Music' thread. For a quick re-cap, see here:

https://www.accordionists.info/threads/desert-island-music.8975/

There were some really interesting posts back in 2022 about what 3 pieces of music you would try to learn if you were on a desert island for three years!

So, here's the follow-up thread...

In the last three years what three pieces of music did you discover that really made a big impression on you? What makes this music special to you?

Please share your thoughts... music has the power to inspire!

Walker.

 

[Tom]

Tough question. Gonna have to think about this one. Being alone on this island for three years has made me really discover my own music. Since I didn’t bring my book of sheet music everything has become sort of a mishmash. I’m one of those musicians who doesn’t really listen to a lot of music for fun. Mostly what Dingo posts on here. Something must have inspired me…..

 

[Walker]

Ok Tom, I'll go first...

Fairly recently I discovered a book called Henry Purcell, Complete Harpsichord Music, Book 2 (Edited by C. Kite). Looking through the tunes, what I found was some absolute zingers! Man, I mean this guy, Henry Purcell (1659 to 1695) must've been a superstar in his day, because what we wrote was fantastic and ahead of it's time! This book is not a page-turner - because it's jam packed with brilliant tunes that are relatively simple and accessible for a free bass accordionist. Every time I try to turn the page to something new, I can't because the last piece was so good...

Purcell's music is so underplayed by accordionists but is really fresh and interesting.

If I had to pick some tunes that I play, I might narrow them down to these three:

'Hornpipe' in Bb major is absolutely beautiful. Here is a pleasant rendition by Penny Sanborn:



'A New Scotch Tune' - an old tune with a Scottish vibe and good practice for ornamentation:



'A New Ground' - very stylish bass line and right hand harmonies. Purcell was 'breaking new ground' with all of his great Grounds...

 

[Tom]

That’s some cool music right there. So much music so little time. I still have some kitchen tunes to work through. Even free bass. I’m still focused on “2 -3 hours mostly memorized” starting next Tuesday. I’m a fricken’ broken record. Maybe I should make one of these for doing my harmony…

 

[Tom]

Yeah, I posted the list last week. I start again next Tuesday. I’ll be so glad to finally get on it once again, although by August I’ll be sick of it….. I like playing all of them!!!!

Amore Mio non Piangere/Beautiful Dreamer
Angelina Baker/Old Joe Clark
Apples Peaches, Pumpkin Pie/Carnevale di Venezia
Arkansas Traveler/Turkey in the Straw
Ash Grove/Paul paa Haugen
Camptown Races/Little Brown Jug
Cindy/Yellow Rose of Texas
Cripple Creek/I'se the B'y
Jambalaya/Saints Go Marching
Julida Polka/Just Because
Kesh Jig/Swallowtail Jig
Piemontesina Bella/Serenata Aviglianese
Rose of San Antone/Red Wing Polka
Rosabella del Molise/Reginella Campagnola
St. Anne's Reel/Tavern in the Town
Southwind/Tennessee Waltz
You Are My Sunshine

Didn’t do Train to Vercelli. Needs more work to get it to my own version of the Tarantella.

 

[Tom]

All right, if I can only play three of these let’s go with…

Apples Peaches, Serenata Aviglianese, Red Wing.

A couple polkas and a dance in three.

 

[Walker]

Serenata Aviglianese is really nice played on organetto and tambourine. The old Italian folk styles are super cool.

I'm sure there's lots of great Wisconsin music too, especially the sweet hum of a well crafted Ariens Zero Turn mower.

 

[Ventura]

How time flies! It's been nearly three years since the 'Desert Island Music' thread. For a quick re-cap, see here:

https://www.accordionists.info/threads/desert-island-music.8975/

on a desert island

dear Sir,

before i answer, am i permitted a 110 Volt AC source
and a life-raft full of my MIDI equipment and a battery charger ?

my kind of shipwrecked on an island is like the one in Huey Lewis'
video "Stuck with You"

and it doesn't say "alone" on the island specifically, so is it legal
if Penny Lane just happens to sail with me the fateful day of the shipwreck ?

i need my Muse

 

[Tom]

Serenata Aviglianese is really nice played on organetto and tambourine. The old Italian folk styles are super cool.

I'm sure there's lots of great Wisconsin music too, especially the sweet hum of a well crafted Ariens Zero Turn mower.

Yeah, lots of polkas from Milwaukee, etc. and I am sure the concertina players wrote a lot of their repertoire. I’m not that up on it though. Most of the old time seems directly German or Scandinavian.

