This year's winner of the annual award ‘Klimentina Rafajlovska’ for Best Musician-Instrumentalist in 2006 is Bojan Volcevski, accordion student of Professor Zorica Karakutovska.
In a competition of 6 brilliant instrumentalists, selected from winners of national and international competitions, a jury of academic professors declared accordionist Bojan Volcevski the winner of this prestigious award, a special certificate and 500 Euro prize.
On May 22nd the Foundation ‘Klimentina Rafajlovska’ organised a concert featuring this years winner and some other finalists. Bojan was joined by Aleksandar Kolovski and Boban Peric who as an accordion trio won 1st place in Category 3 in the International competition ‘Mocartiana M’ for all instruments held in Skopje from May 12th to 14th.
Bojan's special quests on this concert were his colleagues Aleksandar Kolovski and Boban Peric. The accordion trio (Volcevski-Kolovski-Peric) at the 1st International competition ‘Mocartiana M’ held in Skopje from May 12th to 14th in competition with all instruments won 1st prize in Category 3 and were declared as best chamber ensemble receiving a special prize from the Ministry of Culture.
This is the second time an accordionist has won the ‘Klimentina Rafajlovska’ award (accordionist Zoran Kirjakovski from the class of Prof. Zorica Karakutovska won in 2004), ahead of all other instrumentalists, a big success for Bojan and his professor, but also a great success for the accordion in general!
The German HVH Junior Orchestra ‘Easy Listening’ Concert Tour, Illinois - USA Contributed by Horst Fausel, Hohner Akkordeon Product Manager
From May 27th until June 5th the German accordion orchestra ‘Easy Listening’ with 22 musicians travels to the USA. The orchestra already has had big successes at national and international competitions.
The junior orchestra of the HVH-Holzgerlingen, Germany, which was founded in 1999, plan to have 5 concerts. Their wide repertoire consists of classical music up to popular entertainment music. The concerts are: ‘Evening Concert at Crystal Lakes Main Beach’, the Pavilion, Woodstock Square, and in the Cary United Methodist Church. Finally they perform concerts together with the Community Jazz Band in Crystal Lake, Illinois
‘Focus on Accordion’ DVD and CD, Scotland – UK Contributed by Rob Howard
Smith-Mearns Productions, based in Perth, have released on DVD and CD ‘Focus on Accordion’, a compilation of previously released material featuring some of the best Scottish accordionists. Players include Jimmy Cassidy, Wayne Robertson, Davie Stewart, Peter Bruce – all of whom were All Scotland Champions - and the Donny & Diane Highland Ceilidh Band.
Zum and Mauro Carra at the London World Music Festival 2006 Contributed byRomano Viazzani
What a fabulous treat accordion lovers had on May 14th at St Martin in the Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. First, the extremely talented and witty Zum had the audiences on their feet calling for more of their distinctive music; an evocative blend of tango, gypsy, eastern European and jazz. The accordionist was as ever the consummately professional Eddie Hession who even played a couple of pieces from his recently released album Under Duress. The acoustics in the church made Eddie’s accordion take on an ethereal and almost heavenly quality as its sound soared up into the eves superbly supported by the strings and piano of Zum.
Hearing Eddie’s superb phrasing and rare musicality would normally satisfy any accordion buff but the London World Music Festival laid on another superb accordionist in the guise of Italy’s gifted virtuoso Mauro Carra – a testament to the high profile the accordion enjoys in the field of so-called ‘world music’ today. Mauro Carra delighted audiences with his dazzling technique and a polished performance of pieces from his new album ‘I Need You’. Yet again the audience responded by rising to their feet in a standing ovation.
‘Accordion Encounter’, Santander – Spain Contributed
by Rob Howard
On May 21st and 22nd the ‘Accordion Encounter’, organized by the “Jesús de Monasterio” Conservatory and Professor Gorka Hermosa, took place in Santander. This event involved students of different Spanish conservatories and music schools, such as the Alcañiz Conservatory, Elementary Conservatory Arizgoiti of Basauri, Music School of Hernani, Oviedo Conservatory, Ataulfo Argenta Conservatory of Santander, and the students of Gorka Hermosa in the ‘Jesús de Monasterio’ Conservatory.
The ‘Accordion Encounter’ included contests for various categories, which involved many young people, and the adjudicators were Arantxa Gómez, Estibalitz Jaka and Eduardo García. Gold, Silver and Bronze Diplomas were awarded. The awards ceremony involved performances of Orchestra ‘Acordes Cántabros’, The Chamber Group ‘Saxtander’, accordionist Jesús Peñaranda, and the young Clarinettist Javier Olivas. After the Awards Ceremony, all the participants went to enjoy an excursion in boat by the Bay of Santander before dinner in Pedreña, and a tourist excursion the following day to conclude a most successful event.
