I just purchased this accordion. It seems like a great instrument for many styles of music. Now I just need to practice a whole lot more to to be able to play as well as you do!
Thanks for update. Amazing to see how these young guys have changed over the years. Even more amazing is that they are still playing. Polka music has such lasting appeal!
This was one of several short films that were available in 1940s "jukebox" style film formats - they were called "Soundies." This example is the clearest, best-sounding Soundie I've ever seen. I once examined a catalog of these Magnante "Soundies" during my 35 year career as an archivist employed in the Motion Picture-Broadcasting-Recorded Sound Division, Library of Congress. I certainly hope everyone understands that Charles Magnante was the accordionist, not the Hammond organist - who was George Wright. Wright recorded several Wurlitzer theater organ recordings during the 1950s-1960s. Magnante was - most likely - the greatest virtuoso - ever on the piano [!] accordion. Began recordings ca. 1928 with a recording made on Edison's thick 1/4 inch Diamond Discs. Continued recording into the late 1960s. I worry about the large open reel tape library that Magnante had at his home in NY. Open reel is a non-perm. format only able to survive for approx. 30 years according to the company spokesmen willing to comment of the expected lifespan of the format.
Charles Magnante is my Grandfather. He asked me once what I wanted to when I grew up. I replied "I want to drive a Funny Car". He was puzzled and probably hoped I'd say "play the accordion like you". But I was 8 or 9 and had Mickey Thompson's blue 1970 Mach 1 flip top Funny Car on the brain! Grandfather was a wonderful man. I'm happy the world still appreciates his music.
I hope that your grandfather's extensive open reel library has been archivally preserved onto a more permanent preservation format [even the best quality open reels have a shelf-life of only approx. 30 years - the max. even if stored under optimum climate-controlled conditions. There was much important material recorded in his personal studio - even into the early 1980s - - much experimental, much never commercially issued. [I actually met your grandfather back in 1964 at a Magnante Accordion Workshop, Washington, D.C. @ the Mayflower Hotel].
He was the gold standard of the accordion. A master musician. Buy chance do you have any memorabelia from your grandfather. I know the accordion world would love to see any things he might have saved during his career.
My 9 year old daughter started playing the accordion. I’ve been showing her these videos of the best. She really enjoys watching. She said she found the accordion interesting because not many people play it.
