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Primo piano |
International Women's Day👩🏼🤝👩🏽💚 8th Marchby Harley Jones |
Big HUGE thank you to all the great accordion women out there! The celebration of International Women's Day on the 8th March turned my mind to the enormous contribution women around the world have made to the accordion development and history as teachers, performers, association executive and conductors. A number of great "accordion ladies" who I have had the pleasure of knowing over many years immediately came to my mind and some very sadly are no longer with us. I was ready to start listing, when I thought, NO. Any list, is going to immediately miss a lot of super "accordion ladies" and for that reason, this THANK YOU to so many "accordion ladies" will not mention one name. Instead, please give a thought to these important ladies that you personally know or know about. I believe, every reader knows accordion ladies who they greatly respect for their efforts and achievements in music and all they have done. A deep thank you to all our "accordion ladies" all over the world. |
All-Russian Day of Bayan, Accordion & Harmonica 2021, Moscow - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
The 2021 All-Russian Day of Bayan, Accordion and Harmonica concert (celebrated on the third Saturday in March) will be held on March 20th at the RAM Gnesin in Moscow. Several world premieres will be performed in the concert program as well as performances by Friedrich Lips (picture right) and students of the Academy. The Department of the Bayan and Accordion of the Gnesins RAM established the event with project manager, Friedrich Lips. The aim of the event is to become part of a national cultural project. The initiative began in 2010 and demonstrated great enthusiasm in all regions of Russia, both from amateurs and professional musicians, and resulted in a truly national celebration. It is worth noting that throughout the twentieth century these instruments were an integral part of the life of the peoples of Russia: Russians, Tatars, Bashkir, Ukrainians and many others and that the bayan, harmonica and accordion played an important role during the World War II of 1941-1945. See poster for details. 2021AllRussiaPoster.pdf |
Video: 100 Years Piazzolla Anniversary Concert - Finlandby Harley Jones |
Video starts: 25:00 mins The birth of the Argentine tango great, Astor Piazzolla was on 11 March 100 years ago. In honor of this, a concert joint production of the Central Ostrobothnia Conservatory and the Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival. Full report: 2021Kokkola Performers are: The Active Accordion Orchestra conducted by Raimo Vertainen, the Conservatory Ballet College, Conservatory accordion class. Maria Autio (vocals), Teresa Myllykangas (piano), Jalo Pulkkinen (violin), Sonja Vertainen (bandoneon) and Eino Kolppanen (balalaika). Astor Piazzolla's Ballet Tango series has six parts depicting city life with its lights and shadows. Piazzolla's best-known composition Adiós Nonino and other compositions like Yo Soy Maria, Chau Paris and Violentango are featured. The concert presents Astor Piazzolla as a versatile composer, whose production includes numerous works that are considered classics. |
Online: Stas Venglevski Concert with Stephanie Jutt - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
Stas Venglevski will give an online concert with Stephanie Jutt (flute) on March 21st, 2021 at 4pm. The event will begin with an online Zoom meeting with the artists, starting at 3.15pm ET. The duo will perform Eastern European and Latin American music, among other classic gems. The concert is sponsored by the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio, USA. |
Roman Jbanov March Masterclass - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
Roman Jbanov will hold a Master Class at Château de Coudrée in Sciez-sur-Léman, Haute-Savoie, France from 26th to 28th March 2021. The Master class is adapted to all levels and ages! Participants can choose to study for 1, 2 or 3 days and can reserve a room to stay at the Château de Coudrée Hotel. Russian artist and teacher Roman Jbanov has performed solo and duo with French accordionist Domi Emorine, duo with Balalaika player Alexei Birioukov as well as with his sister, pianist Anna Jbanova. He bases his teaching on body movement and balance, mental images and representations, as well mastering many techniques (bellow shake, etc.) to allow the player to improve his interpretation skills and fineness of his touch. For details email: duopm@sfr.fr |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
