Editors Note

USA representative Kevin Friedrich and Weekly News Co-ordinator Christine Adams have now returned from a successful concert tour of China. Please see news item below for details. Now that Christine has returned, the Yellow Pages and Search Accordion databases will be updated this Friday as usual.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

Contributed by Raimondas Sviackevicius

The annual Accordion Seminar in Palanga, Lithuania (by the Baltic Sea) was held from August 4th to 11th and included a variety of concerts, open lessons, methodical seminars, shows, conferences and an accordion sheet music and accordion exhibition. Every summer accordionists from all over Lithuania attend this event so they can improve their skills, share new teaching methods and enjoy spending some time in an accordion environment.

Many teachers from the Lithuanian Academy of Music including Eduardas Gabnys, Zita Abromaviciute, Ricardas Sviackevicius, Gintautas Smolskas, Raimondas Sviackevicius, Genadijus Savkovas as well as guest Professors Jerzy Madrawski (Kielce Academy of music in Poland) and Oleg Sharov (St Petersburg Conservatory in Russia) tutored master classes at the seminar.

Evening concerts included performances by Professor Jerzy Madrawski (contemporary Polish music), Professor Oleg Sharov (entertainment music), Yevgeniy Altudin (Moscow Gnessin Academy) who performed with Norwegian accordionist and trumpeter Per Olu, Baltic Quintet (players from Lithuania, Latvia and Russia), Latvian Trio (Daugavpils), students and laureates of National accordion competitions in Vilnius and International competitions as well as many other young Lithuanian soloists and groups.

In addition a performance was given by a massed orchestra, which included teachers and guest performers conducted by seminar organizers Ricardas Sviackevicius (President of the Lithuanian Accordion Association, Professor of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Leader of the Accordion Quintet "Concertino") and Eduardas Gabnys (Vice President of the LAA, Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and member of the Lithuanian Accordion Duet).

Contributed by Christine Adams

New Zealand's North Shore Musicale Accordion Ensemble (conducted by Lionel Reekie) have just returned from their successful concert tour of China. Concerts were given in Xiamen, Putian and Shanghai, all to capacity crowds. The Putian concert was also recorded by local television for broadcast later in the month. The ensemble was treated to wonderful hospitality from the accordionists in China, being hosted at a number of informal dinners where impromptu performances were given.

Other highlights of the trip included sightseeing at some of China's most famous attractions, and a cultural exchange presented at the Xiamen Teenagers Centre.

Their program included a wide variety of popular pieces such as "Espana Cani", "Whiter Shade of Pale", "La Scala di Seta" (Rossini), "Invercargill March" and a medley of Beatles hits arranged by well known composer and conductor, Gary Daverne.

This year's successful Cotati Accordion Festival was held in Cotati, California on August 24th and 25th. Performers included Dick Contino, Jon Hammond, Montcorbier (which includes accordionist Francois Villon), Montango (family tango group includes Tom Montgomer - bandoneon, Vanessa - violin, Matt - guitar and Tom's wife on vocals), Tameem (Afghanistan), Big Lou & the Polka Casserole, Julio Morgani, The O'Grady Family, Patricia Bartell, Peach Face Lovebirds, Alex Meixner, AbsolutAccord, Rahman Asadollahi, Arizona Button Accordion Band, Hot Frittatas and Polkacide.

Dick Contino was in fine form playing many "crowd pleasers" such as Lady Of Spain (which he introduced in 1955), Tico Tico, Volare, etc. This is Dick's 55th year in show business and he spent both days out in the sun signing autographs and socializing with the crowd.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The town of Vicariello will host a series of Advanced Musical Training Courses organised by the "Clara Schumann" music school with tutors Ivano Battiston (accordion) and David Bellugi (recorder) from September 5th to 8th. The event includes musical research workshops held by Rodolfo Spadari (accordion maker) and Pietro Sopranzi (recorder maker). Battiston recently completed a seminar for accordion teachers in Berlin.

18th Illawarra Folk Festival - Australia

The 18th Illawarra Folk Festival will be held in the picturesque and historic village of Jamberoo from September 11th to 15th. Over 400 international, national and local musicians, dancers, poets, storytellers, street artists will take part in over 130 events such as concerts, workshops, parades, demonstrations etc.

As the festival begins on September 11th, (the anniversary of the New York, USA disaster) the main theme will be based upon "Peace and Tolerance".

Accordion performers include "Burach" (accordionist Sandy Brechin from Scotland), "De Bortolis", "Blackwood" and David de Santi. For festival details email: desanti@illawarrafolkclub.org.au

On September 13th the "Tangolina" show will perform at the "Tango Monument" Festival in the Cultural Center José de San Martín in Buenos Aires. Performers include singer/vocalist Lina Avellaneda, accompanied by musicians Enrique "Quique" Guerra (double bass), Horacio Romo (bandoneon) and Nicolás Ledesma (piano).

The show will include tango arrangements by Daniel Binelli, Virgilio Expósito, Antonio Agri, Walter Ríos and Pablo Mainetti. For further details email: contrataciones@linaavellaneda.com.ar

The Yuri Yunakov Ensemble will perform at the La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley on September 14th. The ensemble, which plays Bulgarian and Romani music, includes Ivan Milev (accordion), Yuri Yunakov (saxophone), Catherine Foster (clarinet, trumpet & vocals), Lauren Brody (keyboard & vocals) and Carol Silverman (vocals). For further details phone: +1 510-849-2568

Duo 2000 will hold their September Soiree in Robindale, Randburg from September 6th to 8th. This weekend will include their 98th, 99th and 100th concert in the series of popular house concerts. Each month the duo accommodates about 100 people, and they have invited many other musicians and singers to be guest artists. The concerts have been received with huge acclaim.

