You will see in this weeks News that many festivals and competitions are either currently in progress or in the final stages of organization. It is very encouraging to see the ever increasing popularity and versatility of the accordion, especially in today's economic climate. Please remember to send details of your upcoming events and performances to Christine at: news@accordions.com so we can list them in the Future Events section of the Yellow Pages, thereby helping to promote the accordion in your country.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• Accordions at the Disma Music Show - Italy
• Adrenalin for Accordionists - Austria
• Bulgarian Music Training Course - France
• Philippos Nakas Concert Hall Recital - Greece
• Theatre Concerts Keep Ruggieri Busy - Italy
• Duquesne University Recital - USA
• Meeting of Russian President and German Chancellor Accompanied by Accordionist - Russia
• Lips Complete Bibliographical Works Published
• Bergen International Festival - Norway
• Masterclasses in Quarrata - Italy
• Trio Los Fundangos Perform in Japan
• Auckland Radio Plays New Recording - New Zealand
• Summer School in the Heart of Scotland
• May Boer Music Gatherings - South Africa
• Bushranger Tour - Australia
• Waltzing Accordion - Russia
• Accordion Concert in Arras - France
• 3rd International Accordion Symposium St. Gallen - Switzerland
• 2nd International Competition for Diatonic Accordions - Austria
• Cambridge Folk Club Performance - England
• May Festival - France
• "2001: A Polka Oddity" - USA
  
• New Sites / Updated Sites
• Accordion Information Required
  

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Disma Music Show, the most important Italian event in its field, will open in Rimini on April 28th. Performers will include the "Ensemble Musiche Possibili", a recently formed group that will play at the Live Theatre in Hall D5 on April 29th. Their one-hour show will give music lovers the occasion to appreciate the interesting program offered by these accomplished musicians: Marcello Crocco (flute), Fabio Martino (accordion) and Andrea Cavalieri (double bass). The ensemble will lead the audience in an imaginary journey through the melancholy sound of Piazzolla's tangos, the tradition of Irish and French folk music, the oriental atmospheres of Ryuichi Sakamoto and finally the hard rock of Metallica.

The Cemex stand will feature idols of the Italian accordion scene such as World Oscar winner Peppino Principe (May 1st), Daniele Ravaglia on MIDI accordion and Roberto Lucanero on diatonic organ (these performers will be present at the stand for the whole duration of the show). Sylvia Pagni, the charming and accomplished accordionist who is currently working on the major TV show "Scommettiamo che ....?", will meet her fans at the Excelsior stand on April 30th and May 1st. All accordion enthusiasts will get the chance to try out instruments and listen to the music of these talented soloists. An opportunity not to be missed !!

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The 7th International Accordion Festival 2001 will take place from May 24th to 27th in Innsbruck. The event will include competitions, enthusiastic concerts, an evening of the nations and a Farewell Party in the new Innsbruck stadium. This festival will attempt to be bigger and better than previous festivals with almost 300 orchestras and ensembles representing 10 countries. Further information see the German Accordion Association site (Deutsche Harmonika Verband e.V. - DHV).

A Bulgarian Music Training Course will be held on May 24th and 25th in Ti Kendalc' H, St Vincent sur Oust, Brittany. Piano accordion tutors include Blagoï Mantchev (Konoushenskata Groupa) and Nicolas Iliev. For further details email: groupement-culturel-breton@wanadoo.fr

Contributed by Elina Tsangaraki

On May 5th accordionist Frangiskos Kontorousis will perform a recital at the Philippos Nakas Concert Hall in Athens. His program will include Rondo Andantino (Couperin), Italian Concert (Allegro) (Bach) and Greek Dance (Sioras).

Kontorousis obtained a diploma in 1998, after studying with John Kekedakis at the "Diethnes Conservatory Athens" and has won prizes in 3 national accordion competitions (1st prize and two 2nd prizes). He graduated from the National Technological University of Athens and is also a member of the Symphonic Youth Orchestra "Nikolaos Mantzaros" and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Ilioupolis - Athens.

