Walker
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An expressive piece, Preludio Religioso by Gioachino Rossini, originally written for harmonium, but played note for note on accordion by Stefanie Hazenbiller.
Some More Harmonium Music On Accordion
- Thread starter Walker
- Start date
Good stuff. Also harmonium music by Lebeau, Franck, Tournemire, Langlais and Vierne etc can be played note for note on the accordion and sounds lovely. Its great and written by mainstream composers that could equally turn their hand to orchestras rather than harmoniumists (if that's such a word)....
Walker
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Here's a lovely video all about the harmonium. The Mustel model is a bit special...
The Mustel, truly ingenious, and a kind of accordion in a piano shape... lol
Walker
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As you say Jerry, this is like a free bass accordion in the shape of a piano, but with many additional bonuses...
1. No bass strap to restrict left hand movement and hinder musicality
2. Keys on bass and treble are uniform - unlike 99.9% of accordions (well done FISITALIA Bayan Ergo for managing it!)
3. Use all ten fingers easily!
4. That musette (celeste) sound is really nice - available on either hand too
5. Volume of bass and treble can be adjusted separately with two bellows - AMAZING! However, in my opinion, the foot operated bellows do not allow the same level of subtlety of expressiveness as on an accordion (depending on who is playing).
I would definitely look out for a harmonium like that - in addition to playing my standard piano accordion with stradella bass (and the occasional dabbling at free bass too).
It's crazy when you think how that instrument is a century old and it has so much flexibility for swapping sounds and volumes on the bass and treble. Accordion makers could learn a few tricks from Mustel! It almost makes me want to have a solid walnut accordion with brass reeds in homage to these great antique instruments...
In summary, I am blown away by that Mustel art harmonium!
1. No bass strap to restrict left hand movement and hinder musicality
2. Keys on bass and treble are uniform - unlike 99.9% of accordions (well done FISITALIA Bayan Ergo for managing it!)
3. Use all ten fingers easily!
4. That musette (celeste) sound is really nice - available on either hand too
5. Volume of bass and treble can be adjusted separately with two bellows - AMAZING! However, in my opinion, the foot operated bellows do not allow the same level of subtlety of expressiveness as on an accordion (depending on who is playing).
I would definitely look out for a harmonium like that - in addition to playing my standard piano accordion with stradella bass (and the occasional dabbling at free bass too).
It's crazy when you think how that instrument is a century old and it has so much flexibility for swapping sounds and volumes on the bass and treble. Accordion makers could learn a few tricks from Mustel! It almost makes me want to have a solid walnut accordion with brass reeds in homage to these great antique instruments...
In summary, I am blown away by that Mustel art harmonium!
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They are terrific instruments and I used to have one. Big down side - a piano seems portable by comparison!
Walker
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Still, at least you don't have to wear it... 
temryd
Member
I finally got round to learning a harmonium piece too, magic on the accordion! This is unedited practising with accordion face of doom, wrong notes competing with bellringers and recorded on my ageing mobile phone....
Walker
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There is no doubt about it, you make playing the accordion look effortless - and free bass no less. Aubade sounds great on accordion, really excellent work Ben. You will surely inspire many others through such terrific music.
Well done!
Quick question... how do you make your arrangements to to play in a church? I've tried a few times locally but so far they always want a fairly extravagant 3-figure "donation" to use their location for a couple hours around here, which is pretty ridiculous.
Quick question... how do you make your arrangements to to play in a church? I've tried a few times locally but so far they always want a fairly extravagant 3-figure "donation" to use their location for a couple hours around here, which is pretty ridiculous.
You are too kind - but huge thanks as I have to play the accordion in public shortly for the first time and thus far my efforts have been confined to the bathroom.
Wow, I'm sorry to hear that about Canada! Round here money doesn't change hands, you either have some connection with the church so they know you are a safe pair of hands, or you ask nicely, or you offer something in return like a little fundraising concert.
Walker
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A nice combo of viola da gamba & accordion playing Franck's Prelude...
For someone who was/is primarily a visual artist he does play rather well, doen't he?
I have been watching a lot of Jo Brunenburg's Youtube presentations and am yet to be disappointed.
Their scope is inclusive and varied and always accompanied with delightful vision.
Very ingenious instrument. I learned a lot by watching the video. Especially the Mustel has ideas that could be incorporated into accordions. For instance the equivalent to having a separate sordino for treble reeds in cassotto versus outside cassotto (whereas in an accordion the sordino only works on all treble reeds at the same time).
That was a great way to start a new day! Thanks a lot!
