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  17 March 2006 This weeks news | Past News  | Send news
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Editor's Note

Accordions Worldwide involves the time and effort of many people each week, not least of whom are the translators who do such sterling service on behalf of us all. Claudia Bonacquisti-Lerch and Monika Hodler are the two most recent recruits to the Accordions Worldwide team, and we welcome them to the team (see below).

Rob Howard
 


 
  Shanghai Spring, International Accordion Festival - China
'Divertimento' Composed by Viatcheslav Semionov is Released - USA
2006 CIA Test Piece 'Fractals' by Wolfgang Plagge available Free Online - Norway
Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival, Sydney - Australia
Welcoming Two New Translators, Castelfidardo - Italy
 
  American Accordion Musicological Society Festival, Pennsylvania - USA
Lips Masterclass at Royal Academy of Music, London - UK
Joe Burke in 'A Tribute to Andy McGann', Chicago - USA
Rimini Disma Music Fair, Rimini - Italy
National Accordion Association Convention, Dallas - USA
 
  Piazzolla Birthday Celebration, Michigan - USA
Walter Perrie in Concert, Stockport - UK
Renzo Ruggieri Seminars and Concerts, Castelfranco Veneto and Vallo di Diano - Italy
Wyre International Accordion Festival, Lancashire - UK
Alexander Tchuev's Concerts in Northern Greece
Frankfurt Music Fair
 
 

Shanghai Spring, International Accordion Festival - China
Contributed by Li Cong


The Shanghai Spring, International Accordion Festival will be held from May 2nd to 6th. The festival includes:-

1) A competition involving more than 400 competitors and over 200 teachers.

Event organiser Prof. Li Cong (pictured) of Shanghai says that this event will be the largest accordion festival to yet be held in China. To date, there are over 15 overseas competitors participating. The International jurors are: Viacheslav Semionov (pictured with Li Cong), Alexander Dmitriev, Vojin Vasovic, Vladimir Solov¡yev, Semenenko Viatcheslav, Nizovskiy Gennady (Russia), Luu Quang Minh (Vietnam), Frederic Deschamps (France), Owen Murray (Scotland), Jon Faukstad (Norway), Joan Cochran Sommers and Mady Soave (USA). Kevin Friedrich (CIA President) will be present as VIP guest and international observer.

2) During the festival, there will be six concerts, featuring different styles. The concerts will be given by: Peter Soave, Pavel Feniuk, Jean-Louis Noton, Jerome Richard, Cyril Blanchard, and Antonio Mancini (Antonio is the 2005 Coupe Mondiale Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Champion).

3) An International Accordion Forum will be held, focusing on the present and future development of the accordion in a worldwide context. The Forum is likely to include a lecture by an internationally renowned authority.
 

'Divertimento' Composed by Viatcheslav Semionov is Released - USA
Contributed by Harley Jones

'Divertimento,' a new composition by Viatcheslav Semionov of Moscow has been released by Ernest Deffner Publications of New York. This exciting work is written in three movements, (1) 'Legend' (2) 'Nostalgia' (3) 'Journey', is for instruments with both stradella and free bass. It is playable on either piano accordion (minimum 41 key) or chromatic accordion. The piece is available for US$29 plus shipping and handling from the publisher. See Music Sample of Each Movement (265kb)

This composition is a skilfully written work adaptable to different systems. Semionov's broad knowledge of systems is apparent because he has distinguished himself as the teacher of prize-winning accordionists performing on either chromatic and piano accordions. The composer encourages accordionists to perform this work on various accordion systems. Stock No. ED306 $29.00

As one of Russia's foremost accordionists and composers, Viatcheslav Semionov is widely considered to be 'the founder of the modern performance school of bayan'. He was awarded the Silver Disk at the 1994 International Festival of Bayan and Bayanists and in 1995, he received Russia's highest performance distinction, "People's Artist of Russia", as decreed by President Boris Yeltsin.

The foreword of Semionov's new work is a dedication which reads: "Written for my colleague Faithe Deffner in commemoration of her service to the accordion community as President of The American Accordionists' Association: 1985-1986, 1995-1996, 1997-1998 and 1999-2000".
    

2006 CIA Test Piece 'Fractals' by Wolfgang Plagge available Free Online - Norway
Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The Confédération International des Accordéonistes (CIA) announces that the 2006 Test Piece for the 59th Coupe Mondiale entitled 'Fractals, Op. 142' by Wolfgang Plagge is now available online at the Coupe Mondiale website as a complimentary .pdf file download. Hosted by the CIA member, the Norske Trekkspilleres Landsforbund (NTL) the 59th Coupe Mondiale International Competition for Accordionists will take place in Asker, Norway, from October 18th to 22nd 2006.

Wolfgang Plagge was born in Oslo, and at a very early age he showed a genuine interest of classical music. He started playing the piano as well as writing his first compositions aged four. In 1972 he made a sensational recital debut in Oslo - with HM King Olav V present in the auditorium. He went on to win several national and international prizes in the years to follow, among them the Forsberg Legate in 1979 and the Levin Prize in 1987. He pursues an active career as an international pianist, and is much in demand as a chamber musician.

