Adrian Dante Dies in his 91st Year, Barnsley - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Adrian Dante, one of the UK's most eminent authorities on accordion technique and also one of his country's greatest accordion organisers, died peacefully on March 22nd, aged 90. Dante, who was a UK subject but of Italian parentage, was a major force in teaching and promoting the accordion in Great Britain. After a career as a concert, recording and broadcasting accordionist, he became a teacher, composer, arranger, writer, publisher and high profile organiser and impresario.

In 1946, Dante and Desmond A. Hart founded the British Association of Accordionists and the monthly magazine 'Accordion Review', which, in 1950, evolved into 'World Accordion Review'. Also, in 1946, Dante founded Modern Accordion Publications, making available a wide range of compositions and arrangements for accordion. Later, Dante founded Caravelle Records, personally producing many recordings of accordionists.

In 1950, Dante led the BAA to resign from the CIA, and helped to form the rival CMA. Dante's role in the formation of the CMA was to make him a controversial figure in the accordion world. He was, nonetheless, a major impresario who introduced many overseas accordionists to British audiences from the late 1940s onwards.

Dante taught many leading accordionists, including Pearl Fawcett, whom he later married. His overall contribution to the accordion movement in Great Britain from 1930 onwards has few, if any, equals, and the UK accordion scene may never see his like again. Full Obituary.
 

Frankfurt Musikmesse/information - Germany
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

From April 6th to 9th the Musikmesse will bring together the worldwide musical instruments industry at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre for the 26th time. 'Rhythm n' Business' - the motto of Musikmesse 2005 - is the name of the game. More than 1,400 manufacturers and sales organisations from all around the globe have already booked their booths. "All the signs are that we will have at least as many exhibitors at Musikmesse 2005 as last year", says Cordelia von Gymnich, Vice President, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH.

The industry has four days in which to show its innovations and trademark products, as well as to place orders for the subsequent months. Following last year's change from five to four days, which was very well received by both exhibitors and trade visitors, the organisers are continuing with the four-day run and rounding it off with an additional hour on the daily opening times. Thus, Musikmesse now begins an hour earlier every day, so that from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., guests have an extra hour for their business and talks, as well as for events and workshops, not to mention the Musikmesse Happy Hour in the 'Agora Stage' festival marquee every evening.

Artistes involved in this year's Frankfurt event include:-
Jon Hammond - Excelsior stand Pino Di Modugno / Beltuna Stand
Vincenzo Abbracciante / Borsini Stand 3.1 H 14
Jean Louis Noton / Cavagnolo/ " RITTER FRANTZ " 3.1 H 16
Jean Marc Fabiano/ Ballone Burini Stand
Michelantonio Norcia. / Musictech, PAD. 3.1 Stand H 24

Intermusik Zeitung: Halle 3.1 Stand H 27
Accordions Worldwide: Holda Paoletti-Kampl / Ancona Promuovo Stand
 

News from Copenhagen and London - Denmark, UK
Contributed by Owen Murray

Poul Ruder's (pictured) New Opera, based on Franz Kafka's ' The Trial' had its world premiere on 12th March in Copenhagen's new Opera House. There will be 7 performances in all through to 13th April. HRH Queen Margerethe of Denmark attended the performance on 21st March. Owen Murray plays the accordion part with the Royal Theatre Orchestra. The accordion is amplified and clearly heard in this brilliant new opera.

Mika Vayrynen gave a splendid performance of Aulis Sallinen's 'Barabbas Variations' with Okko Kamu and the Sjællands Symphony Orchestra in Copenhagen's Royal Library concert hall on 4th March.

Milos Milivojevic gave a recital with cellist Naomi Williams in London's famous Wigmore Hall on 28th February. The programme included Astor Piazzolla's 'Le Grand Tango', Anthony Gilbert's 'Rose Lusiante', 'Lindeberg's Jeux d'Anches' and Scarlatti sonatas.
 

