Riccardo
Member
I discovered this Forum by accident the other day and after reading a few threads decided to join you and learn the latest and also share some history likely unknown to most if any. After reading through my first one , hopefully some may learn why.. All I have to share is factual. Perhaps only old timers will appreciate these bits of Ontario/Quebec history...
My career with accordions has been off and on for over 80 years - mostly on. As a 6 year-old in Hamilton Ontario, after trying out a 12 bass Hohner which my neighbour offered to me, I was hooked. My usual story over the years when asked when I started, I said that I had run my hand down the edge side of the keys, slightly cut myself and accordions have been in my blood ever since!
Took lessons for a few years on a used 80 bass Hohner, then traded it in for a 120 Settimio Soprani after meeting my first "real" teacher Elio Viola who established a highly successful Accordion School in that city about 1947. He and his wife Agnes were real promoters of accordion during the "hay-days" 40's-60's, held annual accordion concerts for the over 200 students and brought in guest artists including Pietro Deiro, Andy Arcari and Charles Magnante! They also initiated the addition of accordions to the Annual Waterloo Music Band Festival through the Festival organizer and owner of Waterloo Music Dr. Thiele. During the last weekend in June each year, hundreds of accordionists competed in huge tents for the gold, silver and bronze medals in each age category, with solos, duets, quartets, Open age and bands.
In 1952 the Canadian Solo Championship rotating trophy (huge onyx with gold Angel of Victory atop) was first awarded and yours truly was the recipient, playing Frosini's Rhapsody in D Minor with Quatrocche and Charlie Nunzio as adjudicators. Repeated it in 1954 using Magnante's arrangement of Mendelsohn's Andante and Rondo Capriciosso. Dixie Dean of Toronto was adjudicator.. A smaller replica was awarded to the winner for keeping. Still have mine.
In the meantime, I had traded in my Soprani for my first Symphony Grand Excelsior serial # 9999. (If anyone knows where it is, please let me know. Story later..) Upgraded to another Symphony Grand in '54 with mikes through Jack Wright, owner of Excelsior Supply in Montreal who became mentor and friend over many years. That's where I met Mario Pancotti, son of the founder of Excelsior in 1924 in New York or thereabouts. Jack invited me to perform at a concert in Plateau Hall Montreal with Eugene Ettore, Carmen Carrozza, Danny Desiderio and Bernie Fleming. Felt it was a highlight of my career...
By the way, 1953 Waterloo winner was Ray Hunker of Regina who was teaching for Ryson's Studios in St. Catharines along with Ernst and son Boris Bergstrom. We became good friends and colleagues... The Bergstroms also opened up another successful accordion school named Master Conservatory in St. Catharines. Polka King Walter Ostanek was one of Bergstroms's successful students! Met him many times over the years.
Opened up an accordion school in Hamilton after some touring in Europe until the Beetles and Elvis came along with their guitars and drums and that's about when accordion interests took a deep dive across this continent...
Life took a different turn for some years but returned later when I was introduced to the Italian Excelsior factory personnel on Via Sardegna in Castefidardo (the second Excelsior site there), then considerable training there for building and servicing, visits to parts suppliers, learning what quality wood, reeds, leathers, felt, steel, aluminum etc effects have on sound, the purchase by Pigini, other makes made by Excelsior, and expose of many other accordion brands and qualities..
I have a certificate which certifies me as an Excelsior-trained technician.
But that's for another 'thread'
I've had some wonderful experiences and met some of the best in the field across almost every aspect.
Thanks for reading. Hope it was at least interesting.. By the way, Riccardo is the name given to me by the Italians..
My career with accordions has been off and on for over 80 years - mostly on. As a 6 year-old in Hamilton Ontario, after trying out a 12 bass Hohner which my neighbour offered to me, I was hooked. My usual story over the years when asked when I started, I said that I had run my hand down the edge side of the keys, slightly cut myself and accordions have been in my blood ever since!
Took lessons for a few years on a used 80 bass Hohner, then traded it in for a 120 Settimio Soprani after meeting my first "real" teacher Elio Viola who established a highly successful Accordion School in that city about 1947. He and his wife Agnes were real promoters of accordion during the "hay-days" 40's-60's, held annual accordion concerts for the over 200 students and brought in guest artists including Pietro Deiro, Andy Arcari and Charles Magnante! They also initiated the addition of accordions to the Annual Waterloo Music Band Festival through the Festival organizer and owner of Waterloo Music Dr. Thiele. During the last weekend in June each year, hundreds of accordionists competed in huge tents for the gold, silver and bronze medals in each age category, with solos, duets, quartets, Open age and bands.
In 1952 the Canadian Solo Championship rotating trophy (huge onyx with gold Angel of Victory atop) was first awarded and yours truly was the recipient, playing Frosini's Rhapsody in D Minor with Quatrocche and Charlie Nunzio as adjudicators. Repeated it in 1954 using Magnante's arrangement of Mendelsohn's Andante and Rondo Capriciosso. Dixie Dean of Toronto was adjudicator.. A smaller replica was awarded to the winner for keeping. Still have mine.
In the meantime, I had traded in my Soprani for my first Symphony Grand Excelsior serial # 9999. (If anyone knows where it is, please let me know. Story later..) Upgraded to another Symphony Grand in '54 with mikes through Jack Wright, owner of Excelsior Supply in Montreal who became mentor and friend over many years. That's where I met Mario Pancotti, son of the founder of Excelsior in 1924 in New York or thereabouts. Jack invited me to perform at a concert in Plateau Hall Montreal with Eugene Ettore, Carmen Carrozza, Danny Desiderio and Bernie Fleming. Felt it was a highlight of my career...
By the way, 1953 Waterloo winner was Ray Hunker of Regina who was teaching for Ryson's Studios in St. Catharines along with Ernst and son Boris Bergstrom. We became good friends and colleagues... The Bergstroms also opened up another successful accordion school named Master Conservatory in St. Catharines. Polka King Walter Ostanek was one of Bergstroms's successful students! Met him many times over the years.
Opened up an accordion school in Hamilton after some touring in Europe until the Beetles and Elvis came along with their guitars and drums and that's about when accordion interests took a deep dive across this continent...
Life took a different turn for some years but returned later when I was introduced to the Italian Excelsior factory personnel on Via Sardegna in Castefidardo (the second Excelsior site there), then considerable training there for building and servicing, visits to parts suppliers, learning what quality wood, reeds, leathers, felt, steel, aluminum etc effects have on sound, the purchase by Pigini, other makes made by Excelsior, and expose of many other accordion brands and qualities..
I have a certificate which certifies me as an Excelsior-trained technician.
But that's for another 'thread'
I've had some wonderful experiences and met some of the best in the field across almost every aspect.
Thanks for reading. Hope it was at least interesting.. By the way, Riccardo is the name given to me by the Italians..