14th Premio Andrea Parodi Competition, Sardinia - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Applications for the 14th edition of Premio Andrea Parodi competition for World Music artists are now open. The festival is organized by the Andrea Parodi Foundation with artistic director Elena Ledda and was initiated in honour of Sardinian artist Andrea Parodi. Entrants must send 2 live recordings, which will be judged by the Artistic Commission established by the Foundation. Five to ten finalists will be selected to perform in Cagliari, Sardinia at the "Premio Andrea Parodi" Festival 2021, in front of a Technical Jury (professionals, authors, musicians, poets, writers and songwriters) and a Critical Jury (journalists). The prize for the winner includes a scholarship, concerts and performances in some of the partner music festivals in their 2022 editions, not forgetting the very same Premio Andrea Parodi 2022. Registrations close on 31st May 2021. For details email: fondazione.andreaparodi@gmail.com |
Online: Marco Lo Russo Performs at XXV Music Festival A Tempo con Caturla – Cubaby Rob Howard |
Video: Marco Lo Russo performance at the Cuba festival in 2016. Marco Lo Russo (Italy) performed at the online event XXV Music Festival A Tempo con Caturla, held in Santa Clara, Cuba from March 2nd to 7th, 2021. Lo Russo says “Since 2012, I have had the pleasure of returning to perform in Cuba numerous times and the honor of collaborating with fantastic artists. The Cuban people have shown great altruism towards others, at such a difficult time internationally, and being among the artists of this festival fills me with pride". This year's festival was dedicated to several anniversaries: 115 years since the birth of composer Alejandro García Caturla; the 35th anniversary of the Saiz Brothers Association; 100 years of the Latin Institute of Music; the 45th anniversary of the foundation of the University of the Arts of Cuba (ISA); the 95th year of the foundation of the Villa Clara Symphony Orchestra; and the celebration of the 80th year of Maestro Chucho Valdés who was the guest of honor at the event. |
New Book: 88 MORE Ways Music Can Change Your Lifeby Rob Howard |
A new book “88 MORE Ways Music Can Change Your Life”, is a sequel to the first book “88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life”, written by Vincent James and Joann Pierdomenico. Accordionist John Jones MBE, who is the Stockport Accordion Club (UK) charity fund raiser, is featured in the new sequel book. The books “take you on a powerful journey, through the eyes of people who have seen music alter the future course of people’s lives. From music’s ability to heal an injured brain to its ability to unite a troubled community, you will laugh, cry and be inspired.” 80% of all "88 Ways Music" proceeds are donated to music education and service non-profits, including Musicians On Call, Hungry for Music, Rock To The Future and Keep Music Alive. |
Video: Hallelujah by "Second Souffle" - Belgiumby Christine Johnstone |
Video: We hope you enjoy this beautiful version of Hallelujah (composed by Leonard Cohen) performed by "Second Souffle" which includes Béatrice Adam and Alain Van Muysewinkel. |
Future events |
Piazzolla Fest in Khabarovsk – Russiaby Christine Johnstone |
A Piazzolla Fest will be held in Khabarovsk, Russia to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of Argentine composer and performer Astor Piazzolla. The event will include the following: • March 13th at Talkmachines: music lecture ''Dedication to Astor Piazzolla". • March 18th: meeting at Nelektoriya to prepare for the upcoming concerts of ''Tango premiere". • March 19th to 20th: “Tango Premiere” with performances by the Far Eastern Academic Symphony Orchestra, Seasons in Buenos Aires and the premiere performance in Khabarovsk of a Double concerto for cello, accordion and orchestra of Samuel Struk ''Dreams of Maya''. |
Victor Prieto Trio Perform in New York City – USAby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Eddy Khaimovich solos over "Six Notes Samba" by Victor Prieto Trio. The Victor Prieto Trio will perform at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, New York City, USA on April 1st, 2021 at 7pm. The trio includes Victor Prieto (accordion - centre left), Ricky Rodriguez (bass - picture top left) and Vince Cherico (drums - picture bottom left). This concert is part of the Galician Jazz Outdoor Concert Series. For details email: info@victorprieto.net |
2021 Fairbridge Festival - Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
