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Primo piano |
by Herbert Scheibenreif
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![]() Aydar Gajnullin has already obtained some ‘Nika’ film awards: ‘The White Elephant’ for Ivan Vyrypaeva's film ‘Euphoria’, and ‘Kinotavr’ for the film ‘Oxygen’. Now Aydar has finished the music to Slava Ross’ film ‘Siberia. ??n amour’, produced by ‘Euro Cop’ (France), the largest movie company in Europe, and the well-known director Luc Besson for the very first time. The film ‘Siberia ??n amour’ will be presented at this year’s film festival in Cannes. On April 19th Aydar Gaynullin, together with the group ‘Eurasia’, was invited to perform at a meeting of the President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, and the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov. |
by Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications
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![]() The weekend commenced with Roland UK V-Accordion Competition held for the second time in conjunction with the NAO, with the 10 finalists selected competing at Blackpool. The winner of the Senior category was Julie Langton from Blackpool who will represent the UK at the International Roland V-Accordion International Competition to be held in Rome, Italy in November. The Junior category winner was Patrick Hill. For the second time, the NAO held a Composers’ competition with the Professional section winner being Karolyn Broadhead and 17 year old Graham Laurie the Junior Solo Composition winner. A wonderful array of talent was heard over the 3 days, highlights include 11 year old 4 time solo winner Alexander Bodell (13 & Under, Polka 12 & Under & Musette, 13 & Under and Junior Recital ), Liam Joseph Moran (17 & Under) and Brandon Hindle. During the festival, the NAO held the UK Qualifications for CIA Coupe Mondiale 2010 in Croatia. Competitors were Paul Chamberlain Senior Coupe Mondiale category and Alexander Bodell (picture left with father Ray Bodell), Junior Virtuoso Entertainment category. Winning orchestras came under the batons of Graham Laurie, Brian Laurie, Harry Hinchcliffe, Gary Blair, Elaine Beecham and Adam Wilkinson. The NAO took great pleasure in awarding their prestigious Merit Award to Graham Laurie (picture left) for his continuous support and dedication to the NAO for over 25 years and the Associate Award was awarded to Geoff Holter. The event also featured the traditional Trade display, and A Roland demonstration in the Metropole hotel throughout the weekend. No UK championship would have been complete without the Celidh with Gary Blair and his band, a wonderful evening was had by all. The event organized, under the helm of Raymond Bodell (NAO Chairman and CIA President) & Anna Bodell (Deputy Chairperson) and their NAO Executive and officials. Full competition results are available on the NAO website. |
by Aníbal Freire
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![]() The 15th Accordion National Trophy and the 1st edition of the Accordion International Prize ‘Cidade de Alcobaça’ were a huge success, attracting young players from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Serbia (Russia and Poland entrants were unable to come) for the competitions of this noble, erudite and, at same time, popular instrument. Once again, Alcobaça proved conclusively to be at the forefront of the best of music, particularly accordion, being able to call to these contests such a large number of participants: nationally, it was the most competitive of all time and internationally, it reached a very close level to the best international prizes around the world, not only regarding the number of competitors but also in which concerns their very highest artistic level. As always, the Associação De Acordeão De Alcobaça committed itself to placing Portugal and Alcobaça names in the memory of all who have visited us and participated in these events. Alcobaça and the accordion are holding hands now for 15 years; the world of the accordion will surely be grateful, always to the end, to Alcobaça – the Land of Passion. For further information email: anibalfreire@hotmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Born in the North East in 1939, Neil Fodden began playing the piano accordion aged 10, and was soon playing with local bands in pubs, clubs and dance halls. In those days the acoustic music scene was quite vibrant, as the word ‘disco’ had not yet been invented. Neil’s forte was playing for ballroom and sequence dancing, and he became one of the first exponents of the electronic