Welcome to our first news for 2001. We hope you had successful Christmas and New Year celebrations. Accordions Worldwide staff are currently at an International Congress for the next week, planning new ideas, updates and improvements for the site. Thank you for sending us your valuable ideas and input. We look forward to bringing you helpful accordion information, news of concerts, festivals, CD releases and other events throughout the coming year.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• New Year Concerts - Italy
• Sir Jimmy Shand Passes Away - Scotland
• Chinese Accordionist Tours USA
• Successful Accordion Course and Concerts - Mexico
• Spanish Accordionist Tours Ireland
• Pitocco Tours Italy and Sicily
• Accordionist Performs with Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra - USA
• Accordion Lover and Radio Announcer Retires - Belgium
• "Misa Criolla" Featured in New Year Concert - Italy
• Accordion Festival - Russia
• Accordion Book by Gotthard Richter - Germany
• Duo CD Release - USA
• New French News Online
• Accordeon Melancolique Concert for Mayor - Netherlands
• Accordion Magazine "Acordeón Siglo XXI" - Spain
• New CD by Janne Rättyä - Finland
• Young Accordionists at Piermaria - France
• New Year Concerts on Cruise Ship - Italy
• Charity Christmas Concert - USA
• Enthusiasm for Accordion Performer - Germany
• Successful Tour of Japan
• Poem Dedicated to the Accordion - Italy
• Gallery Lombardi Performance - USA
• The Last Supper - England
• Owner of SIVA Accordion Reeds Passes Away - Italy
• New Sites
• Antique Accordion Information

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Ensemble die Musiche Possibili performed popular New Year concerts on January 5th and 6th in Silvano d'Orba and Gavi Ligure (AL). Their program included works by Piazzolla, Bach, Beatles, Metallica, Sakamoto, Verdi, John Reading (Adeste Fideles) and Vittorio Monti (Czardas). Their next concert will be held on January 19th at the Casa della Cultura in Valenza, AL. For details email: ensemble@virgilio.it

Contributed by Stuart Thomson

The world of Scottish dance music was saddened at news of the death of Sir Jimmy Shand M.B.E.; M.A. Knighted in 1999 at a Ceremony in Edinburgh for his services to Scottish Music, Sir Jimmy passed away on 23rd December 2000 at the age of 92. Jimmy not only played accordion, but he had the Hohner company build a "button" model to his specification, which would produce a sound better suited to Scottish Dance Music, the "Shand Morino". He also played the melodeon, mouth organ and violin.

Jimmy Shand and his Band were in the charts in 1955 playing "The Bluebell Polka", the one and only Scottish Dance Band to achieve chart success. During the 60's, they were also firm favorites on the BBC Scotland TV series "The White Heather Club", a show which also achieved worldwide acclaim on stage. In 1962, Jimmy was awarded an M.B.E. An honor of a different nature in 1985, was when British Rail named a Class 37 diesel - electric locomotive "Jimmy Shand". Later, in 1988, he was awarded an Honorary M.A. Degree by Dundee University.

Over a musical career that spanned an astonishing 70 years, Jimmy composed over three hundred tunes. They alone will ensure that Sir Jimmy Shand M.B.E.; M.A. will continue to do as he has always done - bring pleasure to people from all walks of life, from the most humble, right through to Royalty. Jimmy is survived by his wife Lady Anne Shand and sons Jimmy (Jnr) and David. Further information at Memorials.

Contributed by Li Cong

Chinese accordionist Zhang Guo is currently touring the USA until January 20th. During the tour he will play concerts in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. For concert details email: gpzhang@public3.bta.net.cn

Contributed by Brenda Anaya

A successful "Alexander Technique" accordion course was held in 2000 by Italian accordionist Claudio Jacomucci at the Sala Ollin Yoliztli in Mexico City. This was followed by a concert by Antonio Barberena and Victor Martinez who performed tangos to a full house at the Museo Nacional del Virreinato in Tepotzotlan Estado de Mexico. Their program included works by Gardel, Piazzolla and Mederos. In addition an Italian cultural gathering was held Plaza Loreto (Mexico City) which included an accordion exhibition and performances by Mirco Patarini.

Accordionist Iñaki Alberdi toured Ireland at the end of the year 2000 performing concerts at the "Bank of Ireland Arts Center" in Dublín. His program included "Alone" (Erkki Jokinen), "Cuatro Diferencias" (Gabriel Erkoreka), "De Profundis" (Sofia Gubaidulina), "Tango" (Luis de Pablo), "Itzal" (Jesús Torres) and "Lluvia" (Sofía Martínez). Following this Iñaki performed the same program at the University of Kingston in London, England.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Massimiliano Pitocco began a tour of Italy on December 28th which finished in Sicily on January 5th. Playing concerts in Catania, Sicarucsa and Ragusa, his program included works by Piazzolla. Massimiliano also performed at the Verdi Concert Hall in Milan on January 14th. This concert was transmitted live on Radio 3.

