Marion Jacobson
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252036750
- eISBN:
- 9780252093852
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252036750.003.0002
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music
This chapter introduces the piano accordion and explains its modern evolution from earlier free-reed instruments. It explores the development of the modern piano accordion through a look at its ...
More
This chapter introduces the piano accordion and explains its modern evolution from earlier free-reed instruments. It explores the development of the modern piano accordion through a look at its European roots, then provides a discussion of its evolution as a uniquely American instrument, setting the stage for discussions of the accordion's emerging social capital—its capacity to express social status and power, and what accounted for its increasingly visible role in popular culture. Finally, this chapter sheds light on vaudeville star Guido Deiro's (1886–1951) pioneering role as a popular culture figure and his significant role in cementing a place for the accordion in American musical culture.Less
This chapter introduces the piano accordion and explains its modern evolution from earlier free-reed instruments. It explores the development of the modern piano accordion through a look at its European roots, then provides a discussion of its evolution as a uniquely American instrument, setting the stage for discussions of the accordion's emerging social capital—its capacity to express social status and power, and what accounted for its increasingly visible role in popular culture. Finally, this chapter sheds light on vaudeville star Guido Deiro's (1886–1951) pioneering role as a popular culture figure and his significant role in cementing a place for the accordion in American musical culture.
Marion Jacobson
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252036750
- eISBN:
- 9780252093852
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252036750.003.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music
This introductory chapter discusses the cultural and historical significance of the accordion as an instrument and as a musical movement. It considers how accordionists and bands with accordions ...
More
This introductory chapter discusses the cultural and historical significance of the accordion as an instrument and as a musical movement. It considers how accordionists and bands with accordions symbolized an appealing and popular manifestation of alternative musical cultures in the postpunk area. Here, the chapter delves into the author's own experiences with the accordion movement, before turning to a brief historical analysis of the history and documentation of musical instruments as tools for making culture. In addition, the chapter provides an overview of the particular instrument under study—the piano accordion. It is a chromatic, bellows-driven, free-reed instrument that produces multiple chord tones with buttons on the left side manual and a piano keyboard on the right.Less
This introductory chapter discusses the cultural and historical significance of the accordion as an instrument and as a musical movement. It considers how accordionists and bands with accordions symbolized an appealing and popular manifestation of alternative musical cultures in the postpunk area. Here, the chapter delves into the author's own experiences with the accordion movement, before turning to a brief historical analysis of the history and documentation of musical instruments as tools for making culture. In addition, the chapter provides an overview of the particular instrument under study—the piano accordion. It is a chromatic, bellows-driven, free-reed instrument that produces multiple chord tones with buttons on the left side manual and a piano keyboard on the right.
Marion S. Jacobson
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252037207
- eISBN:
- 9780252094323
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252037207.003.0015
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music
This chapter focuses on the work of contemporary composer and accordionist William Schimmel and his experimental use of the piano accordion. Schimmel's somewhat odd choice of instrument—which is not ...
More
This chapter focuses on the work of contemporary composer and accordionist William Schimmel and his experimental use of the piano accordion. Schimmel's somewhat odd choice of instrument—which is not an accepted “concert instrument,” from the music academy's point of view—unshackles him from some classic compositional constraints, giving him the freedom to explore the piano accordion's unique tonalities and textures. Schimmel's interpretations not only give a new voice to classic works but release meanings hitherto concealed by strict adherence to the musical score. By opening up new possibilities for the potential of the accordion to signify “avant-garde,” Schimmel clearly walks on new shores.Less
This chapter focuses on the work of contemporary composer and accordionist William Schimmel and his experimental use of the piano accordion. Schimmel's somewhat odd choice of instrument—which is not an accepted “concert instrument,” from the music academy's point of view—unshackles him from some classic compositional constraints, giving him the freedom to explore the piano accordion's unique tonalities and textures. Schimmel's interpretations not only give a new voice to classic works but release meanings hitherto concealed by strict adherence to the musical score. By opening up new possibilities for the potential of the accordion to signify “avant-garde,” Schimmel clearly walks on new shores.
Helena Simonett (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252037207
- eISBN:
- 9780252094323
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252037207.001.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music
An invention of the Industrial Revolution, the accordion provided the less affluent with an inexpensive, loud, portable, and durable “one-man-orchestra” capable of producing melody, harmony, and bass ...
