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http://accordions.com/news.aspx?d=02-Dec-2016&lang=en&s=12488
http://accordions.com/news.aspx?d=02-Dec-2016&lang=en&s=12488
02-Dec-2016
Brendan Breen, County Laois – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
 Brendan Breen, a regular member of the Gallowglass Ceili Band from 1964 to 1969 died this week. Breen played the 5-row Continental button accordion, and was one of the first in Ireland to use this type of accordion professionally.Entirely self-taught, Brendan Breen originally played 3-row British chromatic before he played the Continental system. In his early years he practised non-stop, even during lunch break at his work. He won 4 All Ireland championship titles before joining the Gallowglass Ceili Band. The pieces he played to win his All Ireland titles included the ‘Carnival of Venice’ and Monti’s ‘Czardas’. A very accomplished musician, his favourite party pieces included Chopin’s ‘Minute Waltz’ and the ‘Flight of the Bumble Bee’. He was equally at home playing Irish, Scottish, Continental or classical music. His instruments included Paolo Soprani, Hohner, Borsini, Solton, and Vignoni accordions. He was renowned for playing with a really light touch and played very quietly, preferring to let the microphone do the hard work. During the 1960s Brendan Breen played on most of the Gallowglass Ceili Band’s recordings, and he can be seen playing on the 1993 video and DVD ‘The Original Gallowglass Ceili Band – together for one last reunion’. Brendan Breen, from Mountrath, County Laois, also had a full time career working in the Irish prison service. He passed away on Tuesday November 29th, and was in his late 70s. He was a widower, had three daughters, and grandchildren. |