''I MÜSETTA''
BANI E TIGLIÒN Vol.2
Madau Dischi, 1985, K-018
The couple piffero-fisarmonica (chromatic accordion) is typical of the region called in Italy ''le Quattro Province'' because the area straddles the provinces of Piemonte, Lombardia, Liguria and Genoa. The accordion replaced in fact the bagpipe called ''müsa'' and that duet was known then as ''I Müsetta'' until the beginning of the 20th century.
Bani and Tigliòn are members of the folk band I Müsetta. Ettore ''Bani'' Losini plays the piffero (local traditional oboe) and sings, Attilio ''Tigliòn'' Rocca plays the fisarmonica and sings as well. The repertoire is completely traditional with polkas, waltzes, monferina, mazurcas, ...
Now the bagpipe is alive again thanks to the revival in Northern Italy and plays again with the piffero and the accordion. The major piffero master is Stefano Valla who is by far the most well known abroad; but lots of other pifferari keep this lovely music alive.