Entrance to this concert is free of charge. For further information email: Elina@nakas.gr

Jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri has been busy recently with a series of performances in various Italian theatres and towns. In February he played with the "Solo Accordion Project" in the Centrale Theatre in Ostia, followed by a "Concert for Life" at the Cianfarani Auditorium in Chieti with the Finizii duo in March. On Easter Sunday Renzo played with cellist Enrico Melozzi at the "Chiesa dell'Annunziata" in Teramo.

His performances with the "Trio Manastè" (Cinzia Genderian - vocals & Guido Arbonelli - clarinet) continue to captivate Italian audiences. In the midst of all this activity, Ruggieri's latest CD, "Accordion Voyage", was voted among the Top 20 CDs of Italian jazz by the "Musica Jazz" magazine published by Rusconi.

Contributed by The Classical Free-Reed

Concert accordionist Henry Doktorski will perform original compositions by Guido Deiro and Pietro Frosini in a recital at the PNC Recital Hall, Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) on May 6th. The concert will feature faculty members and advanced students of Duquesne University's "City Music Center" and is free and open to the public. For more information email City Music Center Executive Director, Sally Stone at: stone@duq.edu

On April 9th and 10th a meeting was held with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder in St. Petersburg, which included a visit to the ancient wooden frigate "Kronwerk", which is moored on the Neva River near the building of the Admiralty. On the frigate, accordionists Vladimir Ushakov and Svetlana Stavitskaya (members of the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble) entertained the dignitaries with popular variety music, folk music and classical compositions including pieces by Albert Vossen, Will Glahe, Heinz Munzonius, popular German songs and Russian national melodies.

At the completion of their program, Vladimir Putin and Gerhard Schroeder approached the musicians and warmly thanked them for their musical support of the meeting and shook their hands.

The fact that accordionists were chosen to entertain at this meeting is a great achievement and demonstrates the popularity of the accordion at such a high level.

Dr Herbert Scheibenreif has compiled Friedrich Lips' complete bibliographical works which were published by Karthause-Schmülling recently. This publication contains a brief biography, the programme of Lips' Jubilee Concert on the occasion of his 50th birthday, a photo documentation, press comments, his methodical works such as articles, writings and books, his musical works, discography and premières. For more detailed information please email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at

Accordionist Frode Haltli will perform with Stig Nilsson (violin) at the Bergen International Festival on May 24th. Their program will include works by Sørensen, Schaathun, Cobian, Gardel, La Pera, Troilo and Grieg as well as tangos by Piazzolla. The festival itself will run from May 23rd to June 3rd with a variety of entertainment by Norwegian musicians.

Frode Haltli was chosen by the Norwegian Concert Institute as Young Musician of the Year 2001 at last year's Bergen International Festival.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The "Musica Temporis" Association have organized a Masterclass with accordion tutor Ivano Battiston from September 3rd to 7th in Quarrata (province of Pistoia). For further information email: info@musicatemporis.it

Contributed by Toru Katou

On May 6th the "Trio Los Fundangos" (which features accordionist Naoko Iwatsu) will hold a concert at "Fudo", Yawata-Nishi Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. For further details email: cato@hiroshima-u.ac.jp

On a recent visit to Auckland, USA accordionist Jon Hammond contacted Grant Lee, General Manager of Radio Network regarding his latest album. The pair visited Radio 95 b FM, who opened their "Troy Show" with a track from the album entitled "Head-Phone". The track is a Hip Hop East Bay Funk Style groove, with a laid back Rap delivered by Jon, especially mixed for radio. This was the world wide debut of the new track which was well received by Radio 95 b and the public.

The University of Stirling will once again run a Scottish Summer School during July and August which will include week long programmes in the accordion. The school offers experienced and knowledgeable tutors. For further details email Margery Stirling at: m.f.stirling@stir.ac.uk

Contributed by Séan Minnie

Traditional Boer Music gatherings will be held on May 12th at the F/H Odendaal High School in Pretoria. Phone Tom Adams: +27 12 651 3700 for further details. On May 26th the Vaaldriehoek Branch will hold their gathering at the Vereeniging Town Hall. Phone Peet van Staden at: +27 16 981 2605 These gatherings are designed to encourage younger musicians to play in front of an audience.

