14 December 2007
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Fisitalia Blue

Highlights
CIA Visits Macedonia for the First Time
In Memoriam: Zita Abromaviciute (1946-2007), Vilnius - Lithuania
American Accordionists' Association (AAA) to celebrate 70th Anniversary in 2008
Reports of Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals etc
2nd International Festival 'From Baroque to Jazz', Wroclaw - Poland
New Tom Alexander CD, Glasgow - UK
Future Events
NAA Convention, Texas - USA
BBC 3 Live Broadcast: Liverpool Nativity - UK
Accordionist Sought for Theatre Project - Austria and UK
Victor Prieto Concerts, New York - USA
Carolling & Crumpets', England - UK
2nd 'Olimpo Musicale' International Competition, Prienai - Lithuania
An A to Z of the Accordion
CD Review
New and Updated Sites


James P.  O'Brien
CIA Visits Macedonia for the First Time
Contributed Contributed by Kevin Friedrich, CIA President

The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) will hold its annual Winter Congress gathering and 119th General Assembly of Delegates in Skopje, Macedonia from January 18th to 20th 2008. The first ever CIA function to be held in Macedonia, the event is organized and hosted by the CIA member, the Association of Accordionists - MACEDONIA "Ljubiteli na klasicnata muzika" - Skopje under the Presidency of Zorica Karakutovska (right), who also serves on the CIA Music Committee.

In addition to the various meetings and activities of the CIA Committees, the event will feature a Macedonian night, where delegates and guests can enjoy hospitality from their Macedonian hosts.

For information about Skopje, a schedule of activities or to register for the event, please visit www.accordions.com/cia/winter_08.htm
 
Accordion Repairs Made Easy
In Memoriam: Zita Abromaviciute (1946-2007), Vilnius - Lithuania

Concert performer and renowned teacher Zita Abromaviciute died on December 4th after a long fight with cancer.

Assistant Professor of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Zita Abromaviciute was born on July 4th 1946 at Siauliai City, Lithuania. She finished her studies at the Academy in the class of L.Survila, after which she studied as a postgraduate in the Gnessin Academy in Moscow, in the class of E. Onegin.

She started to work at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in 1974, after which she became one of the first Lithuanian accordionists playing professional, original music programs and played many concerts as an artiste with the Lithuanian Philarmonic all over the Lithuania, Russia and neighbouring countries.

She has performed and recorded much of her repertoire on the Lithuanian Radio, and was a member of Lithuanian Accordion Association.

During her long and succesful teaching carrier she discovered her own method of playing and teaching accordion using relaxation methods and psychophysiology. Her methodology has been presented in symposiums, seminars and conferences. She prepared a book, which with the help of her former students and colleagues, should be published soon.

As a teacher she was very strict yet intelligent and reasonable. The main point of her method was to create the pure, right and natural sound, which comes not only from the instrument, but also from the musican's heart and mind.

Lithuanian accordionists have a lost very important and significant figure in their lives.

For further information email: sviackevicius@gmail.com
 
Accordion Jazz Chords
American Accordionists' Association (AAA) to celebrate 70th Anniversary in 2008
Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

On the heels of co-hosting the largest international accordion event in the USA, the CIA 60th Anniversary Coupe Mondiale, world accordion championships, organized by former AAA President and current Board of Director Faithe Deffner, 2008 will mark the milestone 70th Anniversary of the American Accordionists' Association.

The first meeting of a group of New York accordionists was called on March 9th 1938 to determine whether or not an association for accordionists should be formed. After much discussion and agreement that such a group should be formed, a motion was made by Sydney Dawson that the name of the association will be 'The American Accordionists' Association', which was seconded by Charles Magnante and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Anthony Galla-Rini, and seconded by Pietro Frosini, that the officers of the association were to include President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and Sergeant-at-Arms. Frosini suggested that because of Pietro Deiro's stellar reputation, that he be nominated and elected by acclamation as the first President of the association. Although nominations do not require a second, Galla-Rini and others seconded it and Deiro was elected unanimously. Charles Nunzio, (picture left) the only surviving founding member of the organization, was elected Vice President.

The AAA will conduct a yearlong celebration including events such as a concert in New York City in the Spring, and their 70th Anniversary Competition and Festival, which will take place from August 15th to 19th 2008 at the Holiday Inn/Rosslyn in Arlington, Virginia, in the Washington DC area. In addition to the usual competition categories for all ages and styles of music, the 70th Anniversary Festival will include several Jazz categories as well as the Carrozza Scholarship Category offering a $3,500.00 first prize.

