Valtaro accordionist, Pete Spagnoli, passed away on November 7th. The wake will be on Wednesday, November 9th ( 2PM to 5PM and 7PM to 10PM) at the:
Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home,
10-25 150th Street
Whitestone, NY Phone:(718) 359-1122
10:15AM Funeral Requiem Mass will be on November 10th
St. Luke’s RCC
16-34 Clintonville Street
Whitestone, NY 11357
(718) 746 8102
Photo of Mr.and Mrs. Peter Spagnoli.
Following bio by Carol (Spagnoli) Schiavi
:
Peter Spagnoli was born on November 1, 1921 in Borgo Val di Taro, a little town, nestled in a picturesque valley in the Apennine Mountains of northern Italy. Peter was the second son born to Emilio and Ernesta (Dellapina) Spagnoli. (The Dellapina family was better known by their nickname, “il Gein”). Two years later, in 1923, Emilio, Ernesta and their two sons, Aldo and Peter, crossed the Atlantic and landed in the “promised land”, the USA. After passing through Ellis Island, the Spagnoli family made their new home in New York City, a far cry from the quiet countryside of the Borgo. They found an apartment on 60th Street, overlooking the 59th Street Bridge on the east side of Manhattan. It was there that Peter would later enter his destiny as a professional musician and devotee of Valtaro music.
When Peter was 10 years old, a family friend, John Brugnoli, came to live with them. John was affectionately known as Scud’lien. Scud’lien, an accordionist and composer from Borgo Val di Taro, offered to teach Peter the accordion in exchange for room and board. Peter took to it like a duck takes to water, so his parents bought him his first accordion — a secondhand one that cost about $25. Scud’lein taught him to read music and to play by ear. Most of the music Peter learned were folk songs from the Valtaro region, but many of these tunes were not written down. He learned by hearing them sung, listening with a keen ear, and then by playing them with his teacher. Early on in his music career, another friend of the family, Johnny Valentini, took Peter to play the accordion for the military at Governor’s Island. This was Peter’s first gig. For some reason, Johnny bought him a Spanish costume to wear and even though Peter only knew two songs, it didn’t seem to matter.
It wasn’t long before Peter had a bigger repertoire and was using his musical skills to earn a little spending money. For $3 Pete would play all night at a local bar, the “Emiliana,” and also at some little “holes in the wall”, as he puts it. Peter continued his music lessons for four years in the accordion studios of Pietro Diero. There he honed his musical skills, as he received instruction in accordion technique and classical training.
In 1936, Scud’lein and Pete DelGrosso, also known as “Filumena”, opened up “The Valtaro”, a cabaret on Second Avenue and 46th Street. It soon became popular for the dance music of their home town. Scud’lein and Filumena were the standard duo, but Peter and other accordionists, like Emilio Chiesa, played there as well. The unique sound of the Valtaro music was created by having two accordions playing a duet – one the melody, the other the harmony. The waltzes, mazurkas, and two steps from the Valtaro region were the main stay of their repertoire.
Eventually, Peter would play at “The Terrace”, a cabaret that his father, Emilio, and Scud’lein bought in 1939. It was located uptown on Second Avenue and 59th Street. The Terrace came with two “in-house” and excellent musicians, a pianist, Norma McFeeters, a black woman from the West Indies, and a drummer, Willy Wohlman who was Jewish. Before long, the two of them were playing Valtaro as if it was part of their own DNA.
Together with accordionists Mindy Cere, Scud’lein and Peter, on occasion, they became a tight knit band and The Terrace became a stomping ground for Valtaro aficionados. The place also became a local employment center and marriage bureau. Many “paesans” came together to enjoy the music and dancing and some had the extra bonus of meeting their future spouse.
In 1943, during World War II, Peter joined the Air Force. For the next three years he put away his accordion and became a navigator for the B24 bomber and later the B29. He returned to civilian life in 1946 and went right back to playing at The Terrace on a steady basis. It was during this time that he in fact, met his own girl of his dreams, Dilma Viotti. They tied the knot on Easter Sunday, 1948.
Peter desired to impart his ability and knowledge of the instrument so characteristic of the folk and romantic sound of the music of Europe. He became a teacher at the Elsie Bennett Accordion Studio in Brooklyn. He taught there for several years until he opened up a studio of his own. Through word of mouth and because of his good reputation, Peter amassed quite a number of accordion students.
Peter continued playing at The Terrace, with Norma at the piano, until the 1960’s. During this time he expanded his repertoire to a more diverse and international flavor. Other bandleaders would ask him to play gigs like weddings. At these affairs he was able to meet and share the bandstand with other excellent musicians. Peter’s reputation preceded him and was well deserved. His musicianship and flare for knowing how to stir a crowd resulted in his becoming a well known and popular bandleader, providing music for weddings, formal affairs, political dinners and even Bar Mitzvahs and Communions. Some of his clientele included people such as Metropolitan Opera singers, political figures, actors and clergy.
His talent indisputable, whether performing solo or with a ten piece band, Peter played music of all kinds — from big band, Latin, pop, to rock n roll, but his signature style was the beloved Valtaro. That is what he was best known for. That is where he came from. Many of Peter’s accordion students caught his love for Valtaro, thus passing it on to the next generation. One such student, Dominic Karcic, a gifted accordionist and bandleader, is dedicated to keeping the music of Valtaro alive and thriving.
During his career, Peter recorded two long playing records with his respected teacher, Scud’lein, featuring folk songs of Valtaro. “Balliamo e Cantiamo Con Valtaro”: Cantano I Due Menestrelli (Fiesta Records FLPS 1542) and an instrumental, “Valtaro Musette: Popular Italian Favorites (Fiesta Records FLPS 1515).Peter has been recognized for his excellence and years of service in the field of music. In 1994 he received the “Man of the Year” Award by the Valtarese Foundation. Peter was also honored by the Committee of Berceto Foundation and Xaverian Missionary Fathers, Il Comune di Borgo Val di Taro, and The American Accordionists’ Association, to mention a few.
After an illustrious career of over 50 years, Peter officially retired in 1995 but did not put away his accordion for good. He made “guest appearances” at places like Magnanini Winery and other venues where Valtaro music is featured. His latest guest appearance was at his granddaughter’s wedding in June 2005. He opened the Valtaro set with what has come to be his grandchildren’s favorite, “Tutti Mi Chiamano Bionda”.
Peter leaves his wife, Dilma of 63 years and two married daughters, four grandchildren and a recent great grand child. His musical legacy did not stop with him, but was passed on to one of his daughters and two grandchildren who have followed in his talented footsteps.
The accordion world has lost a “giant”. He will be missed and remembered forever. For further info: Dkarcic10@optonline.net
Photo of Spagnoli family
