Editors Note

Accordions Worldwide Director Harley Jones, Webmaster Wayne Knights, Europe representative Holda Paoletti-Kampl and USA representative Kevin Friedrich are currently in Italy attending the 27th Annual Citta di Castelfidardo International Competition.

They will then travel to Denmark, joining CD reviewer Tania Lukic-Marx at the 2002 Coupe Mondiale in Copenhagen. Holda Paoletti-Kampl will be attending the Bridlington Festival in England

Wayne Knights Webmaster

Contributed by Raimondas Sviackevicius

The IX International Accordion Festival was held in Vilnius from September 19th to 22nd, organized by the Vilnius City Culture and Art Department, Lithuanian Accordion Association, Lithuanian Academy of Music and the Vilnius Teachers House. The event was sponsored by the Vilnius City Culture and Art Department, Ministry of Culture and Intermusik Schmulling (Germany).

This festival is held biannually and is one of the most important and biggest accordion events in Lithuania, attracting hundreds of accordionists. Concerts included a variety of popular, easy listening music to classical and contemporary music styles. During the festival scientific conferences, classes, exhibitions of scores, records and instruments were held.

Guest performers this year included V. Novikov (Russia), V. Dmitriev (Russia), Accordion Duo R. Puszylo & M. Cwiklinski (Poland), Accordion & Violin duo B. Kaszuba & K. Zwierzchlewska (Poland), Jurij Peshkov (Latvia), "Cafe de Musette" (Latvia), Trio Daugavpils (K. Rusakovic, A. Maslekov & D. Michailov - Latvia), Daugavpils Accordion Orchestra (conducted by V. Hodukin - Latvia), A. Shuvalov (Belorus) and V. Cuchran (Slovakia), who held a conference/seminar about the present accordion situation in the musical world.

Lithuanian performers included Quintet "Concertino" (leader Prof. R. Sviackevicius), Quintet "Modus" (leader A. Balachovicius), Quintet "Cantus" (leader G. Balciunas), Group "Tango Akademija" (leader K. Zebrauskaite), Duo E. Gabnys & G. Savkovas), Duo G. Mameniskis & V. Osmanskiene), Vilnius Teachers Accordion Orchestra (leader & conductor Prof. R. Sviackevicius) and soloists R. Sviackevicius(who also performed chamber music with bassoonist A. Puplauskis), D. Rozovas, A. Balachovicius, T. Vaise, P. Velikis, M. Laurynaitis, D. Medeksaite and L. Slekonyte.

During the festival Italian Accordion factory Cemex held an exhibition, which included a large variety of Excelsior accordions, from small, diatonic to concert and MIDI accordions.

The 10th International Accordion Festival will be held in September 2004.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordion Times & News will host the 19th International Autumn Accordion Festival from October 17th to 20th at the Spa Complex in Bridlington. This event is sponsored by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Rolston Accordions and Borsini Accordions.

Guest performers include Vincenzo Abbracciante, Emil Johansen, Aichini Romeo, Tzani Group, Ronmar Orchestra, "Jennifer, Heather & Fiona", Gary Blair Ceilidh Band, George & Rodney, Harry Hussey Quartet & many more.

Workshops will be held by Ron Hodgson (Biggest Band and Intermediate Band), Michael Irvine (Elementary Band), Jean Corrighan (Beginners Band), Anne Wilson (Absolute Beginners), John Leslie ("Technique" and "Bellows Shake"), Harry Hussey (Jazz), Tracey Middleton (Playford), Rev John Robinson (Songs Of Praise), Gary Blair (Scottish), Jean Hanger (Vintage) and George Syrett & Rodney (Play With The Pro's).

For further details email: LorettaRolston@aol.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

From October 3rd to 6th, over 400 companies from 18 countries presented their product range at one of the largest music trade fairs in Reid, the Austrian-Bavarian area. Exhibitions were entirely of musical instruments of all kinds, music accessories, music electronics and information from music publishers and music federations. In addition a European music school congress, numerous conferences, workshops and concerts were held on various stages. This event featured the slogan "Music is education, music is culture, music is people communication, music is a substantial factor in commerce and industry!"