Video: "Major Swing" playing a variety of clips from their concerts. The 2021 Fairbridge Festival will be held from April 9th to 11th, 2021 in the Fairbridge Village, Western Australia. The event is one of Australia’s most loved, family-friendly music and camping festivals. The festival will include entertainment by a variety of accordion groups including “Major Swing” (picture above left), “The Rogues” (a Pogues tribute band – picture above right), “The Black Chooks” (picture below), Red Sea Pedestrians Klezmer Band, Ashley Reale & The Outlaws, The Beez, Anninora, Barrelhouse Blues and many more. For details email: hello@fairbridgefestival.com.au |
Online: 2021 Folk Weekend: Oxford – UKby Christine Johnstone |
Video: A fun recording by Spiers and Boden, completed during the lockdown for your enjoyment! The 2021 Folk Weekend Oxford will be held online again this year from 16th to 18th April, 2021. This year organisers are working with The North Wall Arts Centre, Live To Your Living Room and Oxfolk to bring you a packed and entertaining programme of over 30 hours of music. The event will include a variety of artists performing a mix of traditional Irish and English folk music, Morris dancing, workshops, sessions, ceilidhs, talks and much more. Entertainers include Irish traditional folk music group “Moonaroon” (picture above left), Paul Scourfield (melodeon player and singer – picture above right), and “Spiers and Boden” which includes Folk Weekend Oxford patron John Spiers (melodeon) and Jon Boden (violin) For details email: info@folkweekendoxford.co.uk |
Childrens Corner |
Young Accordionist Plays "Tico Tico"by Christine Johnstone |
Video: A young accordionist plays "Tico Tico". This piece was written in 1917 by Zequinha de Abreu from Brazil. It is still a very popular piece to play on the accordion today. |
Client News |
58th Klingenthal International Newspaper Promotions - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Video: Klingenthal promotional video of the 2019 Klingenthal Prize Giving Concert. Jörg Künzl (picture right), Deputy Chairman of Internationale Akkordeonwettbewerbe in Klingenthal has been actively promoting the upcoming 58th Klingenthal International Accordion Competition which will be held online from May 2nd to 8th, 2021 and is open to soloists, accordion duos, trios and groups. Attached are two newspaper articles (in German). 2021NewsKlingenthal01.pdf and 2021NewsKlingenthal02.pdf The new category of bandoneon-soloists and bands brings the sounds of South American tango to Klingenthal. Other include: • Soloists up to an age of 15 • Soloists up to an age of 18 • Soloists without age-restriction • Ensembles/Bands • Soloists without age-restriction with virtuosic light-music • Soloists World Music |
New and Updated Sites |
Presentazione virtuale: Linda Soley Reed AAA Lifetime Achievement Award - USAby Joan Grauman Morse |
Segnatelo nei vostri calendari e unitevi a noi in quanto l'American Accordionists' Association (AAA) onorerà Linda Soley Reed, vincitrice del premio AAA 2021 alla carriera, il 23 maggio alle 15:00 EST. Educatrice, performer, direttrice d'orchestra, ex presidente AAA, giudice e membro attivo del consiglio AAA per decenni, gli straordinari risultati di Linda saranno celebrati in grande stile! Questa presentazione virtuale conterrà una presentazione, video e performance di Frank Busso, Sr., Joe Cerrito, Don Gerundo, Guy Klucevsek, Dan Mastroiani, Eddie Monteiro, Alexander Poeluev, Mario Tacca, Mary Tokarski, Frank Toscano e la prima mondiale di un brano composto per Linda dal Dr. Robert Young McMahan. Ci sarà una quota di registrazione deducibile dalle tasse di $ 25 per partecipare all'evento. Basta fare clic sul collegamento per acquistare un "Event Ticket" presso AAA-Store. Riceverete un'e-mail di conferma e un link per Zoom prima dell'evento del 23 maggio. Speriamo di vedervi lì!! |
New Works For Accordion Ensemble/Orchestra Released by Gary Daverneby Harley Jones |
Gary Daverne New work released for Accordion Ensemble/Orchestra ED0093a - The German Polka Accordion Ensemble/Orchestra, Score Score provided free for conductors to view. Instruments: Accordion 1, 2, 3, 4, Bass, Drum kit, Electronium 1, 2. ED0093b - The German Polka Accordion Ensemble/Orchestra, all parts Gary Daverne New Arrangement for Accordion Orchestra Released gd104a - Sounds of the South (arrangement) for accordion orchestra Score Score provided free for conductors to view. gd104b - Sounds of the South (arrangement) for accordion orchestra All Parts Well known melodies from the USA Southern States: Oh Suzanna Yellow Rose of Texas For When the Saints Go Marching In Jimmy Crack Corn Steam Boat Bill Deep in the Heart of Texas Dixieland arranged for: Accordion 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 plus bass and drums. |
New Website: Accordion House New Site - New Zealandby Alanah Jones |
Accordion House Importer/Retailer of Auckland has a new website. Manager Maurice Jones with all new graphics added. |
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