Bella Ciao

"Bella ciao" (Italian pronunciation: [ˈbɛlla ˈtʃaːo]; "Goodbye beautiful") is an Italian protest folk song that originated in the late 19th century, sung by the mondina workers in protest to the harsh working conditions in the paddy fields of North Italy.

The song was modified and adopted as an anthem of the anti-fascist resistance by the Italian partisans between 1943 and 1945 during the Italian Resistance, the resistance of Italian partisans against the Nazi German forces occupying Italy, and, during the Italian Civil War, the Italian partisan struggle against the fascist Italian Social Republic and its Nazi German allies.

Versions of "Bella ciao" continue to be sung worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom and resistance.

In 2017 and 2018, the song received renewed popularity due to the singing of "Bella ciao" multiple times in the Spanish television series Money Heist. The character Tokyo recounts in one of her narrations, "The life of the Professor revolved around a single idea: Resistance. His grandfather, who had fought against the fascists in Italy, taught him the song and he taught us." The song is played in emblematic moments in the series as a metaphor for freedom. The part 2 finale is also titled "Bella ciao."

NOTE: This video is not a political statement concerning any current events. Its only intent is to portray the history behind a piece of music that has helped change history.

About the Recording

This recording was made on a single track, not a series of tracks recording over each other. The up to 9 individual instruments sounding in the song at one time are all controlled live while playing – not in the sound studio using DAW software.

About the Accordion

The Concerto Digital/Acoustical Accordion is what many consider to be the “Stratovarius” of modern accordions. It is a leader in sound quality, both acoustically and digitally.

This particular model is the DA300 with hand-made reeds (LMMM) and two tone chambers. The electronics give it the ability to choose from over 380 different sounds and save them to an unlimited number of registers. In addition to the reeds, eight other instruments can be played simultaneously (4 on the keyboard side, and 4 on the bass button side).

The mix of instruments can be controlled using the bellow, keyboard touch sensibility, or an expression pedal to properly emulate each of the instruments relative volume to each other. Instruments can also be phased in and out of a solo position.

It is unique amongst electronic instruments in many ways. One particularly useful difference is that when a register is changed, that change does not take effect until another note is played (and does not affect any notes held). So, for example, you could hold a note, and play a counter melody under it with a completely different set of instruments, and then switch back to the original registers of eight instrument.

There are many other features too numerous to list here – but I am always willing to answer any questions.

[birch]

I am learning how to play this song on my Roland 4X and acoustic accordions. I loved hearing your different sound choices on your digital accordion and getting a detailed description of the history of this galvanizing piece of music. Many thanks Roy!

[royhelsing-accordionist]

I am glad you enjoyed it. the instrument is both acoustic and digital. This song gives ample chance to blend them both.