Jazz Theory and Improvisation Studies for Accordion

This book teaches how to become a competent jazz accordionist and actually create beautiful and fascinating chord progressions to accompany a melody. The author, Ralph Stricker, takes you through the basics, beginning with scales, modes, chord structure, altered chords, inversions, with an emphasis in the beginning on developing left-hand technique through exercises.

Piano Accordion: Owner’s Manual and Buyer’s Guide

This book by George Bachich clearly explains how accordions work, what goes wrong, problems to watch out for when buying an accordion, how to quickly identify reed configurations, tone chambers and mute chambers, how to diagnose and locate air leaks, how to safely open and inspect your accordion, and how to recognize when reed valves need to be changed. It explains how to identify and evaluate musette tuning, reed quality, handmade reeds, and how to decide which accordion is right for you. Points made in this 164-page soft cover book are amply illustrated with over 40 color photographs.

This 162-page book, edited and compiled by Helmi Strahl Harrington, Ph.D., details the life and music of the great American accordionist and recording artist, Charles Magnante (1905-1986). Compact disc with 21 Magnante tracks included.

The Giulietti Sound: In Search of the History of My Accordion

This beautiful 95-page hardcover book by Sander Neijnens (with 33 full-page photographic plates), contains interviews with the people who built the renowned Giulietti accordions in Castelfidardo, Italy, as well as with people who play Giulietti accordions, and people who knew the company’s founder: Julio Giulietti (1910-1996). The book also contains a CD with twelve pieces played on Giulietti accordions, from 1965 to 2005.

How To Play Diatonic Button Accordion Method Book & CD, Vol. 1

This 48-page method book was written for Henry’s button-accordion classes at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and has been acclaimed as the most direct and easy-to-follow button-box method. Includes button charts and diagrams, photographs, and a 39-track CD which demonstrates the musical examples in the book.

How To Play Diatonic Button Accordion Method Book & CD, Vol. 2

This 48-page method book was written for Henry’s button-accordion classes at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and has been acclaimed as the most direct and easy-to-follow button-box method. Includes button charts and diagrams, photographs, and a CD which demonstrates the musical examples in the book.

How To Play Diatonic Button Accordion Method Book & CD, Vol. 3

This 48-page method book was written for Henry’s button-accordion classes at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and has been acclaimed as the most direct and easy-to-follow button-box method. Includes button charts and diagrams, photographs, and a CD which demonstrates the musical examples in the book.

Italian Favorites for Accordion
Music Book & CD

This 61-page music collection features Italian marches, tarantellas and love songs, arranged by the late “Westfield Massachusetts Legend” Helene Criscio and performed by Henry Doktorski. Includes 22 songs from Italian folk and operatic repertoire, plus a biography of Helene Criscio.

Latin Favorites for Accordion
Music Book & CD

This 48-page music collection arranged by Gary Dahl and recorded by Henry Doktorski features popular tangos, rumbas, cha-chas, etc., including Besame Mucho, El Cumbanchero, Perfidia, Tico-Tico, and nine other Latin favorites.

Divine Hymns for Accordion
Music Book & CD

This 32-page music collection arranged by Helene Criscio and recorded by Henry Doktorski features 19 popular hymns, including Abide With Me, Amazing Grace, Holy God We Praise Thy Name, Faith of our Fathers, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Rock of Ages, and 13 other beloved hymns.

Ragtime Favorites for Accordion
Music Book & CD

This 45-page music collection arranged by Helene Criscio and recorded by Henry Doktorski features 11 popular rags, including Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer, Maple Leaf Rag, and others.

Christmas Favorites for Accordion
Music Book & CD

This 64-page music collection arranged by Jay Latulippe and recorded by Henry Doktorski features 30 popular Christmas songs, including unforgettable Johnny Marks tunes from the animated television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

German Favorites for Accordion

This 48-page music collection arranged by Gary Dahl and recorded by Henry Doktorski features 15 popular German tunes, perfect for Oktoberfest Festivals and Biergarten events. Includes classic popular songs such as In München Steht ein Hofbräuhaus, Trink’n wir noch ein Tröpfchen and Lili Marlene.

“Ellens dritter Gesang” (Op. 52, No. 6), was composed by Franz Schubert in 1825 as part of his setting of seven songs from Walter Scott’s epic poem, The Lady of the Lake. It has become one of Schubert’s most popular works, under the title of “Ave Maria.”

In 2007, Henry transcribed Schubert’s beloved classic for stradella-bass accordion, as heard on his CD, Ave Maria: Hymns to Mary.

Suite on Four Polish Carols
for free-bass accordion and strings

Henry’s four-movement suite evokes images of romantic nineteenth-century Warsaw: cobblestone streets, horses and wagons, candlelight, and siedem potraw—the traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner—as well as the simple joys of family Christmases in rural homes.

