The accordion duo of Adrian Stieglitz and Simon Zimmerling from Hof, Germany, won the prestigious Jugend Musiziert open Accordion Ensemble title during the 45th National Music Competition, held in Saarbrücken, Germany.
Categories at this year's Deutscher Musikrat Jugend Musiziert competition included Keyboard, Harp, Voice, Brass Ensemble, String Ensemble, Accordion Ensemble and Contemporary Music, with the Accordion Ensemble category being for groups from 2-5 accordionists, in four age divisions. The judges for the accordion categories included Hans-Martin Uhle, Bärbel Claus, Andreas
Nebl, Helmut Quackernack and Monika Swiechowicz.
Students of Günther Zeilinger in the accordion program at the Hofer Symphoniker Musikschule, the Stieglitz and Zimmerling winning program included Helmut Quakernack's 'Suite for Two', Antonio Soler's 'Cembalo Duos' and Vladimir Zubitzky's 'Ukrainian Dances'. The duo, receiving a 24 out of a possible 25 points, was invited to perform on the concert featuring winners of all categories, providing excellent exposure for the accordion among fellow champion musicians from around Germany.
Accordionist Bobby Raye Passes Away, Pennsylvania - USA
Contributed by Jordan M. Romero
Robert R. Lilarose, aged 69, better known as the accordion entertainer Bobby Raye, unexpectedly passed away on May 12th during an evening performance in Ocean City, Maryland. He was the husband of Diane E. (Hoyer) Lilarose with whom they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 14th 2008.
Born December 7th 1938 in Reading, he was the son of the late Harold A. and Pearl E. (Hartman) Lilarose. He was a graduate of Reading High School, class of 1956, and served in the U.S. Army. Bobby began playing the accordion professionally at the age of fifteen at the Moose Home in Waynesboro, PA. He was also a prominent accordion, organ and piano teacher for a major part of his life. Bobby played thousands of shows for all kinds of audiences and locations over his career, including conventions, fairs, trade shows, ethnic festivals, clubs and resorts throughout the U.S. and Canada.
His "act" (a one man musical comedy show) was discovered by a talent scout for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line who thought he would be a perfect act for the ships and became one of the Line’s "All Stars" for over fifteen years. Bobby played over 600 cruises, which took him, and many times his family, all over the world.
An avid and active theater pipe organ enthusiast, he was a member of the Theater Organ Society of Delaware, the Susquehanna Valley Theater Organ Society, and an honorary member of the Freestate Organ Society. Bobby was an active member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, Shillington, PA. He loved performing and his music enriched the lives of all who knew him.
Renowned Italian concert accordionist Maestro Paolo Gandolfi will perform at the Anfiteatro, Av. João Sanzovo 1451, Jau, Sao Paulo, on May 25th, 5pm. Paolo Gandolfi’s career has taken him Germany, France, USA, Canada, Venezuela and Brazil, and this will be his 12th tour to Brazil, where he enjoys great popularity.
Paolo Gandolfi taught at the music school "C. Merulo" of Castelnovo ne' Monti, near Reggio Emilia, for 40 years, and is thus one of Italy’s senior figures in the accordion world. He performs and composes, and in 2006 recorded the CD ‘Dialoghi’ as a duo his former student, Daniele Donadelli (available from www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/ddonadelli/index.htm - 32k).
Massimo Mazzantini, proprietor of Castelfidardo Musica, has announced that he will be moving his shop to the ground floor of the prestigious Palazzo Paolo Soprani. Massimo has spent a lifetime in the music industry and is a musician, a piano tuner and inventor. He opened his present shop in 2000.
In recent years he has increased his business in the accordion market, not only due to the local interest but also to the increasing numbers of foreign visitors to Castelfidardo. The new shop will occupy the site of the accordion exhibition that has been running for several years.
Massimo has agreed to continue to exhibit the world’s largest accordion at the shop, which will sell accordions, accordion music and a wide range of other instruments and amplification equipment.
The official opening is Saturday 31st May, when there will be several noted accordionists and other musicians present.
Accordionist Salomon Canelo had a special participation in a recent Mexican film with the title ‘Desire’, with famous Mexican actors Cristian Bach and Pedro Damian, amongst others, playing music from his CD ‘Vanguard’, in particular the piece titled ‘El Jardin de San Miguel’, on the diatonic button accordion. Salomon Canelo also participated in the musical soundtrack production in Hollywood for the American-made film ‘Padrino II’, which was filmed in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.
‘Learn To Play Irish Button Accordion’, by John Williams, originally issued on VHS, is now available on DVD. This DVD is a complete guide to learning traditional diatonic 2-row Irish button accordion, teaching beginners basics like holding the accordion, first scales, bass notes and other fundamentals as well as more complex techniques such as how to add ornamentation and colour, drone-like chords, fingering positions and bellows movement. With five repertoire pieces to learn and master, this DVD enables the student to begin playing and to develop a technique.
American-born John Williams is a former All Ireland Champion on both Anglo concertina and two-row button accordion, and this DVD is a companion to a previously issued video/DVD for Irish-style concertina players.
As a performer, John Williams can be seen at the Arlington Heights Celtic Festival Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA, on Saturday July 19th, 4pm.
The annual Isle of Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival takes place from May 22nd to 24th. Most events are at the Royal Hotel, Portree, with ‘fringe’ events such as informal sessions happening in bars around the island. The festival involves the Ian Muir Scottish Dance Band, a CD Launch with Deoch 'n' Dorus, The Sileas Sinclair Trio, Ally K MacPherson, Iain Angus MacLeod, and The Gunna Sound Ceilidh Band.
