Esau and Jacob of Accordionland: Pietro and Guido Deiro
(7 downloads)Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008
Pietro Deiro performing “Danube Waves” (Onde del Danube) by Iosef Ivanovici (1845-1902) who can claim the singular distinction of being known as the Romanian Johann Strauss. This piece is also known as the “Anniversary Song” and is the only work for which he is known today. Ivanovici was a successful composer and bandleader in his day having written over 350 waltzes and assorted dance tunes.
Guido Deiro (1886-1950), Pietro’s older brother was the first star of the accordion. He was a huge hit with the Vaudeville stage and was married to Mae West. He made the first recordings on wax cylinder, and he performed the first radio broadcast. Prior to Guido, the only accordion instruments to be found on the United States were the button types without the piano keyboard, an instrument which he instructed his younger brother how to play. Guido also wrote the song “Kismet” which was featured in the musical of the same name. His career, however, ended abruptly with the Great Depression.
Pietro Deiro, on the other hand was not only an important artist, but a shrewd businessman who remained successful even during the depression years. He established a publishing house specializing in accordion music and was the first president of the American Accordionists Association (AAA). He very opportunistically capitalized on his family name siphoning off some of his brother’s reputation and proclaiming himself to be the Il “Papa di Fisarmonica” (daddy of the accordion) in spite his brother’s list of firsts (and the fact that Guido taught him the instrument). This ultimately led to a rift between the two brothers that lasted until near the end of their lives.
The Deiro brothers were born in Italy in the village of Salto Canavese (near Turin in Piedmont). Pietro moved to the US in 1907 and worked in the coal mines in the Seattle area. Guido joined his brother in the states in 1908 having already established himself as a performing artist in Europe.
Columbia A1477, 1913