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THE KING OF ACCORDION AND BANDONEON OPENS THE SECRET OF HIS NAME
Marine Martirosyan
http://168.am/en/articles/7200
March 4, 2010
Exclusive interview with world famous accordionist and bandoneonist
Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi
"It seems that Mario is painting a piece of art when he plays the
music." "Every time when you hear Mario playing, you see that his
heart works faster than his music rhythm." "No one can squeeze
more feelings from the music of Astor Piaccolla than Mario Stefano
Pietrodarchi." This is how artists and people describe Mario Stefano
Pietrodarchi's music and meanwhile they are surprised that this young
man has been able to attract the entire world with his music.
- Are you in Armenia for the first time?
- No, this is my fourth visit to Armenia. For the first time I visited
Armenia with Tonino Guerra. He told me about the wonderful churches
here; the churches of Noravank and Geghard. Armenia is situated in
between Asia and Europe. Armenia is really very beautiful and one
can find unbelievable solutions here.
- Is it not an unbelievable solution to combine "the cooperation"
of the music of accordion, bandoneon and orchestra?
- Maybe it is strange because the accordion is a very unique
instrument. In a number of countries it is used more in the folklore.
I tried to implement the new program of combining the music of
accordion and orchestra, and I asked Roberto Molinelli and Fabio
Conocella to write music for me. By the way, the latter is a new
Italian composer. I think it is a good idea because the accordion
gives a specific taste to the bandoneon. Bandoneon has a German
origin. People used to play the bandoneon in churches. Later this
instrument was used in Argentina, and the way of playing was changed
as well because they played tango with this instrument. I am trying
to mix it with the Italian music to create new repertories. Of course
it is a strange thing but I believe it will be success as people like
it already.
- Why did you choose accordion or bandoneon but not violin or piano?
- I was born in a family of accordionists. It is what I inherited from
my ancestors. I just took our accordion at home and started playing.
Shortly I started playing the bandoneon as well. The fact that people
like Piacolla's music was a good incentive too. Piacolla is a real
master of bandoneon. It was the reason why I liked bandoneon.
- In Caucasus accordion is known as an instrument which represents
the Russian folklore. Do you have Russian music in your repertory?
- Generally accordion has Italian origin. It is more Italian
instrument representing the Italian folklore. Of course now people
play more Russian music because the Russian repertory is very rich,
but I can't play Russian music because I am Italian and the Russian
culture is not mine. I am very friendly to the music of other nations
but I have to play my own Italian music because I am the bearer of
the colors of my country.
- What kind of education have you got?
- I have studied in France, Serbia, and graduated from the conservatory
of Rome. I won one of the competitions organized in Rome, which was
a world famous competition. In 2001 I participated in another world
famous competition in France and I won. Currently I work in the
southern part of Italy, in a conservatory not far from Sicily.
I am trying to introduce the new ideology of accordion to my students;
I am trying to teach them the future of accordion.
- Nowadays many people refuse academic education and say that the
academic education kills the talent. Do you agree with that?
- Of course no. Many people think like that. When such people follow
this idea shortly they find out that they have stopped playing and
thinking of the music. The talent is very important but you can't play
with the talent only. One can play well if the talent and education
are mixed. Playing is like the work. One should learn how to work and,
what is more important, stay close to the musical instrument. It is
also normal that many people are not talented so much but can play
work due to their hard work, and the vice versa. It is true about
anything and any sector in the life. For example, you are a talented
football player but you don't want to run and train... If you don't
work, your talent is nothing.
- When you are playing it seems that with your music and every
movement of your body you are taking people into a unique film... Is
it your story?
- I am very happy to see that you understand what I am trying
to deliver. Many people say I am becoming a part of my musical
instruments. Maybe it sounds beautiful. When I am playing I am starting
to imagine. It is the biggest present I can get from people who listen
to my music.
- What is the "message"?
- I can't say. When I am playing I fall into my imagination world
and imagine more. I think people understand my imagination world. My
film comes from my imagination. It is very beautiful. I am grateful
to the God for giving this opportunity to me; for being able to enter
into a dialogue with the musical instrument and the fact that people
understand this dialogue. Every time I am closing my eyes and trying
to imagine people in my memories.
- Are the stories different every time?
- Of course it is not a realistic film. It is hard to tell about my
feelings and imagination. It is my secret.
