The influence of the converter system on the contemporary accordion performance

Abstract

Abstract. In the second half of the XX century the accordion experienced significant changes that would change the instrument’s destiny, its practice, sound range and potential. One of these changes was the creation of a converter system that opened doors to performance on this instrument, such as: hands independence, polyphony realization, new compositions, technical and artistic development of the performer’s skills. In addition to highlighting the mechanisms and aspects related to the performance of the converter system, the study discusses some techniques common in modern accordion compositions (clusters, glissando, ricochets, vibrato, portamento, percussion effects, etc.) and ways of their notation, identifies benefits and limitations of performing different types of articulation and sound effects on the instrument. It is concluded that the use of the converter system in the accordion has expanded the range of possibilities of the instrument and made its study much more interesting for performers, composers and listeners; fruitful collaboration with outstanding masters (Sofia Gubaidulina, Edison Denisov, Franco Donatoni, LucianoBerio, Magnus Lindberg, MauricioKagel, ToshioHosokawa, Salvatore Sciarrino, Christopher Bochmann and others) led to the cultural rise of the instrument. Finally, the inclusion of the accordion with a converter system in the programs of chamber and symphony concerts has accelerated the process of introducing the accordion into classical music.