This prestigious International Competition is to be hosted for the
first time in beautiful Scotland from Tuesday October 21st to Sunday
October 27th, and the website containing the rules, schedule and all
other information is now online.
The
CIA Coupe
Mondiale, recognized as the most prestigious annual accordion
competition of international scope, takes place in a different country
every year, under the auspices of the Confederation International
des Accordeonistes. This will be the 5th time that this event has
been held in the United Kingdom - Brighton (1955), Leicester (1968),
Folkestone (1984) and London (2001).
"The Coupe Mondiale attracts accordionists and enthusiasts from all over the world. We are pleased to host such a diversity of talent in the UK, especially in the beautiful surrounds of Scotland," says 2008 Coupe Mondiale Co-ordinator Anna Bodell.
There will be over €10,000 in cash prizes being awarded to the winners of the six international categories and each first place winner will be featured in the Gala Finale Concert.
The annual ‘Citta di Castelfidardo’ International Competition
for solo, duet, groups and orchestras takes place from October 11th
14th.
The festival (www.comune.castelfidardo.an.it),
organised by the town council, is a truly international event that
is one of the world’s most prestigious accordion competitions.
The guest artists for 2007 include Frank Marocco and Simone Zanchini,
Friedrich Lips, Cristiano Lui and group for an Edit Piaf evening,
Fausto Beccalossi and group as well as the Concert Finale where many
of the competition category winners are invited to perform.
CDs of Castelfidardo competition winners from between 1995 and 2000
are available from musicforaccordion.com
A new book, dedicated to the accordion and accordionists, published in the UK, is now available via Accordions Worldwide. Written by Rob Howard ‘An A to Z of the Accordion, Volume 3’ turns this popular series into a trilogy. These reference book aim to celebrate the achievements of accordionists, past and present, and to provide some articles of practical use to the player. There are over 200 articles and biographies, and more than 200 photographs and illustrations, some in colour.
The book also includes autobiographical contributions from accordionists Peter Ayers, Julie Best, Johnny Coleclough, Fred Dunn, Norman English (the man who entered the Guinness Book of Records for endurance playing – 82 hours non-stop!), Jean Hanger, Raymond Jones and Heather Smith.
The articles include: ‘Origins of the Accordion Clubs’, ‘The Accordion Collections of Caroline Hunt and Ken Hopkins’, ‘Accordion Festivals Revisited’, ‘Bal Musette’, ‘The Art of Busking’, ‘The Art of Conducting’, ‘How to Adjust Your Accordion Straps’, ‘Irish Ceili Bands’, ‘Morris Dancing’, ‘Jimmy Shand Recordings’, ‘Record Reviews’, ‘Roland Virtual Accordion’, ‘Russian Accordionists in the UK’, ‘Scottish Dance Bands’, ‘Tales & Trivia’, and archive articles such as ‘Accordion Tunings’ (Graham Romani), ‘American Journey’ (Adrian Dante), ‘Bellows Shaking’ (Pietro Frosini), ‘Diary of a Visit to Paris’ (Gerald Crossman), ‘Medley Mania’ (John Kirkpatrick), ‘Memorising and Aural Training’ (Crossman), ‘Practising’ (Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, Toralf Tollefsen, Kenneth Hacking), ‘Vocal Accompaniment’ (Jack Emblow)…and many more.
Last week, Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov, known professionally as the Paris-Moscow Duo, performed in the annual concert held at the Amplepluisien Accordion Club in the city of Amplepuis in Central France.
Organised by Professor Mary Therese Berraud, the concert featured an accordion orchestra, followed by the Paris-Moscow Duo, whose virtuosity and music from France and Russia – and also their sense of humour – were greatly appreciated by the audience. One of the members of the accordion club had baked a cake for the occasion that everyone was able to enjoy after the concert. Incidentally, the Paris-Moscow Duo will celebrate 10 years together in February 2008.
The Duo’s next concert duet will be on Sunday November 14th, 11am, at the Conservatory in the town of Sainte Geneviève, near Paris.
The second Etnie Music Festival took place on September 8th and 9th in Teramo, and the first place winners were: Alessio Serapiglia - keyboards – the winner of the special prize of the jury, Danilo Rossi - pianoforte, Maicol Di Salvatore - classical accordion, Stefano Lemma - singing, Giulio Topazio - saxaphone, Antonio Giordano – diatonic accordion. Prizes in value of 6,000 Euros-
The judges: Renzo Ruggieri, Danilo di Paolonicola, Gianluca Caporale, Toni Fidanza, Marcello Malatesta, Vincenzo Di Carlantonio, Francesco Tassoni, Sabatino Matteucci, Claudio Azzaro, and Ferdinando Ciarelli.
Concerts at the gala evening included a performance of ‘Ethnic Project Solo’ by Danilo do Paolonicola, and Renzo Ruggieri as a duo with Mauro de Federicis.
The next Etnie Music Festival takes place in November 2008.
