04 August 2006
Weekly news from around the world














 























































































































































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Editor’s Note:-
Anthony Galla-Rini’s Passing End’s an Era, California - USA
Mika Väyrynen at Pablo Casals Festival - France
Veronika Todorova Present at the Limburger Sommerfest, Limburgh - Germany
Orquestra d´Acordions de Sabadell’s New Website, Sabadell, - Spain

Jukka-Pekka Kuusela's Performs at Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival – Finland

Rocky Mountain Accordion Celebration, Montana – USA
Friedrich Lips’ Diary Dates, Moscow – Russia
Victor Prieto Trio Performances, New York - USA
Accordion Spectacular, Melbourne – Australia
Accordion Event in Le parc de la Villette, Paris – France
Accordion Teacher Moves to Anglesey, Wales – UK
Alexander Dmitriev - CD's




Editor’s Note:-

Anthony Galla-Rini was the personification of the story of the accordion in the 20th Century. American-born, but of Italian parentage, Galla-Rini played, composed and arranged to the highest standards, and was a worldwide inspiration for longer than any other individual associated with the accordion. Though we mourn his passing, we should also celebrate his all-pervading influence that will continue into the future thanks to his teaching, writing and recordings.

Rob Howard
 
An A to Z of the Accordion
Anthony Galla-Rini’s Passing End’s an Era, California - USA

Anthony Galla-Rini (1904 – 2006) was born in Manchester, Connecticut, USA. He played the cornet from the age of four, and the accordion from six. He appeared in Vaudeville theatres from the age of seven, and later studied the theory of music and the art of conducting. As a teenager, Galla-Rini began to teach the accordion and to write music for the instrument. He developed into a serious concert artiste, performing at venues across America, including New York’s Carnegie Hall on many occasions, and also toured Great Britain and Europe.

Galla-Rini composed his first concerto for accordion in 1941, and a second in 1976. He has also arranged many of the great classics by JS Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Handel, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, and others, for accordion.

This great musician worked extensively in Hollywood for many years, and ‘Hans Christian Anderson’, ‘High Noon’ and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ are just three of the many films where his playing can be heard on the soundtrack.

Anthony Galla-Rini performed, taught, lectured and directed master classes and workshops for longer than anyone else in the accordion world, and his long-term contribution has no equal.

Contributed by Joan Sommers

A few hours ago, on the Sunday 30th July 2006, Anthony Galla-Rini had some troubles at the nursing home where he lived. He was taken to hospital where the family quickly gathered to say their goodbyes. His son Ron told me, that Tony Galla-Rini had a massive heart attack and died, at the grand age of 102 years.

Galla-Rini had a huge influence on the development of the accordion over so many decades. He is probably the most published arranger of all time and was famous for his recordings and teaching. His arrangements were always regarded as an epitomy of accuracy and attention to detail.

I have had Tony in my life from the age of 15, so you can see how much his passing means to me. He had a lot of influence on me, personally, and for thousands of other accordionists for such a very long time. He really was a truly great musician to whom every accordionist owes a tremendous gratitude.

This is truly the end of a very historical era of the accordion!
May we all be so blessed to have such a long and productive life.

Joan Sommers
Retired
Professor of Accordion
University of Missouri, Kansas City

A full obituary of the life of Maestro Anthony Galla-Rini is on the Memorials Site along with funeral information, Saturday August 12th, including where you can send personal condolences.
 
Accordion Jazz Chords
Mika Väyrynen at Pablo Casals Festival - France
Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

AdventureFinnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen will perform at the famous ‘Pablo Casals Festival’ in Prades, France from August 7th to 11th. Now in its 55th year, the Pablo Casals Festival is one of the most respected chamber music festivals in the world, and Mika's performance could mark the first time that an accordionist has been invited to perform at this event. Festival organizers consistently attract soloists and larger groups of the highest quality to perform in the beautiful abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa and other churches in the Prades area, where in addition to some contemporary music, the program features such chamber music stalwarts as Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms.

FacesAs you might expect from a festival named after a world famous cellist, many of the 27 concerts focus on the beautiful deep throaty notes of the cello, however, there are also evenings devoted to organ music, Mozart's clarinet concertos, orchestral works for children, Czech music and now the accordion.

Mika's performances will include appearances on August 7th at the Casino de Vernet-Les-Bains at 5.30pm, August 9th at Prieuré de Marcevol at 5.30pm, and August 10th at the Abbaye St Michel de Cuxà at 9pm. Mika will perform works such as Tangos by Astor Piazzola, ‘In Croce’ for Accordion and Cello by Sofia Goubaidoulina and Dvorak's 5 Bagatelles Op. 47 for 2 violins, cello and accordion.
  
