Stas
Venglevski will perform with well-known composer from New York,
Jerome Kitzke, on March 14th at 7.30pm as part of the Fulcrum Point
New Music Project in Chicago, Illinois. They will perform Kitzke's
original composition 'Breath and Bone' for vocalist and accordion,
which was originally premiered and recorded by New York accordionist
Guy Klucevsek.
His artistry,
dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stas, a
native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union,
increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the bayan. A two-time first
prize winner of bayan competitions in the Republic of Moldova, Stas
is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he
received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed
Russian bayanist, Friedrich
Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the United States. Stas
recordings and music publications.
Marking
Stas's second appearance with Jerome Kitzke, the concert is organized
by Artistic Director Stephen Burns and will be held at the Harris
Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph, Chicago, IL. Tickets
are $20/$10. For further information, email: stas.venglevski@verizon.net
39th
Fundación Festival, Vallenata - Columbia
Contributed by Rob
Howard
The
annual Fundacion Festival takes place in Vallenata from April 26th
to 30th. In Columbia, diatonic button instruments are the norm with
accordionists, especially the 3-row, and are used extensively in
the country's music, song and dance traditions. Visiting sailors
introduced one and two row diatonic button accordions to Columbia
in the late 19th Century from Europe, but three row accordions superseded
these instruments by the 1930s.
The Fundacion Festival, held annually in Valleneta, Columbia, since
1968, is one of the largest accordion festivals in South America,
and is part of a large-scale celebration of national music, song
and dance. The festival includes a competition, with categories
for amateur and professional players of various ages and styles.
There are prizes of $15,000 (Columbian) - 1st place, $10,000 - 2nd
place, and $7,000 - 3rd place for the Professional Accordionists'
Section, and lesser monetary prizes for the various other sections.
The closing date for entries is April 8th. This festival attracts
large crowds, including many holidaymakers who are attracted by
the colourful spectacle of the parades and outdoors events.
On
occasion of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the International
Accordion Museum in Castelfidardo, the City Hall of Castelfidardo
has published a new volume by Beniamino
Bugiolacchi: 'Castelfidardo e la storia della Fisarmonica di
Castelfidardo'.
The book can also be used as a Guide for the Museum, being an up-date
of the edition 2002, and is available at the museum. Upon request
it can be ordered for the price of 8 Euro plus postage costs.
For the 7th
time, the International Accordion Festival is taking place on Vienna's
stages. In the Danube metropolis, it has become an institution -
and a secret international tip. The warm and hot accordion sounds
- either experimental, traditional or both - will expel the winter
and introduce the spring. With individual, thrilling and innovative
projects, the festival offers a forum for networking, communication,
discussions and interaction, thus creating structures for relaxation,
concentrated listening and socialization. An international class
meeting - familiar and opened to the world: these are the characteristics
of the Accordion Festival. From February 25th to March 26th, 160
artistes from 28 countries will perform 26 concerts.
The special ambience of the Jugendstil Theatre was the background
for the opening concert, which featured local hero Otto Lechner
and Arnaud Methivier in the first part, and Bratko Bibic and The
Madleys after the break. Maria
Kalaniemi, from Finland, a true icon of so-called world music,
joined with Martin Lubenov's Balkan folk for the next evening.
During
the years, Klaus Paier organized different successful projects (Trio,
Trio + String Quartet, and Gerald Preinfalk). In the meantime Klaus
Paier has enlarged his tango repertoire with elements of musette
or Southeast-European music.
This time he teamed up with American jazz accordionist Frank Marocco
(picture right), who showed his versatility by playing different
kinds of music but incorporating jazz into each arrangement. Other
artistes of the first week were Lizzie Cook (New Zealand), Talisman
(Russia-Ukraine), Geoff Berner (Canada), Bern-Brody-Rodach-Trio
(USA, Germany), and Landluft from Austria.