More
An invention of the Industrial Revolution, the accordion provided the less affluent with an inexpensive, loud, portable, and durable “one-man-orchestra” capable of producing melody, harmony, and bass all at once. This book considers the accordion and its myriad forms, from the concertina, button accordion, and piano accordion familiar in European and North American music to the more exotic-sounding South American bandoneón and the sanfoninha. Capturing the instrument's spread and adaptation to many different cultures in North and South America, the chapters illuminate how the accordion factored into power struggles over aesthetic values between elites and working-class people who often were members of immigrant and/or marginalized ethnic communities. Specific histories and cultural contexts discussed include the accordion in Brazil, Argentine tango, accordion traditions in Colombia and the Dominican Republic, cross-border accordion culture between Mexico and Texas, Cajun and Creole identity, working-class culture near Lake Superior, the virtuoso Italian-American and Klezmer accordions, Native American dance music, and American avant-garde.Less
An invention of the Industrial Revolution, the accordion provided the less affluent with an inexpensive, loud, portable, and durable “one-man-orchestra” capable of producing melody, harmony, and bass all at once. This book considers the accordion and its myriad forms, from the concertina, button accordion, and piano accordion familiar in European and North American music to the more exotic-sounding South American bandoneón and the sanfoninha. Capturing the instrument's spread and adaptation to many different cultures in North and South America, the chapters illuminate how the accordion factored into power struggles over aesthetic values between elites and working-class people who often were members of immigrant and/or marginalized ethnic communities. Specific histories and cultural contexts discussed include the accordion in Brazil, Argentine tango, accordion traditions in Colombia and the Dominican Republic, cross-border accordion culture between Mexico and Texas, Cajun and Creole identity, working-class culture near Lake Superior, the virtuoso Italian-American and Klezmer accordions, Native American dance music, and American avant-garde.
Marion Jacobson
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252036750
- eISBN:
- 9780252093852
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252036750.001.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music
No other instrument has witnessed such a dramatic rise to popularity—and precipitous decline—as the accordion. This book is the first history of the piano accordion and the first book-length study of ...
More
No other instrument has witnessed such a dramatic rise to popularity—and precipitous decline—as the accordion. This book is the first history of the piano accordion and the first book-length study of the accordion as a uniquely American musical and cultural phenomenon. The book traces the changing idea of the accordion in the United States and its cultural significance over the course of the twentieth century. It focuses on key moments of transition, from the introduction of elaborately decorated European models imported onto the American vaudeville stage and the instrument's celebration by ethnic musical communities and mainstream audiences alike, to the accordion-infused pop parodies by “Weird Al” Yankovic as well as a recent revival within contemporary cabaret acts and pop groups such as They Might Be Giants. Loaded with dozens of images of gorgeous instruments and enthusiastic performers and fans, this book represents the accordion in a wide range of popular and traditional musical styles, revealing the richness and diversity of accordion culture in America.Less
No other instrument has witnessed such a dramatic rise to popularity—and precipitous decline—as the accordion. This book is the first history of the piano accordion and the first book-length study of the accordion as a uniquely American musical and cultural phenomenon. The book traces the changing idea of the accordion in the United States and its cultural significance over the course of the twentieth century. It focuses on key moments of transition, from the introduction of elaborately decorated European models imported onto the American vaudeville stage and the instrument's celebration by ethnic musical communities and mainstream audiences alike, to the accordion-infused pop parodies by “Weird Al” Yankovic as well as a recent revival within contemporary cabaret acts and pop groups such as They Might Be Giants. Loaded with dozens of images of gorgeous instruments and enthusiastic performers and fans, this book represents the accordion in a wide range of popular and traditional musical styles, revealing the richness and diversity of accordion culture in America.
Marion Jacobson
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252036750
- eISBN:
- 9780252093852
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252036750.003.0008
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music
This concluding chapter charts the relationships between all the different communities, regions, and phases of the accordion's life discussed so far, exploring common threads and disjunctions ...
More
This concluding chapter charts the relationships between all the different communities, regions, and phases of the accordion's life discussed so far, exploring common threads and disjunctions throughout history. It moves the study of the accordion away from the traditional subdiscipline of organology and attempts to say something about the processes through which instruments evolve. Musical instruments entail a great deal of disjunctions between the makers, individuals, institutions, and ideas that shape them at different phases in their history. This chapter offers a perspective on the very breadth of variables involved in all the repertoires, practices, and ideas of accordionists, which enables us to see, among all the variables, continuity and harmony among different sectors of the accordion world.Less
This concluding chapter charts the relationships between all the different communities, regions, and phases of the accordion's life discussed so far, exploring common threads and disjunctions throughout history. It moves the study of the accordion away from the traditional subdiscipline of organology and attempts to say something about the processes through which instruments evolve. Musical instruments entail a great deal of disjunctions between the makers, individuals, institutions, and ideas that shape them at different phases in their history. This chapter offers a perspective on the very breadth of variables involved in all the repertoires, practices, and ideas of accordionists, which enables us to see, among all the variables, continuity and harmony among different sectors of the accordion world.