Karthause Schmuelling music catalog
Veronika Todorova Present at the Limburger Sommerfest, Limburgh - Germany
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Verinoka Todorova from Elz, Germany, is the winner of the ’Deutschen Akkordeon - Musikpreises 2006’ and the 5th international competititon ’Premio Citta di Atri’ (Italy) and will be in concert with her very successfull band ’Veronika Todorova Band’ during the traditional Festival ’Limburger Sommerfeste’ in the Serenadenhof in Limburgh (Lahn) on August 12th at 8pm.

The musicians Veronika (accordion), Axel Spreitzer (percussion), and Detlef Görke (bass), will peform pieces from Astor Piazzolla, Richard Galliano, Renzo Ruggieri, Vincenzo Abbracciante, Pietro Frosini and Roman Bazhilin using their own arrangements.

The nineteen year old artiste has been chosen by the ’Deutsche Harmonika Verband’ to take part in the ’Coupe Mondiale 2006’ this year in Norway.

For further information email: veronika_todorova@web.de
  
Accordion Repairs Made Easy
Orquestra d´Acordions de Sabadell’s New Website, Sabadell, - Spain
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Orquestra d´Acordions de Sabadell, formed in 1991 under the direction of Miguel Ángel Maestro, accordion teacher of the Professional Conservatory of Music of Sabadell, now has its own website.

The orchestra has won several competitions, most recent of which was the special 2006 Accordions Worldwide Award for the 1st Prize at the International Competition Città di Castelfidardo for Orchestras.

For further information email Bali Navarro: blaiacord@hotmail.com
  
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Alexander Shirunov CD forsale
Jukka-Pekka Kuusela's Performs at Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival – Finland

Jukka-Pekka Kuusela performed R. Murray Schafer's piece ‘La testa d'Adriane’ for mezzo-soprano and accordion with Finnish soprano Mari-Anne Hilander (please see picture). ‘La Testa d'Adriane’ is a theater piece, written by the Canadian composer, R. Murray Schafer (b. 1933) in 1977. The performance received standing ovations from an enchanted audience in the beautiful Lentua Concert Hall.

"Kuhmo has always been, and will continue to be a place for championing beauty and quality and for being open to new challenges", says the artistic director Vladimir Mendelssohn.

The festival planning has gone without a hitch. "The reality of a musicians' life is a mixture of concentration, creativity, stress, control and respect for music. There is no 'easy' way for any of us, but we are not daunted by the difficulties," is the Artistic Director's view in a nutshell.
 
John MacDonald CD's

Charnwood Music Publishing
Contributed by Rob Howard

The 10th annual Rocky Mountain Accordion Celebration takes place next weekend, August 4th to 6th, in Philipsburg, Montana. Guest performers include Lidia Kaminska, Sammy Thomas, The King Bees of The Bayou, the Smilin’ Scandinavians and the Awesome Polka Babes. Accordion technique workshops wil be led by Mike and Margie Aman.

The event is described by the organisers as “a rousing weekend of dancing and listening to music, steak barbeques and outdoor pancake breakfasts, concerts in the 1892 Opera House and a parade of homemade pies.”
  
The Ins and Outs of the Accordion
Friedrich Lips’ Diary Dates, Moscow – Russia

Russian accordionist Friedrich Lips visits several other countries in the second half of 2006. Lips’ itinerary for the remainder of 2006 includes: -

August 10th – Gubaidulina evening - Dornach, Switzerland
10th to 17th -Tour of Norway

Autumn-tour in the USA:
September 21st - Concert in the UWM, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
22nd and 23rd - Concerts in the Irish Cultural Center, Milwaukee
24th - Concert in the World of Accordions Museum, Superior, Wisconsin
25th - Concert in Elroy, Wisconsin
29th - Concert in Alabama
October 1st - Concert in San Francisco, California
5th - Concert in Seattle, Washington
October 21st - Gubaidulina: ‘Seven Words’ for Bajan, Violoncello and chamber orchestra in Vilinius, Lithuania
22nd - S. Gubaidulina: ‘Seven Words’ for Bajan, Violoncello and chamber orchestra, Minsk, Belarus
24th - S. Gubaidulina: ‘Seven Words’ for Bajan, Violoncello and chamber orchestra in Moscow, Russia
November 3rd - Solo concert and jury chairman in Tscheljabinsk, Russia
10th - E. Podgaits: ‘Ex-Animo’ for Bajan and string quartet, Moscow
21st – Gubaidulina - festival in Toronto, Canada
December 2nd - Gubaidulina: ‘in croce’ for Bajan and Violoncello, Moscow
12th - Gubaidulina: ‘Under the sign of the Scorpions’, concert for Bajan and symphony orchestra, Moscow
13th to 17th - Festival ‘Bajan and Bajanisten’, Moscow
14th - Solo concert in the festival ‘Bajan and Bajanisten’, Moscow
16th - E. Podgaits: ‘Ex-Animo’ for Bajan and string quartet, Moscow

