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Alexander Sevastian Concerto Commemorativo, Minsk - Bielorussiaby Rob Howard |
![]() Alexander Sevastian è morto improvvisamente il 16 febbraio 2018 in Messico durante un tour in Sud America con il Quartetto Gelato. Tra i numerosi traguardi di Alexander Sevastian ricordiamo la vittoria della CIA Coupe Mondiale 2007 a Washington, DC. Nel 2001 si è trasferito a Toronto, in Canada, dove è stato un fisarmonicista di spicco e molto ammirato. È stato ampiamente compianto. Alexander lascia sua moglie Anna, i suoi figli Vlad e Maria, sua madre Nadya e il fratello Vitali. |
Recensione: Rita Barnea al Debutto di Ksenija Sidorova Carnegie Hall - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
![]() Sabato sera, 10 novembre 2018, ho avuto il piacere di ascoltare la fisarmonicista Ksenija Sidorova e il mandolinista Avi Avital esibirsi con l'Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in un full house al Carnegie (2.800 posti a sedere) Hall, a New York. A questo evento, hanno presentato in anteprima due nuovi concerti: - il Concerto Doppio "Monomachia" per Mandolino, Fisarmonica e Orchestra da camera del compositore di musica popolare britannico Benjamin Wallfisch; e - "Concerto for Accordion and Mandolin in C Minor, BWV 1060R" di J S Bach, arrangiato da Paul Chihara. La prima selezione eseguita da Ksenija e Avi è stata il Concerto per mandolino e fisarmonica "Monomachia" di Benjamin Wallfisch. L'accompagnamento dell'orchestra comprendeva flauto, oboe, clarinetto, corno, tromba, percussioni e archi. La fisarmonicista Ksenija Sidorova mostra un talento incredibile e una presenza scenica infuocata. Sono rimasto ipnotizzato dalla sua tecnica accurata e virtuosistica e dalla sua capacità di dimostrare una vasta gamma di dinamiche e sentimenti. Ksenija e Avi si sono esibiti con grande virtuosismo, espressività e intensità che ha reso il "Double Concerto in C Minor" di Bach, una composizione spesso riorchestrata, molto rilevante e popolare per il pubblico di oggi. Dopo l'esecuzione della selezione finale, "Hungarian Serenade, Op. 25”, Ksenjija e Avital hanno ricevuto un applauso entusiastico e continuo da parte del pubblico e sono tornati sul palco per esibirsi in un duetto. La loro esibizione era di così alta qualità che il pubblico "ha preteso" un altro bis! Consiglio vivamente di assistere a uno dei loro concerti. Foto in basso: Ksenija Sidorova, Rita Barnea e Avi Avital. |
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Risultati delle Elezioni della American Accordionists' Association (AAA) - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() I risultati sono i seguenti: Il primo vicepresidente attuale, il dott. Joe Ciccone (foto a sinistra) si è distinto per la presidenza e l'attuale presidente della AAA, Mary Tokarski (foto a destra in cui si esibisce in occasione dell'AAA 80th Anniversary Festival) si è distinta ed è stata eletta AAA 1° vicepresidente. I termini iniziano il 1° gennaio 2019 e durano per due anni. Dott. Joe Ciccone - Presidente Mary Tokarski - 1° Vice Presidente Linda Reed - 2° Vice Presidente Ray Oreggia - Tesoriere Rachel Quirbach - Segretario |
22° Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships, Carrickfergus - Regno Unitoby Rob Howard |
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![]() Le Premiazioni si svolgeranno in occasione di un Concerto di Gala e di un ballo Ceilidh il sabato sera in albergo. Ci sarà anche un concerto "Free & Easy" il venerdì sera dalle 20 alle 22 con i migliori fisarmonicisti del Regno Unito e dell'Irlanda. L'hotel ha tariffe speciali per il fine settimana e chiunque desideri soggiornare dovrebbe prenotare in anticipo. Si prega di citare i Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships al momento della prenotazione. La ventunesima edizione tenutosi all'inizio di quest'anno ha attirato un'enorme entrata e le prime indicazioni suggeriscono che potrebbe essere superata nel 2019 con concorrenti dall'Inghilterra, dalla Scozia e dalla Repubblica Irlandese, oltre agli iscritti locali. I Campionati sono gestiti secondo le regole della National Accordion Organization (NAO) del Regno Unito e costituiscono una qualifica per i campionati NAO del 2019, che si terranno all'Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, dal 26 al 28 aprile 2019. Per ulteriori informazioni scrivere a: clydejohnston@hotmail.co.uk |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Norman Seaton
