Meixner Mervar Showcase 11232018a

When Wayne Golob, Mate Iskra, Frank Butsch and I began researching the history of Mervar Accordions and created the Anton Mervar Accordions Facebook Page, we envisioned ways to document not only the Mervar history, but the history of other reknowned accordion craftsmen that built these fine instruments that we enjoy today. A few years ago, my long-time family friend Alex Meixner and I began discussing several ideas to showcase Mervar accordions, with the above-noted vision in mind. In mid-summer of this year, Alex and I spent a day together playing and selecting a wide range of accordions that we thought were significant to showcase. In early fall, Alex approached me with an idea to present a Mervar showcase at the 2018 Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Thanksgiving Polka Weekend. We presented our idea to several Hall of Fame Trustees, and they graciously embraced the program. In September, Alex and I spent two days together refining the program, and we presented it on Friday afternoon, 23 November 2018 as part of the Thanksgiving Polka Weekend program. Our dear friend Gerry Balash was kind enough to record the program with my cell phone. The attached program highlights accordions that are very old as well as much newer, have wooden or celluloid veneer, have aluminum or brass reed blocks, are in different keys, have different reed combinations, and have different tuning. We combined some history with many pleasing melodies. We endeavored to deliver a quality presentation packed with informative dialog and fine music commensurate with the class and quality of the Thanksgiving Polka Weekend program. Folks were appreciative to learn some special information about a fundamental part of the rich Cleveland-Style polka history, as well as witness Alex’s dynamic talents up close and personal. The Anton Mervar Accordions Facebook Group expresses our appreciation to the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame for the opportunity to present the Meixner-Mervar Showcase during Thanksgiving Polka Weekend 2018. We hope the Hall of Fame wishes to build on our effort to make such historical presentations a part of future Thanksgiving Polka Weekend programs. Enjoy the video!
Dave Slick

[@michaelmatiasic3733]

The Mervar has a sound of its own ! Great to see the respect Alex has for each one. Love it👍

[@rokchurnovic1108]

You can’t beat a Mervar! I love them to death. I hope to get many more in my possession.

[@haysfordays]

Way to go, Mr. Meixner!!!!

[@micavandeberg8024]

How is the song called at 48:49? I would love to learn that melody!

[@jamesgruden2191]

It would be nice if we could see what button are pushed when Mr.Mervar plays the button box

[@christiaanbodewits4540]

Mervar and his wife died in a car accident in 1942. There are only a few pictures of him, no videos.

[@jayhillz3705]

You mean Alex?

[@sinek300l5]

Are you american, its quite interesting that some forigner people enjoy our folk

[@MrFlames01]

Hey guys, do you know if Mervar made chromatic button accordions? Also, is that emblem that appears in most accordions used in this video specific to the Mervar brand? Thank you and have a great day.

[@davidstraupslick9064]

See my FB page cover photo. I’m playing a Mervar half chromatic. The Mervar logo is the lyre, usually engraved in the grill or engraved on the treble carcass.