Salomón Canelo Concert, San Miguel de Allende – Mexico Contributed
byRob
Howard
On May 26th Salomón Canelo gave his first public performance with diatonic accordion in a neighborhood of San Miguel of Allende Guanajuato. His program was mainly Mexican music arranged especially for diatonic accordion, and the event began at 4.30 pm.
Salomón has recently been practising the harmonica, and the near future intends add this to the instruments he plays in concerts.
Salomón Canelo also participated on the same day in a documentary made for the national television of Venezuela, playing diatonic accordion. This program was transmitted in Venezuela and also in several other countries in South America.
Sue Coppard Performances, Wiltshire – UK
Contributed by Rob Howard
‘An Evening of Mediterranean Food, with accordion music by Sue Coppard’, takes place on June 3rd, July 7th and August 11th, from 7.30pm at Berkeley's Cafe, 61 Fore Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire - in or outside depending on weather.
Accordion Orchestra Competiton, Castelfidardo – Italy Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl On June 3rd an international competition takes place for accordion orchestras in Castelfidardo including an evening concert.
Gary Blair Ceilidh, East Anglia – UK
Contributed by
Rob
Howard
Glasgow-based accordionist Gary Blair plays for an evening ceilidh on June 3rd, an event that is part of the annual Constable Country Fair at Stratford St Mary, near Dedham in East Anglia. The ceilidh is one of many events, held in the area where the famous English painter John Constable (1776 – 1837) painted most of his world famous landscapes.
L’ensemble Astoria Play Piazzolla, Namur – France
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
The L’ensemble Astoria, a septet featuring Christophe Delporte on accordion, performs a concert of compositions by Astor Piazzolla on June 4th at 4pm at the Théâtre Royal, Namur. The L’ensemble Astoria have recently released a new CD titled ‘Tiempo Del Angel’. Profits from the concert will be donated to the ‘Aid for Africa’ appeal.
‘How Many Musicians does it Take to Play a Gong? The Answer: Nine’, Minnesota – USA
Contributed by Rob Howard
The gamelan (a collection of native Indonesian instrumental string, wind and percussion instruments) is called a ‘gong’ in its homeland. Six members of the EDT Folk Orchestra, including accordionist Dee Langley, will collaborate with three guests from the Schubert Gamelan Ensemble to perform an Indonesian song from the 12th century during the production of Ethnic Dance Theatre’s ‘Beyond the Crescent Moon.’ This show takes place on June 2nd and 3rd at 8 pm; June 4th at 2 pm at the E.M. Pearson Theater, Concordia University, 312 N. Hamline Ave, St. Paul.
Indonesia is just one of the countries presented by Twin Cities based Ethnic Dance Theatre. The Ethnic Dance Theatre’s mission is to foster understanding and awareness of world cultures through the re-creation and presentation of traditional ethnic dance and music.
Dr William Schimmel in the Czech Republic
Contributed by Rob Howard
Dr William Schimmel will be in Ostrava, Czech Republic from June 12th to the 18th. He will perform Alvin Singleton's ‘Say You Have This Ball Of Meaning for Voice, Harp, Accordion and Strings’. The performance will take place on June 16th at the Philharmonic Hall in Ostrava with the Janacek Philharmonic, with Petr Kotik (Prague/New York) conducting.
The soloists will be: Thomas Buckner (New York), baritone; Ada Balova (Ostrava), harp and Schimmel (New York), accordion. The work will be recorded the following day for international release (to be announced). Schimmel will also meet with the accordion students at the Conservatory.
Etnie Musicali Diatonic Accordion Festival – Italy
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
The first Etnie Musicali Festival and International competition dedicated to the diatonic accordion is a travelling event in the municipalities of the Teramo province, involving several local authorities and different places. The festival’s objective is to popularize the diatonic accordion, an instrument that in this area has always met with great interest. The festival’s artistic direction has been assigned to Danilo Di Paolonicola (member of APA), a lover of this instrument as well as a much-awarded musician.
The final event will include a concert featuring competition winners and the Peppino Principe Quartet, and the Danilo di Paolonicola Ethnic Project.
Accordionist Giorgio Dellarole leads a music course from July 17th to 22nd in Crotanze. Also involved are Francesco MANARA-Violino, Massimo POLIDORI-Violoncello, Ercole CERETTA-Tromba,Fabio SAMPO-Trombone.
‘Gil M’ asks: “Hello , I saw your website and I was wondering if you could tell me anything about a brand of accordion called BERTOLI . Any info at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you”.
Tarabuk
by Marco Lo Russo (accordion) and Tiziano Zanotti (double bass)
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Freddy Balta - Interprété Pa’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Tony Russo - Accordéon’, with sound samples. Music fromKarthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘A Farewell To Arms’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Duo Moskua - Melodies Russes’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Nata bene Debut’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
Updated site for Tania Lukic-Marx.
Site information updated and new photos added. New German text.