Dr
Sandy Tulloch (1918 - 2006), Dundee - UK Contributed
by Rob
Howard
Dr
Sandy Tulloch, one of the best-known personalities of the Scottish
accordion scene, died on January 19th at the age of 86. Sandy played
the Shand Morino button accordion and was a long time close friend
of the late Sir
Jimmy Shand. He was a great supporter of clubs and festivals,
and was particularly well known as a collector of Scottish dance tunes.
Many dance band leaders relied on Sandy's great knowledge, and he
was frequently called on for advice.
During
a distinguished career in medicine, Dr Sandy Tulloch was one of the
UK's leading eye specialists. He was also a violinmaker, and also
an expert model maker. As an accordionist, Sandy was a great exponent
of the British chromatic button accordion, and played on an occasional
basis with such bands as Sir Jimmy Shand, Jimmy Shand Junior, Bruce
Lindsay, Ian Holmes, Fergie MacDonald, to name just a few.
Finnish
accordionist Mika
Väyrynen premiered the Concerto by Pehr Henrik Nordgren on
March 8th, with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by
Mr. Sakari Oramo. The concert was called 'Focus Pehr Henrik Nordgren'
and was part of the 'Musica Nova' festival in Helsinki. The concerto,
which was dedicated to Mika, is a commissioned work by the NBC, and
is first time they have commissioned such a big work for accordion.
Mika is
the recipient of the prestigious artiste grant from the Arts Council
of Finland/Council of Music.
Swiss
Teachers' Meeting Sunk Down in the Snow! - Switzerland
Contributed by Martin
Frey
The
annual meeting of the Swiss Accordion Teachers' Association was
seriously disrupted by heavy snowfalls, with only 6 teachers able
to arrive at the venue in Rorschach. Swiss teacher and Pigini
Accordion Importer Martin
Frey was one of those "sunk in the snow", so he took
the time to send us a photo.
The National
Accordion Association (formerly known as the Texas Accordion
Association) will hold its annual festival in, Texas from March
9th to 12th at the Richardson Hotel, Richardson. The festival will
feature concerts, a Polka Dance, a wide range of workshops and a
festival orchestra. The
workshop leaders include Gordon Kohl, Joe Brikha, Jim Bezdek, 'Professor'
Dick Albreski, John Simkus, Joel Guzman, Alex Meixner, Fred Ziwich,
Ron Pivover, Randy McPeck, Kay Hickman, Pete Nalda, Tom Sullivan,
Mark Kenneth, Frances Brougher, and Denis Novato.
Donostiako
Akordeoi Orkestra Sinfonikoa, San Sebastien - Spain
Contributed by Rob
Howard
The
Donostiako Akordeoi Orkestra Sinfonikoa, from San Sebastien, are in
concert on March 11th, at Teatro de la Casa Cultura de Okend, San
Sebastien. The concert begins at 7pm. Currently directed by Mikel
Bikondoa Elizegi, the Donostiako Akordeoi Orkestra Sinfonikoa has
a long history of competition successes. In 1984 the orchestra won
1st place in the orchestra competition held concurrently with the
CIACoupe
Mondiale in Folkestone, England.
Domi
Emorine and Roman Jbanov, known as the Paris-Moscow Duo, are to
perform on the French television program 'la nuit de l'accordéon',
on Channel MEZZO. The programs will be screened on March 11th, at
1am; March 13th, at 1.50am; and March 16th, at 1am.
Milos
Milivojevic Recital, London - UK Contributed
by Rob
Howard
Accordionist
Milos Milivojevic performs at the Catholic Centre, 2, Dukes Avenue,
London W4 (opposite Chiswick Library) on March 12th. The concert
is organised by the Blenheim Music Circle.
Milos
Milivojevic is a First Prize winner of International Competitions
in Germany, France, Italy and Denmark, Second Prize winner of the
Arrasate International Competition in Spain, and has given numerous
recitals in Serbia, Russia, Slovenia and England. He has also given
an interview and live performance on Radio BBC 3.
