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Primo piano |
by Rob Howard
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Continuing our weekly look back at the news published on Accordions Worldwide 14 years ago in 1996 with an article in the Reports section ..... Rob Howard - Editor |
by Alexander Dmitriev
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Photo above of event organizing family Alexander Dmitriev, his wife and son Vitali Dmitriev. The XXVI International Festival of Music for Accordion, November 4th to 6th, was held in the White Hall of the St Petersburg Polytechnic University, and all seats were sold out. The audience consisted of students of different ages - the very young children of 5-6 years, grey-haired people, pupils of music schools, teachers and professors of all educational institutions of music in Saint-Petersburg. XXVI Photos. Interest in this festival is huge, not only accordionists (professionals and amateurs) but also pianists, teachers of choir, and musical theorists. The Festival Director was Professor Alexander Dmitriev. November 4th - each of the guests of the festival had their own success: Maria Vlasova and Anastasia Shkinderova (Moscow), Nadezhda Guseva (St. Petersburg). Three young bright personalities, three modern views on the accordion. November 5th - Ludo Marien (Belgium), in the first part of the concert, presented a program of entertaining music, and Petri Makkonen (second half) played his own compositions, including the latest, published this year. The audience listened with enthusiasm to the musicians, who both had a good sense of humor and style, masterful command of their instruments and brilliant communication with the audience. November 6th - Gala concert. Big parade of young musicians who have achieved success last season. This young elite of the city - a great example and motivation for training on the accordion for their peers. Two ensembles joined the participants of the previous concerts: duo of Anna Solyanikova (balalaika) and Albert Khatmullin (button accordion), the quintet ‘ESSE’ (folk string instruments and two accordions). The duo gave brilliant performances of American and Hungarian folklore pieces; the quintet did likewise with a fantasy on themes by Michael Jackson and Antonio Vivaldi. The concert lasted over three hours. All participants of the concert came on stage at the end and received a standing ovation. XXVI Photos. |
by Paul Pasquali Event Organizer
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![]() Highlights were performances by Dick Contino, Frank Marocco, Alexander Sevastian, Pete Barbutti, Anthony Rolando and Valerie Vacca, Sylvia Marie Barber, Corky Bennett, Gordon Kohl, Bruce Gassman, Kim and Dan Christian, Michael Bridge, and Gina Brannelli. The music ranged from Classical to Jazz to Rock n’ Roll, and included music from almost every part of the world. A major highlight of the event was awards night on Wednesday. First award went to a young performer from Canada, Emmanuel Gasser. He performed several original compositions with a commanding stage presence. Returning for a special engagement, the 2007 CIA World Champion Alex Sevastian gave a brilliant performance that brought the audience to its feet many times. Then, the 2010 Honorary Conductors Award was presented to Frank Marocco. Frank gave a performance of a lifetime that was astounding to say the least. He performed with Santo Savino (drums), Ken Seifert (bass) and Fred Haller (on sax and flute), and together they received many standing ovations. Joan Cochran Sommers received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her distinguished contribution to music education, accordion music, and culture. Joan has for three years organized and conducted the International Accordion Orchestra, and together they provide a breathtaking grand finale. This year was no exception with Thursday grand finale featuring 50 performers on stage with full orchestra percussion. For more information visit www.accordionstars.com or email: paul@accordioninfo.com |
by Harley Jones
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![]() ![]() An English information press release from Hohner is attached. 12 November 2010 Also in November, the Hohner spare parts catalogue was put online with more than 2.000 spare parts of all current Hohner instruments. This is probably the first time any accordion manufacturer has put their spare parts catalog online. |
by Rob Howard
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The band ‘Grupo Pesado’, from northern Mexico, featuring frontman/accordionist Beto Zapata, won an award for the ‘Best Norteño Album’ for ‘Desde La Cantina Vol 1’ in the recent Latin Grammy ceremony on November 11th. ‘Grupo Pesado’, formed in 1993, have produced numerous big selling singles, CDs and DVDs. The 11th annual Latin Grammy Awards were held at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, and broadcast on the Spanish-language Univision network. ‘Grupo Pesado’ performed in the ceremony’s main concert. |