The 7th ‘Festicolor’ Accordion Festival takes place from May 30th to June 7th in the town of Meung sur Loire, in central France. The guest artistes include accordionists Marcel Azzola, Mandala, Frédéric Guérouet, les Léonnes, l'Orchestre Ducoin, and Robert Santiago, plus many other musicians and singers.
The second ‘Olimpo Musicale’ International Competition takes place in the city of Prienai, from June 3rd to 8th. The event is organised by the local administration of the Prienai region, Veiveriai A.Kucingis School of Art (Director of Competition - Mindaugas Labanauskas, and Director of Art - Rasa Blebaite).
The competition, which includes accordion sections, run from June 3rd to 7th, and the closing ceremony takes place at the Cultural Centre concert hall in Prienai on June 8th.
The International Jury includes: Mirco Patarini - accordion, Italy; Andris Bauman – violin, Latvia; Eugenijus Ignatonis – piano, Lithuania; Bohdan Lukaszevicz – oboe, Poland; Vytautas Alenskas – folk music, Lithuania.
Diplomas and valuable prizes will be handed to the first, second and third prize winners. Accommodation at a nearby health resort, Birštonas (7 km from Prienai), can be provided for the participants and accompanying persons. There will be special buses to take the guests of the competition from Birštonas to Prienai.
The first Los Angeles Accordion Festival takes place from May 30th to June 1st at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Club, 1596 Yosemite Drive, Los Angeles. This will be full weekend of music featuring bands showcasing their accordion players featuring diverse styles such as Zydeco, Cajun, Tejano and alternative experimental.
The festival looks forward to promoting the rise of accordion music in the Los Angeles community. Guest performers include Count Smokula, Cinderella Motel, Humble Hooligans, Hurricajuns, Sam Mellon and the Skylarks, Jessica Fichot, Los Pochos, Vagabond Opera, Mrs Brown's Lovely Daughter, La Santa Cecilia, Zydeco Party Band, and Ollin.
5th Accordionists Meeting in Tajuña, Madrid – Spain
A group of accordion playing friends meet annually somewhere in one of Tajuña´s villages, situated south east of Madrid. The meetings are not competitive, simply a friends' meeting, to play together or as soloists, and to share music. All are welcome. The next meeting takes place in Titulcia on June 20th, from 9.30pm.
The V111 International Competition for Accordionists (Variété and Classic), organised by L’Associazione Gruppo Tradizioni Popolari, takes place in Lanciano on October 3rd and 4th. This competition has several solo and ensemble sections, for different age categories. Auditions take place on these two days, with a concert by the winners of the various sections taking place on Saturday October 4th. The closing date for entries is September 20th.
Also in Lanciano, held at the F. Fenaroli Theater, October 3rd to 5th, is the IX International Prize for Concert-Accordionists “Città di Lanciano”. Competitors can play one or more own choice pieces, but the performance must last: 1st round - max 14 minutes; 2nd round - max 20 minutes; 3rd round - with orchestra, competitors can choose one of the following pieces: V.Troyan - ‘Favole’ or V. Zubitsky – ‘Omaggio a Astor Piazzolla’.
Both competitions offer a range of trophies and monetary prizes. All the other competitors will receive a certificate of participation.
Peter Piccini - accordionist, composer, arranger,
performer, release 1 new work for accordion available
for purchase online. 'Dreamy Days'. Samples of these
music is 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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The accordion duo of Adrian Stieglitz and Simon Zimmerling from Hof, Germany, won the prestigious Jugend Musiziert open Accordion Ensemble title during the 45th National Music Competition, held in Saarbrücken, Germany.
Robert R. Lilarose, aged 69, better known as the accordion entertainer 
Renowned Italian concert accordionist Maestro Paolo Gandolfi will perform at the Anfiteatro, Av. João Sanzovo 1451, Jau, Sao Paulo, on May 25th, 5pm. Paolo Gandolfi’s career has taken him Germany, France, USA, Canada, Venezuela and Brazil, and this will be his 12th tour to Brazil, where he enjoys great popularity.
Massimo Mazzantini, proprietor of Castelfidardo Musica, has announced that he will be moving his shop to the ground floor of the prestigious Palazzo Paolo Soprani. Massimo has spent a lifetime in the music industry and is a musician, a piano tuner and inventor. He opened his present shop in 2000.
Accordionist Salomon Canelo had a special participation in a recent Mexican film with the title ‘Desire’, with famous Mexican actors Cristian Bach and Pedro Damian, amongst others, playing music from his CD ‘Vanguard’, in particular the piece titled ‘El Jardin de San Miguel’, on the diatonic button accordion. Salomon Canelo also participated in the musical soundtrack production in Hollywood for the American-made film ‘Padrino II’, which was filmed in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.
‘Learn To Play Irish Button Accordion’, by John Williams, originally issued on VHS, is now available on DVD. This DVD is a complete guide to learning traditional diatonic 2-row Irish button accordion, teaching beginners basics like holding the accordion, first scales, bass notes and other fundamentals as well as more complex techniques such as how to add ornamentation and colour, drone-like chords, fingering positions and bellows movement. With five repertoire pieces to learn and master, this DVD enables the student to begin playing and to develop a technique.
‘Festicolor’, Meung-sur-Loire – France
The first Los Angeles Accordion Festival takes place from May 30th to June 1st at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Club, 1596 Yosemite Drive, Los Angeles. This will be full weekend of music featuring bands showcasing their accordion players featuring diverse styles such as Zydeco, Cajun, Tejano and alternative experimental.
5th Accordionists Meeting in Tajuña, Madrid – Spain
Italian diatonic accordionist/vocalist Roberto Lucanero performs three times in Spain during late May, as follows: