Internet Video Jukebox #42

February 2025

An online concertina video jukebox curated by Paul Walker.  Please send him your favourite YouTube links of concertina players (any system or genre, including your own recordings) at vjb@concertina.org.

Many thanks to reader Doug Watt who writes: Hi Paul, I will be appearing on the ICA video on 6 February playing The Beatles on an anglo. I do have a few youtube recordings to, and many on concertina pages on facebook. How would I get these listed in the magazine section that you curate? I would not want to list my youtube channel as such because there is non-concertina stuff too, although I guess that I could create a concertinaspecific youtube channel if necessary.

We have two selections from Doug. The Shadow of Your Smile:

Blaco Orpheus:

And from jazz to classical, Claudio Constantini plays Bach Toccata and Fugue BWV 565 in D minor:

Pablomtube writes: This is fantastic. For those surprised that something like this is at all possible in a bandoneon, they should keep in mind that the bandoneon was invented (in Germany, by Heinrich Band in mid-19th century) as a portable organ, so to speak, in order to play church music. That was the very idea of the instrument’s existence. So playing something like this piece by Bach, originally written for the organ, is actually going back to the original purpose of the instrument. (Claudio has a new Bach album available on CD! Link here: https://www.claudioconstantini.com/bachdebussy

Concertina and piano, José Salas Terrazas and Vito Chambi Gusmán. The concertina in Bolivia:

Sid Goldsmith, Air Like Wine/Half of Shandy. Two self penned tunes on the English concertina, filmed at night in ‘The Glade’. The concertina is a Wheatstone ET from 1880, with handmade Lignum Vitae raised ends:

The Prayer, played by Michael Pierceall. This composition was a collaboration of David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Tony Renis, and Alberto Testa from 1998. Somewhat modified here for English concertina. Played on a Wheatstone English concertina, made in 1918 and fully restored:

Followed by more soulful music: I Loves You Porgy. Written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1935. Played here on a restored Wheatstone English concertina, made in 1918:

Popurri Huayños Inéditos – Interpretación en concertina, by Alejandro Choque. This is his interpretation on concertina of “un popurri de huayños inéditos. 1. Camisita blanca. 2. Corocoreña. 3. Bailar en carnavales:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tvQWpb37jM

Modern classical music from the Concertina Academy, showing what a versatile instrument the concertina is. Concertina Scape, composed by Chris van de Kuilen and Pauline de Snoo (2003). Performed by Pauline de Snoo, English Concertina, and Chris van de Kuilen, piano, at Hertogenbosch NL for the final exam at the Fontys Conservatory Tilburg NL, 10 May 2004:

panopticon’s review of Pauline’s CD on Concertina.net: The compositions themselves range from the abstract and mildly atonal to ambient and melodic. The piano, concertina and the Verheijden’s lovely evocative vocals on two of the tracks are all nicely balanced compositionally and tonally.

This is a CD one can listen to time and time again both in the foreground and in the background – the abstract qualities of the music and the concertina’s sound allow one to listen without tiring, like watching clouds moving across a landscape. Both those familiar and unfamiliar with the concertina will find this CD a rewarding experience.

Stardust played on anglo concertina by Kana Mimi. Notice her fan-method of bellows control:

Agustin Chura, music from Colombia:

Matt Heumann and Frank Edgley, Reunion Sets. Matt writes: after almost 7 years apart (and a Pandemic), we reunited on January 3, 2025 in Windsor, Ontario for a day of good food, good
music, and the best of friendship. It was like we were never apart!

It also demonstrates that both Anglo and English concertinas are equally suitable/compatible for any traditional music, provided the musician understands the musical style. Thanks Frank!

And to finish, the Maestro, Alexander Prince. Songwriter: Joscelyn Noel, publication date: 1913, Record label: Columbia A1529. Catch Me If You Can:

Readers, please share your favourite YouTube links of concertina  players of any system or genre, or videos of your own performances, with the editor at vjb@concertina.org. Remember  – this is your jukebox!