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Duo "Monte Carlo" which includes Russian accordionist Alexander Chymkov and his wife Christine Rossi, will take part in a concert tour of France with the National Chamber Orchestra d'Ukraine from October 25th to November 25th. Concerts will be held in Montjoire, Lavaur, Chaumont en Champagne, Seebach, Saint Doulchard, Saint Etienne, Chambéry, Mably, Nitting, Feurs, Bergerac and St Jean Cap Ferrat. For further details email: alexander@chmykov.net

International Orchestra Festival - Netherlands

Contributed by Hillebrand van der Veen

The Amsterdam Accordion Club Forzando will take part in the International Orchestra Festival (organized by the Dutch accordion union - NOVAM) held in Malden on October 19th and 20th. Performances will be given by the A-orchestra (conducted by Piet Verzijde) and the Forzando Quintet. For further details email: H.J.Veen@net.HCC.nl

Contributed by Claudette Gego

An Accordion and Organ Competition will be held at the Centre Culturel in Montigny-le-tilleul, Hainaut on October 26th. Organized by the Organization Association of Professors Libre, they will offer a variety of prizes for competitors. For further information email: gegojc@hotmail.com

MusicForAccordion.com has started a new "Recordings" site enabling accordion artists and groups, bands and orchestras using accordion, to sell their recordings all over the world. The database driven site allows viewers to easily find the type of accordion music they want. Information about each performer and sample soundtracks are possible on this exciting new site aimed to help accordion performers sell their recordings.

To start, only a few CD's are listed as the site has only just begun but you can check out how recordings are listed with two sample listings. The "On Tour" CD by the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra and the CD "Accordion Concert Music" of Gary Daverne compositions. You can make a secure server purchase in either US$ or Euro currencies.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Aldo Pagani (producer and publisher of Astor Piazzolla) in collaboration with the Argentinean consulate of Italy are pleased to announce the 9th Edition of the International "Astor Piazzolla Award", dedicated to the performance of works of the great Argentinean Composer. The competition will take place in Udine from October 31st to November 1st and is open to performers from all over the world.

The Award consists of two sections: one dedicated to the participation of instrumental groups (with the possible inclusion of a vocalist) and another dedicated to solo instruments and orchestras. Works must be chosen from the following repertoire: Alevare, Ave Maria, Escualo, Finale, Fuga Y Misterio, Invierño Porteño, Libertango, Meditango, Oblivion, Otoño Porteño, Primavera Porteña, Remembrance, Verano Porteño and Violentango.

All participants will receive a participation certificate. For further details email: aldopagani@libero.it

Viktor Romanko Performs with Caprice Ensemble - Germany

Contributed by Jutta Menn

Accordionist Viktor Romanko will perform with the "Caprice" accordion ensemble in Bad Laasphe on October 13th. Their varied program will include "Die vier Jahreszeiten" (Vivaldi), Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Liszt), Piazzolla tangos, plus Russian Fantasie (Gridin). For concert details email:
Jutta.Menn@t-online.de

Auckland based accordion ensemble Caprice performed to an enthusiastic crowd in Christchurch last weekend at the invitation of the Christchurch Accordion Orchestra.

Under the baton of Meg Fidler, the Christchurch Accordion Orchestra began the concert, with a number of traditional and well known accordion pieces. They were followed by accordionist Kathryn Fletcher and guitarist Cy Winstanley, performing some Irish Fusion medleys. Kathryn was the first accordionist to be accepted into the Auckland University, using the accordion as her performance instrument.

Next on the programme was Campbell Bettridge, who performed the programme he will use as a New Zealand representative at the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships to be held in Denmark. The audience delighted in his powerful display.

After a short break, Lionel Reekie took the stage, performing on solo midi accordion and vocals. Lionel is one of the few accordion entertainers in Auckland, and is well known internationally.

"Caprice" then performed a wide variety of music, from Russlian and Ludmila Overture (arranged by New Zealander Kevin Friedrich) to a medley from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar.

Alexander Technique Course for Accordionists and Musicians - Spain

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Anne Landa (accordionist and Professor of the Alexander Technique) will tutor the Alexander Technique during the 2002-2003 course at the Superior Center of Music in Basque Country. This new music center caters for a wide range of instruments and musical styles including classical, jazz and ethnic for students attaining a high level. The teaching staff of this innovative centre include Spanish and foreign concert artists.

Anne Landa is also performing with the ensemble "Songs of Freedom" and is preparing a new solo project.

Contributed by Beniamino Bugiolacchi

Expomusic 2002, an important musical exhibition in the whole of Latin America, finished on September 29th in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event took place in two huge halls within the Expo Center Norte. In spite of the serious economic strife currently experienced by the region, the sector of musical instruments is doing well and even showing signs of growth. Its turnover in 2001 rose by 6% while imports decreased by 12%.

In Brazil too the musical taste of youth favours the more rhythmic styles, as seen by the large number of percussion instruments and guitars compared to traditional melodic instruments (we saw no pianos, very few string instruments and a small number of keyboards). The accordion still holds its ground due to the sustained interest in folk music.