by Lenny Feldmann
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![]() This concert was the ‘kick off’ event in a series of concerts in memorial celebration of Eugene Ettore's 90th birthday. Rita mesmerized the audience with her flawless performances of Ettore's original compositions for accordion. The first half of the program included ‘Springtime Caprice’, ‘Concert Etude’, ‘Five O'Clock Rush’, ‘Prelude and Scherzo’, ‘Valse’, ‘Accordion Miniatures’, and ‘Spanish Holiday’. After a brief intermission, Rita Davidson then delighted everyone in attendance with perhaps the most famous composition of Eugene Ettore, which he wrote in 1952, ‘Manhattan Concerto’. This was followed by a piece written in 1967 that to date has never been published (Rita Davidson plans to make this manuscript available to all accordionists) entitled ‘Introduction, Cadenza, and Tarantella’. Her final selection, ‘Rhapsodie Espagnol’, not only demonstrated her virtuosity, but also the wonderful melodies, counter-melodies, and rhythmic nuances that Ettore was so adept at composing. A standing ovation brought Rita Davidson back for an encore of ‘Agitato’, a piece composed in 1964. A memorial website is now open for Eugene Ettore that is being updated regularly with information from the family archives. For further information email: Ritabelll@aol.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() There were superb concert performances from guest artists Pearl Fawcett-Adriano (picture left), Gennaro Ruffolo (Italy), David Vernon & Dick Lee (Scotland), Gianni Mirizzi (Italy), Rosemary Wright, Wayne Robertson, Simone Mannarino (Italy), Bert Santilly, and accordion quintet Norvic Concordia. The amazing Harry Hussey, as usual, was on hand to play informally during the day and evening, including meal times. Wayne Robertson played for Scottish dancing. The workshops included ‘Beginners’ – Jean Hanger, ‘Elementary Orchestra’ – Rosemary Wright, ‘Intermediate Orchestra’ – Brian Jenkins, ‘Scottish Orchestra’ – Wayne Robertson, ‘Jazz Group’ – Bert Santilly, ‘Vintage Orchestra’ – Jean Hanger, ‘Buskers Band’ – Bert Santilly. All the workshops were well subscribed, and excellent performances were given by each in the final concert. The last night began with ‘Songs of Praise’, then a concert featuring many of the guest artists, followed by a ceilidh led by Wayne Robertson, that went on into the wee small hours. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
by Alexander Poeluev
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![]() Yuri Shishkin made concerts in the following cities of Kazakhstan: Astana, Alma-Ata, Karaganda, Kogalym Nefteyugansk, Poikovsky, New Urengoy, Gubkin, Noyabrsk ... In Kazakhstan, many students traveled from town to town so as to hear once again Yuri Shishkin in concert! The musicians called the new program 'Bayan on Russian Theater Scene' and this program has also been very successful at the concert in Rostov-on-Don, Russia with concert halls packed to the limit. |
by Rob Howard
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The Jacques Pellarin Trio has released their second CD, ‘Karenita’, an innovative mix of accordion jazz and world influences, featuring the compositions of Jacques Pellarin. Two years after the release of ‘Sound Of Philadelphia’, this new CD was conceived during a tour of the East Coast of the United States. |
by Rob Howard
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The West Sussex Accordion Club’s next monthly ‘Players Meeting’ takes place on Saturday November 27th at 1.30pm. The venue is The Rider Hall, Youth Centre, St Andrew's Church, Cants Lane, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0LG. The Musical Director is Sue Bennett. £4 admission includes interval tea/coffee/soft drink and biscuits plus the provision of excellent original musical scores by John Leslie, Charlie Watkins, Richard Holmes and Peter Ayres. All accordionists and friends are welcome - please bring along your accordions. On Saturday December 18th, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, the WSAC Christmas Party features the legendary Harry Hussey as special guest artist. For further information email: accordionfriends@aol.com |
by Rob Howard
