by Sebastiana Ierna
The Castagnari firm of Recanati has been a spearhead of the Italian and international music scene for more than a century: for 110 years it has been producing bitonic accordions, that is, those capable of obtaining two sounds by pressing a single key, and its business dealings look largely abroad as far as the United States, Australia and Japan. Its instruments have been used by artists such as Negramaro, Claudio Baglioni, Teresa De Sio and Sting. The company’s master craftsmen have been participating in Cremona Musica International Exhibitions and Festival for years, and ahead of the 2024 edition we met with 67-year-old Sandro Castagnari from Recanati, grandson of founder Giacomo, a maker of fine instruments.
How did the Castagnari company come into being?
In 1914 my grandfather Giacomo opened his workshop in the Castelnuovo district in Recanati and, with his wife Ida, started the production of accordions. We carry on the family tradition in the same place, where we live the history, the roots, the memories of our ancestors. We were involved in accordions, also working for the Crosio company in Stradella and making instruments for Tyrolean folk music. In the late 1970s we brought back the diatonic accordion, characterized by a melodic button keyboard, exploring new solutions in synergy with the wishes of musicians.
What sets you apart from other companies?
I work with my brother and three of our cousins, increasing production with new models-we have created more than 40! This has allowed us to renovate an instrument that in itself is very complex, being composed of at least 1,700 pieces. Following the advice and needs of our musician clients, we made increasingly innovative modifications. Alongside the historical equipment of our predecessors, since 2001 we have also had a computerized laser machine, which facilitates the work for the fretwork to be mounted above the keyboard. We also use an organic glue derived from rabbit skin, which transmits sound well and is reversible when hot.
In your long experience, is there a memory you cherish in particular?
December 5, 1979, is a historic date for us, one that marked a turning point in the way we work: the first meeting with Marc Perrone, an Italian-born French accordionist and songwriter, client and great friend. To him we owe the growth of the diatonic accordion, up to three rows with 18 and 24 basses, suitable for traditional music, jazz and the symphonic genre. On each of his visits he was our guest for lunch; my mother and aunt would prepare food and together we would joke and play. It is very important for us to listen to our interlocutors; it is in our DNA. Professionalism and humanity at the service of music!
In cooperation with TGmusic.it
