We are still receiving emails from people asking us where they can find CD recordings to purchase. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that we now have a new section in the Yellow Pages "Recordings for Sale" where you can search by title, performer and tracks for the recordings you would like to buy. Also, if you have your own CD or tape for sale, you can submit details to us and we will list it in that section for a small charge. For details see our Recordings for Sale submit form.

If you would like to have your CD reviewed by Internationally known accordionist Tania Lukic-Marx, then please check out the "CD Reviews" section of Accordions Worldwide.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• Swedish Accordionist to Perform with Pavarotti in USA
• Orchestra Performs at University - Puerto Rico
• Lunch Time Concerts - South Africa
• MusicMarche Consortium Takes Part in NAMM - USA
• Finnish Accordionist Tours Germany
• Accordionist Performs with Symphony Orchestra - Lithuania
• "Fladså Harmonikatraef" Festival - Denmark
• Lips Accordion Courses in England and the Netherlands
• Accordion & Concertina Workshops - USA
• 70th Anniversary Celebrations - Denmark
• New Edition of French National News
• Central Music Conservatory Recruiting Accordion Students - China
• Giorgio Dellarole Performs in Greece
• 2nd Anniversary Concert - USA
• Regional Competitions - France
• Dutch Accordion Ensemble to Perform in USA
• New Orchestra Formed - Denmark
• Orléans Concert - France
• Alberto Morbidoni Passes Away - Italy
• Paddy Noonan's "Musical Taste of Ireland" - USA
• Accordionist Performs with Vocalists - France
• DHV Examinations in Grießen - Germany
• Concert in Jilin Province - China
• Belgian Accordion Promoter Passes Away - Belgium
• Bartel and Students Open the Circus Program - USA
• Concert Tour of Western Australia
• New Sites

Swedish accordionist Ari Haatainen will perform with Pavarotti in July this year in the USA. Ari has played with Pavarotti on a number of occasions during the last ten years, firstly in Stockholm, Sweden (1989), Los Angeles, USA (1994), Gotenborg, Sweden (1996) Paris, France (1998) and five concerts in Stockholm, Oslo (Norway), Munchen (Germany) and Helsinki (Finland) during 1999. Ari has also played on Pavarotti's CD recordings and television appearances. Pieces include Neapolitan songs with Symphonic orchestra such as Non ti scordar di me, Mamma and Chitarra Romana. For details email: ari.haatainen@rekarnep.eskilstuna.se

Contributed by Jane Berkovitz

The Orquesta de Acordeones de Puerto Rico (AAPR) under the direction of Esther Eugenia Bertieaux, will perform at the University of Puerto Rico Theatre in Aguadilla on March 21st. The orchestra consists of 15 accordionists, drummer, percussionist, a dancer and a mistress of ceremonies.

This free concert will include a variety of Hispanic music such as Paso Dobles ("Currito de la Cruz"), Tangos, Bossa Novas, Merenques, as well as "Syncopated Clock" (Leroy Anderson), "Mis Amores" (Puertorican dance), "Granada", "Chiapanecas", "Habanera Tu", "Lara's Theme" and others. For further details email: edjane@coqui.net

On March 3rd, accordionist Sergio Zampolli gave the first in a series of fortnightly lunch time concerts at the Sandton Art Gallery in Johannesburg. Sergio played works by Ibert, Khachaturian, Paganini, Liszt, Rossini, Mozart, Dinicu and Volpi. For details of future concerts see Future Events.

Contributed by Beniamino Bugiolacchi, Director of the Accordion Museum in Castelfidardo

The MusicMarche consortium from Castelfidardo (Italy) took part in this year's NAMM trade show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in February. This year's show reflected the difficulties in the sales of musical instruments world-wide. Several companies from the Marche region in Italy, including Tombolini & Figlio, F.lli Alessandrini, Cemex, Musictech, Victoria Accordions and Dino Baffetti, attended the show thanks to the support of the region's Chamber of Foreign Commerce and the ICE (Institute for Foreign Commerce).

The MusicMarche stand, which featured beautiful pictures of Castelfidardo and of its Accordion Museum, operated as the coordinator of participating companies from the Marche region. Its ninety square meters of space included displays of Piermaria by Sem, Orla, Brunner Musica and Baiocco Fernanda. Also, the stand distributed hundreds of leaflets to visitors and musical press correspondents.

Notwithstanding the pressure exerted on traditional musical instruments by the new look campaigns of technologically advanced products, the market seems to be in a reasonably healthy state.

Finnish accordionist Mika Vayrynen will tour Germany from March 17th to April 2nd giving concerts in Hamburg, Greifswald, Rostock, Bad Segerberg, Berlin, Schoningen, Mannheim-Neckrau, Dusseldorf and Wuppertal. Mika's program will include works by Bach, Mozart, Dupre, Zolotarjov, Kaipainen, Piazzolla (Oblivion) and Makkonen (The Flight Beyond Time). For details see Future Events.

