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[Nick Collis Bird]

Are we disappearing up the European Union here and does it matter ? 

[Pete Dunk]

I wasn't going to reply to this thread, but sometimes you just have to respond, even if it does get you into hot water, which this no doubt will.

Not with me it won't, the whole point of my post was to provoke a reaction, read on.

Well yes, it's okay, but isn't it just some geezer playing simple melody on a polyphonic instrument without showing the massed accompanying instruments providing all of the backing music? Bach is so tough to play well which is why it is so magnificent when performed by masters of the art.

Whilst acceptable as an amateur performance I find little here to excite a serious listener. So yes, it is nice in itself as easy listening, but nothing more.

I'm not any kind of musical snob honestly but there is a gulf between performances like this and those given by professional orchestral musicians the world over.

In your first sentence you denigrate a well respected musician, which Mr Galliano undoubtedly is, with the words, "....some geezer playing simple melody....."; a little condescending in the extreme (you might like to check your sentence as there is some ambiguity there; did you mean "simply playing a melody", or "playing a simple melody" ?). Would you have found his performance acceptable, had he been surrounded by other musicians ?  Your second sentence relegates him to an amateur performer, whilst, by implication, exulting yourself to the lofty heights of a serious listener.  The slant of your text begs the question whether you might be a disgruntled orchestral musician ?  Richard Galliano has been performing since his early childhood and has certainly paid his dues over the last fifty years or so, not to be dismissed in such an offhand fashion.  Clearly one does not have to like all the work a performer produces, we are all entitled to our opinions, but you have to draw the line at rudeness, which unwittingly or not, was also extended to Cardiff Pauly. His only comment was, "This is Nice !", hardly deserving of such a superior, patronising response. It might not have been your intention to be rude but that's how it comes across to me. I reread your text looking for a hint of humour or a "tongue in cheek" style (obvious humour to the writer is not necessarily obvious to the reader) but realise, sadly, that you were deadly serious, which is a shame.

With the greatest respect I must point out that I had not previously heard of Mr Galliano which is probably my loss but his choice of instruments and musical genre is not something we share as a common interest and certainly doesn't fall within the small confines of this forum, sorry. I'm not a disgruntled orchestral musician but I see why you ask the question and it's a valid point. Today I'm a wannabe member of a concertina band trying very hard to make appropriate noises at band practice but that doesn't mean I'm unable to recognise great playing when I hear it. In my humble opinion the playing in this video fell a long way short of remarkable. Other comments suggested descriptions including 'virtuoso' which I struggle with.

This thread stood for over fifty hours without comment. I thought the content weak and said so, I don't regret that and still believe it to be true. Now I stand accused, abused because I dare say that this performance is weak and lacking in skill. Where were the supporters of this great player when I was sitting back and asking myself if I really dared dispute his worth?

[gettabettabox]

I quite often play the treble side of my melodeon without the basses, either completely solo or with other instruments doing various things. It's not as easy as it looks, because with the melody line so exposed it has to be played with perfect smoothness, phrasing and dynamics, and we're used to covering up all sorts of sloppiness with basses and chords.

completely agree  and wonder why so many box players (of all ''accordion'' systems) are totally wedded to thumping or droning  throughout the proceedings to the detriment of developing  the fine bellows control that is the key to smoothness, phrasing & dynamics.
I often play slow aires on treble only, perhaps with some right hand chords on 3rd time through .Also leaving the   basss off for a bar or two on jigs & reels can throw the emphasis on or 'frame' a fancy bit of the melody eg the run up in dashing white sergeant or run down
  in harvest home.  The trick is to choose carefully where to stop the bass and when to restart them.

george

melnet sensible. me like. 

[Sebastian]

In my humble opinion the playing in this video fell a long way short of remarkable.

What is it that you dislike about this interpretation?

To me it looks flimsy that he plays only a melody and nothing more. Imagine an organ player doing this, it would look ridiculous. Still, his interpretation is flawless and the bandoneon sound goes well with the accompanying strings. When I don't look at the video, the sound is nice and convincing (apart from the fact that it is pure kitsch).

[Cooper]

With the greatest respect I must point out that I had not previously heard of Mr Galliano

Probably worth it to check your facts then before calling people amateur little geezers ;-)

W

[Pete Dunk]

(apart from the fact that it is pure kitsch).

O come on, be fair. I'm not trying to crucify the man. All I say is that the performance isn't exceptional or remarkable in any way. Now you add the word kitsch. Sheesh!

[Ollie]

In my humble opinion the playing in this video fell a long way short of remarkable. Other comments suggested descriptions including 'virtuoso' which I struggle with.

Let's be honest; Bach's Air on a G String is hardly a virtuosic piece. I didn't think was remarkable either, but it certainly wasn't amateur.

[gettabettabox]

no bum notes in there and perhaps some pro showboating, but that's what people want?
I reckon that when he's not performing, he maybe goes fishing?....''it was this big!''

[Pete Dunk]

Probably worth it to check your facts then before calling people amateur little geezers ;-)

W

Sorry but I think not. This is a forum for melodeon players. Mr Galliano isn't one such. In any other discussion I would have given a great deal more space to a gifted musician but if you tie it down to Bach, Classical and this performance then for me it fails, sorry but there it is.

[Sebastian]

Now you add the word kitsch.

I am sorry, but I have no right to claim this honour. It wasn't me who has introduced the word kitsch. It was already used some messages earlier to characterise the performance.

Given the fact that you have already two times avoided to answer my relatively simple question what it is that you dislike about this interpretation, I assume that there is not much point in asking you a third time.