The accordion is an instrument, that has the versatility of being played in various styles of music, such as classical arrangements, folk, jazz and contemporary music. Almost every week in our news editions, we have items about accordionists in ensembles with other instruments such as violin, piano, cello, etc. New competitions and festivals, both local and international, are now being organised for these ensembles that include accordion. Doesn't this show us that the accordion is becoming more and more popular and widely used in groups with other instruments throughout the world?

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• International Accordion Competition Klingenthal - Germany
• Accordionist Plays for the Pope - Italy
• Kuhmo Master Classes - Finland
• Festival of Nations - USA
• Soave Performs in Paris Conservatory - France
• Teaching Concert - China
• National Music Week Concert - USA
• Hammondnoise Tour 2000 - Germany, Switzerland and Austria
• Charity Concert - New Zealand
• Tour to South of Spain
• First European Accordion Festival in Prague - Czech Republic
• Fisorchestra Liberina Plays at Sanctuary - Italy
• Accordion Orchestra at Leyland Festival - England
• "Order of Canada" Award - Canada
• Accordion Competition in Shandong Province - China
• Gower Folk Festival - Wales
• Accordionist Performs in Opera - Chile
• Accordionist at Annual Extravaganza - USA
• Marconi Club Concert - Australia
• "Wolmer Beltrami Against the Light" - Italy
• Tonic Concert - USA
• New Sites
• Accordion Information Required
• Antique Accordion Information

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

The annual International Accordion Competition Klingenthal held from May 5th to 11th in Klingenthal., Germany included a variety of wonderful concerts. The Accordion Orchestra "Stanko Miholvic" (Pula, Croatia) performed at the opening concert on May 6th. The following evening the famous "Synagogalchor of Leipzig" performed a program of Jewish and Hebraic songs. Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen played "Chaconne in D minor" (Bach/Bussoni) and the Duo Monte Carlo played "Concerto in D minor" (Bach/Vivaldi - 2nd & 3rd movements) and Mozart's Sonata in B Major.

Monday's concert (May 8th) was dedicated to international accordionists like Mika Väyrynen, Dominique Emorine, and the Duo Monte Carlo formed by Christine Rossi and Aleksandr Shmykov.

Next weeks news will report the balance of the Klingenthal event including the competition results. Ed.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On May 1st accordionist Ivano Battiston played with the Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra during a concert in honour of Pope John Paul II in Tor Vergata, Rome. The performance was attended by a huge crowd and broadcast live on national television. The orchestra was conducted by Myung Whun Chung with solo vocalist Andrea Bocelli.

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

Master classes for accordionists, cellists and pianists will be held in Kuhmo from May 11th to 14th organized by Jukka-Pekka Kuusela. Accordion tutors include Professor Jon Faukstad, Kalle Välimaa and Jukka-Pekka Kuusela.

Four concerts will be held featuring Jon Faukstad in the famous Kuhmo Arts Centre on May 11th, Raimo and Tuula Sariola on May 12th. Jon Faustad will give a lecture on Norwegian music on May 13th and a final Jubilee-concert will be held on May 14th.

Following the master classes Jukka-Pekka Kuusela and Jon Faukstad will perform a concert together in Sotkamo on May 15th.

Dee Langley was joined by Nickolai Georgiev (Bulgaria) on gadulka and two other musicians to represent Bulgaria at the Festival of Nations in St. Paul, Minnesota from May 4th to 7th. The Festival of Nations has been held since 1932 and has become one of the nation's largest and longest-running multi-ethnic events. Over 100 ethnic groups present their historic traditions through folk dance performance, authentic ethnic cafes, cultural exhibits, folk art demonstrations and international bazaars. Over 90,000 people attended this year's event.

Peter Soave performed at the Paris Conservatory of Music on May 1st with Geir Drugsvoll and Myriam Bonnin. Their program included original compositions with various instrumental combinations featuring the bayan and bandoneon. Soave performed Astor Piazzolla's "5 Tango Sensations" with the Conservatory string quartet. The capacity audience included famous French accordionist Marcel Azzola and former CIA Coupe Mondiale winners Frederic Guerouet and Max Bonnay.

