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Friday, May 11, 2012

{Unique Accordion LOVE Story}

On April 29, it was my husband Pieter's birthday and this time he got an ACCORDION. Let me share with you this TRUE and Unique Accordion LOVE Story... First I like to show you his birthday gift. Does any of you have a relative that also plays or played the accordion? Tell me about it in your comment.
When Pieter was a little boy, he did visit his Dad's eldest brother, Hendrikus Johannes Vedder, who was a widower and lived in Duiven, in the province of Gelderland in The Netherlands. That uncle Drikus had an accordion, a Hohner, Vienna Style. Pieter loved to play on it and when his uncle gifted him the beloved Vienna Style Accordion, he was in heaven. A dream come true, although this was an old diatonic accordion from the 1920s probably, as Hohner build the Vienna Style Accordions from the 1910s till 1930s.
During WWII, Pieter began DREAMING about a real Piano Accordion with 48 bass, instead of this old diatonic 21 button one with only 8 bass (two rows of 2 on right side). There was no money, but he never gave up dreaming about his German Soberano Accordion. As the war lasted longer, all sorts of products were becoming scarcer. Coffee for instance almost had the value of gold. Pieter's family had skipper friends, the Van Megen family from Doornenburg, who transported coal and iron ore with their boat on the Rhine into Germany. Pieter's older brother Toon was befriended with Piet Van Megen. Knowing also that they smuggled, by hiding stuff under the remains of coal or ore. In Germany, products such as coffee got even scarcer than in The Netherlands. Mentioning an accordion, the Van Megens knew how to find one in Germany, if we could exchange it for coffee. Pieter's Mother had some stock of coffee, as she always knew how to find some via her former work connections. 
Very much like this vintage Soberano piano accordion with 48 bass that is on Pinterest just click for additional photo.
Pieter said: 'If I remember correctly they brought me one for 5 pounds of coffee; a red flamed Soberano 48 bass. It was my favourite instrument with a nice soft tune.'
ACCORDION ←just click through
Of course that one was left behind in The Netherlands when we immigrated in 1983, it was old and not perfect anymore. BUT, he got his third one for his recent birthday and all the fond memories from years back are being relived. I was so impressed that he could play it right away after so many years!


In our veranda, happy on his birthday!
The last time I've heard Pieter play his accordion was when we had the Grand Opening of the Practical Training College for Mushroom Growing. My husband Pieter set that up in 1969 in Horst, The Netherlands. That was a special and festive day and I loved his playing! 
So we're back on track and I can TANGO to his tunes...
Pieter is wearing a silk bowtie that I made, see link below post.
As is written in gold on the side: 'Del Sol'... It truly does bring sunshine.

Related link:
{My Burda Pattern Silk Skirt - Bow Tie & Scarf Creation} | showing the silk bowtie that I made for Pieter...
Our 3rd Cabin Stay at The Hill on Cherokee Lake in Tennessee | Pieter playing at The Hill by Cherokee Lake in Tennessee in their newly erected Pavilion
Pieter's Music Booklet from WWII Era | how Pieter learned to play his first accordion

32 comments:

  1. congratulations to pieter! my father played accordion. he played the button type. my 3rd grade teacher played the type your husband is holding and i learned one tune on it from her. but that was many years ago. :)

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  2. Hi! Thanks so much for visiting my blog. It's always fun to get to know other bloggers, isn't it?!

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  3. Dearest Mariette,
    Your husband looks SO wonderful and happy with the lovely third Accordion♬♬♬ 
    And we (me and hubby) were surprised to know his loveing mother exchanged 5ponds of coffee with Accordion for him. Oh, it reminds me of some stories arounds these days my mother told me.(father who fought the war never told his experience)
    It sure is marvelous that he could have kept the skill and played lovely tune.
    I checked the meaning of "Del Sol". It is a Spanish word "sun"♡♡♡
    Happy for both of you and gorgeous looking instrument having wonderful owner.
    Love you always, xoxo Miyako*

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  4. That's wonderful that he is playing now on the birthday present!

    When I was young I had a child's learner accordion, and could play a few slow songs, Red River Valley and Oh, Shenandoah among a few others.

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  5. Hallo Mariette
    Wens U man nog een gelukkige verjaardag van ons hier en heel veel plezier met zijn accordion.
    Het is zo een mooie muziek ik hou er wel van, ook om zo eens lekker te walsen op die mooie klanken van een accordion.Nog een leuke dag.
    Lieve groetjes Carine

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  6. Lieve Mariëtte van harte gefeliciteerd nog met de verjaardag van je man. Wat een prachtig cadeau moet dat voor hem zijn met veel herinneringen aan vroeger. Leuk dat je zoiets niet verleerd en zo weer verder speelt na zoveel jaren. Jammer dat er geen geluid bij is. Er zullen nu wel regelmatig accordeonklanken bij jullie te horen zijn.
    Wat heb je prachtige kleding aan in je vorige bericht.
    Leuke gordijntjes in de serre, zelf gehaakt?
    Fijne dag, lieve groet

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  7. Wat leuk Pieter met zijn accordeon.........enne nog gefeliciteerd hoor!!....liefs Ria....xxx...

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  8. Dear Mariette,
    Pieter looks so happy with his birthday present!
    Belated Birthday wishes to him!

    Have a lovely week,
    love and hugs
    Claudia

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  9. Simpatico e bravo il tuo Peter!Ei,Mariette,che carina latua veranda,quante casette!!!Bacioni,Rosetta

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  10. What a beautiful accordian. I was playing accordian with buttons when I was younger. I had one in lightblue and gold. Have a nice day.

