RAFFAELE DAMEN

ACCORDIONIST

AION

This is accordionist Raffaele Damen’s first album. Aion represents a discovery of the seldom-explored musical realm of the accordion. It consists of harmonies among contemporary composers who are bound to each other by a subtle red thread, ranging from Mantovani’s plain and measured style (8’20” Chronograph) to De Murashkin’s lyrical minimalism (Music of an Organic Nature), a fresco with a rare beauty, which fully exploits this instrument’s potential.

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"If you don't listen to Raffaele Damen dealing with the accordion, you can't even remotely imagine what it could become in his hands."

Andrea Bedetti

About

Raffaele Damen

Passionate and sensitive accordionist, these qualities characterize Raffaele Damen. His skills and enthusiasm for music have earned him numerous awards including Val Tidone, Stresa, Luigi Nono, and the Abbado Prize.

He has been featured in numerous national and international festivals such as: Accademia Filarmonica Romana, Radio3 Suite, Italian Institute of Culture in Amsterdam, "Accordéons-nous" Mons, Philharmonic Society of Trento, Friends of Music of Udine, Friends of Music of Modena, Friends of Music Society "G. Micheli" of Ancona, PIF Castelfidardo, WörtherSee Classic Festival, Ravenna Festival, Emilia Romagna Festival, Sarzana Opera Festival, Ente Concerti Pesaro, Riccitelli Festival.

His concerts often feature world premieres of pieces dedicated to him; furthermore, he has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Marchigiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Liviabella Orchestra, and LaCorelli. He has recorded for Stradivarius and Ema Vinci. His debut album, "Aion," for DaVinci Publishing, was reviewed with five stars by the music criticism magazine Musica.

Graduated with top marks and honors from the "G. Rossini" Conservatory in Pesaro under the guidance of Paolo Vignani, he continued his studies with Mie Miki at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. He studied contemporary music, Indian rhythms, and the Alexander Technique at the Italian Accordion Academy of Claudio Jacomucci. He obtained a Master's degree in "Interpretation of Contemporary Music" from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome with Massimiliano Pitocco.

He is a professor of accordion at the "B. Maderna - Lettimi" Conservatory in Cesena - Rimini.