The Wongawilli Band which includes accordionist David De Santi began their Bushranger Tour to Victoria on April 26th. The group will perform concerts in a variety of venues including the Mount Beauty Music Muster (with the Wongawilli Colonial Dancers), returning home on May 2nd.

The band regularly play at a Bush Dance every Wednesday at the Wongawilli Community Hall. For further details email: ddesanti@keira.hotkey.net.au

Contributed by Vladimir Ushakov

On April 7th the premiere of the variety program entitled "Waltzing Accordion" was held at the St. Petersburg Concert Hall. Performers included accordionist Roman Bazhilin (Russia) and the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble.

On May 17th a further concert will be held featuring the Lithuanian accordion duo of Eduardas Gabnis and Gennady Savkov.

Contributed by Jean Strzelecki

Over 1,000 people attended a concert at the Casino in Arras recently. The opening item was given by Pierre Strzelecki whose agile fingers were guided by Richard Galliano's jazzy spirit. The musette entertainment which followed continued to enchant the audience for the rest of the evening thanks such performers as Guy Deny, Michel Gressier, Jean Harduin, Maurice Larcange, Delphine Lemoine, Alexandra Paris and Michel Pruvot.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The third International Accordion Symposium will be held in St. Gallen (Switzerland) from May 23rd to 26th. Hugo Noth, Michel Besson, Sergio Scappini, Peter Nutt and Jürg Schmid will give classes with the following topics: Breathing Techniques, Improvisation on the Accordion, Italy and the Accordion, Accordion Manufacturing and Repairs, and Improvisation for Beginners. Concerts will be held every evening. For further information email: akkordeonsymposium@gmx.ch

Contributed by Professor Walter Maurer

The 2nd International Competition for Diatonic Accordions (World Championship) 2001 will be held from June 22nd to 24th in Schenkenfelden (Upper Austria). The event will include classes for the Styrian accordion or Diatonic accordion. Members of the jury will be announced next month. For further details email: icaccordions@netway.at

Dave Townsend will perform solo at the Cambridge Folk Club, The Portland Arms, Cambridge on April 27th. His program will include a variety of music on concertina and fiddle, with a selection of songs serious and "otherwise". For further information phone: +44 1223 232832

Contributed by Valencienne Felten

A May Festival will be held at Place Du Saumon in Wissembourg, Bas Rhin on May 1st. An 11am "Brunch" will start the event followed by entertainment by the Wissembourg Accordionists Society. Everybody welcome. For further information email: valencienne@club-internet.fr

The "2001: A Polka Oddity" event will be held on May 12th at Eagles Lodge, Portland, Oregon, endorsed by Uncle Otto's Oktoberfest & The Polka Television Network. Performers include "Accordions Anonymous", "Big Lou's Polka Casserole" and "Samsonite and Delight-Ya". For further details email: Cybele@funduo.com

http://www.mastersound.it Complete site update with information on Master Sound di Ciucciomei Maximiliano & C. S.n.c., manufacturer of MIDI accordions and accessories

http://www.accordions.com/pica Updated information on classic accordion concert soloist, Gianluca Pica

http://www.accordions.com/contet Updated information on French accordionist Pascal Contet including a concert agenda

http://www.borsini-accordions.com Updated information on the Borsini Accordion factory with details on their new Superstar 2000 models

http://www.accordions.com/brogan Updated information on accordionist Shane Brogan from Scotland

Paul Sawtell would like information on the following artists: Emile Carrara, Roger Damin, Joe Rossi and Aimable & his Accordion Ensemble. Paul runs a small record label and is hoping to be able to release a small run of CDs of these artist's performances. He would like information leading to whom he may obtain rights from. The recordings would have originated in the mid 1950s. email: Psjazzpiano@aol.com

Bill Calosso would like information on a Settimio Soprani, Dick Contino model. He believes these instruments have not been made in over 30 years. Email: wfbc@atlantic.net

Stephen Hibble would like information on a Federal accordion, made in Germany with the words "Super accordeon", "Fedreal supreme quality with steel / bronze reeds". Email: hibb@tpgi.com.au