Accordion orchestra

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Accordion orchestras are orchestras that are mostly made up of accordions . Accordion orchestras are usually amateur orchestras and spread internationally.

In an accordion orchestra only the right treble side of the instrument is used, the left bass side is not required. The bass voices are played by an electronic accordion . The selection of different registers serves to produce different timbres that correspond to the character of the piece. The large 120-bass instruments commonly used in adult orchestras usually have at least eleven different registers on the treble side.

construction

Exemplary seating arrangement for an accordion orchestra

The orchestral accordion playing is divided into three types that cannot be strictly separated from each other. This includes the large accordion orchestra, the accordion ensemble (no more than two players per voice) and accordion play groups. If there are 13 or more accordion players, one speaks of an accordion orchestra. There are school, youth and adult orchestras and, for some time now, also senior orchestras. Many accordion orchestras consist of 20 to 35 players; however, there are also deviations.

The players in an accordion orchestra are divided into different voices: The first voice usually plays the highest register and often runs . The position of the second voice is a little deeper than the first. Also in the second part there are regular runs; but not as often as in the first voice. The location of the third voice is much lower than that of the second voice. It has relatively few runs and often forms the counterpoint , i.e. an independent counter-melody. The fourth voice is the rhythm voice. She is responsible for the accompaniment together with bass and drums. There are hardly any runs, but polyphonic chords are very common. The bass is an electronic accordion that generates low tones and only has buttons on the right treble side and no buttons on the left bass side. Together with the fourth voice and the drums, it forms the basis of the orchestra's rhythm.

In some accordion orchestras, the bass is replaced or supplemented by keyboards or double bass . The drums , together with the bass and fourth voice, are responsible for the rhythm in the orchestra. In many accordion orchestras there is an electronium or several electronies, that is, an electronic accordion that only has buttons on the right treble side and no buttons on the left bass side, generates high notes and the timbres of various instruments, e.g. B. of wind instruments such as trumpet, trombone or horn. In some accordion orchestras, the electronium is being replaced by keyboards. Depending on how a piece is arranged, there may be additional voices, e.g. B. a fifth voice or a piano or keyboard part.

repertoire

Accordion orchestras play both original literature specially composed for accordion orchestras (generally concertante pieces) and arrangements in which existing pieces are arranged for accordion orchestras. Accordion orchestras perform music of many different styles.

Popular arrangements include, for example, Suite No. 2 from L'Arlésienne by George Bizet and the Comedy Suite by Dimitri Kabalewski . Pieces by Johann Strauss , Johannes Brahms , Gioachino Rossini and Georg Friedrich Händel are also part of the repertoire of many orchestras, as are songs by Astor Piazzolla , Abba or Udo Jürgens , overtures from operas , melodies from operettas and musicals and film melodies.

Well-known composers for accordion orchestras

Selection Accordion Orchestra in Germany

This article or paragraph presents the situation in Germany . Help us to describe the situation in other countries.

In 2006 there were around 1900 accordion orchestras in Germany. At the state level, this includes numerous selection and a federal accordion orchestra. Usually two to three day rehearsal phases take place several times a year. Concerts are given at home and abroad.

Many accordion orchestras belong to the Deutscher Harmonika Verband e. V. (DHV e.V.) . The DHV is a member of the German Music Council (DMR) . The DHV is the second largest instrumental lay association in Germany and regularly organizes competitions at district, state and federal level. The DMR holds an orchestral competition (DOW) every four years, in which many accordion orchestras participate.

The accordion orchestras in Germany include:

  • Federal Accordion Orchestra
  • Baden-Württemberg State Accordion Youth Orchestra
  • State Youth Accordion Orchestra Bavaria
  • State Accordion Orchestra Berlin
  • State Youth Accordion Orchestra Brandenburg
  • Symphonic Accordion Orchestra Hessen
  • A-Train Big Band Hessen
  • ACOLLAGE Lower Saxony
  • State Youth Accordion Orchestra NRW
  • State Accordion Orchestra Rhineland-Palatinate
  • State Youth Accordion Orchestra Rhineland-Palatinate
  • Saarland State Orchestra
  • State Accordion Ensemble Saxony-Anhalt
  • State Accordion Orchestra Thuringia

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Paul Schwenke: Central sheet for libraries . VEB Bibliographisches Institut, 1957 ( limited preview in Google book search).
  2. ↑ Harmonika International - special edition documentation 2/2006 . German Harmonica Association V. (Ed.), P. 80; dhv-ev.de