Introducing Mario Bruneau

I started music on the accordion at 8 years old.  At 14, started my apprenticeship on the piano.  Accordionist for Plume Latraverse (a well known rock and roll Quebec artist) since his debut in 1970, he is the one who introduced me to the musette accordion style.  For me, the Parisian musette represent the ultimate repertoire for the accordion.

For this presentation I often use the books of M. Pierre Monichon.  Pierre Monichon is a reference for the history of the accordion.  M. Monichon as acquire over the years a huge collection of old historic instruments and numerous instruments from his collection are present in museums like Le Pôle de l’Accordéon of Tulle in France, Montmagny’s Accordion Manor and Castelfidardo’s Museo della Fisarmonica in Italy (Castelfidardo is the world’s accordion capital).  I had twice the pleasure to meet M. Monichon;  at Montmagny’s Carrefour Mondial de l’Accordéon and at the European Accordion Festival in Chartres, France.  He invited me to his place where we had good discussions and I was delighted to be in contact with historic instruments from his collection and especially Demian’s second accordion.  Robert Santiago is another person who contributes much to the transmission of knowledge of the accordion thanks amongst other things to his collection of rare objects appending to accordion and his group “Le Denécheau Jâse Musette à Paris” that recreates the typical musette band of early twentieth century in Paris.  Like me, he also give workshops, conferences and special accordion animations.

Science exist to explain things.  In studying physic phenomenons, one realizes that reality is often simpler than we believe it is.  For every observed phenomenon there is a simple explanation.  For example, what are the two main reasons for which the professional painter’s uniform is white?  To get the answers, hover your mouse on the question mark without clicking it.

It’s also important to remember the first science’s rule: “Nothing is lost, nothing is created”  Everything is transformation of the energy or the material.  During this one hour and a half presentation, I will help you understand your accordion with simple and concrete examples and please don’t hesitate to ask questions on the current subject.  After this presentation you will know for instance where the accordion comes from and where it got its name from.  You will understand why your accordion has a different sound from the other models.  You will also have the tools and the necessary language to express your sound preferences to your accordion tuner.  Knowledge is power.