 

[Tom]

Serenata Aviglianese is really nice played on organetto and tambourine. The old Italian folk styles are super cool.

I'm sure there's lots of great Wisconsin music too, especially the sweet hum of a well crafted Ariens Zero Turn mower.

I have played Serenata Aviglianese on organetto and it goes well. I haven’t found other tunes quite like it. I don’t remember where I found it, possibly a random YouTube, possibly a sheet music collection. I always pair it with a tune I wrote, Connie’s waltz, that I named after my friend from whom I got the Hohner Corona.

 

[Ventura]

so i liked the question, the thought it provokes, just
in a bit of a different way than perhaps intended.
The classical, the Bach, how to arrange these amazing pieces
of Music and learn them on an accordion is more where
you are coming from ? and those ethnic and ancient pieces
from the heritage and history of your people and ways
and places ? and i do appreciate those and quite admit
it is beyond me as a Pop oriented musician but i appreciate
what it takes for you all to attempt them

but i DO understand and share the concept of anthemic music:
songs that are simply on an astounding level over and above,
and that almost REQUIRE the dedication of being stranded
on a desert island with immense amounts of time at hand
and nothing but the gentle rustling of the palm trees and
ocean breakers to distract one from their work..

..in that vein i can offer a few choices.. partly because
they have already been on my mind as i am now retired
and have severely limited the gigs i accept, and feeling my
own Mortality.. Well i find myself more and more mulling
over "the ones that got away"

here is what i mean.. i have always taken my shots at impossible
"anthems" and songs in the privacy of my soundproof studio and
in band practice with friends after the days work was finished.
Thoroughly enjoying playing these songs that i am a rabid fan of.

so there is not just Black Magic Woman but the entire side
of the album without pause, Days of Future Past, the amazing
"Big Country" arrangement from Arthur Fiedler and such

as years went on and technology improved and i got my
hands on stuff some of these i WAS able to do and perform
live and in a credible way.. the Wah function on my Cordovox
allowed me to pull off Tuesday Afternoon using the pedal as
a variable frequency filter.. the FR7 allowed me to not only
do the violin "Pluck" part, but David La Flamme's improv as well
for White Bird, and the 960 was responsive enough to allow
me to finally, confidently, pull off the entire "an American in Paris"
and yes, i even managed to take the entire side of the album live
that Carlos and Greg blew my mind with back in 1970
"Black Magic Woman"

as a Pop player, as an accordionist, figuring out a way to
"pull off" a credible, performable arrangement of these
seemingly impossible for this instrument songs has always
been the heart of the matter

so to answer the question finally, yes i have a couple elusive
lifelong elusive anthems that i am still dreaming about trying to
figure out to this day a way to perform them live..
that if i were on a desert island.. i dare to dream..

Layla

Kashmir

 

[Tom]

so i liked the question, the thought it provokes, just
in a bit of a different way than perhaps intended.
The classical, the Bach, how to arrange these amazing pieces
of Music and learn them on an accordion is more where
you are coming from ? and those ethnic and ancient pieces
from the heritage and history of your people and ways
and places ? and i do appreciate those and quite admit
it is beyond me as a Pop oriented musician but i appreciate
what it takes for you all to attempt them

but i DO understand and share the concept of anthemic music:
songs that are simply on an astounding level over and above,
and that almost REQUIRE the dedication of being stranded
on a desert island with immense amounts of time at hand
and nothing but the gentle rustling of the palm trees and
ocean breakers to distract one from their work..

..in that vein i can offer a few choices.. partly because
they have already been on my mind as i am now retired
and have severely limited the gigs i accept, and feeling my
own Mortality.. Well i find myself more and more mulling
over "the ones that got away"

here is what i mean.. i have always taken my shots at impossible
"anthems" and songs in the privacy of my soundproof studio and
in band practice with friends after the days work was finished.
Thoroughly enjoying playing these songs that i am a rabid fan of.

so there is not just Black Magic Woman but the entire side
of the album without pause, Days of Future Past, the amazing
"Big Country" arrangement from Arthur Fiedler and such

as years went on and technology improved and i got my
hands on stuff some of these i WAS able to do and perform
live and in a credible way.. the Wah function on my Cordovox
allowed me to pull off Tuesday Afternoon using the pedal as
a variable frequency filter.. the FR7 allowed me to not only
do the violin "Pluck" part, but David La Flamme's improv as well
for White Bird, and the 960 was responsive enough to allow
me to finally, confidently, pull off the entire "an American in Paris"
and yes, i even managed to take the entire side of the album live
that Carlos and Greg blew my mind with back in 1970
"Black Magic Woman"

as a Pop player, as an accordionist, figuring out a way to
"pull off" a credible, performable arrangement of these
seemingly impossible for this instrument songs has always
been the heart of the matter

so to answer the question finally, yes i have a couple elusive
lifelong elusive anthems that i am still dreaming about trying to
figure out to this day a way to perform them live..
that if i were on a desert island.. i dare to dream..