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2019 National Accordion Association (NAA) Accordion Convention (Dallas area) & Call for Presenters Convention dates are: March 6-9, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency, Richardson, Texas. Convention and hotel registration opens Dec. 1, 2018. 2019 "Call for Presenters" Offer closes Nov 30, 2018. This is an accordion-driven convention. Thus, individuals interested in teaching and/or managing any events during the convention is to fill out the form. The link is on the Home Page of NAA. Interested? Go to the web page and fill out the form. Know someone who should be presenting at the convention? Send them to our web page. All of you, mark that calendar, it will be another fun National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention. Sent by Norman Seaton, NAA President Email: NatlAccordion@SBCGlobal.net |
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by Harley Jones
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International competition laureate Arseniy Strokovskiy (Russia) performs the Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata K69 L382 f-moll at a 2016 concert in Kragujevac, Serbia. |
by Rob Howard
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The following article was published in the New Jersey Monthly magazine: For Joanna Darrow (picture above), the accordion is more than an instrument. She describes it as “an extension of your soul and your whole being.” Darrow teaches accordionists of all ages at the Acme Accordion School, a 70-year-old institution in Haddon Township. Darrow’s late husband, Stanley, opened the school in 1948, at a time when interest in the accordion seemed to be at an all-time high. “It was the rage,” says Darrow. “Even bigger than when the guitar came through.” The accordion was squeezed out of fashion in the 1970s, but Stanley was undeterred. “He believed in the accordion,” Darrow says. “As other accordion studios around us closed up, we ended up getting the overflow of the people they could no longer take care of.” Joanna Darrow, 63, began taking lessons with Stanley at the school in 1963. From 1971 to 2000, she and Stanley performed all over Europe as an accordion duo. In 2002, they married. Today, the Acme Accordion School is decorated with old photos of Stanley and his students and ensembles. There are several practice rooms and a large rehearsal space in the back. Vintage accordions are on display, including one made by the now defunct Acme Accordion Company, for which the school is named. Darrow and two other teachers lead ensembles, orchestras and group lessons every week. Lessons for beginners run $30 per half-hour session. As they progress, beginner students can play in a group for no additional charge. Darrow, who has performed several times with the Philadelphia Orchestra, is looking forward to National Accordion Month in November. To celebrate, her school plans an annual all-day festival of concerts on the first Sunday in November and concerts throughout the month. The accordion is, perhaps, somewhat misunderstood, but Darrow has a wonderful way of explaining the instrument, which dates to the early 19th Century. “It breathes,” she says. “It works on an air-production system. So you’re controlling the sound by controlling the air the same way a singer would. Though you’re not singing, you’re developing it through your hands, arms and your whole body. And it vibrates.” |
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by Pat McSherry
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![]() Fifteen year-old accordionist Cody McSherry has received a wonderful honor and opportunity. He has been asked to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Though he may be young, McSherry is a veteran performer, having performed on both the east and west coasts and as well as in Germany. For the hour-long Kennedy Center event, Cody will be performing on both piano accordion and diatonic “button box.” McSherry’s performance will be in the Kennedy’s Center’s Millennium Theater on November 20, 2018 at 6:00 PM. Admission is free and no tickets are needed. Those people who cannot attend can watch the performance on the internet as the performance will be live-streamed on the theater’s website. The performance will be archived in the theater's archives. |
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Future events |
by Harley Jones