Wolfgang Plagge had his first work published at aged twelve and since then his music has been performed by musicians, ensembles and orchestras all over the. In 1996 he was created 'Composer of the Year' with the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. He received the American ASCAP Award for 2001 and won the Vocal Nord composers' contest 2003. A member of the Norwegian Society of Composers, a number of works is recorded on CD. His scores can be obtained through 2L e-scores, Musikk-Husets Forlag AS Oslo, or the Norwegian Music Information Center.

In addition to the 2006 Test Piece, the Coupe Mondiale website also contains information and guidelines for all six categories of competition as well as information about Norway and the 59th Coupe Mondiale in general.
     

Titano


Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival, Sydney - Australia
Contributed by Tania Lukic-Marx


The annual Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival organized by the Australian Accordion Teachers Association (AATA) will be held on May 27th and 28th at the Ninevah Sports and Community Club, Edensor Park Sydney.

One of traditionally the most popular features of the event is the Accordion Gala Concert which will be held at the Italian Club 'Fogolar Furlan -Veneto' in Lansvale on May 28th at 2pm. At the Gala Concert some of the finest Australian accordionists and Ensembles as well as International Guest Artistes will perform. These include World Piano Accordion Champion Alexander Shirunov (Russia), the ASA Youth Accordion Orchestra, The Accordion Concert Ensemble, and Enzo Giribaldi.

For the on-line Prospectus and more information about the event please visit: www.accordions.com/aata Closing date for the competition entry forms is the 15th of April 15th.
    

Tom

Welcoming Two New Translators, Castelfidardo - Italy
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordions Worldwide wishes to welcome two new translators Claudia Bonacquisti-Lerch of Austria works with husband Günther Lerch who is the general distributor of FISMEN Accordions. Claudia also has her own translating business and she will be translating the Italian Weekly News.

Monika Hodler is the daughter of the owner of Pro Harmonika, Baden-Wurttemberg, who are the distributors for Germany of Totter Midi, Lazinger Accordions and Puschtra Accordions.

We thank them both very much for their valued assistance.
 

Fisitalia Joy
 
American Accordion Musicological Society Festival, Pennsylvania - USA
Contributed by Mike Dellapenna

My wife and I attended the AAMS Festival this past weekend hosted by Stan and Joanna Darrow, at which we participated in -- my wife ran the registration desk and I gave a workshop playing Italian and Europeon favorites, which seemed to be greatly appreciated. I was asked for a lot of my playing arrangements, and I also judged some of the competitions.

Lenny Feldman was the Master of Ceremonies throughout the weekend and did a fantastic job! Also, his workshop on the music of Frank Marocco was great. The Saturday night show was one of the best ever; the memorable highlights being Henry Doktorski playing music of the Diero brothers, Lydia Kaminskia from Europe, and especially Mary Tokarski (of The K Trio) who brought down the house.

The wrap-up on Sunday was also very enjoyable which included a massed accordion band playing the Swan Lake Overture under the direction of Stan Darrow (at least 50 accordionists of all different levels and ages) done very, very well. Jim Vandelly also performed a few numbers, which were fantastic. The highlight of Sunday was our very own AFF'er, Bobby Raye, who also did a superb job and brought the house down. Also in attendance for the weekend were Carmen Carrozza and Danny Desidario.

A great time was had by all!!!
 
Charnwood

Lips Masterclass at Royal Academy of Music, London - UK
Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions


Friedrich Lips had an interesting masterclass last week at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was invited by Professor Owen Murray to teach his class not only in modern accordion techniques but also concerning new literature for accordion and chamber music. As Lips is constantly working with different instrumentalists, he has experience in many aspects of contemporary music.
 
   

Sandy Brechin

Joe Burke in 'A Tribute to Andy McGann', Chicago - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard


Irish music history will be made at the Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago, on April 1st, at 8pm. New York fiddle player Brian Conway joins accordionist Joe Burke and pianist Felix Dolan in 'A Tribute to Andy McGann', and a new CD will be recorded live at the Heritage Center that night. Galway-based Joe Burke, All Ireland Accordion Champion in 1959 and 1960, lived in the USA for many years, and makes a special return for this event.

Joe Burke and fiddle player Andy McGann were both influenced musically by the legendary Sligo fiddle player Michael Coleman (1891-1945). In 1961 - at the heart of a golden era in Irish music in America - Andy McGann and Joe Burke met and began a life-long friendship, lasting until Andy's death in 2004. Together, they showed their respect for the music of Coleman in the acclaimed 1965 recording 'A Tribute to Michael Coleman', with the inimitable piano accompaniment of New York-born Felix Dolan. That album is one of the classics in Irish music today.

Just as Coleman inspired the young McGann, so did McGann inspire many other musicians during his own lifetime, including Bronx-born Brian Conway. Today, Brian is regarded as Andy's protégé, although Andy was not his formal teacher. The Irish American Heritage Center is proud to present this unique live recording concert, and the event is described as being "History in the making. Don't miss this night. Like all good moments in history, it will only happen once!"

