L' Organetto Diatonico

L' Organetto DiatonicoThis post most be written with Italics, right?

Il Organetto Diatonico (Diatonic Little Organ)

The Diatonic Organetto is a wind musical instrument, but not as flutes or trumpets, is more relative to the big organ, the Organetto is a small mechanical device that sounds really nice and doesn’t have keyboard as the traditional accordion. Invented in Viena around 1829 was really popular all around Europe and brought to America later where became popular, especially in Argentina by Tango musicians.

In Italy became popular around 1870 and so many factories made the instrument and was part of the every day popular culture. Sadly the new technology, and the invention of electronic instruments is killing a beautiful tradition and now in Italy only 93 musicians are still using it, an only 232 in all Europe.

One of the few musicians that are still using the Diatonic Organetto is Riccardo Tessi.

I meet Riccardo, many years ago at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, where he was playing with another great musician. I had been listening for years an album with him named “Forse Il Mare” of the group RITMIA, that is a real piece of art. In 2007 my wife brought me a CD album named LUNE featuring, Riccardo Tessi & La Banda Italiana.

Check Riccardo Tessi’s official  Web Site. If you are visiting Italy, I really recommend of finding his music. I also encourage you to check if you can attend a live performance with his band.