- But sometimes it becomes evident.
- Everyone can imagine like I do. It is like reading a book with
visual imagination. I have my visual imagination in my film too,
which is in my inner world.
- What is important for an artist?
- The most important thing is the every day work. An artist should
work hard. I always tell this to my students. For an artist it is
very important to be hardworking. Definitely this is the message I
am trying to teach and deliver to my students. We should work hard
to make our dreams come true.
- Now you are very famous in the world. Does it hinder you move
forward?
- It does not change anything. In this case my family is helping
me much because every time I win a competition my mother says, "It
is good, but you should move forward. You should not stop and speak
about it. You should work hard." I work for 12 hours a day. I can't
have a rest, I want to work more.
- Is it the formula of your success?
- I love this world and music, and my family and traveling are great
pleasure for me. It is my life.
- What is the life?
- Once Federino Fellini said that the life is a big smile. Many
people suffer but I think the life is not so long to be sacrificed
to suffering. For this purpose one should help the other to love and
live the life. All of us are the children of the God.
- When you are playing it seems that in your hands you have not a
musical instrument but a toy because you touch it very tenderly. Is
it a result of hard work as well?
- Maybe. It is about my anagram. It is a secret that I will tell you.
For the first time. You know that accordion is an Italian word and
it means "Fiezermonica". My name and surname are Mario Stefano. (he
took a piece of paper, wrote down his name, erased some letters in
that word, and the letters that remained meant a saying in Italian,
which he translated as "God has given me the talent to play the
accordion" M.M.).
- You have visited Armenia for a number of times during these 4 years.
Have you heard about the Duduk?
- I want to meet with Jivan Gasparyan. I have seen his videos, as
well as the duet with Zuccero. I think in the near future I will
have the opportunity to play with him. Why not? I love the melodies
of the Armenian Duduk. I can imagine how wonderful the mixing of the
Armenian Duduk, accordion, bandoneon and orchestra can be.
- Do you have time to share with your family? Where does your family
live?
- I was born in Atesa, which is in the middle of Italy. Even though
I am happy to have concert tours, sometimes I feel sad and miss my
family. My family lives in Atesa. I have a sister. I have a unique
family, which believes in me and my music. It is the most important
thing for me. I am really lucky.
Marine Martirosyan
http://168.am/en/articles/7200
March 4, 2010
Exclusive interview with world famous accordionist and bandoneonist
Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi
"It seems that Mario is painting a piece of art when he plays the
music." "Every time when you hear Mario playing, you see that his
heart works faster than his music rhythm." "No one can squeeze
more feelings from the music of Astor Piaccolla than Mario Stefano
Pietrodarchi." This is how artists and people describe Mario Stefano
Pietrodarchi's music and meanwhile they are surprised that this young
man has been able to attract the entire world with his music.
- Are you in Armenia for the first time?
- No, this is my fourth visit to Armenia. For the first time I visited
Armenia with Tonino Guerra. He told me about the wonderful churches
here; the churches of Noravank and Geghard. Armenia is situated in
between Asia and Europe. Armenia is really very beautiful and one
can find unbelievable solutions here.
- Is it not an unbelievable solution to combine "the cooperation"
of the music of accordion, bandoneon and orchestra?
- Maybe it is strange because the accordion is a very unique
instrument. In a number of countries it is used more in the folklore.
I tried to implement the new program of combining the music of
accordion and orchestra, and I asked Roberto Molinelli and Fabio
Conocella to write music for me. By the way, the latter is a new
Italian composer. I think it is a good idea because the accordion
gives a specific taste to the bandoneon. Bandoneon has a German
origin. People used to play the bandoneon in churches. Later this
instrument was used in Argentina, and the way of playing was changed
as well because they played tango with this instrument. I am trying
to mix it with the Italian music to create new repertories. Of course
it is a strange thing but I believe it will be success as people like
it already.
- Why did you choose accordion or bandoneon but not violin or piano?
- I was born in a family of accordionists. It is what I inherited from
my ancestors. I just took our accordion at home and started playing.
Shortly I started playing the bandoneon as well. The fact that people
like Piacolla's music was a good incentive too. Piacolla is a real
master of bandoneon. It was the reason why I liked bandoneon.
- In Caucasus accordion is known as an instrument which represents
the Russian folklore. Do you have Russian music in your repertory?
