Folk Accordions – Birgit and Phil Ages
Perhaps the most portable instrument in the world that can play almost any musical genre is the accordion. As a “free reed instrument” how does it really work? Did you know they can make a variety of sounds using “switches” or stops, like with those found on an organ? That there’s many kinds of accordions, including the concertina, torader, and piano accordion?
Join us as we meet Birgit and Phil Ages from the Seattle Area explain how accordions work, and what a mazurka, hambo, and schottische sound like, and how these musicians formed the Folk Voice Band who play in annual venues such as Seattle’s Folklife Festival, Naselle’s Finnfest, Leavenworth’s Octoberfest, and the Skandia Midsummer Festival.
Long known to be associated with polkas and the instrument of choice for the Scandinavian-Americans Myron Floren and Stan Boreson, the accordion has become an essential part of the sound in folk music from many different cultures. Join us!
Corrections
In the podcast, Phil and Birgit play “Korobushka” (and Phil sings it). This traditional Russian folk song can be found elsewhere on the web under both the names “Korobushka” and “Korobeiniki”.
Links
Website of the Folk Voice Band, from which you can play cuts from their “International Dance Party” CD. The musicians, other than Phil and Birgit vary; some of their brief bios are here.
The “18 Star of the County Down/My love is a Band Boy” (Irish) with Phil on recorder and Birgit on accordion. At a 2017 house party.
Phil and Birgit perform “Kokarin” (Finland) in this video, with Phil on concertina and Birgit on piano accordion. At a 2017 house party.
The Folk Voice Band, including Kris Johanssen on fiddle, at a Katrilli Finnish Folkdancers Christmas Party in 2011. Produced by Painted Cloud Studios.
Performance of the Katrilli Finnish Dancers at Seattle’s Folklife Festival of 2011 accompanied by the Folk Voice Band (Phil and Birgit Ages, and Jim Noyes on bass). Video produced by Painted Cloud Studios.
A version of “Korobushka” is played during the dancing; the same tune heard in this podcast. Phil and Birgit often play for folk dance groups.
Photos
From the 2016 Oktoberfest at Edmonds Senior Center (Washington, USA). Phil is playing his mandolin and Birgit her piano accordion. Anyone know the tuba player? Photo by Fran Vanderbeck.