For more information, please visit www.ameraccord.com
  
Gary Dahl esheet

eSheet Music
2nd International Festival 'From Baroque to Jazz', Wroclaw - Poland
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The second International Festival 'From Baroque to Jazz' took place in and around Wroclaw from April 20th until December 5th. This long running festival, held under the patronage of the Lower Silesia Region Speaker, included 30 concerts, a series of accordion competitions, and courses for accordionists. Courses were led by Vladimir Besfamilnov - (picture left) Professor at the Kiev Musical Academy. Competitors came from Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine and New Zealand. The Festival Director was Olexiy Suslov.

A concert featuring prominent accordionists Olexiy Suslov, Eneasz Kubit and Oleksandr Khrustevich, together with the Symphonic Orchestra 'Ricordanza' took place on November 22nd.

The accordion contest consisted of five categories, and the Jury Chairman was Bogdan Dowlasz, Professor at the Lodz Musical Academy. Results.

For further information email: suslov@wp.pl
 
Finland Recordings
New Tom Alexander CD, Glasgow - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Accordionist Tom Alexander is internationally known as one half of the vocal/instrumental duo the Alexander Brothers. Tom, however, was once an All Scotland Champion, and sometimes performs and records as an accordion soloist. His latest solo CD, 'Bits and Pieces' is a mixture of Scottish tunes and accordion specialities - all performed and recorded to a high standard on a Hohner Gola.

In July 2005 Tom and Jack were invited to Holyrood Palace where they were awarded the MBE by Her Majesty The Queen for services to Entertainment".

The 20 tracks include 'El Relicario', 'Isle of My Heart', 'The Flowers of Edinburgh', 'Petite Waltz', 'Skye At Last', 'Lady of Spain', 'The Dark Island', 'Whistling Rufus', 'Eilean Gorm Mhuile', 'Dance of the Hours', 'Tom's Medley', 'Tristesse', 'March, Strathspey & Reel', 'Piper's Waltz', 'Jealousy', 'Farewell to Kintail', 'The Furrow's End', 'The Oil Rigger', 'Highland Cathedral', and 'Under the Double Eagle'.

For further information email: info@concordemusic.com
 
The International Trio - CD

Fisitalia Black
NAA Convention, Texas - USA
Contributed by Norman Seaton

The 2008 National Accordion Association Convention takes place at the Richardson Hotel, Dallas, from March 13th to 15th. Plans are well underway, and presenters and performers are invited to apply by December 15th. The Convention covers a very wide spectrum of national and international accordion styles.

This year, at the 2007 convention, accordionists of all ages and levels were enriched by dozens of workshops including basic playing techniques, teaching techniques, Scottish style performing, diatonic basics, registration selection, bass patterns, bass enhancement, motivation, emergency repairs, MIDI, Slovenian style playing, Polka dancing, and even rock and roll music performing!

Picture right - President Norman Seaton. Several concerts were staged during the Texas event. Thursday's concert included the Ron Pivovar Quartet, and the AOK trio. Friday evening's concert theme was 'Polka Night', and The Alaska Polka Chips, followed by Cleveland's Fred Ziwich rocked the house.

Even the non-dancers couldn't manage to remain in their seats! Saturday's concert featured international diatonic champion Miha Debevec from Slovenia, Scottish player Mark Kenneth, Chicago's jazz king John Simkus, Brent Buswell, Tex-Mex player Joel Guzman, Dee Langley with Orkestar Bez Ime, former world champion Don Lipovac, MIDI expert Gordon Kohl, and the 2007 NAA accordion orchestra directed by Dan Orza.

For further information email: natlaccordion@sbcglobal.net
  

BBC 3 Live Broadcast: Liverpool Nativity - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

The television station BBC Three marks Christmas 2007 with a nativity play performed live and in public on the streets of Liverpool. This major event will be the springboard for Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture 2008.

Liverpool Nativity tells the story of the first Christmas through the music of Liverpool. Characters in the drama and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra orchestra, featuring accordionist Mark Bousie, with fresh musical arrangements will perform the familiar songs.

The hour-long production opens with the iconic image of a star that shines high in the sky above Liverpool and culminates with the nativity scene brought to life as thousands of voices sing the lyrics of the city's great pop legacy.

BBC spokesman Adam Kemp says: "We are excited to bring such an ambitious live event to the streets of Liverpool.

"People should expect a magnificent spectacle, a singalong, and above all a genuinely moving experience. We're hoping to give Merseyside its most memorable Christmas ever!"