Layla

Kashmir

You’re an inspation Ventura. Being limited to a Fr4x I could never think of approaching those great pop songs. It always seems just lame to play the vocal line on some accordion or orchestral voice. I applaud your ingenuity.

 

[Walker]

Y'know @Ventura, thanks for taking the time to respond so thoughtfully. I've said this before but, its true, you have a way with words!

I guess the crux of what fascinated me most about the original 'Desert Island Music' thread was the overarching theme of; what music would you really love to play if you had the time to work on it. There were so many enthusiastic responses to that original thread and I guess I thought, maybe, just maybe, some folk might have learned that special piece that they wrote about (and maybe even recorded it). The truth to tell is that we only have a limited time during our lives to achieve the things that we would love to achieve... and music is special, it's a gift to 'have' music.

Perhaps we just love the 'idea' of learning that special piece, more than stopping and saying, 'hey, I need to give this a go, today' - fight that uphill battle, why not? Maybe win or maybe loose... was the tune just too tough? perhaps, but to give that special tune a go - that's the real victory.​

So, here's another question... Has anyone got an idea for a music project that they plan to undertake soon? Maybe share the idea... How are you going to tackle it? Would be great to hear all about it.

 

[Tom]

Y'know @Ventura, thanks for taking the time to respond so thoughtfully. I've said this before but, its true, you have a way with words!

I guess the crux of what fascinated me most about the original 'Desert Island Music' thread was the overarching theme of; what music would you really love to play if you had the time to work on it. There were so many enthusiastic responses to that original thread and I guess I thought, maybe, just maybe, some folk might have learned that special piece that they wrote about (and maybe even recorded it). The truth to tell is that we only have a limited time during our lives to achieve the things that we would love to achieve... and music is special, it's a gift to 'have' music.

Perhaps we just love the 'idea' of learning that special piece, more than stopping and saying, 'hey, I need to give this a go, today' - fight that uphill battle, why not? Maybe win or maybe loose... was the tune just too tough? perhaps, but to give that special tune a go - that's the real victory.​

So, here's another question... Has anyone got an idea for a music project that they plan to undertake soon? Maybe share the idea... How are you going to tackle it? Would be great to hear all about it.

Ok, you’re talking about what we would like to learn. I have been talking a couple of years about getting away from the US “accordion industrial complex” (old time and world) and embarking on a new journey. I need to start playing again in 4 days. I’m playing a lot of new stuff, but not a wholesale change in repertoire direction. Let’s say I wanted to do 2 hours of Arrigo Tomasi jazz. I would have to start today to get that done by a year from now. Same with a show of free bass Bach. I’m pretty slow. Either of these directions would be pleasurable though. Or singing.

 

[JerryPH]

In the last three years what three pieces of music did you discover that really made a big impression on you? What makes this music special to you?

Hmm... 3 pieces that inspired me? That is not easy!

- Joseph Hayden's Sonata No 50 in D-major Hob. XVI:37 - Allegro Con Brio
- Domenico Scarlatti;s sonata k 74 L94
- Le Coucou by Claude Daquin

What makes them special to me? Well, they are all very technical, all are playable on Free Bass, and all have strong flowing melodies that move me. I can only dream and perhaps aspire to play at that level one day, and ANY time I hear these pieces, they make me want to pick up my accordion... and play!

 

[murathan]

I take this as "your 3 favorite pieces"

- Hava Nagila. I never got bored from it (since 12 years yet)
- Hatırla Sevgili. The Turkish best song on accordion.
- Shostakovich second waltz. People never got bored from it.

Additional:
- Besame Mucho
- Most of Klezmer music.
- Nasıl Geçti Habersiz. Another Turkish classic.
- La Cumparsita and additional 2 Turkish Tangos (Sevdim bir genç kadını, papatya gibisin) "I loved a young woman, you are like a chamomile" . A 3 set.
- Muzyk Nocy (Cygansky Tamburyn) "Night music" A famous Polish folk song.
- Sous Le Ciel De Paris
- Most of Russian folk music. Kalinka, Katyusha etc.

