Our USA representative, Kevin Friedrich arrived in Auckland, New Zealand recently to take part in the New Zealand Accordion Association South Pacific Championships and Festival as a guest artist. The "K" Trio (USA) will travel to Sydney, Australia this week to take part in the AATA Championships before flying to Auckland next week to join us.

The NZ event is the largest annual accordion event in the Southern Hemisphere and will be held on June 2nd and 3rd. A large number of soloists and orchestras are currently playing at final concerts and rehearsals leading up to the exciting event. Results of both championships will be announced in the News over the next two weeks.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• 2nd National Competition "Accordion Spring - Plovdiv - 2001" - Bulgaria
• 26th International Saint Chartier Festival - France
• Accordion Ensemble on CCTV - China
• Finnish Superstar to Appear at ATG Festival - USA
• Chelmsford Cathedral Festival Recital - England
• "Accordion Event at the Reykjavik City Museum" - Iceland
• International Accordion Week - Germany
• Accordion Recital - Russia
• 4th Annual Free Reed Festival
• 5th "Città di Anagni" Advanced Accordion Course ­ Italy
• Keihan Accordion Club Concert - Japan
• 7th Accordion Workshop - Spain
• Italian Institute of Culture Concert - France
• Creole Accordionist Passes Away
• Anniversary Celebrations at Castelfidardo Accordion Museum - Italy
• Accordionist Performs at Opening Ceremony - USA
• Accordion Concerts Popular in Buenos Aires - Argentina
• World Premiere - Canada
• Klezmer Brunch - USA
• International Exhibition "Expocenter" Concert - Russia
• New Accordion Composition - China
• 9th Anniversary Concert - USA
  
• 1,000 People Attend Hazelbrouck Concert - France
• New Music in Paolo Picchio's Home - Italy
• Klezmer Music - Japan
• Ennis Polka Festival - USA
• Jam Session CD Release
  
• New Sites/Updated Sites
• Accordion Information Required

Contributed by Tsvetana Kojuharova

The 2nd National Competition "Accordion Spring - Plovdiv - 2001" was held at the "Kamenitsa" Hotel Complex in Plovdiv from May 17th to 19th, organized by the Bulgarian Organization of Accordionists President, Peter Stanchev. Jury members included Alexander Vasic (Yugoslavia, who also performed at the event) and prominent Bulgarian teachers. Special guests the Junior Accordion Ensemble (Turkey) were well received. The competition opened with a concert by the Balkan Accordion Ensemble, directed by Diana Stancheva. Their performance was so popular that the audience demanded two encores, then the ensemble continued to play in the lounge of the concert hall! The duo "AM", which includes Elton Balla (Albania) and Igor Donev (Macedonia) were also popular entertainers.

Over 60 competitors aged from 5 to 26 years attended the event. Winners from each of the nine competition categories were awarded silver prizes and the older winners even drank champagne from their cups!

Results:

10 years & under: Boriana Boncheva (Hisar)
10 - 12 years of age: Stanislav Semerdjiev (Haskovo)
12 - 14 years of age: Veronika Todorova (Troian)
14 - 16 years of age: Jordan Popov (Plovdiv)
16 - 18 years of age: Iova Drenska (Lovech)
over 18 years of age: Maria Dimitrova (Plovdiv)

Accordionist Christian Maes will perform at the 26th Rencontres Internationnalles de Saint Chartier Festival held from July 12th to 15th in Saint Chartier (near Chateauroux). Christian's performance at this festival (one of the biggest traditional music festival in France) will take place on July 13th. Other performers include Duo Bertrand (which includes Sebastian Bertrand - accordion and Thierry Bertrand - bagpipes) and Marc Perrone. For further information email: cie.heritage@wanadoo.fr

Contributed by Li Cong

CCTV (Chinese Central TV Station) hosted a Special Program celebrating Chinese Youth Day on May 4th. The Accordion Orchestra from the Chinese People's University performed "Dance of Youth" which "combined artistic, visual and an enjoyable kind of instrument program" according to the CCTV Director. The orchestra was chosen from 100 applicants from over 20 of China's most famous universities.

The accordion orchestra was formed in 1995 and is conducted and directed by Zhang Tian Yu, who is also the accordion soloist and composer of the Chinese Air Force Band.

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The ATG is very excited to announce that Finnish accordion superstar Mika Väyrynen will be the featured international soloist at the upcoming ATG Competition and Festival in San Antonio, Texas from July 19th to 22nd. Appearing for the first time in the United States, Mika will perform both as a soloist and in a concerto with the ATG Festival Orchestra. A former CIA Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Champion, Mika Väyrynen is one of the most actively performing accordion artists of his generation.

In addition, the ATG will present their newest Board of Directors member Stas Venglevski in concert as well as the Viennese Accordion Ensemble from Austria.

The ATG is offering US$4,350.00 in prize money in three competitions including the "Anthony Galla-Rini" International Competition for Classical Accordion, the ATG Virtuoso Entertainment Music Competition and the Texas Folk Music Competition which will be jointly sponsored by both the ATG and the TAA. For full details, please see the ATG site

David Farmer recently gave a recital at the Chelmsford Cathedral Festival, England, performing works by Zolotaryov Albeniz and Jokinen. He also played "On the Wings of the Wind" by British composer Nigel Clarke.

David has also been invited to give a recital at the prestigious Aldeburgh Festival on June 16th where he will perform works by Messiaen, Bach, Clarke & Gubaidulina. For further details email: david@davidfarmer.net

Contributed by Jonatan Karlsson

This year's festival entitled "Accordion Event at the Reykjavik City Museum" will be in the form of an accordion afternoon at the Reykjavik City Museum on June 3rd. Many of Iceland's leading accordionists along with our overseas guests will perform at different locations in the Museum.

In conjunction with the festival a dance will be held in Asgardur on June 2nd and an exhibition of old accordions will also be held. For further information email: ga@islandia.is

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

An International Accordion Week will be held at the Academy for Musical & Cultural Education in Ottweiler from July 14th to 21st, which will include three courses for participants.

The first course will cover new literature and transcriptions for accordion solo and chamber music, stylistic questions and new techniques, tutored by Stefan Hussong, Prof. Hugo Noth and Prof. Ivan Koval. Gregor Siegler will hold a course entitled "Problems of teaching the accordion" and composer Prof. Adriana Hölszky will hold a symposium about her work. For further information please email:
Bludau-Weitzel@freenet.de

A well received accordion and piano recital by Vladimir and Natalia Zubitsky was held at the Central Concert Hall in St Petersburg (Russia) recently. Their program included classical and jazz music such as Fantasy "From Fancelli to Galliano", "Jazz-Scherzo", "Flumen" and "Carme iucundum" (a new composition by Vladimir for accordion and piano). The concert was organized by S.P.M.E. Edition.

Contributed by Cliff Furnald

The 4th Annual Free Reed Festival will take place in the virtual world and on the airwaves of participating radio stations during the entire month of June and is expected to once again attract a worldwide audience.

As in previous years, the festival will play host to a wealth of global talent, featuring music and interviews with both well-known artists and many more worthy of note. Many of the works to be made available at the festival have never been available elsewhere before, and include concert recordings and new, unreleased works contributed by the artists for this year's event.

Artists scheduled to participate in this year's festival include Amy Denio (USA), Franco Ghigini (Italy), Ciuma/Salvi/Tombesi (Italy), Guy Klucevsek and Phillip Johnston (USA), Mats Eden (Sweden), Alexei Levin (Netherlands-Russia), Sam Pirt (UK), Filippo Gambetta (Italy), Maria Kalaniemi and Timo Alakotila (Finland), Lars Hollmer (Sweden), Jo-Asgeir Lie (Norway), Roger Poitevin (Brittany-France), Ranji Kumar, Paul Woznicki and Edge City Collective (USA) and Yann-Fanch Perroches (Brittany-France). For further details email: cliff@rootsworld.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The 5th Advanced Accordion Course of Musical Interpretation "Città di Anagni" will be held by tutors Gianluca Pica and Jacques Mornet from July 2nd to 7th 2001 in Anagni. The event is organized by the A.P.M. Music Center in collaboration with the C.N.I.M.A. of Larodde (France).

The course will cover new and revolutionary topics with respect to the techniques adopted so far, including the relationship between accordion and saxophone and the revolutionary aspects of accordion teaching in the new century. There will be two sections, one for active participants and one for listening participants.