Accordionist Raimondas Sviackevicius will perform "Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra" (by Polish composer Bogdan Dowlasz) with the Lithuanian Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Robertas Servenikas) on March 16th. The concert will be held in the Big Hall of the Lithuanian National Philharmony as part of the "Atzalynas" Festival. For details email: sviaraim@takas.lt

The international accordion festival "Fladså Harmonikatraef" was held at the "Hall" in Fladså on February 19th organized by the Fladså Accordion Club, with help provided by the City Council. Seven hundred people attended this popular festival, which is in its 10th year. Accordionist Vladimir Ushakov (St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble soloist, Russia) was invited to perform by festival Chairman Bent Loejmand. Vladimir played at a number of venues in Denmark during 1999 and performed successfully with the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble at the International Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo. The Ensemble has already been invited to perform at the 2001 festival.

Other performers included Broderna Ferm (Ferm Brothers, Sweden), Unnbybaelgarna (Sweden), White Wables (Denmark), Alfalfa (Denmark), Kalundborg Spillemandsgruppe, Fladsoe Harmonikaklub, Foerslev Spillemaendene, duos Troels and Herman (Aero, Denmark), Kristian and Henrik and soloists Jens Madsen and Kristian Rusbjerg (all from Denmark).

Plans are already underway for the 2001 festival. For details phone: +45 55 76 15 79

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

The Groningen Conservatory (Netherlands) has established a new accordion course with masterclasses by Friedrich Lips. The classes, which are held four times a year began in September 1999 and will finish in May 2000. Participating students have received some inspiring input on such issues as bellows control, sound production and interpretation.

Lips also travelled to the Royal Academy in London, England where Professor Owen Murray is the Director of Accordion Studies, to give another masterclass.

Accordion and concertina workshops will be held on April 1st and 2nd at the North American Provincial Comhaltas Convention, Arlington, Virginia. Tutors include Billy McComiskey (beginners accordion workshop), Joe Derrane (advanced accordion workshop) and Charlie Coen (concertina workshop). For registration details email: cce@altavista.net

Contributed by Vladimir Ushakov

Well-known Danish accordion composer, player, conductor and teacher Peter Nielsen celebrated his 70th birthday recently. Many people from all over Denmark sent their congratulations to this popular composer. Peter's compositions have been widely published by well known music publishing companies. He also conducts 10 Danish accordion groups and has over 60 students.

Over fifty guests attended the anniversary reception, including Peter Anders (Danish Accordion Union - DHL), colleagues, friends and students. Entertainment was provided by "Madam Blå" and Vladimir Ushakov (St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble). "Madam Blå" perform regularly at accordion festivals and events in Denmark with a repertoire of popular music and Peter's compositions and arrangements.

Contributed by Gregory Frenard

A new edition of the French National news is now on line and can be seen at: http://www.accordeon.com/francais

Contributed by Li Cong

The China Central Music Conservatory is currently recruiting accordion students. This is the first time the accordion has been offered as a special course at the Conservatory. Ten students will participate in this specialized class for the next three years.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Giorgio Dellarole will perform at the Istituto Italiano della Cultura in Thessalonike, Greece on March 31st. For further details email: holda@accordions.com

Contributed by Valarie Morris

Smythe's Accordion Center will hold their 2nd Anniversary party concert on March 19th in Oakland. This free concert will include entertainment by "Polkacide", "Big Lou with Hey Sailor" and "Lemon Limelighters".

Sixteen year old French accordionist Christine Fischer will perform in the APH regional competitions on March 12th and 13th in Oberhausbergen near Strasbourg. Competition winners of several categories will be selected to take part in Championships held later this year.

On April 2nd Christine will perform "Rondeau Anglais" in the CRAC regional contest (for accordion and keyboards) in Strasbourg.

Contributed by Henry Doktorski, The Classical Free-Reed

Alphen Opus 2, the highly acclaimed classical accordion ensemble from Holland, will perform concerts at the First Unitarian Church and the Duquesne University School of Music in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during their first U.S. tour from April 25th to May 2nd. They will also appear at the WQED-FM studios for a live on-air performance and interview with producer Paul Johnston.

The Alphen Opus 2 Accordion ensemble (directed by Serg Latychev) specializes in original works for accordion orchestra by contemporary Dutch composers as well as music by other composers including "Asturias" (Albeniz), "Fiddle-Faddle" (Leroy Anderson). For further information email: free-reed@trfn.clpgh.org

Accordionist Mette Kathrine Jensen recently formed a new orchestra called the "Denmarkorchestra". The group will perform a variety of classical music and new compositions. Their aim is to show people the accordion is a serious instrument and they hope to encourage composers to write new works for them to perform. For details email: metkath@hotmail.com

French accordionist Bruno Maurice performed a concert at the "Gerard Philippe" Theatre in Orléans on March 9th. His program of romantic music featured titles from his new CD "Appassionata" by composers including Chopin, Albinoni, Granados, Sibelius, Albeniz, Rimsky-Korsakov and Kholminov . For CD details email: BMaurice1829@aol.com

Contributed by Beniamino Bugiolacchi, Director of the Accordion Museum in Castelfidardo

Accordion craftsmen Alberto Morbidoni, passed away in Castelfidardo on December 20th, 1999. Born in Castelfidardo in 1914, Morbidoni became one of the most accomplished workers of the prestigious Settimio Soprani factory. In 1946 he began to produce his own instruments which soon acquired great appreciation around the world both for the very high quality of the materials and for their innovations in terms of appearance and sound.