Their program will include "Nocturne in G Major" (Pozzoli), "Ballad for Adeline" (Toussaint/Senneville), "The Entertainer" (Joplin) and a special arrangement of "Concerto for Harp" in A Major (Karl Ditters von Dittersdorff) for the duo. For further details email: duo2000@global.co.za

Emanuele Rastelli Tours Venezuela

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Emanuele Rastelli toured Venezuela recently for a series of concerts organised by the Italian Cultural Institute of Caracas. The performances took place in front of enthusiastic audiences in the park of the "La Estancia" centre, at the Lìa Bermudez theatre in Maracaibo, which was filled to capacity, and in the island of Curacao (in the Dutch Antilles). Rastelli ended this concert joining local young students in an improvisation on themes from the Caribbean. The artist's next tour of Venezuela is scheduled for March 2003.

The "Trio Argentina", which includes Roberto Palermo (accordion), Paolo Luciani (piano) and Eugenio Prete (violin) held a very successful concert at the auditorium of the Executive Hotel in Rende (province of Cosenza) recently. The musicians (all of whom were raised in the province), presented a selection of pieces by Astor Piazzolla and of more traditional Argentinean melodies. The originality of the trio consists of adding to their arrangements the jazz improvisation techniques that Roberto Palermo studies at the "Voglia d'Arte" school under Renzo Ruggieri.

3rd JAA International Accordion Competition - Japan

Contributed by Toru Katou

The 3rd JAA International Accordion Competition will be held at the Edo Tokyo Museum in Tokyo on August 31st and September 1st, organized by the JAA (Japan Accordion Association). The competition is open to accordionists of all nationalities. Guests include Stopa Grzegorz (Poland), Harald Oeler (Germany) and Kassl Marko (Austria).

For further details email: jaaoffkw@japan.interq.or.jp

Contributed by Léo Guimont

The "Pops Accordions" group directed by Huguette Meunier will perform at the Leonardo da Vinci Arts centre in Montréal, Québec on September 8th. For further details email: leotte@cam.org

Husband and wife duo accordionists Henry and Mary Kay Doktorski performed for the first time in public together on August 17th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They provided music for the wedding ceremony of Robert Welter and Deborah Boyum. (Robert is Mary Kay's brother.) The ceremony, which was attended by 50 people, took place in the garden behind Robert's house.

The Doktorski Duo performed several pieces including "Pastoral Symphony" (from "Messiah" by Handel), "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (Bach), "Bridal Chorus" (from "Lohengrin" by Wagner as the bride processed down the aisle) and "Wedding March" (Mendelssohn). The bride remarked "Your music was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. It really made my day!"

The 5th All-Italian Diatonic Accordion Championships were held on August 10th and 11th in the southern Italy town of Ruoti, Potenza. Organizers were the AMISAL Musical Association (Ancona) and the Administration of Ruoti. Over 110 participants from all over Italy participated in this popular event.

In many areas of the town, people were treated to the sounds of tarantellas and other folk melodies plus original compositions written for the diatonic accordion by composers in France, Italy and Yugoslavia.

The International jury consisted of Vladimir Zubitsky (Ukraine), Mario Balestra (USA) and Giuliano Cameli (Italy).

After two intensive days of competition the winners were announced:
Junior Italian Champion - Francesca Costantino (Ruoti)
Senior Italian Champion - Claudio Rossi (Rome)

John Kirkpatrick will entertain at the next "Folk At The Royal Oak" in Lewes, East Sussex on September 5th. John is a major figure of the English folk scene and a much acclaimed musician, composer, singer and songwriter. For further details email: tinvic@globalnet.co.uk

Klezperanto will perform at the finale of this year's international Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto, Ontario on Labor Day, September 2nd. The concert will take place in the beautiful Harbourfront Center. For details email: mail@klezperanto.com

Contributed by Angel Russo

The new President of the International Association of Accordionists (A.I.D.A), Ernesto Jose Scelza has just released a CD entitled "Ernesto y su Acordeon Electronico" which includes MIDI accordion. Tracks include "Sur", "Y nos dieron las 10" and "Canaro en Paris". For details email: maquinapastarusso@fullzero.com.ar

www.jb-music.de/romanko.htm Information on bayanist Professor Viktor Romanko including details of CD releases and upcoming concerts

Antique Accordion Information

Jean Claude Gapin Frehel would like information on the antique accordion (pictured), which has been in his family since the mid 19th century. The instrument was made in Neuenrade, Westphalia, Germany by Robert Husberg Neuenrade Westfalen Accordeon Fabrik. Jean Claude would be interested in contacting an interested collector or local museum. Email: gapinfrehel@wanadoo.fr

S. Sunde would like information on the pictured 120 bass Tandoral piano accordion, which was purchased in England in the 1920's. The instrument is decorated with glittery stones. Email: kas@world-online.no

Bernadette Zepf would like information on a Barcarole accordion manufactured by the Gruendel Brothers in Klingenthal, Germany. Email: bernadette.zepf@online.de

S. Burks would like information on an old 120 bass Enrico Roselli piano accordion that is at least 30 years old. Email: JB62855@aol.com

Stu Kohler would like to contact accordionist Mat Mathews. If you can help please email: Stuseye@aol.com

Martin Bennebo would like to hear from anyone with information on the whereabouts of his black Pigini Superbayan Sirius, stolen from the Roskildefestival (rock festival) in Denmark where he played with his band "Tesco Value". The instrument is 10 years old and has "Ellegaard Special" on the front and was kept in a brown backpack. Email: mbennebo@hotmail.com