Serenade for two wind instruments and harp (or piano)

Beautiful and harmonically-pleasing, this is the same Serenade recorded in Henry’s CD, A Classical Christmas, and also recorded on Boston Records by Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra members Gretchen Van Hoesen (flute) and James Gorton (oboe). Henry’s Serenade was also performed in concert with harpist Gretchen Van Hoesen, oboist James Gorton, and flutist Robert Langevin (principal flutist with the New York Philharmonica Orchestra).

Fughetta on “Happy Birthday”

Henry composed his Fughetta in 2003 for the festive occasion of Maestro Anthony Galla-Rini’s 99th birthday. Henry met the world-renowned accordionist, teacher, composer and author in 1990 in Kansas City, and again in 1996 in San Diego, when Anthony and his wife, Dolly, came to hear Henry perform a recital for the San Diego Accordion Club. Henry’s lively piece presents a delightful contrapuntal exposition, development, and recapitulation of the famous “Happy Birthday” theme composed by Patty and Mildred J. Hill in 1893.

3-Part Canon on Stabat Mater for accordion quartet

This is the famous 13th-century hymn to the Blessed Mother: Stabat Mater Doloroso, commonly known as “At the cross her station keeping.” Henry arranged the tune as a 3-part canon for three accordions, plus a continuo accordion (bass accordion optional), and recorded it for his CD Ave Maria: Hymns to Mary. It was also performed in concert by the Bell’Art Ensemble.

Theme and Variation on Richard Rodgers’ Edelweiss for solo accordion

Edelweiss—one of Richard Rodgers’ most loved tunes—was written in 1959 for the Broadway Musical The Sound of Music, which was later made into a movie starring Julie Andrews in 1965. Henry wrote a theme and variation on this beautiful tune which displays the sensitivity and virtuosity of the concert accordion. He has performed this piece dozens of times for enthusiastic audiences at his concerts in Chicago, Orlando, Fairbanks, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, San Diego, etc. A recording of this piece from a live concert appears on his Classical Accordion Recital CD.

Bach’s Polka for accordion quartet

Did J. S. Bach write the world’s first polka? This enchanting and lively dance from Cantata No. 78 was originally scored for two singers (a boy soprano and alto), and two stringed instruments (a violoncello and violone—the ancestors of the modern-day cello and bass fiddle). Henry has proved that this Baroque composition works just as wonderfully when played by four accordions.

Rondo Polka for solo accordion

Many polkas bear the resemblance to either of the long traditions of Slavic, Italian, French, or German polka forms that preceded them. However, this particular polka composed by Henry really seems to have its roots in the Classical music tradition, and sounds very much like something Haydn or Mozart might have created in fun. It’s quite an elegant little piece with a new twist on the polka form. An exciting piece which never fails to draw smiles and applause from audiences.

Romance for accordion left-hand chord buttons

The left-hand Stradella manual of the accordion is usually relegated only to playing the bass and chord accompaniments for the right-hand melody. Yet Henry has written and recorded what we believe is THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPOSITION written only for the accordion left-hand chord buttons: sophisticated and inspiring music which will appeal to the most discriminating classical music connoisseurs.

Fantasy on Marty Haugen’s “Gather Us In” for organ

In 2016, while serving as an organist at St. Martha Roman Catholic Church in Murrieta, California, Henry composed and performed a fantasy based on the hymn tune by Marty Haugen called “Gather Us In.” He recorded the piece and posted it on YouTube. Since then, several organists have asked him for the sheet music, but he didn’t get around to writing it out until now. Henry offers a PDF file of the nine-page organ score for $10.00.

Steve Mobia’s comprehensive 60-minute documentary film chronicles the accordion’s variety, history and it’s effect on popular culture. Includes interviews with accordion legends such as Anthony Gall-Rini, Guy Klucevsek, Dick Contino (and Henry Doktorski), and ventures through concertinas, button boxes as well as a presentation of MIDI accordions. Includes historic clips of Guido Deiro, Art Van Damme, Lawrence Welk and Frankie Yankovic. Discover why Lady of Spain is associated with the accordion, and listen to where the accordion might be headed in the future.

Guido Deiro Vitaphone Sound Film

In this digitally-restored 1928 film (one of the first sound films to showcase a virtuoso musician), Guido Deiro performs the overture from Bellini’s opera I Capuleti ei Montecchi, and the Serenade from Les Millions D’Arlequin by Riccardo Drigo. This rare film displays the great artistry, virtuosity, musicianship, and stage presence of the first great star of the piano-accordion at the age of 42, at the height of his fame.

Charles Magnante and His Quartet: “Soundies”

“Soundies” were an early version of the music video: three-minute musical films which were displayed on the Panoram, a coin-operated film jukebox, in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, factory lounges, and amusement centers. In this DVD, Charles Magnante and his quartet perform five numbers: Waltz a la Accordion, Tantalizin,’ Andalucia, Sweet Sue Just You, and Dance of the Spanish Onion.