Peter will be the "sole" musician in the off Broadway production of "Eurydice: Legend of Lovers" (by Jean Anouilh) presented by the Storm Theatre, New York, USA from May 9th to June 3rd. Peter will play both the bayan and bandoneon. For ticket information phone: + 1 800 965-4827

Contributed by Li Cong

Yang Guo Li (China Capital Normal University Deputy Professor of the Music Department Accordion Course) held a "Teaching Example Concert" on April 20th in Beijing to over 500 people. Yang Guo Li is also the Vice Chairman of the Beijing Accordion Association, Vice President of the Beijing International Accordion Festival and Vice Dean of the Accordion Examination Board of China Central Music Conservatory. He has taught the accordion for over 20 years, with many successful accordion students. In recent years he has been invited to judge competitions in Klingenthal (Germany), Yugoslavia and China.

During the concert, his students performed different musical styles, which were well received by the audience including accordion celebrities of Beijing, such as Zhang Zi Qiang, Li Yu Qiu, Yang Wen Tao, Shang Yuang Chang, Ren Shi Rong and Jiang Jie. The concert was attended by the Beijing TV Station who televised a report.

Contributed by Mary Tokarski

The "K" Trio will perform a concert on May 13th in honor of National Music week! Their program will include Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, "The Fox and The Hound" (Frank Mucedola), "Summer Concerto", "Presto" from "The Four Seasons" (Vivaldi), The Scherzo from Mendelssohn's Quartet, Opus 44, No. 2 (with special guest Brian Canell) and many accordion favourites.

The TMC Players (violinist Sandie Apuzzo & Cameron Stowe) will accompany the trio on a medley of music from Andrew Lloyd Webber. The concert is a free event, but donations will be graciously accepted on behalf of the Yale Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs. For further details email: mary.tokarski@snet.net

Accordionist/organist Jon Hammond (USA) has just completed a tour of Europe playing concerts in Bad Kreuznach, Zurich, Habach, Steinebach, Augsburg, Tamsweg and Hofheim in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Jon performed with tour manager, drummer and pianist Robert Hutya (from Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg) and long-time music partner Barry Finnerty. The duo (Jon & Barry) have been co-leaders in a television show in New York for the last 17 years entitled "The Jon Hammond Show", a music and travel soft news program. Jon is currently planning a tour to the Czech Republic in September.

Auckland accordionist Tracey Collins performed at a charity concert to benefit Hospice on May 7th in Takapuna to over 100 people. The MC was well known NZ entertainer and vocalist Ray Columbus. Tracey's program included a variety of Latino, Scottish, French, Italian and modern pieces.

Tracey plays regularly at the Roma Italian Restaurant (Albany) on Friday nights and the Positano Italian Restaurant (Mission Bay) on Monday nights.

Spanish accordionist Iñaki Alberdi will tour the South of Spain from May 10th to June 28th playing in theatres in Guadix, San Fernando, Alcala la Real, Almería, Aracena, Bailen, Santa Fe and Valverde. His program will include "Goldberg Variations".

Iñaki was a member of the Jury at the recent Klingenthal competition in Germany. For further concert information email: ialberdi@arrakis.es

Contributed by Jan Hülsmann

Seventy-two members from the Akkordeon-club Langenhagen 74 e.V. will attend the First European Accordion Festival in Prague from June 22nd to 25th. Two orchestras will compete in the event performing West Side Story, Slawische Skizzen and Hegaubilder.

On June 24th the group plan a special trip down the Moldau River, which will include accordion music and dinner.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On April 30th the new Fisorchestra Liberina (conducted by Pasquale De Marco) held a concert in the Our Lady of Fatima sanctuary in Marcianise (Caserta Province) to a large and attentive audience which greeted this prestigious accordion orchestra enthusiastically. The concert was introduced by Anna Perretta, who reiterated the role of music schools to stem the tide of pupils dropping out of the education system, social deviations and drugs. The orchestra performed "Aria on the 4th String" (Bach), "Fantasia in A" (Peppino Principe), "Czardas" (V. Monti), "Ave Maria" (Schubert), "Cuore e Fisarmonica" (De Marco-Stok).

The event also included the inauguration of the new accordion school promoted by Rev. Mimi Dragone, sponsored by the Excelsior firm of Castelfidardo and directed by Pasquale De Marco. The school will be hosted by the sanctuary and will be open on Wednesday afternoons. Marco Bellaiuto (a student at the new school) performed at the concert, demonstrating great musical and artistic potential.

The Fisorchestra Liberina will perform at an important charity concert for UNICEF on May 16th at the local theatre in S. Arpino, (near Caserta, Italy).

Contributed by Dugald McCallum

The Weaver Valley Accordion Band will represent the Leyland Accordion Club at the Leyland Festival on June 3rd in Worden Park, Leyland, Lancashire as some orchestra members are also members of the Leyland Club. The annual Leyland Festival includes a procession of floats, a variety of entertainment, displays and events, dancing competitions, the crowning of the Festival Queen and a fireworks finale.