For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at
 
Enzo Giribaldi eBook Accordion Course for Beginners
Victor Prieto Trio Performances, New York - USA
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Spanish-born, New York-based accordionist Victor Prieto performs at the following venues:-

August 1st, 7pm – Speranto, New York - Daniela W. Trio
2nd, 8pm - Olea, Brooklyn – Victor Prieto solo performance
5th, 8pm - Cafe Moto, Brooklyn - solo performance
August 13th - PJ Henlys, Brooklyn - Victor Prieto Trio
14th, 7.30pm - Immigrant Sounds Festival II, New York – solo performance
17th, 8pm - La Lanterna, New York – Trio Iberico (Victor Prieto - accordion, Brad Shepik – guitar, Alexis Cuadrado – bass)

For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com
 
Gary Dahl Arrangements
Accordion Spectacular, Melbourne – Australia
Contributed by Rob Howard

On August 19th at 7pm, the Viennese Ensemble visiting from Vienna, Austria, and the Accordion Orchestra of Melbourne share a concert at the Austrian Club, Sheehan's Rd, Heidelberg. Virtuoso accordionist Bernadette Conlon will conduct the Accordion Orchestra of Melbourne, and will also give a solo performance.

For further information email: accordionbernadette@bigpond.com
 
eSheet Music
Accordion Event in Le parc de la Villette, Paris – France
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Le parc de la Villette, Paris on August 26th and 27th will be the scene for two days of continuous accordion music, including all styles – jazz, musette, contemporary, ethnic, etc. Players already booked to appear include Daniel Mille, David Venitucci, Lionel Suarez, Didier Dullieux, Jean-Luc Amestoy, Pascal Contet, Jean-François Baëz, Man Xin, Yves Weyh and Zakarya, sheng player Wu Wei, Jean-Luc Bouffard, Ophélie Gaillard, Marianne Piketty, Bijan Chemirani, Serge Adam, Philippe Botta, Carol Robinson and Tom Mays.

Pascal Contet (pictured), the artistic director of this event, is looking for accordionists from anywhere in the world, of any age, style or experience to participate. All participants are offered food and beverage and entrance for the special cabaret evening in Sauvage on August 26th.

For further information email: e.chevalier@villette.com
 
Viatcheslav Semionov CD's  for sale
Accordion Teacher Moves to Anglesey, Wales – UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Accordion teacher George Garside, from Southport, is moving house to Benllech, Anglesey, North Wales, in September.

George offers tuition on melodeon, BC & BCC# diatonic button accordion, piano accordion & Continental chromatic.

For further information email: georgegarside@talktalk.net
 
Fisitalia black

Review by
Joan Cochran Sommers




Dunkelrote Rose-encore 2 by Friedrich Lips

Peter Piccini - CD's & compositions
Gary Morin - strolling accordionist, releases 6 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'AndanteTarantella', 'Autumn Waltz 2', 'Back Bay Waltz', 'Carnivale De Musette', 'Continental Vacation', 'Italia'. 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.
 
Titano Accordion Company
The Orquestra d´Acordions de Sabadell, formed in 1991 under the direction of Miguel Ángel Maestro, accordion teacher of the Professional Conservatory of Music of Sabadell, now has its own website.

The orchestra has won several competitions, most recent of which was the special 2006 Accordions Worldwide Award for the 1st Prize at the International Competition Città di Castelfidardo for Orchestras.
 
Stas Venglevski
The Unites States National Accordions News has been updated with the August edition.
 
Bernadette Conlon CD's
A new site selling a CD titled Classique Senior 1er tour, with sound samples. Music recorded from the La Coupe Mondiale 2004 by Marianne Melodie, of France. Purchase online.
 
Friedrich Lips CD Collection
A new site selling a CD titled Classique Senior 2e tour, with sound samples. Music recorded from the La Coupe Mondiale 2004 by Marianne Melodie, of France. Purchase online.
 
Sebastiano Cali
A new site selling a CD titled Classique Senior 3e tour, with sound samples. Music recorded from the La Coupe Mondiale 2004 by Marianne Melodie, of France. Purchase online.
 
James P.  O'Brien
A new site selling a CD titled Classique Senior 3e tour suite, with sound samples. Music recorded from the La Coupe Mondiale 2004 by Marianne Melodie, of France. Purchase online.
 
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