    Hugs
    Elna

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  11. Dear Mariette
    You thought to do for him a wonderful gift. It is beautiful to play now as before. I can think of how happy he is with your gift. Happy Birthday !!!
    All my love
    Olympia

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  12. What a beautiful love story! I feel so happy that your husband Pieter got accordion on his birthday and enjoyed playing. It is amazing he could play right away after many years. I can forget typing after a week of vacation ;-)

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  13. Lieve Mariette,ja in Polen hadden wij een oom die op iedere feestje wel zijn accordeon bij zich had en dan gezellig met ons hele familie zingen,mijn moeder speelde mondharmonica het zijn mooie herinneringen,veel liefs irena,en bedankt voor je lieve worden op mijn blog

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  14. Ciao Mariette, come in my blog Celestegrafica, there is an award for you...

    http://celestegrafica.blogspot.it/

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  15. Wow!! my dear friend Mariette,
    This is truly an amazing and touching story, what I love the most is that Pieter never gave up, after all that is the spirit, isn't? Congratulations to Pieter, he must be enjoying it a lot together with you, send you a big hug
    Lots of love
    Laura

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  16. Lovely! What a black and white photo coupled with his. Wonderful photos and Happy Birthday :)

    leslie

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  17. Dear Mariette,
    He looks so happy playing, what a lovely gift.
    My dad was always playing the button accordion.
    Have a lovely day!

    Eva

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  18. How wonderful! Happy belated birthday to Pieter. Amazing that he hadn't forgotten to play after all those years. Best wishes to you both, Tammy

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  19. Wat n leuk verhaal Mariette! Wat een bijzonder kado hoor! Ik hoop dat Pieter er nog heel veel plezier van heeft!
    Lieve groeten,
    Nicole

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  20. Dearest Mariette,
    Pieter lnteal of this old button one Pieter said I was so pressed the he could play it right away after so many years.
    your Pieter with for you that is happy long times.
    Love you so much!
    Michiko

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  21. On my blog there is a challenge for you. Have a nice weekend.

    Hugs
    Elna

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  22. That is a beautiful accordion that your husband is playing Mariette! My grandfather used to play one but it wasn't as fancy as Pieter's. Wonderful!

    Wishing you a beautiful weekend dearest Mariette!
    xo Catherine

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  23. Oh my goodness Mariette, it is really beautiful and Pieter and this amazing instrument looks like a match made in heaven. What a sweet story, really sweet. I guess a skill like that always sits just as a memory in the fingertips - it's amazing isn't it.
    P.s. About your beautiful quilted vest... both the bow and the rose looks really lovely but I actually think the rose makes you look a bit softer, which I think really suits you.
    With much love
    from Joan

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  24. Happy Birthday to Pieter and so happy for him to receive his dream accordion. He looks perfect with it and I am sure the music he creates is beautiful. Amazing story and a gorgeous instrument. I have played an accordion once many years ago. I play piano so it was fun to try.

    Enjoy Pieter and best wishes always.

    XO, Celestina Marie

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  25. Oh wat leuk.. wijzelf kunnen niets spelen, en zeker geen accordeon, maar ik weet wel dat het in de 50-er en 60-er jaren een erg populair muziekinstrument was. Wat leuk dat hij nog zo goed kan spelen na al die jaren en weer een mooie en goede accordeon heeft, hij is wel erg mooi, was vast erg blij met zijn verjaardagskado....... Leuke foto, zo met die accordeon en dat vlinderstrikje♥ Zit hij vaak te spelen?

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    Replies
    1. Beste Marian,
      Ja, hij was heel blij met dit verjaardagscadeau! Ik was toen best ontroerd toen hij hem beetpakte en meteen kon spelen; doet je goed na al die jaren! Dat zijden vlinderstrikje heb ik zelf gemaakt, hoort bij mijn rok en zijden sjaaltje en haarstrik. Heb de link onder deze post gezet...
      Oh, het doet mij altijd heel veel als ik hem zo af en toe hoor spelen, dan weet ik dat ie in zijn sas is en dat hij ook relaxed. Altijd zo'n harde werker geweest en zoveel voor een ander klaar gestaan dat ie zelden aan zichzelf dacht.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

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  26. Quanto mi piace Peter che suona la fisarmonica.Bravo Peter!Se fossi giovane imparerei a suonare uno strumento musicale.Ciao

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    1. Cara Olga,
      Sì, Pieter è sempre stato un buon musicista e ancora di più. Mi sarebbe piaciuto imparare me stesso ma sfortunatamente...
      Abbraccio,
      Mariette

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  27. Wonderful love story! Wish you had shared a video of him playing a song on here for us! Such a unique gift...he is exceptional, with an exceptional wife!
    Respectfully,
    Donna & Josh
    The Hill by Cherokee Lake

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Donna & Josh,
      Thank you and yes, it is a very special love story.
      But I DID share a video in my blogpost that Pieter played at your Pavilion.
      Have now also added it below this post to click on.
      Hugs and love,
      Pieter & Mariette

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  28. Geweldig. En dan gelijk weer spelen na al die jaren. Heel bijzonder. Zelf ook niet zo lang geleden begonnen met lessen en dan ontdek je pas hoe lastig het is. Geniet er maar van. Gr Jan

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    Replies
    1. Beste Jan,
      Hopelijk heb je er ook veel plezier van, ik heb er m'n hele leven plezier van gehad, zij het met onderbreking!
      Groetjes,
      Pieter

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...