Contributed by Peter Soave

1996 Coupe Mondiale Winner (Virtuoso Entertainment Category) Julien Labro performed Kurt Weill's Little Threepenny Music with the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra at the end of December, 2000. Labro was asked by the orchestra's music director, Felix Resnick, to perform the music on the bandoneon. The concert was held at Temple Beth-El in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and was attended by 800 people. Labro was recently awarded a double scholarship to study accordion and bandoneon at Wayne State University with Peter Soave.

Contributed by Joeri De Jongh, Accordo Magazine, Belgium

Belgian radio announcer Michel Follet retired from his National Radio career on December 30th. Michel was well known for his musical knowledge, promoting old music from the 1940's to the 1980's, accordion music and film themes. He was very keen on musette and music by composer Georges Dellerue. Michel was one of very few announcers in Belgium who helped to promote accordion music on the radio!

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Filottrano (Province of Ancona) became the venue of a new year concert, which included "Introducción, Cuatro Interludios y Final" (Paolo Picchio) for two accordions, bass and percussion and the renowned "Misa Criolla" by Ariel Ramirez. The performers were directed by Paolo Picchio and featured Augusto Celsi (tenor) and Serena Bernabei (soprano) together with the "Coletta" choir from Filottrano and several musicians including Christian Riganelli and Roberto Picchio on accordion, Maurizio Scocco on bass and Alessandro Polenta on percussion. The pieces which make up "Introducción, Cuatro Interludios y Final" were commissioned to Paolo Picchio by the Italian-Argentinean Festival entitled "One bridge, two cultures".

Contributed by Viatcheslav Semionov

On January 9th a Memorial Evening dedicated to composer Nikolai Tchaikin was held in Moscow. As part of this evening a concert of his music was held.

From January 9th to 13th an accordion festival was held in Volgograd. Solo recitals were given by Alexandr Sevastian (student of Friedrich Lips) who performed the Partita "Also sprach Zarathustra" (S. Berinsky) and Scherzo by (Mendelsohn) and Alexandr Poieluev (student of Viatcheslav Semionov) who played "Divertisment" (A. Kusiakov) and "Kalina Krasnaya" (Viatcheslav Semionov).

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

A new year 2000 edition of the book "Akkordeon" for musicians and instrument manufacturers by Gotthard Richter is now available. The book, which is dedicated entirely to the accordion, features 260 pages of answers to your questions and over 200 pictures. For further information contact Florian Noetzel Verlag, email: florian.noetzel@t-online.de

A duo recording with Guy Klucevsek and Alan Bern entitled "Accordance" is now available on the Winter and Winter label. The CD features compositions by both players, including Scarlatti Fever, Dueling Dovidls, Life, Liberty and the Prosciutto Happiness and Bar Talk.

Guy is best known for his work in band recordings with Dave Douglas, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Accordion Tribe and Laurie Anderson. Alan Bern has had a long association with the klezmer group, Brave Old World, for which he has served as composer, arranger, music director, accordionist and pianist. For information on obtaining the CD in Europe, please email: winterproduction@compuserve.com

A new edition of the French national news "News Francais" is now online and can be seen at: http://www.accordeon.com/francais If you would like to contribute an item for this news please email Grégory Frénard at: greg@accordions.com

Accordionist Jean-Pierre Guiran performed with "Orkest Polytour" at the Concertgebouw on January 1st for the Mayor of Amsterdam, Mister Patijn.

Jean-Pierre will perform with "Accordeon Melancolique" at an afternoon concert at the NH Church in the small village of Cothen near Utrecht in Holland on March 11th. For further information phone: +31 343-513432

Contributed by Javier Ramos

"Acordeón Siglo XXI" (Accordion 21st Century), a magazine edited by Javier Ramos in Zumárraga (Gipuzkoa), Spain, will publish its 12th issue this month. The issue will offer a variety of information on accordion competitions in Spain, Spanish Composers, Spanish and foreign interpreters, recordings and history of the instrument etc. For further information email: jrspainacordeon@euskalnet.net

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Janne Rättyä (lecturer at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki) has released his latest CD entitled "J. S. Bach" which includes Two-Part Inventions, Three-Part Sinfonia (BWV 772-801) and Prelude and Fugue A Major. For further information email: info@castigo.de

Marielle Roy, Arnaud Guimard and Grégory Frénard are joining the ranks of Young Accordionists at Piermaria. Marielle Roy won the 2000 Castelfidardo Senior Variétés section and the National Cup 2000. Arnaud finished second at the World Cup 2000. Grégory came second in the Michèle Boudet competition and is currently preparing for a variety of 2001 International events.