All participants will receive a diploma. The closing date for enrolment is June 15th, 2001. Please email: simix.dj@libero.it

Contributed by Toru Katou

On May 27th the Keihan Accordion Club will hold a concert at the Yamazaki Culture Hall, Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture. Guest accordionist Chikaie Yoshida will perform at the event. For further information phone: +81 72 823 6081

The 7th accordion workshop "Accordion and Alexander Technique for Musicians" will take place in San Sebastian from July 13th 22nd. The event is organized by Acco Land, a cultural association to promote the accordion, led by accordionist Anne Landa. Tutors include Jean Luc Manca (France) and Anne Landa (Spain). For further details email: accoland@hotmail.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Giorgio Dellarole will perform at the Italian Institute of Culture in Lille, France on June 21st and 22nd. His program will include works by Scarlatti, Bach, Pozzoli, Piazzola and Würthner. For further details email: giorgio.dellarole@libero.it

Creole accordionist Danny Poullard passed away at his home in Fairfield, California recently at the age of 62. Danny had a history of heart problems and was on a waiting list for a heart transplant. A funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Fairfield, followed by a burial at Suisun-Fairfield Cemetery. For additional details see Memorials.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Mirko Patarini

Milonga Quintet

The 20th anniversary of the Castelfidardo Accordion Museum was celebrated in style on May 9th at the Astra Theatre in Castelfidardo. Beniamino Bugiolacchi took part both as the host and guest of honour. Nothing could have marked this event better than the decision to use the huge accordion built by Giancarlo Francenella as a backdrop for this special evening. When the curtain was raised, the audience was amazed at the sight of the instrument - the largest in the world. As this accordion can actually be played, it could not have been used solely as a prop, so Mirco Patarini assisted by Roberto Lucanero at the bellows end, played Astor Piazzolla's "Oblivion", accompanied by the Milonga Quintet.

Giuliano Cameli

After this opening piece, the evening unfolded with alternating performances and prize-giving sessions. Musical guests included the Milonga Quintet with Cesare Chiacchiaretta (who played "Romance" by Paolo Picchio and works by Piazzolla), Roberto Lucanero (whose performance was acclaimed by the audience), Albertino Bastianoni (one of the most accomplished professional musicians of the Italian dance hall scene), Pino Di Modugno (who performed a series of pieces on the MIDI accordion), Giuliano Cameli (with his traditional hurdy-gurdy), Sergio Castelli and Giuliano Leoni (two accordionists who in the past have donated accordions to the Museum), Pasquale Coviello and Mirco Patarini. Patarini gave a tribute to Luciano Fancelli with his arrangement of "La Cumparsita".

At the event finale all the artists appeared together on stage for a performance of Gianni Morandi's song "La Fisarmonica" (the accordion), sung by surprise guest Mina Grossi. The Castelfidardo City Council thanked all those who contributed to this special evening with a copy of a splendid lithography by Tonino Guerra.

Accordionist Jon Hammond will perform at the new Emeryville California City Hall opening ceremony on June 9th. The mayor of Emeryville, Nora Davis personally hired Jon and his trio for the event after hearing them play at a function last month. In addition, Jon and his group grew up in the area, so it is very fitting that they perform at these celebrations.

Contributed by Angel Russo, member of the A.I.D.A. (Asociacion Internacional de Acordeonistas - International Association of Accordionists)

A series of popular accordion "peñas" with the motto "bring your accordion and play your favourite song" have been held recently in Buenos Aires. Audiences have been fascinated by the display of these accordionists who play (free of charge) all types of popular songs and dances. For further details email: maquinapastarusso@fullzero.com.ar

Accordionist Joseph Petric performed at the "Strings of the Future Festival" held at the National Gallery in Ottawa on May 24th. The event included the world premiere of Andrew MacDonald's "Winds of Thera" for accordion quintet which Joseph played with the Penderecki Quartet.

Prior to this Joseph performed at the Festival Internationale de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville on May 18th with "Duo Erosonic".

Accordionist Sy Kushner will perform with Aaron Kushner (saxophone & guitar), Marty Confurius (bass) and Larry Eagle (drums) on May 27th at Tonic in New York. The group will perform two shows of klezmer music.

