“It seems that Mario is painting a piece of art when he plays the music.” “Every time when you hear Mario playing, you see that his heart works faster than his music rhythm.” “No one can squeeze more feelings from the music of Astor Piaccolla than Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi.” This is how artists and people describe Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi’s music and meanwhile they are surprised that this young man has been able to attract the entire world with his music.
– Are you in Armenia for the first time?
– No, this is my fourth visit to Armenia. For the first time I visited Armenia with Tonino Guerra. He told me about the wonderful churches here; the churches of Noravank and Geghard. Armenia is situated in between Asia and Europe. Armenia is really very beautiful and one can find unbelievable solutions here.
– Is it not an unbelievable solution to combine “the cooperation” of the music of accordion, bandoneon and orchestra?
– Maybe it is strange because the accordion is a very unique instrument. In a number of countries it is used more in the folklore. I tried to implement the new program of combining the music of accordion and orchestra, and I asked Roberto Molinelli and Fabio Conocella to write music for me. By the way, the latter is a new Italian composer. I think it is a good idea because the accordion gives a specific taste to the bandoneon. Bandoneon has a German origin. People used to play the bandoneon in churches. Later this instrument was used in Argentina, and the way of playing was changed as well because they played tango with this instrument. I am trying to mix it with the Italian music to create new repertories. Of course it is a strange thing but I believe it will be success as people like it already.
– Why did you choose accordion or bandoneon but not violin or piano?
– I was born in a family of accordionists. It is what I inherited from my ancestors. I just took our accordion at home and started playing. Shortly I started playing the bandoneon as well. The fact that people like Piacolla’s music was a good incentive too. Piacolla is a real master of bandoneon. It was the reason why I liked bandoneon.
– In Caucasus accordion is known as an instrument which represents the Russian folklore. Do you have Russian music in your repertory?
– Generally accordion has Italian origin. It is more Italian instrument representing the Italian folklore. Of course now people play more Russian music because the Russian repertory is very rich, but I can’t play Russian music because I am Italian and the Russian culture is not mine. I am very friendly to the music of other nations but I have to play my own Italian music because I am the bearer of the colors of my country.
– What kind of education have you got?
– I have studied in France, Serbia, and graduated from the conservatory of Rome. I won one of the competitions organized in Rome, which was a world famous competition. In 2001 I participated in another world famous competition in France and I won. Currently I work in the southern part of Italy, in a conservatory not far from Sicily. I am trying to introduce the new ideology of accordion to my students; I am trying to teach them the future of accordion.
– Nowadays many people refuse academic education and say that the academic education kills the talent. Do you agree with that?
– Of course no. Many people think like that. When such people follow this idea shortly they find out that they have stopped playing and thinking of the music. The talent is very important but you can’t play with the talent only. One can play well if the talent and education are mixed. Playing is like the work. One should learn how to work and, what is more important, stay close to the musical instrument. It is also normal that many people are not talented so much but can play work due to their hard work, and the vice versa. It is true about anything and any sector in the life. For example, you are a talented football player but you don’t want to run and train… If you don’t work, your talent is nothing.
– When you are playing it seems that with your music and every movement of your body you are taking people into a unique film… Is it your story?
– I am very happy to see that you understand what I am trying to deliver. Many people say I am becoming a part of my musical instruments. Maybe it sounds beautiful. When I am playing I am starting to imagine. It is the biggest present I can get from people who listen to my music.
– What is the “message”?
– I can’t say. When I am playing I fall into my imagination world and imagine more. I think people understand my imagination world. My film comes from my imagination. It is very beautiful. I am grateful to the God for giving this opportunity to me; for being able to enter into a dialogue with the musical instrument and the fact that people understand this dialogue. Every time I am closing my eyes and trying to imagine people in my memories.
– Are the stories different every time?
– Of course it is not a realistic film. It is hard to tell about my feelings and imagination. It is my secret.
– But sometimes it becomes evident.
– Everyone can imagine like I do. It is like reading a book with visual imagination. I have my visual imagination in my film too, which is in my inner world.
– What is important for an artist?
– The most important thing is the every day work. An artist should work hard. I always tell this to my students. For an artist it is very important to be hardworking. Definitely this is the message I am trying to teach and deliver to my students. We should work hard to make our dreams come true.
– Now you are very famous in the world. Does it hinder you move forward?
– It does not change anything. In this case my family is helping me much because every time I win a competition my mother says, “It is good, but you should move forward. You should not stop and speak about it. You should work hard.” I work for 12 hours a day. I can’t have a rest, I want to work more.
– Is it the formula of your success?
– I love this world and music, and my family and traveling are great pleasure for me. It is my life.
– What is the life?
– Once Federino Fellini said that the life is a big smile. Many people suffer but I think the life is not so long to be sacrificed to suffering. For this purpose one should help the other to love and live the life. All of us are the children of the God.
– When you are playing it seems that in your hands you have not a musical instrument but a toy because you touch it very tenderly. Is it a result of hard work as well?
– Maybe. It is about my anagram. It is a secret that I will tell you. For the first time. You know that accordion is an Italian word and it means “Fiezermonica”. My name and surname are Mario Stefano. (he took a piece of paper, wrote down his name, erased some letters in that word, and the letters that remained meant a saying in Italian, which he translated as “God has given me the talent to play the accordion” M.M.).
– You have visited Armenia for a number of times during these 4 years. Have you heard about the Duduk?
– I want to meet with Jivan Gasparyan. I have seen his videos, as well as the duet with Zuccero. I think in the near future I will have the opportunity to play with him. Why not? I love the melodies of the Armenian Duduk. I can imagine how wonderful the mixing of the Armenian Duduk, accordion, bandoneon and orchestra can be.
– Do you have time to share with your family? Where does your family live?
– I was born in Atesa, which is in the middle of Italy. Even though I am happy to have concert tours, sometimes I feel sad and miss my family. My family lives in Atesa. I have a sister. I have a unique family, which believes in me and my music. It is the most important thing for me. I am really lucky.