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The 5th V Festival Internacional Da Sanfona of Exhibitions, Workshops, Jam Sessions and Concerts, runs from 14 to 17 November in Juazeiro, Brazil. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Programme: J.S.Bach - Toccata in D minor; G. Bottesini – ‘Une bouche aimée’; G.F.Rameau – ‘Le rappel des oiseaux’; E. Satie – ‘Je te veux’; D. Zipoli – ‘Largo’; G. Rossini – ‘La Danza’; V. Rachmaninov - 'Vocalise' Op. 34 No.14; M. Milani – ‘Omaggio a George’; C. Monteverrdi – ‘’Si dolce il tormento’; M. Milani – ‘Fear’ (War dance 2); H. Purcell – ‘Musik for a while’; L. Arditi – ‘Il bacio’. The arrangements are by Mario Milani. Mario Milani graduated in piano, accordion and composition at conservatories in Brescia, Pesaro, and Milan. He teaches accordion at the Conservatory "F. Torrefranca" Vibo Valentia and accordion and piano at the music school of Airolo in Switzerland. He is the conductor and soloist of the ensemble ‘Modern Accordeon’, and has composed several pieces for accordion. |
by Rob Howard
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The Budapest Café Orchestra is on tour this week and next week, as follows: November 17th, 7pm – All Saints Church, Flore, Northamptonshire November 21st, 7pm – Central Hall, Southampton November 22nd, 7pm – Evershot Village Hall, Dorset November 23rd, 7pm – Bourton Village Hall, Dorset November 24th, 7pm – Corfe Castle, Dorset November 25th, 7pm – Cranborne Village Hall, Dorset Line-up: Christian Garrick – violin, darabuka, Eddie Hession – accordion, Kelly Cantlon – double bass, and Adrian Zolotuhin – guitar, saz, domra. The Budapest Café Orchestra play traditional folk and gypsy flavoured music from across the Balkans and Russia, such as Klezmer, Romanian Doinas, Hungarian Czadas, and beautiful ballads. Evoking vivid images of Tzigane fiddle maestros, Budapest café life and gypsy campfires – plus a few surprises along the way – a show by the BCO is good enough to make you want to book that holiday down the Danube! |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Ivan Filipchyk graduated from the Gnessin Academy of music in Moscow with a Master's degree in music. He takes part in various competitions and gives recitals performing (as a soloist and with ensembles) around Europe, Russia, Japan, USA, and Canada. For further information email: ivanfilipchyk91@gmail.com |
by Harley Jones
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The 6th Edition de Reunion Accordeon 2018 of competitions for solo and ensembles is being held on 18th November, Reunion Island. Information provided by Pierre Varo. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() There will be non-stop music from accordion groups, harmonica groups and individual players. Performing will be Zane, Pluckermuzikanten, Harmonica company Beltrum, the Winterswijk Accordion Association, the Vielharmonica's from Bocholt, Duo Dijon, Duo Peter und der Wolf, the Tyrolean musicians, and That Halden Steirer. |
by Rob Howard
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The 24th Festival de l’Accordeon takes place on Sunday November 18th, 2.30pm until midnight, at Châtellerault, a commune in the Vienne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in western France. The main part of the festival is dancing to the music of many guest accordionists - Romain Pruvost, Sandrine Tarayre, James Lesueur, Duo d'Amour, Sylvie Nauges, the duo Guillaume Fric and Lucia Genilloud, Marie-Laure Deduffeleer - and the orchestras of Michel Pruvot and Alain Michel. |
by Rob Howard
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On Sunday November 18th, 4pm, the orchestra Akkordia 1935 Berlin e. V. organises and performs in a concert at the Ernst-Reuter-Saal, Rathaus Reinickendorf, Berlin. The orchestra’s concert programme includes ‘Abba - Best Of’ (Medley), ‘Dornröschen-Walzer’ (P. Tschaikowsky), ‘Medley from Carmen’ (G. Bizet), ‘New York Overture’ (Kees Vlak), ‘Overture from the Opera ‘Die Stumme von Portici’ (D.F.E. Auber), ‘Slavonic Dance No 8’ (A. Dvorak), ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ (Bernie/Kenneth), ‘Eloise’ (Paul Ryan), and more. For further information email: vorstand@akkordia.de |
by Rob Howard