- Generally accordion has Italian origin. It is more Italian
instrument representing the Italian folklore. Of course now people
play more Russian music because the Russian repertory is very rich,
but I can't play Russian music because I am Italian and the Russian
culture is not mine. I am very friendly to the music of other nations
but I have to play my own Italian music because I am the bearer of
the colors of my country.
- What kind of education have you got?
- I have studied in France, Serbia, and graduated from the conservatory
of Rome. I won one of the competitions organized in Rome, which was
a world famous competition. In 2001 I participated in another world
famous competition in France and I won. Currently I work in the
southern part of Italy, in a conservatory not far from Sicily.
I am trying to introduce the new ideology of accordion to my students;
I am trying to teach them the future of accordion.
- Nowadays many people refuse academic education and say that the
academic education kills the talent. Do you agree with that?
- Of course no. Many people think like that. When such people follow
this idea shortly they find out that they have stopped playing and
thinking of the music. The talent is very important but you can't play
with the talent only. One can play well if the talent and education
are mixed. Playing is like the work. One should learn how to work and,
what is more important, stay close to the musical instrument. It is
also normal that many people are not talented so much but can play
work due to their hard work, and the vice versa. It is true about
anything and any sector in the life. For example, you are a talented
football player but you don't want to run and train... If you don't
work, your talent is nothing.
- When you are playing it seems that with your music and every
movement of your body you are taking people into a unique film... Is
it your story?
- I am very happy to see that you understand what I am trying
to deliver. Many people say I am becoming a part of my musical
instruments. Maybe it sounds beautiful. When I am playing I am starting
to imagine. It is the biggest present I can get from people who listen
to my music.
- What is the "message"?
- I can't say. When I am playing I fall into my imagination world
and imagine more. I think people understand my imagination world. My
film comes from my imagination. It is very beautiful. I am grateful
to the God for giving this opportunity to me; for being able to enter
into a dialogue with the musical instrument and the fact that people
understand this dialogue. Every time I am closing my eyes and trying
to imagine people in my memories.
- Are the stories different every time?
- Of course it is not a realistic film. It is hard to tell about my
feelings and imagination. It is my secret.
- But sometimes it becomes evident.
- Everyone can imagine like I do. It is like reading a book with
visual imagination. I have my visual imagination in my film too,
which is in my inner world.
- What is important for an artist?
- The most important thing is the every day work. An artist should
work hard. I always tell this to my students. For an artist it is
very important to be hardworking. Definitely this is the message I
am trying to teach and deliver to my students. We should work hard
to make our dreams come true.
- Now you are very famous in the world. Does it hinder you move
forward?
- It does not change anything. In this case my family is helping
me much because every time I win a competition my mother says, "It
is good, but you should move forward. You should not stop and speak
about it. You should work hard." I work for 12 hours a day. I can't
have a rest, I want to work more.
- Is it the formula of your success?
- I love this world and music, and my family and traveling are great
pleasure for me. It is my life.
- What is the life?
- Once Federino Fellini said that the life is a big smile. Many
people suffer but I think the life is not so long to be sacrificed
to suffering. For this purpose one should help the other to love and
live the life. All of us are the children of the God.
- When you are playing it seems that in your hands you have not a
musical instrument but a toy because you touch it very tenderly. Is
it a result of hard work as well?
- Maybe. It is about my anagram. It is a secret that I will tell you.
For the first time. You know that accordion is an Italian word and
it means "Fiezermonica". My name and surname are Mario Stefano. (he
took a piece of paper, wrote down his name, erased some letters in
that word, and the letters that remained meant a saying in Italian,
which he translated as "God has given me the talent to play the
accordion" M.M.).
- You have visited Armenia for a number of times during these 4 years.
Have you heard about the Duduk?
- I want to meet with Jivan Gasparyan. I have seen his videos, as
well as the duet with Zuccero. I think in the near future I will
have the opportunity to play with him. Why not? I love the melodies
of the Armenian Duduk. I can imagine how wonderful the mixing of the
Armenian Duduk, accordion, bandoneon and orchestra can be.
- Do you have time to share with your family? Where does your family
live?
- I was born in Atesa, which is in the middle of Italy. Even though
I am happy to have concert tours, sometimes I feel sad and miss my
family. My family lives in Atesa. I have a sister. I have a unique
family, which believes in me and my music. It is the most important
thing for me. I am really lucky.