The broadcast times are:-

Sunday December 16th, 8pm - BBC3 (live performance)
Sunday December 16th, 11pm - BBC3
Sunday December 23rd, 10.45pm - BBC1
Tuesday December 25th, 7pm - BBC3

For further information email: markbousie@mac.com
  
Deffner Music catalog
Accordionist Sought for Theatre Project - Austria and UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

In February and March 2008, Austrian theatre director Christian Winkler will be presenting a new and exciting show in collaboration with venues in Austria and London. The production incorporates elements of musical theatre, and requires an accordion player. The accordionist will need to have a high technical ability, or be an excellent improviser.

Rehearsals will begin in London but will be completed in a renovated Austrian castle, which is now a modern theatre complex (with accommodation and rehearsal spaces). The show opens in a major theatre in Graz, Austria on February 27th.

There will be 3-4 rehearsals in January, and a few rehearsals in early February, organised to suit everyone's time commitments. There will be a two-week period in Austria (one week rehearsal, one week performance) with accommodation and flights included.

Dates for the London performances are yet to be confirmed, but are set to be March/April.

For further information email: luisahinchliff@yahoo.co.uk
 
William Schimmel CD's
Victor Prieto Concerts, New York - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard

Jazz accordionist Victor Prieto has a schedule of concert dates, as follows:
December 8th, 11am - with the Pablo Aslan Trio, La Guardia Community College, Queens, New York
12th, 8pm - solo concert in Brooklyn, NY
18th, 9pm - with Beat Kastl at Sweet Rhythm, NY
19th, 8pm - solo concert at Olea, Brooklyn, NY
January 10th, 8pm - solo concert at Olea, Brooklyn, NY
17th, 8pm - Trio Iberico with Alexis Cuadrado and Brad Shepik, BND La Lanterna, NY
23rd, 9.30pm - Victor Prieto Trio at Smalls, NY
February 29th, 9pm - Victor Prieto Trio at La Lanterna, NY

For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com
 
Karthause Schmuelling Musik and Media
Carolling & Crumpets', England - UK

Diatonic accordionist and folk singer John Kirkpatrick is touring with his Christmas show 'Carolling & Crumpets', as follows:-

December 12th - Faversham Folk Club, Kent
13th - Maidenhead Folk Club
14th - The Guildford Institute, Surrey
15th - Godalming Borough Hall, Surrey
19th - Arkwright Hall, Presteigne, Powys, Wales
20th - Chapel Lawn Village Hall, Shropshire
21st - Chelmarsh Parish Hall, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
22nd - Cawley Hall, near Leominster, Herefordshire

For further information email: mail@johnkirkpatrick.co.uk
 
Yuri Medianik CD's
2nd 'Olimpo Musicale' International Competition, Prienai - Lithuania
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The second 'Olimpo Musicale' International Competition takes place at the Cultural Centre, Prienai, Lithuania, from June 3rd to 7th 2008. The closing ceremony of the competition will take place at the Cultural Centre concert hall on June 8th.

The competition is open for players who were born on or after January 1st 1991.

The Grand Prix will be awarded for the absolute winners in each category. Diplomas and valuable prizes will be handed to Grand Prix winners and their teachers. Diplomas and valuable prizes will be handed to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners. Diplomas and valuable prizes will be handed to the teachers of the laureates - for their highest professional skills (at the discretion of the Jury). Diplomas and prizes will be handed to other highly evaluated participants of the Competition. A certificate and a gift will be handed to all the participants. Their teachers and accompanists will receive certificates.

The third 'Olimpo Musicale' International Competition will be held in 2011.

For further information email: mindaugas@dakra.lt
 
Fisitalia Black

Review by
Alessandro Mugnoz




Boite à Musique by Vladimir Sidorov (bayan)

Charnwood Graded Music
A new site selling three CDs titled "Viazzani Takes Stok" "Encore" and "Piazzolla Angel Suite - Bobic Liturgical Suite" with sound samples. Music recorded by Romano Viazzani of UK. Purchase online with credit card.
 
Alexander Shirunov CD forsale
Franco Cambareri - accordionist, composer, producer, releases 2 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Gigolino', 'La Giostra', . 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.
 
Sebastiano Cali
Peter Piccini - accordionist, composer, arranger, performer, release 1 new work for accordion available for purchase online. 'Feelin Blue'. Samples of these music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.
 
Peter Piccini music
Visit Viatcheslav Semionov site for xmas special.

Visit Friedrich Lips site for xmas special.
 
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Accordions World Wide over 50,000  visitors per week