accordion. He recorded two LPs of dance music, ‘Stepping Out’ and ‘Stepping Out 2’, under the pseudonym Alan Neil. In the late 1960s Neil’s work as an engineer took him to live in Zambia, where he played for dances from Lusaka up to Kitwe, and also provided accompaniment for visiting artistes. For five years Neil served as Secretary of the National Accordion Organisation, and more recently, since February 2008, as Editor of the magazine ‘Accordion World’, in succession to the late David Keen. Neil is survived by wife Kath and daughter Karina. Karina Fodden, an accordionist and competitor in many NAO competitions, will take over the production of ‘Accordion World’, which will continue as before. Neil will be missed by accordionists and friends throughout the UK. R.I.P. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
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![]() This year's accordion guest, Finland’s Kimmo Pohjonen, performs on May 21st at 9 pm. The Finnish musician, often referred to as the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion, expands musical horizons with his unforgettable one-man show featuring extreme and original compositions, live loops and effects, dynamic and animated stage performance with orchestrated lights and surround sound. Vadim Fedorov plays together with the Icelandic singer Sólveig Samúelsdóttir in the Paintrsstudio on May 22nd, 2pm, and May 23rd at 12noon. For further information email: edda@artfest.is |
by Raquel Ruiz
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![]() Participants from all parts of Spain took part in the seminars and practice master class by Patrick Busseuil (French composer and accordion teacher). Participants also learned the possibilities of the new Roland V-Accordion FR7X with the presentation of the ‘IV International V-Accordion’ contest. This event was conducted by Fran Gallego (Roland Iberia Marketing Director) and Concha Rodríguez (Roland Madrid) and a musical performance by Miguel Angel Rumbo (2009 Spanish finalist). On Saturday April 24th UNAC also organized an accordion concert in the Mansilla Palace (Segovia) by Serbian competition´s winner Dragan Vasiljevic. The program included music by Scarlatti, Angelis, Moszkowski, Kusyakov, Tschaikowski, Semionov and Vlasov. This concert was realized by sponsorship of the Segovia Bank. Sunday´s last event of this year’s Accordion Meeting was the concert ‘Homage to Patrick Busseuil’ that took place in the Assumption Chapel. Some of accordion students of the Zaragoza´s Superior Conservatory of Music played music by J. Hatrik, M. Murto, P. Makkonen, K. Weill, and P. Busseuil (‘Peppermint Suite’ and ‘Arboris I’ for solo accordion, ‘Un paysage inmovil’ (3 accordions), ‘Une histoire étrange a la veille de Noël’, and ‘Carrillons’ (5 accordions). After the concert, Patrick Busseuil and Angel Luis Castaño, UNAC President, awarded diplomas to all participants. Angel Luis Castaño talked about the importance of this kind of seminar, where participants can have a much greater knowledge about the accordion original repertory workings with important composers like Patrick Busseuil. For further information email: raquelru@gmail.com |
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![]() Once again, the students of Frédéric Deschamps did not disappoint their teacher when they achieved excellent results: Alcobaçao: Chamber Music Classical: 1st - Julian Gonzales and Cyril Carbon (clarinet), France Chamber Music Variety: 1st - Julian Gonzales and Cyril Carbon Variety: 1st - Julien Gonzales (France), 2nd - Pietro Adragna (Italy), 3rd Petar Maric (Serbia), 4th - Benoit Nortier (France) Classic Senior: 1st (equal): Petar Maric (Serbia) and Joao Barradas (Portugal) Kozani: Classic Senior: 3rd - Christel Sautaux (Switzerland) Junior Classic, Under 18: 3rd - Augustinas Rakauskas (Lithuania) |
by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions
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![]() All works of the program were commissioned by and dedicated to the famous pioneer, former Professor at the Royal Conservatory in Copenhagen (Denmark). Ellegaard’s influence on the further development of the accordion, its repertoire and pedagogy was outstanding by getting interested such composers as N.V. Bentzon, T. Lundquist, A. Nordheim, P. Noorgaard, O. Schmidt in writing for the accordion. For further information, view the Memorials Website for Mogens Ellegaard. |
by Harley Jones
