In 2009, an unusual musical sculpture appeared in the very center of the city of Saratov. This is a monument to the Saratov accordion, a unique musical instrument, the birthplace of which is this city. How can an ordinary street statue be musical? It's simple: twice a day, a harmonics recording starts playing from the hidden speakers. What is the history of this monument, and is there a unique tool today?
The history of the Saratov accordion
In the city of Saratov, the center of the Saratov province, the production of harmonics was started in 1855-1856. A musical instrument differed from its analogues by the presence of bells and a special timbre of sound. Already in 1870, Nikolai Gennadievich Karelin opened the first workshop for the production of accordions. It is worth noting that at that time every musical instrument was a real work of art. Harmonies were richly decorated with carvings, leather and velvet inserts and cupronickel plates. Gradually, the number of masters involved in this difficult craft increased, and very soon the accordion became one of the symbols of Saratov. In 1920, all the artisans were united in the Saratov Harmony artel, and they were also given a production room at 5. Tsyganskaya Street. This enterprise produced about 8 thousand accordions a year.
The harmonious workshop eventually became part of the musical instrument factory. The Saratov harmonica has existed for more than a hundred years, but today it is no longer produced. Meanwhile, the instrument can still be heard during the performance of some musical groups.
Monument to the Saratov accordion: description and photo
The sculpture dedicated to one of the symbols of the city was presented to Saratov for his next birthday, celebrated on September 12, 2009. The sculptural composition consists of a bench and a harmonist sitting on it in traditional Russian clothes with an instrument in hand. The monument to the Saratov accordion is cast in bronze; its author is sculptor V. Palmin. Interestingly, the sculptural composition was made in the Moscow region, in the city of Zhukovsky. The monument weighs 750 kilograms and its height is 3 meters 40 centimeters.
The total cost of making a sculptural composition is about 1 million rubles, according to experts. Such a generous gift to the city was made by the local bank Express-Volga. Real magic happens twice a day when music begins to play from the hidden speakers.
Where is the Saratov harmonist?
The monument to the Saratov accordion is erected in the very center of the city, on the main pedestrian street - the local “Arbat”. It is not difficult to find it; the road to an interesting sculpture will be suggested by any local resident. The Saratov harmonist is popular among tourists, as you can take original photos with him as a keepsake. Enough space has been specially left on the bench so that everyone can sit next to the bronze musician. If you decide to look at the monument to the Saratov accordion with your own eyes, it’s easy to remember the address: Kirova Avenue, 9. The closest landmark is the Pioneer movie theater.