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On November 22nd 1996 the Accordions Worldwide news reported the third International Award ‘Astor Piazzolla’, held in Castelfidardo, Italy. Astor Piazzolla (1921 –1992), legendary Argentinean composer and virtuoso bandoneon player, revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed ‘nuevo tango’, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music. THIRD INTERNATIONAL AWARD 'PIAZZOLLA' by Holda Paoletti-Kampl From 8th to 10th November, the Third International Award "Astor Piazzolla" took place in Castelfidardo, dedicated to the music composed by the famous Argentinian maestro and great bandoneon player who died in 1992. There were soloists and groups with various combinations of players and instruments participating, performing music composed by Piazolla (original scores, free transcriptions and personal improvisations). The 98 talented participants came from Russia, Spain, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Italy and included "Neofonia Ensemble" a group of 12 players from Napoli, Italy, Russian duettists "Duo Balik-Ralo" and "Trio Argentino del Tango" from Spain. "Adios Nonino" composed by Piazzolla for the death of his father was interpreted by the famous Argentinian pianist Carlos Franzetti as well as by Hector Ulises Passarella on his Bandoneon and both were received with a long standing ovation by a large audience. |
Future events |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Graham Geddes (born 1961) started his musical career on accordion at the age of 14, taught by Peter Farnan of Dundee. He went on to win various accordion competitions in and around Scotland in the 1970s. Graham also performs as a vocalist and saxophonist, having studied voice and piano at Trinity College of Music, London. He has performed regularly on TV and BBC Radio Scotland, has composed themes for various television companies, and has made many recordings. For further information email: gizasong@aol.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() This weekend he will be on tour as special guest of the vocal group Canto Cuatro, appearing in the towns of Lules (Tucumán), Tarija (Bolivia) and Quebrachal (Salta) on November 19th, 20th and 21st. On Sunday November 28th, 6pm, Sergio will perform at the Mega Festival EduCultura Tango and Folklore, Buenos Aires. This week, Sergio Pinget signed an agreement with the Foundation ART alive for the authorization of the use of two of his compositions, ‘La Entrerriana’ and ‘Sonata de Amor’, for a short documentary film ‘Pueblo Liebig’. For further information email: info@sergiopinget.com.ar |
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by Rob Howard
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![]() The ensemble includes: Emilio Solla (piano/MD), Victor Prieto (accordion), John Ellis (tenor, flute and bass clarinet), Tim Armacost (tenor, soprano and clarinet), John Bailey (trumpet and flugelhorn), Alan Ferber (trombone), Meg Okura (violin), Jorge Roeder (double bass), and Mark Ferber (drums). For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
by Rob Howard
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by Rob Howard
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‘Coamorous’ is a group of four international musicians who came together by chance in Seoul, South Korea, and found they all had a passion for a kind of Tango not typically presented to Korean audiences. This group performs throughout Korea works of a level such as Astor Piazzolla, in an effort to introduce a higher level of Tango to as many people as possible - one that is as important as Beethoven's ‘Fifth Symphony’ is to Classical music and Wagner's ‘Tristan and Isolde’ is to Opera. The kind of Tango they hope to introduce is one of soulful expression, intricately woven melodies, and sonorous harmonies. The members of ‘Coamorous’ are Alexander Sheykin (accordion), Anna Fedotova (violin), Andrey Vinichenko (piano) and Garan Fitzgerald (double bass). Having trained internationally in various styles of music during the course of their lives, the group currently resides in Seoul and performs in various halls and performance spaces throughout South Korea. In 2009 ‘Coamorous’ won the 1st Prize at the 10th Osaka International Music Competition, Japan. ‘Coamorous’ next perform in concert at Spazio Luce, a beautiful new performing arts venue in the heart of Seoul on December 6th, at 8pm. For further information email: alexacco@gmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
by Zevy Zions
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by Alexander Dmitriev
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Alexander Dmitriev releases 3 new eSheet arrangements, for virtuoso duet performance. 'The Three Little Pigs', catalog:adm200, 'La Cumparsita', catalog:adm201 and 'The Entertainer', catalog:adm202. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Samples online. Purchase with credit card. |
by Amy Jennings
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by Crystal Wang
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by NAA Publications
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by Gary Daverne
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by Yehuda Oppenheimer
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by Harley Jones
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The dates are published for the CMA 61st Trophée Mondial, 13th to 18th September 2011, Pineto City, Italy. |
CD Reviews |
by Joan C. Sommers
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