A few Italian companies were represented at the exhibition this year, including Cooperfisa (Vercelli), and for the first time accordion firms from Castelfidardo under the banner of "Ancona Promuove", a consortium that promotes internationally the companies that belong to the Ancona Chamber of Commerce. The commitment of Ancona Promuove towards the musical sector is proving to be extremely valuable for the accordion sector. Following the success at the Frankfurt Musik Messe and at Expomusic, consortium president Giorgio Castaldi is considering participation at next year's Music China, a very important exhibition which will be held in Shanghai from October 15th to 18th, 2003.

Contributed by Francesca Benvenuti

French accordionist Pascal Contet will perform with the Orchestre National de Lille (directed by Jean-Claude Casadesus) at the Salle Le Nouveau Siècle in Lille on October 19th and 20th. Their program will include "Spur" by Arne Nordheim which includes the famous "flashing part" composed in 1986 and arranged by Morgens Ellegaard.

They will perform the same program at the Théâtre Mogador in Paris on October 23rd. For concert details email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr

Contributed by Edmund Schwarz

Duo Popolzin will perform in Germany from October 27th to November 10th, beginning with a concert at "Schuelers Muehle" in Morbach. This will be followed by a performance at the Musiklokal "Bungertshof" in Königswinter on November 1st and at the Karlstorbahnhof Theatre in Heidelberg on November 12th.

Their program will include Humoresk (Dvorák), Moskauer Fenster (Hrennikow) and Erinnerung an Paris (Popolzin). For further details email: Duo-Popolzin@edi-schwarz.de

A new Harmony and Chord Applications course is now available by Gary Dahl. This course has been designed to teach you to quickly play lead sheets from elementary single notes to using 3 to 5 part chords like the pros who develop their own head arrangements and improvise with authority. The average accordionist can become proficient in 6 to 12 months and also improve in all areas of musicianship. For further details email: garydahl@webtv.net

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Lithuanian accordionist Raimondas Sviackevicius will tour Lithuania from October 14th to 20th, performing a series of concerts in Plunge, Kretinga, Taurage, Salantai and other cities.

His program will include a wide range of music styles form Baroque to new contemporary music. During the tour Raimondas will perform four concerts with popular young Lithuanian jazz saxophonist, Jan Max. Their program will include freestyle, meditative and jazz music.

Another four concerts of original modern compositions and transcriptions will be performed with the Lithuanian Symphony Orchestra featuring bassoon soloist Andrius Puplauskis. For further tour information email: sviaraim@takas.lt

Accordionist Bernadette Conlon will perform with vocalists from the Melbourne Savage Club and the Melbourne Lyceum Club, when they stage their annual concerts on October 16th and 17th in Melbourne.

Their program will include the duet from Merry Widow, Jazz standards such as "Birth of the Blues", and selections from Gigi. For concert details email: accordionbernadette@bigpond.com

"Volviò una noche" is a play written by Beppe Turletti which narrates (through music and sounds) the homecoming of a farmer who had emigrated to Argentina, where he discovered Tango and much else. The play will be staged on October 14th at the Cafè Procopoe in Turin.

Actress Mariella Fabbris will be accompanied during the performance by Beppe Turletti on accordion and Saverio Miele on double bass. For further details please email: igitur@libero.it

The Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble (which includes accordionist Sonia Tubridy) will perform at a Simcha Sunday celebration held at the Sebastopol Community Center in Sebastopol, Sonoma County on October 20th. Enjoy a variety of music, food, and dancing while the Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble play a blend of klezmer and Israeli dance music, with a touch of swing. For event details phone: +1 707 762-1070

www.rancoaccordions.it Information on Ranco Accordion manufacturers based in Vercelli, Italy

www.accordions.com/rastelli Updated information on Emanuele Rastelli including new CD ordering details

www.mastersound.it Updated information on the Master Sound electronics company in Castelfidardo, Italy

David Peace would like some information on a Boselli accordion, purchased in the 1920's (original purchase document available), in perfect condition. Apparently the film "The Maltese Falcon" featured the exact same model. If you can help please email: davidpeace@lineone.net

Mary would like information on a Coronet accordion, made in Italy, which has the signature of Grigio on the inside with the number 303. Email: meds81246@aol.com

A reader would like to contact James Lesueur with regard to accordion training courses. If you have a contact email address please email: JOBONHEUR@aol.com

Ryan Weir would like information on a 120 bass "Electra" piano accordion, made in Italy. Email: weir_r@hotmail.com