[Accordion] Stylish and Unforgettable Once You Hear Them: Famous Songs from Around the World

Jazz AccordionRichard Galliano

Jazz accordion (Varuzhan Shanshiyev)

Jazz Accordion, crafted by world-renowned French accordionist Richard Galliano, is a memorable work distinguished by its beautiful melodies born from a fusion with jazz and by the music’s free and elegant atmosphere.

Brimming with the wistfulness and warmth only a player who knows the instrument’s charms inside and out can convey, it enriches the listener’s heart.

For anyone who wants to fully savor the world of the accordion, this is a must-hear track!

Night Wind of the Journey (Theme Song from the film “The Ties That Bind of Aizen Katsura”)Kirishima Noboru / Misu Koromubia

Travel Night Breeze (Aizen Katsura) Accordion Solo Tatsuo Kubo

Released in 1938, “Tabi no Yogake” (Night Wind of the Journey) is a work that pairs exquisitely with the wistful tone of the accordion.

Its quintessential Showa-era melody will sound nostalgic to some generations and refreshingly new to others.

Covered by renowned artists such as Harumi Miyako and Kiyoshi Hikawa, this classic of the Showa period has been passed down through the years.

Please enjoy it together with the accordion’s sound, which evokes a sense of nostalgia in everyone.

Rhapsody in BlueGeorge Gershwin

Rhapsody in Blue – Rhapsody in Blue – (accordion)

It’s that famous piece composed by George Gershwin, also known from the movie “Nodame Cantabile.” It’s a rhapsody for piano and wind instruments, but it’s performed brilliantly on a single accordion, which is quite moving.

I think it’s a wonderful performance that really showcases the accordion’s immense potential.

OblivionAstor Piazzolla

피아졸라 Piazzolla ‘망각 Oblivion’ / Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn

What a wonderfully poignant song this is! For those who thought bandoneon music was all about fiery Latin rhythms, this piece will be a new discovery.

The violin and bandoneon weave a richly expressive melody.

It’s a slow-tempo, exotic masterpiece with remarkable depth.

Dragon Quest Shrinesugiyama kouichi

Dragon Quest III “Hokora – Small Shrine” (accordion)

This is the background music that plays during the Shrine scene in the popular game Dragon Quest.

With its fantastical and rich tones that capture the listener’s heart as if by magic, this piece lets you fully savor the appeal of the resonant accordion.

The melody, which invites players on a fantasy journey, seeps so deeply into the heart that you almost forget it’s game music.

While the original is performed by an orchestra, playing it on the accordion seems to heighten the sense of poignancy and melancholy, resulting in music that speaks even more directly to the emotions.

LambadaKaoma

Lambada (lambada) accordion

This is a song that became a hit performed by the group Kaoma, formed in France, and was covered in Japan by Akemi Ishii.

Originally, it was first done by a Bolivian group—in short, it’s South American dance music.

Rendered lightly on the accordion, the exotic South American breeze fits perfectly with the instrument’s tone.

EscualoAstor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla – Escualo

In the Japanese translation, the song is titled “Shark.” It’s different from a melodic piece, yet it’s thrilling and highly captivating.

While it may seem to be performed without coherence overall, that’s not quite the case.

It gives an avant-garde impression.

As you listen, you’ll find yourself increasingly drawn into its world.