Updated site for Vladimir Besfamilnov with new photos and information about the new book about him and the CD's.Site information updated and new photos added.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Alexander Shirunov – ‘Absolute’’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Luna Rossa’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Buongiorno Tristezza’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo – CinePassion’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Canzone Della Strada’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo – Moccaflor’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
This year's winner of the annual award ‘Klimentina Rafajlovska’ for Best Musician-Instrumentalist in 2006 is Bojan Volcevski, accordion student of Professor Zorica Karakutovska.
On May 22nd the Foundation ‘Klimentina Rafajlovska’ organised a concert featuring this years winner and some other finalists. Bojan was joined by Aleksandar Kolovski and Boban Peric who as an accordion trio won 1st place in Category 3 in the International competition ‘Mocartiana M’ for all instruments held in Skopje from May 12th to 14th.
The German HVH Junior Orchestra ‘Easy Listening’ Concert Tour, Illinois - USA
‘Focus on Accordion’ DVD and CD, Scotland – UK
Smith-Mearns Productions, based in Perth, have released on DVD and CD ‘Focus on Accordion’, a compilation of previously released material featuring some of the best Scottish accordionists. Players include Jimmy Cassidy, Wayne Robertson, Davie Stewart, Peter Bruce – all of whom were All Scotland Champions - and the Donny & Diane Highland Ceilidh Band.
What a fabulous treat accordion lovers had on May 14th at St Martin in the Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. First, the extremely talented and witty Zum had the audiences on their feet calling for more of their distinctive music; an evocative blend of tango, gypsy, eastern European and jazz. The accordionist was as ever the consummately professional Eddie Hession who even played a couple of pieces from his recently released album Under Duress. The acoustics in the church made Eddie’s accordion take on an ethereal and almost heavenly quality as its sound soared up into the eves superbly supported by the strings and piano of Zum.
Hearing Eddie’s superb phrasing and rare musicality would normally satisfy any accordion buff but the London World Music Festival laid on another superb accordionist in the guise of Italy’s gifted virtuoso Mauro Carra – a testament to the high profile the accordion enjoys in the field of so-called ‘world music’ today. Mauro Carra delighted audiences with his dazzling technique and a polished performance of pieces from his new album ‘I Need You’. Yet again the audience responded by rising to their feet in a standing ovation.
On May 21st and 22nd the ‘Accordion Encounter’, organized by the “Jesús de Monasterio” Conservatory and Professor Gorka Hermosa, took place in Santander. This event involved students of different Spanish conservatories and music schools, such as the Alcañiz Conservatory, Elementary Conservatory Arizgoiti of Basauri, Music School of Hernani, Oviedo Conservatory, Ataulfo Argenta Conservatory of Santander, and the students of Gorka Hermosa in the ‘Jesús de Monasterio’ Conservatory.
On May 26th Salomón Canelo gave his first public performance with diatonic accordion in a neighborhood of San Miguel of Allende Guanajuato. His program was mainly Mexican music arranged especially for diatonic accordion, and the event began at 4.30 pm.
‘An Evening of Mediterranean Food, with accordion music by Sue Coppard’, takes place on June 3rd, July 7th and August 11th, from 7.30pm at Berkeley's Cafe, 61 Fore Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire - in or outside depending on weather.
Glasgow-based accordionist Gary Blair plays for an evening ceilidh on June 3rd, an event that is part of the annual Constable Country Fair at Stratford St Mary, near Dedham in East Anglia. The ceilidh is one of many events, held in the area where the famous English painter John Constable (1776 – 1837) painted most of his world famous landscapes.
The L’ensemble Astoria, a septet featuring Christophe Delporte on accordion, performs a concert of compositions by Astor Piazzolla on June 4th at 4pm at the Théâtre Royal, Namur. The L’ensemble Astoria have recently released a new CD titled ‘Tiempo Del Angel’. Profits from the concert will be donated to the ‘Aid for Africa’ appeal.
The gamelan (a collection of native Indonesian instrumental string, wind and percussion instruments) is called a ‘gong’ in its homeland. Six members of the EDT Folk Orchestra, including accordionist Dee Langley, will collaborate with three guests from the Schubert Gamelan Ensemble to perform an Indonesian song from the 12th century during the production of Ethnic Dance Theatre’s ‘Beyond the Crescent Moon.’ This show takes place on June 2nd and 3rd at 8 pm; June 4th at 2 pm at the E.M. Pearson Theater, Concordia University, 312 N. Hamline Ave, St. Paul.
Dr 
The first Etnie Musicali Festival and International competition dedicated to the diatonic accordion is a travelling event in the municipalities of the Teramo province, involving several local authorities and different places. The festival’s objective is to popularize the diatonic accordion, an instrument that in this area has always met with great interest. The festival’s artistic direction has been assigned to Danilo Di Paolonicola (member of APA), a lover of this instrument as well as a much-awarded musician.
Accordionist 