International Accordion Festival Report, Vienna - Austria
Dr Herbert Scheibenreif, Friedrich Lips Productions, has contributed another festival report:-

The second week of Vienna's Accordion Festival started with Viennese group Café Schmalz (MD Hannes Thanheiser) and the American Café Accordion Orchestra (MD Daniel Newton): salon music, musette, chanson, Latin from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. "They had the Lincoln Center Plaza crowd dancing the night away", commented Jonathan Cappel.

Kepa Junkera (pictured) presented his Trikitixa (the Basque name for the diatonic accordion) to the Viennese crowd by mixing up elements of Celtic, Mediterranean, Latino, Scandinavian and Bulgarian music.

After a short appearance of the youth accordion orchestra from Polish town Humi, the well-known Klezmer group from Eastern Europe, KROKE charmed the public with its fantastic arrangements, reflecting their skills in classical music and jazz. François Castiello, well-known French accordionist from the group 'Bratsch', once again proved his great musicianship by combining musette, Klezmer, Balkan, gypsy swing, and Thelonius Monk jazz compositions with his own interpretations.
 

Paul Chamberlain in Concert, Wiltshire - UK

Scots-born accordionist Paul Chamberlain is the guest at White Horse Accordion Club on April 10th, at 2pm. Paul performs a variety of classical, Continental and Scottish music, and features both free bass bayan button and musette-tuned piano accordion.

For further information email jackbeecroft@blueyonder.co.uk
 

Murl Allen Sanders at the 13 Coins, Washington - USA

Murl Allen Sanders (pictured) will be performing at the 13 Coins SeaTac Restaurant on April 1st and 2nd. The 13 Coins is located directly across from SeaTac airport in the Kilroy Office Center, Washington State, and there is ample free parking.

Murl has recently played at the Texas Accordion Assoc. Convention and at the Arizona Accordion Club. Later in the year, November 10th to 14th, he makes his UK debut at the Caister Accordions International Festival.

Although usually associated mainly with lighter music, Murl has written 'Accordion Concerto No 1', which he performed with the Orchestra Seattle, conducted by George Shangrow, at Washington State University. This performance was recorded and is now available both on CD and video. The video also features Murl in duets with accordionists Frank Marocco and Ken Olendorf.

For further information email murl@murlallensanders.com
 

Fosbrooks French Exchange Visit, Stockport - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

The Fosbrooks Folk Education Trust, based in Stockport, England, will entertain a team of French dancers from the Loire Valley, from April 16th to 21st. The Fosbrooks musicians, dancers and singers include several accordionists, and are organised and taught by accordionist Liza Austin-Strange MBE.
The itinery for the visit includes:-

April 17th - concert at The Finger Post Hotel, Offerton, commencing at 7.30pm. Performers include accordionist Jamie Lyons.
April 21st - ceilidh dance at Stockport Masonic Hall, at 7pm. The Pigeon English Dance Band provides the music, and there will be various guest spots.
April 23rd - stage show at Stockport College Theatre, at 7pm.

For further information email fosbrooks@thetidyhouse.fsnet.co.uk
 

More Accordion Courses, Scotland - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Three accordion courses are included in the summer short course program of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye, part of the University of The Highlands and Islands. Courses are taught in English. This article appeared in the March 18th edition of the AWW news, but has been repeated due to an incorrect email address being given. Apologies for this error.

Course dates and tutors are:
July 18th to 22nd - diatonic two-row button accordion, BC tuning; tutor Iain MacFarlane.
August 1st to 5th - diatonic two-row button accordion, BC tuning; tutor Fergie MacDonald.
August 1st to 5th - piano accordion; tutor Sandy Brechin.

For further information email cg@smo.uhi.ac.uk
 

New & Updated Sites

James O'Brien - composer, arranger and performer, releases 6 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Scarborough Fair' (traditional), 'Botany Bay' (traditional), 'Dodecaphonic Dawn' (original), 'Tarantella' (traditional), 'Give Me That Old Time Religion' (traditional), 'Chuperlika' (traditional). Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in Esheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.
 

The International Trio has performed in various countries to acclaim. This CD represents the program performed in 16 concerts throughout Finland and Estonia. Sound samples are on the site and the CD can be purchased with credit card. The CD been described as "... a magic blend of accordion music at its finest..."