Accordionist and composer Guy Klucevsek participates in ‘Angels and Accordions’, a highly unusual and featured event of the 5th annual ‘openhousenewyork’ weekend. This takes the form of a guided tour with accordion music of the Green-Wood Cemetery, one of Brooklyn's hidden marvels: 500 acres of rolling parkland, lakes and gardens - the final resting place of many of New York's most famous and infamous citizens. There are two tours on Saturday October 6th (rain date Sunday October 7th), at 12 noon and 3.30pm. Admission is free. Meet at the Cemetery's main gate, 25th St. and Fifth Ave. in Brooklyn.
‘Angels and Accordions’ is organized by Green-Wood historian Jeff Richman, directed and choreographed by Martha Bowers, features original music composed by Guy Klucevsek and Bob Goldberg, and includes a visual installation in Green-Wood's catacombs designed by photographer Alexander Heilner.
The Craven Accordion Orchestra will be performing in concert at Skipton Town Hall, Yorkshire, on Saturday October 13th. The concert starts at 7.30 pm.
Formed in 1993, by Musical Director, Harry Hinchcliffe, the Craven Accordion Orchestra has achieved many accolades throughout the years. The Orchestra consists of varied abilities from novice up to musicians of the highest level, some of whom are UK National Champions in their own right.
The Craven Accordion Orchestra’s program contains a varied selection of old and new music that will appeal to all tastes; from light classical to modern film theme music, and traditional to the big band sound.
Also featuring on the concert will be an ensemble which features some of the younger up and coming players, many of whom have competed at national level with very pleasing results.
On Saturday October 13th MV Velden celebrates its anniversary with a concert featuring the Hohner Accordion Orchestra Trossingen, under the direction of H. G. Kölz. Other events take place on October 21st, November 1st to 4th, and November 16th to 18th.
Flaco Jimenez is in concert on October 6th at the Route 66 Casino Legends Theater, Rio Puerco, New Mexico.
Flaco Jimenez, from San Antonio, Texas, is a Tejano music legend, and has numerous recordings and show business awards to his name. Jimenez is the most commercially successful and internationally well-known accordionist of his genre.
'Le Grand Soufflet' is a music festival that takes place in and around Rennes, Brittany, from October 10th to 19th. This festival presents music from France and beyond, and also includes all sorts of cultural events involving song, movie, theater, contemporary dance, world music, jazz, rock, and electronic music. The accordion features prominently throughout the program, both in its own right and as part of bands and orchestras.
Artistes performing include Jérôme Soulas and Gong Gong, Wendy McNeill, Aldo Granato, Free Bidou, Syrano, Monsieur Accordéon, Maria Dolores y los Crucificados, Les Epis Noirs, Les D’moiselles, La Balle Rouge, La Dragonne de la rue Voitichka, Eva Le Saux & Camille Privat, Kepa Junkera, Haïdouti Orkestar, Thierry Titi Robin trio, Erik Marchand quartet, Transilvania, Gaby Kerdoncuff Trio, Trans@t, Swing Gadje, Dominique Cravic and Les Primitifs du Futur, The Honey Men, Sergent Pépère, Jean Corti, Denis Croisonnier, Meriadec Gouriou, Alain Trévarin and Didier Squiban, Yannig Noguet and Ronan Robert, Erwan Hamon and Janick Martin, Gérard Blanchard, Adèle, Jamait, Les Becs bien zen, and Gadjo.
A festival titled Akkorde-on-Stage takes place from October 25th to 27th in Slazburg. Guest artistes include Quadro Nuevo, the Klavitonikern, the duo ConTakt, Marco Kassl and Esra Pechlivanli, students of the Musikums Salzburg, Janne Rättyä, the Akkordeon Orchester Hof (AkkordeonOrchester Hof), the ensemble Triagonal and Dobrek Bistro.
A new production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Savoy Theatre, London, involves former UK Accordion Champion Mark Bousie. The accordion part for this production is greatly enhanced, primarily due to a reduction in the size of the orchestra to 10 musicians. The show now features a cast album CD, available at the theatre or via the show website.