In the last 3 years:
- Some medieval pieces. Cantiga 119, Bear Dance, Schiarazula Marazula, Branle Des Chevaux, Ai Vist Lo Lop.
- English and Scottish reels and jigs.
- Davy Davy Knick Knack
- Noianeitsi (from Estonia)

 

[Walker]

Hmm... 3 pieces that inspired me? That is not easy!

- Joseph Hayden's Sonata No 50 in D-major Hob. XVI:37 - Allegro Con Brio
- Domenico Scarlatti;s sonata k 74 L94
- Le Coucou by Claude Daquin

What makes them special to me? Well, they are all very technical, all are playable on Free Bass, and all have strong flowing melodies that move me. I can only dream and perhaps aspire to play at that level one day, and ANY time I hear these pieces, they make me want to pick up my accordion... and play!

Those are excellent choices, I can see why you would want to learn them - they are technical, but not over-complicated.

When it comes to finding the right balance in music I tend to look for tunes that are interesting enough harmonically to have colour and flow, but simple in melody, to retain a graceful line. I think that's why I have been drawn towards Purcell's keyboard music. I've learned a few of his pieces already and I might start making recordings of them soon. The biggest learning experience I've had is to apply the great variety of ornament types, which can have a significant impact on the piece. Baroque ornaments are an art form in themselves. Also, Purcell's lighter keyboard music has something 'haunting' about it - a characteristic that I also see in great traditional Scottish composers music, especially James Scott Skinner.​

 

[Walker]

I take this as "your 3 favorite pieces"

- Hava Nagila. I never got bored from it (since 12 years yet)
- Hatırla Sevgili. The Turkish best song on accordion.
- Shostakovich second waltz. People never got bored from it.

Additional:
- Besame Mucho
- Most of Klezmer music.
- Nasıl Geçti Habersiz. Another Turkish classic.
- La Cumparsita and additional 2 Turkish Tangos (Sevdim bir genç kadını, papatya gibisin) "I loved a young woman, you are like a chamomile" . A 3 set.
- Muzyk Nocy (Cygansky Tamburyn) "Night music" A famous Polish folk song.
- Sous Le Ciel De Paris
- Most of Russian folk music. Kalinka, Katyusha etc.

In the last 3 years:
- Some medieval pieces. Cantiga 119, Bear Dance, Schiarazula Marazula, Branle Des Chevaux, Ai Vist Lo Lop.
- English and Scottish reels and jigs.
- Davy Davy Knick Knack
- Noianeitsi (from Estonia)

Wow @murathan... What are you planning on learning next?

 

[Tom]

I take this as "your 3 favorite pieces"

- Hava Nagila. I never got bored from it (since 12 years yet)
- Hatırla Sevgili. The Turkish best song on accordion.
- Shostakovich second waltz. People never got bored from it.

Additional:
- Besame Mucho
- Most of Klezmer music.
- Nasıl Geçti Habersiz. Another Turkish classic.
- La Cumparsita and additional 2 Turkish Tangos (Sevdim bir genç kadını, papatya gibisin) "I loved a young woman, you are like a chamomile" . A 3 set.
- Muzyk Nocy (Cygansky Tamburyn) "Night music" A famous Polish folk song.
- Sous Le Ciel De Paris
- Most of Russian folk music. Kalinka, Katyusha etc.

In the last 3 years:
- Some medieval pieces. Cantiga 119, Bear Dance, Schiarazula Marazula, Branle Des Chevaux, Ai Vist Lo Lop.
- English and Scottish reels and jigs.
- Davy Davy Knick Knack
- Noianeitsi (from Estonia)

“I loved a young woman, you are like a chamomile.” Wow, what a great lyric, I love it. Thanks Murathan!

 

[JerryPH]

So, here's another question... Has anyone got an idea for a music project that they plan to undertake soon? Maybe share the idea... How are you going to tackle it? Would be great to hear all about it.​

Yes.



















lol... kidding. Gotta love the people that answer the single word "yes" to the "coffee, tea or milk?" style questions.

Without giving much away, my next project is going to be on the Petosa acoustic, a standard, then a digital piece on the 8X, again a standard, then perhaps a simpler free bass song (likely on the Morino, the Gola is going to come later, but it is coming), so thats the plan.

One day I may pull out and try one of the "songs for a desert island". Hopefully retirement is going to give me lower stress and more time to play.

The process is the same generally speaking... practice, try to memorize, but not feeling pressure to do so, record in one take and work on the audio and video in post.

I will admit that I've been working on further refining and touching up my video creation process, so that should be slightly improved again... but I am ready to admit that it is now getting into the realm of ridiculously over complex, but that's how I like it, apparently... lol