For further information email: info@irishamhc.com
 

Schmuelling2
Rimini Disma Music Fair, Rimini - Italy
Contributed by Harley Jones

A large crowd attended the Rimini Music Fair on Sunday 12 March.

This music fair is primarily guitar, keyboard and drums with some accordion companies displaying - Roland, MusicTech, Ketron, Brandoni and Cooperfisa.

Pictured are:
1. Roland Italy Marketing Manager Seiji Kameda (left), President Bruno Barbini (right) Accordions Worldwide Europe Manager Holda Paoletti-Kampl (center) in front of the Roland display and sound proof booth behind them.
2. Also attending was Francesca Pigini, pictured with Holda and myself, photo by Pigini Switzerland distributor Martin Frey.
3. Musictech Manager Claudio Sabbatini (right) and Musictech demonstrator Guiliano Cameli.
 
A to Z of the Accordion
National Accordion Association Convention, Dallas - USA
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Last weekend was the National Accordion Association Convention in Dallas, Texas. This year the emphasis was on button accordions. About 300 registered for the convention, and another 50 or more came for the evening concerts. The opening event on Friday night was a 4-hour long Polka Dance.

Artistes appearing on stage for performance were: Denis Novato, originally from Slovenia, with a 3-row button accordion; Ron Pivovar, from Philadelphia, with a 4-row; Joel Guzman (Tex-Mex Grammy award winner); Alex Meixner, from Philadelphia, playing a custom built 4-row; Fred Ziwich, from Cleveland, Ohio, playing both 3-row button box and piano accordion, and several members of the Alaska Polka Chips, from Anchorage, Alaska.

There were about 20 to 25 other button accordion players in attendance as well.
Ron Pivovar, Fred Ziwich, Joel Guzman, Denis Novato and Alex Meixner also all gave workshops. The festival also included lots of jamming together, too!

Styles of music were varied, covering everything from classical to pop tunes to jazz and blues.
 

 

Piazzolla Birthday Celebration, Michigan - USA
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Celebrating Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla's birthday, The Phoenix Ensemble returns to Kerrytown Concert House, 415 North Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor, on March 17th and 18th for their annual Oblivion Project. The performances begin at 7.30pm and 9.30pm each evening.

The Oblivion Project is named for one of Piazzolla's signature pieces.It focuses on the 'Nuevo Tango' of Astor Piazzolla, the famous and controversial Argentine composer, and spotlights Peter Soave and Julien Labro on bandoneons. Soave's mastery of the music of Piazzolla, along with his virtuosic skill, and Labro's creative talent promise a powerful combination. Other Phoenix Ensemble members are Gabriel Bolkosky(violin), Derek Snyder (cello), Tad Weed (piano), John Holkeboer (bass),and Alex Trajano (percussion).

The Phoenix Ensemble has been called "a tight band of musical adventurers" and their Oblivion Project described as "a broad palette of moods and styles: straight-to-Hell tangos of tremendous hypnotic force, floating jazz-fusion-like space walks, and even tender major-key romance." (Lawrence Cosentino in the Lansing City Pulse, Sept. 21st 2005).

For further information email: kch@kerrytown.com
 

Tom
Walter Perrie in Concert, Stockport - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Former All-Scotland Champion Walter Perrie is the guest at Stockport Accordion Club on March 28th. Stockport AC meets at the St John Ambulance Brigade HQ, Edgeley Road, Cheadle Heath, Stockport, and the concert begins at 8pm.

For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com
      


Renzo Ruggieri Seminars and Concerts, Castelfranco Veneto and Vallo di Diano - Italy
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On April 7th and 8th, Renzo Ruggieri will give a seminar at the Conservatory of Castelfranco Veneto. The artistic director of the event is Ivano Paterno. On April 8th, at 9pm Renzo Ruggieri will perform a recital involving solo accordion + electronics and video titled 'Storie di Fisarmonica Vissut.' Ruggieri will repeat the concert in the Musical Academy of Vallo di Diano, Teggiano on April 21st and the following day will hold a seminar on jazz in the same center.
 
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Wyre International Accordion Festival, Lancashire - UK
Contributed by Gina Brannelli

The Wyre International Accordion Festival takes place on April 16th, Easter Sunday, at The Marine Hall, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. Competitions include 47 Sections in total, from Beginner to Advanced, 10 sections included for the Late Starter, Polka, Musette, Scottish, Duet and Group, and 5 Entertainment categories. This Festival also includes the CMA Junior and Senior Classical, and Junior and Senior Variety Qualifiers for the CMA Trophée Mondial.

For further information email: accordions@btinternet.com
 
 

Tom
Alexander Tchuev's Concerts in Northern Greece
Contributed by Rob Howard

Greek-based Russian accordionist and teacher is to perform the following dates in the north of Greece:-

March 22nd - Trikala
24th - Grevena
29th - Kozani
April 16th - Ptolemaida

For further information email: alexandertchuev@yahoo.gr
 
Lips
  A new CD Review:

of
"Daniele Donadelli".

Review by
Alessandro Mugnoz.


Fismen - a new accordion company producing accordions and harmonicas in Castelfidardo/Italy
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.

Faithe Deffner
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. 
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