Contributed by Wayne Knights

Accordionist Sylvia Pagni gave a number of concerts during December, culminating in a tour on board the "Moby Line" cruise liner headed for the island of Elba. Here she held a concert on December 31st for the benefit of the revelers, performing special requests for the captain like symphonic music.

Contributed by Christine Adams

Accordionist Jon Hammond played with a quartet (which included guitar, saxophone and percussion) at a charity Christmas concert for over 100 patients with a variety of illnesses sponsored by the California Medical Cannabis Society. Many of those who attended had cancer treatments and medication for AIDS. This is the second Christmas Jon has entertained at this event and participants thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Lydie Auvray concluded the year 2000 with a popular series of concerts with her band the "Auvrettes", which includes Adax Dörsam (guitar), Wolf Mazer (piano), Thomas Tscheschner (bass) and Harald Heinl (drums). Lydie has performed with the band for many years and has received excellent audience reaction and reviews from critics. Lydie is looking forward to an exciting concert schedule for 2001.

Contributed by Jan Lucas

"Swap" which includes accordionist Karen Tweed completed a successful tour of Japan at the end of 2000. During the tour the band also took part in a karaoke evening which was well received.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

This enchanting poem entitled "Dedicated to you the Accordion" was written by 11 year old Claudio Botto, dedicated to both the accordion and his teacher Patrizia Merciari. Last year Claudio won the following competitions: AcquiTerme, Montese and Genova, and studies cello and accordion at the Conservatorio of Genova with Patrizia Merciari.

"The accordion is a sweet melody,
Which enters your heart like a poem.
You need to learn how to treat it,
For that does not happen overnight, don't you think?
The accordion brings joy
To melancholy places of sadness.
I wish that in every country around the world,
The accordion could speak,
And tell everyone, Come, listen I am beautiful,
But they look at me in an odd way,
What have I done to deserve it?
I have never offended anyone,
I am a lady - I say this out right
Although we all have our little faults.
Therefore, dear fellow instruments, let's mend our ways,
Lest people look AT US ALL in that same odd way."

On January 11th accordionist Mike Maddux played at the opening of a show of paintings by artist Donna Yarrell at the Gallery Lombardi in Austin, Texas.

On January 21st Mike will perform with his group "Cerronato" at Manuel's Downtown for a music brunch. For further details email: mike_maddux@rocketmail.com

On January 26th, accordionist Owen Murray will perform "The Last Supper" opera by Sir Harrison Birtwistle at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The show will run seven more times in Glynbourne during the summer Period. For details email: o.murray@ram.ac.uk

These performances are part of a very busy travel schedule for Professor Murray who now has a teaching position at the Carl Nielson Academy of Music in Odense, Denmark, as well as retaining his position at the Royal Academy in London.

Vinicio Antonelli, owner of the company SIVA, manufacturer of accordion reeds passed away on January 1st 2001. Established in 1935, SIVA has a long tradition of producing Antonelli Reeds, which they supply to many accordion manufacturers in Italy and abroad. An obituary with further details will be published in Memorials soon.

http://www.fisitalia.com Updated information on Fisitalia accordion manufacturer in Italy

http://www.accordions.com/pagni Updated information including new email address for Italian accordionist Sylvia Pagni

http://www.accordions.com/ravaglia Updated information including new address and telephone number for accordionist Daniele Ravaglia

http://www.abc-edition.at Updated information on music publisher ABC Edition who now have a site in English and German

http://www.accordions.com/castelfidardo Updated information on the 26th International Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo, October 10th to 14th, 2001 and about the Astor Piazzolla Competition, July 6th to 8th, 2001.

http://www.accordions.com/casarzalig Updated information on the 7th Trofeo Internazionale International Accordion Competition held from June 2nd to 9th in Casarza Ligure.

http://www.accordions.com/picchio Updated information on accordionist Paolo Picchio including new contact email address.

http://www.accordions.com/prixazzola Updated information on the Prix Azzola competition held from June 2nd to 4th in Aubagne, France in French and English.

http://www.accordions.com/cameli Updated information on well known performer Giuliano Cameli.

Mike Oregan wants information about the gold finished Settimio Soprani (pictured) which he believes to be a pre-war model. If you can help email: mike.oregan@ntlworld.com

Details are requested about a "Ruatta Serenneli" chromatic 96 button accordion, 1920's vintage, with inlaid abalone and mother of pearl keys. Email: wck219@aol.com

Dany Carol requests information on a 120 bass Francini piano accordion, 41 keys, 3 switches and a chin bar, made in Italy. Email: danycarol1@yahoo.com