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![]() John Macdonald, originally from Scotland, moved to New Zealand in the early 1960s, and then to New South Wales, Australia in the 1970s, where he entertains with his Scottish traditional music. He has many recordings to his credit. He has toured with, and supported many overseas acts including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Des O'Connor, Kenneth McKellar, Andy Stewart, Johnnie Ray, Al Martino, Frank Ifield, The Drifters, The Krankies, Sir Harry Secombe, and has also appeared on all major cruise lines throughout the world including the ‘Love Boats’. For further information email: squeezebox120@hotmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Julien Gonzales studied the accordion with Frederic Deschamps in Paris at the Conservatory until 2008. At the same time, Julien studied Music Theory, analysis, and history of music and chamber music in the CRR of Dijon, and was awarded a diploma with the distinction of honour. He then studied in the class of Viatcheslav Semionov at the Gnessin Academy in Moscow. In competitions Julien Gonzales has had many international successes, most notably winning the CIA Coupe Mondiale ‘Virtuoso Entertainment’ section in Norway in 2006. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Shand Morino accordionist Brandon McPhee is an All Scotland Champion, and has recorded several CDs and DVDs. He is the presenter for his own show on the Caithness Sky TV channel, and is also a singer and guitarist. This year Brandon has performed in the popular ‘Sir Jimmy Shand Story’, touring Scotland and Ireland. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Accordionists performing on Friday include Lucile Moury, Domi Emorine, Nathalie Bernat, MAM (Viviane Arnoux and François Michaud), Alexandra Paris, the accordion class students from the Drancy Conservatory, and students from the Conservatoire Frédéric Chopin and Conservatoire Maurice Ravel (Paris). On Saturday the performers are Domi Emorine and Thierry Moncheny, Cuarteto Lunares, Camille Privat, ‘Jazz in My Musette’ (Viviane Arnoux, François Parisi and François Michaud), Stéphanie Rodriguez, and Alexandra Paris. Medard Ferrero (1906-72) was one of the seminal figures in the musette scene in the pre and post war years in France. He was a leading player and composer, and the author of the tutor book ‘Me´thode d'accorde´on chromatique’. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() The bandleader is accordionist Barry Smith, organizer of the annual Midland Accordion Festival at The Quality Hotel in Dudley. He is also the editor of the bi-monthly magazine ‘Accordion Post’, and the organiser of the Black Country Accordion Club. For further information email: accordions2010@hotmail.co.uk |
by Rob Howard
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![]() The program includes: Satango Pitch-Black Don’t Let the Boogie-Man Get You Ballad of Faithe Oscillation No. 2 Ratatatatouille Roundabout Now Haywire Rag Bar Talk Antonin Dvorak Largo: Variations and Theme arr. Klucevsek Performers: Guy Klucevsek: accordion Luke Gullickson: piano Carolyn Meyer: poet Excerpts from his website: Guy Klucevsek is one of the world’s most versatile and highly-respected accordionists. He has performed and/or recorded with Laurie Anderson, Bang On a Can, Brave Combo, Anthony Braxton, Anthony Coleman, Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, Rahim al Haj, Robin Holcomb, Kepa Junkera, the Kronos Quartet, Natalie Merchant, Present Music, Relâche, Zeitgeist, and John Zorn. Guy Klucevsek is the recipient of a 2010 United States Artists Collins Fellowship, an unrestricted $50,000 award given annually to "America's finest artists.” Guy and his music are included in two documentaries about the accordion, “Behind the Bellows” and, most recently, “Accordions Rising” by Roberta Cantow. Guy has premiered over 50 solo accordion pieces, including his own, as well as those he has commissioned from Mary Ellen Childs, William Duckworth, Fred Frith, Aaron Jay Kernis, Jerome Kitzke, Stephen Montague, Somei Satoh, Lois V Vierk, and John Zorn. For further information: gklucevsek@mac.com |
New and Updated Sites |
by Harley Jones
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![]() After graduation, Nova Wan has continued composing and arranging, and is now a well known composer and arranger as well as accordion teacher and Conductor of the Shanghai Accordion Alliance Orchestra. Nova Wan is going to release his compositions over the coming months. Just released is: Catalog: nova101 Umbrella Waltz composed by Nova Wan for quartet, ensemble or orchestra. Sample of music available online, music in pdf format sent to clients by email. |
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