The WVAB (now in its 20th year) regularly performs at charity concerts and private functions as well as enjoying considerable success in competitions. It has an extensive repertoire embracing a variety of music, arranged or composed by their Musical Director Ken Farran.

Their Leyland Festival program will include marches such as Old Comrades and Macnamara's Band, operatic pieces such as The Anvil Chorus, and dance music such as La Cumparsita.

For further details email: Dugald.McCallum@nationwideisp.net

Canada's "Polka King" and accordionist Walter Ostanek (St. Catharines) was awarded the Order of Canada (Member) on Wednesday April 26th for over 45 years in the music business. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, presided at the investiture ceremony in Ottawa. The Order of Canada recognizes people who have made a difference to their country.

Sixty five year old Walter has been inducted into two of North America's most renowned polka halls of fame, made numerous radio and television appearances and has won three Grammy Awards.

Contributed by Li Cong

The 2000 Cup East China Province Accordion Competitions were held from April 29th to May 1st in Heze, Shandong Province for accordionists from Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui Provinces. The competition, organized by the Accordion Examination Board of China Central Music Conservatory included a jury made up of accordion specialists from the Central Music Conservatory and other provinces. Over 200 competitors attended, from primary, intermediate schools and universities. During the competition, accordion professor Zhang Zi Qiang and Yang Guo Li gave lectures.

Contributed by Jan Lucas

Accordionists Karen Tweed and Ian Carr will hold a workshop and concert at the Gower Folk Festival in Wales on June 11th. Karen performs regularly in the UK and is also a member of the "Two Duos Quartet", "The Poozies", "Swap" and "The Chase". For further details email: jan@jlucas.demon.co.uk

Contributed by Florencia Herrera

Argentinean accordionist and teacher Julio Erman (Gasparin) will play in the opera "Wozzeck" which is being staged at the Town Hall in Santiago de Chile from May 2nd to 23rd. Julio is President of the Asociación Internacional de Acordeonistas (AIDA, International Association of Accordionists).

Contributed by The Classical Free-Reed

Concert accordionist Henry Doktorski performed Piazzolla's "Adios Nonina" with pianist Natasha Snitkovsky at the City Music Center's Annual Year-End Extravaganza on May 7th at Duquesne University School of Music Recital Hall. Both performers are faculty members at the City Music Center, Pittsburgh's largest community music school. Other performers included soloists and the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra directed by Augustine Martinovic. In attendance was Duquesne University dean, Michael Kumer, as well as other dignitaries from the Pittsburgh classical music scene.

Melbourne accordionist Bernadette Conlon will perform at the Marconi Club on May 21st, one of Australia's biggest and most successful clubs. This concert will follow a performance by the "Club Marconi Dance Band", which features the winners of the 1999 Mo Award, for the best Club Band in Australia. Band leader, accordionist Enzo Giribaldi will attend the AATA Festival later this month.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

An event to honour the memory of Wolmer Beltrami will be held on June 17th in the Sports Centre at Breda Cisoni (near Mantua). Guest musicians for this special evening include Paolo Picchio, Milonga Quintet, Massimiliano Pitocco, Renzo Ruggieri, Adolfo Del Cont, Valentino Lorenzetti, Gervasio Marcosignori and Giancarlo Caporilli. For further information write to Luigi Lombardi: cavour@omeganet.it

The "Klucevsek/Bern Unit", comprising of Guy Klucevsek (accordion, compositions) and Alan Bern (accordion, piano, compositions) will perform at "Tonic" in New York City on May 26th. Klucevsek and Bern will then travel to Milan, Italy, to record their first duo CD for the Winter & Winter label. For more information email: Guysqueeze@aol.com

http://www.accordions.com/lombardi Updated information on Italian accordionist Luigi Lombardi

http://www.borsini-accordions.com Updated information on the Borsini accordion factory.

Demetri Lagarde would like information on a "Soberano" accordion. Please email: DemetriLagarde@email.msn.com

Spanish accordionist Angel Luis Castaño won the 1990 Coupe Mondiale (held in Trossingen, Germany) and hopes that somebody present at the festival made a video of his performance. If you can help please email: acasta5@almez.pntic.mec.es

Amador Anguiano, Jr. would like some information on a "Princetti by I. Busilacchio" accordion made in Italy with a small picture of a pegasus on top of the instrument. Please email: thetick@coollink.net