The activity of his company, "Dega", will not cease with his death. His sons Aldo and Roberto will carry on this tradition, which makes Castelfidardo proud, thanks to the principles acquired in many years of work alongside their father. For further information see Memorials.

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, Titano Accordion Co., International

Once again, Paddy Noonan proves his love for the accordion and personal blend of Irish music, as he embarks on a St. Patrick's Day musical odyssey. Beginning March 8th, Noonan's troupe of musicians, singers, dancers and comedian will create a "Musical Taste of Ireland" in Lady Lake, Hobe Sound, Winter Haven, North Palm Beach, Jacksonville and Venice, Florida. From there, they wend their way across the country through Toledo and Sandusky, Ohio, to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, on to Supply, North Carolina, to Thousand Oaks, California and Sun City West in Arizona. For exact venues and dates phone: + 1 800/854-3746.

Paddy has just released "Paddy's Best", a CD of favorite Irish Dances and Airs, available from Ernest Deffner Publications.

French accordionist Patrick Brugaliere performed a concert on March 8th with vocalist France Léa in Limeil Brévannes (near Paris). The duo entertained with a program of France Léa's own compositions. On March 11th Patrick will play in Asnières (near Paris) with vocalist Juliette Gréco. They will perform songs by Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Brel, Jacques Prévert and Léo Férré.

Contributed by Uli Ebner, Director of Creativ-Shop

On April 8th, examinations for accordion solo and duo will be held in Grießen. The district "Dreiländerecke" (the area where Germany, France and Switzerland border, called the "Three Countries Corner") and clubs from Klettgau and Tiengen invite accordionists to participate in the event. For enrolment information phone Dietmar Fink: +40 7623 2232

Contributed by Li Cong

Accordionist Yang Guo Li (Vice Professor and the Music Master of the Capital Normal University and Vice Director of the Accordion Examination Board of China Central Music Conservatory), was invited to the Panshi City Accordion School in Jilin Province by the school principle Hu Pei Ling. He was accompanied by three of his accordion students Liu Xue Ying, Li Xue Ling and Li Yan, who played to over 200 local accordion students.

The following two days, Mr Yang and his students gave lessons to many local accordionists and were impressed with their enthusiasm.

Contributed by Joeri De Jongh, Accordo Magazine

On March 2nd Belgian accordion promoter Paul Depoortere unexpectedly passed away. He was 56 years old. Paul was well known in the international accordion world, and a confirmed promoter of the instrument. He organized many contests and was the driving spirit of the famous Accordion Festival in Zwevegem. Belgium has lost an irreplaceable person who dedicated his entire life to the accordion. See Memorials for others who have recently passed away.

Contributed by Sandy Bednarek. Secretary of the Milwaukee Accordion Club

Marilyn Bartel reported a wonderful accordion experience at the Shrine Circus on February 26th at the arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By special invitation, "An Exceptional Chorus" (co-directed by Marilyn Bartel and Cheryl Clancey), opened the program with the Star Spangled Banner. Marilyn was on the accordion and had a mission to prove that this wonderful instrument can "handle it alone". Marilyn's students performed a recital of several first lines of the Gettysburg Address, "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this nation" to a stunned crowd of 1,800.

"An Exception Chorus" consisted of 42 cognitively disabled, physically challenged and autistic young adults, as well as alumni chorus members.

Current AATA Champion and South Pacific Champion, Bernadette Conlon, has had a particularly busy opening to the new millennium, performing at Organ Club concerts in Melbourne, for several Rotary functions and on the Murray River Paddle Steamers (on Australia's biggest river).

Bernadette will tour Western Australia from March 17th to 24th, playing at the Perth Accordion Club and the Neerlandia Club in Wembley. Bernadette will also perform on Perth Radio 6NR and Freemantle Radio, 100 F.M. on March 21st.

For further details phone David Krygger: + 61 8 9 332 6698

http://www.accordions.com/ravaglia Information on Italian concert accordionist Daniele Ravaglia

http://www.accordions.com/licong Information on Chinese accordionist and teacher Li Cong, President of Shanghai Accordion Association.

http://www.accordions.com/lian Information on Chinese accordion performer and teacher Lian Jones now living in New Zealand.