Dr. William Schimmel continues to keep a busy concert schedule in his usual diverse menu:
October 21st – ‘A Musical Journey’ – featuring the works of Weill, Brel and Aznavour – a concert for an invited audience in Long Island, New York
November 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 14th and 17th – ‘Vanessa’, by Samuel Barber – New York City Opera, Lincoln Center, NY – 8pm
December 15th – ‘Peoples Symphony’ Concerts – appearing with Windscape (Woodwind Quintet) performing the American Music of Kurt Weill and premiering a new work by Dr. Schimmel, written specially for Windscape: ‘Elgar has Hands like Scissors’ - for Accordion and Woodwind Quintet – Washington Irving High School, Union Square, New York – 8pm
January 24th 2008 – ‘Valentino Dances’, by Domenic Argento, and ‘The Eugene Symphony’, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, Oregon – 7.30pm
January 25th – same concert as above – Jacoby Auditorium, Roseburg, Oregon – 8pm
Manhattan School of Music, New York – 7.30pm
February 2nd – ‘Sequenza XIII (Chanson)’ by Luciano Berio – Rose Hall Jazz, Lincoln Center – sponsored by The New York Philharmonic – ‘Day of Berio’ – all fourteen Sequenzas will be performed by New York Philharmonic musicians
Recording and Book Projects:
‘Pinsk and Blue for Accordion and Piano’, by Alla Borzova – released on Albany Records
‘A Portrait in Seven Shades’, by Ted Nash – Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra – Dr. Schimmel, guest artiste along with Wycliffe Gordon, Nathalie Bonin and Yola Nash - release date to be announced ‘Andy Arcari: A Concerto (1942) – A new realization by Dr. William Schimmel’ – released on IPS/Studio Muse Records
‘Scarlatti was Here’ – a Video/DVD by Micki Goodman – music composed and performed by Dr. Schimmel – choreographed and danced by Ms Goodman – release date to be announced ‘Accordion Culture – Time, Space and High School’ – a book of essays, drawings and scores with an included CD containing Neer Beginning/Neer Ending and other works composed and performed by Dr Schimmel and guests
‘Broadway Decamped – CyberSymphony No. 3’ – composed and performed by Dr. Schimmel – release date – December 2007 – IPS/Studio Muse Records - available only for downloading ‘Gregorsphere’ – for a New Art Installation by Paul Lincoln – will be shown in Chelsea, New York and Trieste – Spring 2008 – exact dates to be announced – music composed and performed by Dr. Schimmel
Eight Pieces composed by Dr. Schimmel for Grade 1 level – available for download at Music for Accordion
‘A Brief History of Plaid’ – a video/DVD By Micki Goodman – Music composed and performed by Dr. Schimmel – available for free viewing on www.billschimmel.com and Daily Motion
The 10th International Accordion Music Festival takes place throughout the month of October, from the 1st to the 31st, at the Latvian Culture Centre, Daugavpils.
Jazz accordionist Victor Prieto has many concerts in his diary in the next few weeks, some as a trio with bass and drums. His dates are:
October 6th, 9pm – La Lanterna, 129 MacDougal St, New York
9th, 7.30pm – with the Pasblo Asian Group, Lincoln Center, NY
10th – Brooklyn
11th, 2.30pm – Emiliano Loconsolo Group, Staten Island University, NY
11th, 8pm – Tea Lounge, Brooklyn
13th, 11am – with the Pasblo Asian Group, New Jersey
13th, 3pm – with the Pasblo Asian Group, Battery Park, New York
13th, 9pm – with Emilio Solla, New York Tango Project, Night and Day, Brooklyn
15th, 8.30pm - with Emilio Solla, New York Tango Project, Fat Cat, New York
The World Music Institute, a non-profit making organisation based in New York, presents a concert starring Argentina’s Chango Spasiuk, performing a program of Chamamé music on Sunday October 7th, 7pm, at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, Broadway at 59th St, New York City.
Chango Spasiuk, a fiery and sensitive virtuoso accordionist, has established a reputation as the major innovator of Chamamé – a little known folkloric music, which blends native Guarani, Creole and European traditions. His revitalization of this powerful tradition from northeastern Argentina can be compared to the influence Astor Piazzolla had in the contemporary development of tango. Guest dancers will join Spasiuk’s ensemble.
Co-sponsored by Barnard/Columbia Latin Heritage Committee, the Consulate General of Argentina in New York, and the Society.
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The
International
Competition: ‘Citta Di Castelfidardo’ – Italy
A new book, dedicated to the accordion and accordionists, published in the UK, is now available via Accordions Worldwide. Written by 
Russian accordionist is on tour in Germany during October and November, demonstrating the new Hohner Genius Bayan model. His dates are as follows:
Last week, Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov, known professionally as the 
The second Etnie Music Festival took place on September 8th and 9th in Teramo, and the first place winners were: Alessio Serapiglia - keyboards – the winner of the special prize of the jury, Danilo Rossi - pianoforte, Maicol Di Salvatore - classical accordion, Stefano Lemma - singing, Giulio Topazio - saxaphone, Antonio Giordano – diatonic accordion. Prizes in value of 6,000 Euros-
Accordionist and composer 
The Craven Accordion Orchestra will be performing in concert at Skipton Town Hall, Yorkshire, on Saturday October 13th. The concert starts at 7.30 pm.
Flaco Jimenez is in concert on October 6th at the Route 66 Casino Legends Theater, Rio Puerco, New Mexico.
'Le Grand Soufflet' is a music festival that takes place in and around Rennes, Brittany, from October 10th to 19th. This festival presents music from France and beyond, and also includes all sorts of cultural events involving song, movie, theater, contemporary dance, world music, jazz, rock, and electronic music. The accordion features prominently throughout the program, both in its own right and as part of bands and orchestras.
Dr. 
Jazz accordionist Victor Prieto has many concerts in his diary in the next few weeks, some as a trio with bass and drums. His dates are:
The World Music Institute, a non-profit making organisation based in New York, presents a concert starring Argentina’s Chango Spasiuk, performing a program of Chamamé music on Sunday October 7th, 7pm, at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, Broadway at 59th St, New York City.
