Accordion History 

Accordions are still manufactured in small factories.  Many of the parts are hand made at the businesses that are family owned and operated.  Reeds are set in bees wax and carefully tuned.  Accordions must never be stored in extreme temperature conditions.  Most of the well known companies are in Germany or Italy. Some of the brand names still in existence are the Hohner, Weltmeister, Giulietti and Beltuna.

The accordion has been very popular in countries around the world.  It was popularized in America by Count Guido Deiro (1886-1950), originally from Italy, who was the first piano accordionist to perform in Vauderville.  Deiro was a performer, recording artist and composer.  Other famous American Accordionist were Anthony Galla-Rini (1904-2006) and Myron Floren (1919-2005).

In the 19th century German immigrants introduced the accordion to Northern Mexico.  Many bands were formed relying on the accordion to produce the Mexican Norteno music.

The Italian influx to Argentina near the 20th century brought what everyone knows and learned to call the tango, a music typical of that region.

Because of an incorrect assumption that the accordion is only used to play polka music, it is not universally respected.  However, the accordion is a very versatile instrument, capable of playing most any genre, and widely played throughout the world.  Many movie stars have played the accordion, i.e. Shirley Temple Black and Fred Astaire.

A famous Russian Accordionist, Friedrich Lips, visited Alabama in 2006 along with his former student Stas Venglevski.  On their program were many classical pieces as well as popular, contemporary and original pieces.  February 23, 2008, two more Internationally known accordionist, Peter and Mady Soave, will visit Birmingham, Alabama.  Email the Alabama Accordion Association for tickets ($15.00) and directions  wadowick@troycable.net .

The accordion is gaining in popularity once again in the U. S. A.  The accordion is influencing our everyday lives and is becoming a powerful instrument of expression in worship, patriotic fervor and adds a joyous atmosphere to any occasion.  Come join the fun!