Sy Kushner is a founding member of the sixties Jewish music band "The Mark Three" and the founder of the current "Sy Kushner Jewish Music Ensemble". He has published two volumes of "The Klezmer Fake Book" and recorded Klezsqueeze. For further details email: SyKushner@aol.com

Contributed by Larissa Ivanova

Belarus group "New City" (which includes accordionist Viktoria Starikova) performed at the International Exhibition "Expocenter" in Moscow on May 16th. Their successful concert included works by a variety of composers as well as Russian and Belarussian folk music.

The group have also been busy performing a number of concerts in small towns of Belarus to raise funds for their proposed trip to the International Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy in October 2001.

Contributed by Li Cong

Chinese accordionist and composer Li Yu Qiu has just finished his new composition "3rd Sonata - Rosy Clouds in Tianshan". His second sonata was published in 1998. The new work makes use of original Xinjiang local ethnic music material, to show the life of the people in Xinjiang.

The Sonata includes four movements:
1. Eagle and Snow Lotus (Young people's vitality, life and love)
2. Dead City's Tell (Sad long history, natural disasters)
3. Oasis Nocturnes (the sweet new life)
4. Programme (people's programme)

Li Yu Qiu is one of the most important Chinese accordion composers and his accordion music is very popular throughout China.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On May 15th the Manny Bobenrieth Ensemble performed at the 9th anniversary celebrations of the Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center Art of The Americas series, held in Washington. The ensemble played works by Astor Piazzolla, Cole Porter and Jobim to a sell out audience of several hundred people. The group's instrumentation features accordion, vibraphone, percussion, piano, electric guitar, violin, and bass.

On May 12th the duo Paris-Moscou (Domi Emorine & Roman Jbanov) gave a concert to over 1,000 people in Hazelbrouck (northern France). This event was organized by "Les Amis de l'Accordéon" (Friends of the Accordion) in Hazelbrouck, led by Monsieur Dewaele. The concert celebrated the 55th birthday of the orchestra who also performed at the event.

Duo Paris-Moscou took the crowd on a musical journey starting with classical works and ending with French musette via Russian folklore.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The ears of Paolo Picchio (artistic director of the "Città di Castelfidardo" accordion competition) and his wife Silena have been listening to a whole new kind of music since April 5th. The arrival of their son Matteo with his crying has provided a new soundtrack to a household used to the many arrangements of Astor Piazzolla and original accordion pieces composed by Paolo.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the family, the warmest wishes from myself and my colleagues at Accordions Worldwide. Here's hoping that Paolo and Silena will manage to get some rest in the midst of such happiness.

Contributed by Toru Katou

On May 23rd, "Quikion" (which features concertina player Yukiko Totoki and accordionist Emi Sasaki) performed at "Manda-la 2", Kichijoji, Tokyo. Their program included klezmer, celtic and musette tunes.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

A new CD by Tony Dannon and Joe Cerrito entitled "Jam Session" will be released on June 10th at a concert for the Michigan Accordion Association. The recording includes jazz accordion pieces with bass and drums. The duo have been performing at seminars and concerts in Pennsylvania and Boston (USA) this year and will play for the American Accordionist's Association in July in Cleveland, Ohio.

http://www.bugariarmando.com/suomi/index.htm Updated information on Bugari Armando in Finland including new contact information.

http://www.accordions.com/baffetti Updated information on Dino Baffetti Accordions including new contact details

http://www.accordions.com/klingenthal Updated information on the International Klingenthal Accordion Competition including 2001 results

http://www.accordions.com/atg Updated festival information on the 2001 Festival in San Antonio, Texas, July 19th to 22nd. Includes guest artists and competition guidelines.

http://www.accordions.com/rmac Updated information on the 2001 Festival including festival schedule and guest artist information

http://www.ameraccord.com Updated information on the 2001 Festival in Cleveland, Ohio and details on the new Polka Fest 2001.

Sinead Corrigan would like information on the following composers for her degree paper such as brief biographical information, information on their works and the composer's intentions in writing the piece. Composers are: John Gart-Scherzo, Eddie Harris- Variations on an Original Theme (1941) and Joerg Draeger-Etude Concert. Email: verdi14@hotmail.com

Rhett would like information on a Busilacchio Zaffiro accordion. Email: rebblades@hotmail.com

David Snider would like to know where he can get a replacement power regulator chip for his Elkavox 77 power supply. Email: dfsnider@pacbell.net