Accordionist
Pascal
Contet's appearances during March are as follows:-
March 10th - Nanterre, 8.30pm - Maison de la Musique
11th - Montbeliard, ENM accordion workshop, 2pm to 4pm
Macon - March 12th, 5pm - Le Théâtre - Scène Nationale
Paris - March 13th, 8pm - Maison de la Radio
France - March 14th, 11pm - radio broadcast
Paris - March 18th, France Musique Oratoire du Louvre 145 rue de Rivoli,
6pm to 7pm and 8pm to 10.30pm
Quimper - March 21st, 8.30pm - Théâtre de Cornouailles
Auxerre - March 22nd, 7pm Theater Exodus with Eric Lamoureux- Héla
Fattoumi, (National Center of Choreography, Caen)
Arsac - March 24th, 8.30pm - Le Carré des Jalles - duet with
Wu Wei (sheng)
Blois - March 25th, 6pm - Médiathèque-Bibliothèque
Abbé Grégoire - concert and lecture: 'The Accordion
Today'
Bordeaux - March 27th and 28th - CNR Training for the accordion class
of Bruno Maurice
Montbeliard - March 30th and 31st - ALLAN - Scène Nationale
Rencontres in high schools
Borut
Zagoranski Competition Success, London - UK
Contributed by Holda
Paoletti-Kampl
Borut
Zagoranski, Post Graduate student at the Royal Academy of Music in
London, studying with Professor Owen
Murray has been successful in the Friends of the Royal Academy
of Music 'Wigmore Award'. The competition selected 4 winners who will
play in the famous Wigmore Hall in London on 15th May.
Val
Tidone International Music Events, Stradella - Italy
Contributed by Harley
Jones
Full
details of the 2006 Val Tidone International Music Events are now
available. These events include:-
Val Tidone International Music Competitions (June, 4th - 11th)
Val Tidone Summer Camp (July, 25h - August, 6th)
Val Tidone Festival (June - October)
Fismen
- a new accordion company producing accordions and harmonicas in Castelfidardo/Italy
New site of
Marco Lo Russo
accordion musician and composer, graduated in accordion at “
G. Rossini” in Pesaro, and now living in Rome.
Musicforaccordion.com
is publishing four new eSheet music, 'Jumping
Jack Polka', 'Jenny's
Waltz', 'Minuet'
'Granada'.
Samples of the music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet
format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit
card.
James O' Brien
- composer, arranger and performer, releases another 6 new works for
accordion available for purchase online. 'Die
Musica'(traditional), 'Muss
I Denn' (traditional), 'On
the Bridge of Avignon' (traditional), 'Samiotissa'
(traditional), 'Schwesterlein'
(traditional), 'Vive
la compagnie' (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
annual Fundacion Festival takes place in Vallenata from April 26th
to 30th. In Columbia, diatonic button instruments are the norm with
accordionists, especially the 3-row, and are used extensively in
the country's music, song and dance traditions. Visiting sailors
introduced one and two row diatonic button accordions to Columbia
in the late 19th Century from Europe, but three row accordions superseded
these instruments by the 1930s.
On
occasion of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the 
During
the years, Klaus Paier organized different successful projects (Trio,
Trio + String Quartet, and Gerald Preinfalk). In the meantime Klaus
Paier has enlarged his tango repertoire with elements of musette
or Southeast-European music. 
Dr
Sandy Tulloch, one of the best-known personalities of the Scottish
accordion scene, died on January 19th at the age of 86. Sandy played
the Shand Morino button accordion and was a long time close friend
of the late 
Contributed
by 
The
workshop leaders include Gordon Kohl, Joe Brikha, Jim Bezdek, 'Professor'
Dick Albreski, John Simkus, Joel Guzman, Alex Meixner, Fred Ziwich,
Ron Pivover, Randy McPeck, Kay Hickman, Pete Nalda, Tom Sullivan,
Mark Kenneth, Frances Brougher, and Denis Novato. 
Accordionist
Milos Milivojevic performs at the Catholic Centre, 2, Dukes Avenue,
London W4 (opposite Chiswick Library) on March 12th. The concert
is organised by the Blenheim Music Circle.
Accordionist
