Castagnari – Handcrafted Diatonic Accordions of Recanati (1914)

Established in Recanati in 1914 by master cabinetmaker Giacomo Castagnari, the Castagnari workshop began as an artisan atelier crafting diatonic button accordions and melodeons in the rolling hills of the Marche.

Solid Hardwoods and Hand-Voiced Reeds

Situated near the celebrated musical instrument district of Castelfidardo, Giacomo Castagnari rejected mass celluloid coverings and factory assembly lines in favor of classical acoustic luthiery. Selecting aged solid cherry, walnut, and maple woods, he constructed resonant sound chambers that functioned like acoustic stringed instruments. Inside, every brass and steel reed was individually voiced, tuned, and mounted by hand, yielding a warm, distinctive timbre, rapid mechanical responsiveness, and light bellows action favored by traditional folk virtuosos.

Global Acclaim and Modern Folk Music

Through the mid and late twentieth century, with Giacomo’s sons and grandsons guiding the benches, Castagnari accordions became international benchmarks across the European folk revival, Irish traditional sessions, French musette, and American roots music. Musicians prized the instruments for their dynamic subtlety, acoustic projection, and heirloom longevity.

Today, the Castagnari family continues to manufacture every accordion completely by hand in their Recanati workshop, safeguarding Marche’s century-old acoustic instrument heritage for world stages.

Historic Site & Location