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![]() Picture right AAA President Linda Soley Reed and below the program of the event. 2009 Coupe Mondiale winner Grayson Masefield made his debut in New York on 24 April with a concert sponsored by the American Accordionists’ Association at the prestigious Kaufman Center, Ann Goodman Recital Hall. Playing a concert of classical, original and variety music, he received 4 or 5 standing ovations from the enthusiastic audience which included some very prominent USA accordionists. This concert is part of an 8 concert series by Grayson Masefield in the USA and each concerts so far has seen this young artist receiving multiple standing ovations from the audiences. Concerts remaining are: Saturday, May 1, 2010 - Concert, Silver Spring, MD sponsored by Dan & Joan Grauman. For further information: joangrauman@comcast.net Sunday, May 2, 2010- Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Dinner, New York. For further information: drjciccone@aol.com This event is fully sold out. |
by Harley Jones
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The USA Today April 26 newspaper headlined its Music section with a large photo of the Wetland All-Stars Band performing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. The caption under the photo reads: Voice of the Wetland All-Stars: Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, right, head of the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians and Johnny Sansone perform Sunday. The Wetland All-Stars was formed after Hurricane Katrina to raise awareness about the restoration of coastal wetlands, and features song about the environment as well as good-time pop and dance numbers. |
Future events |
by Harley Jones
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![]() Ernie specializes in Jewish music and Phil specializes in Middle-Eastern music. They have worked together with theatre and dance events for Russian, Armenian, Jewish, Turkish, French and Italian and other productions and communities, as well as parties and weddings. The duo Bohemian Nights was originally named Gypsy Nights after a famous duo that entertained in the restaurants and cafes of Budapest in the 1930s. Tour dates: April 30th - Fairfield House, Trafalgar St, Nelson May 2nd - Folk Club, The de Lux Lounge, Dux De Lux, Montreal St, Christchurch May 3rd - Le Cafe, 12/14 London Quay, Picton May 4th, 1.10pm - Interislander Ferry Music, Picton to Wellington. May 4th, 8pm - Katipo Cafe, 76 Willis Street, Wellington; info ruthbirnie@clear.net.nz May 5th, 8pm - House Concert, MusicHaven, 69 Rimu Road, Raumati May 7th, 8pm - Folk Club, The Theosophical Hall, 304 Church Street, Palmerston North May 9th, 8pm - The Bunker, Mt Victoria (off Kerr St) Devonport, Auckland May 11th - Christ Church, Pukehou, Hawkes Bay For further information email: desertney@gmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() April 30th, 9pm – a demonstration of Cavagnolo accordions by Jean-Michel Sonnerat at Musique 2000, 8 bd de la République 07100 Annonay May 2nd, 11am – Jean Louis Noton will demonstrate the uses of MIDI at Pavillon Joséphine Parc de l’orangerie, 67000 Strasbourg May 3rd, 3pm – Spring Concert featuring an accordion ensemble, followed by a solo performance by Jean Louis Noton For further information email: contact@cavagnolo-accordeon.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() The films deal with the role of the sea in British life over the last 100 years, and make use of a mix of old home movies and newly shot footage. John Kirkpatrick contributes various traditional nautical themes to suit the moods. One sequence features a pattern of air noises conjured up by his button accordion, in an abstract impression of the wind and the waves. |
by Michael Bridge
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![]() The performance and subsequent interview will be recorded and broadcast live on approximately 250 radio stations throughout the Unites States to an audience of over 700,000 people. The entire show will be available on the “From the Top” website (fromthetop.org) several days after June 8th. In July, Michael Bridge will be performing at the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships and competing in the ATG run Anthony Galla-Rini International Competition for Classical Accordion in Santa Clara, California. On May 16th, Michael is being featured at a Concert and Old Time Dane to fundraise for his journey to the 2010 Coupe Mondiale in Croatia. This event is being held in Westgate, Canada. For further information email: michaelbridge@live.com |
by Yvonne Chilton, Secretary Irish Acc. Assoc.
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The IAA (Irish Accordion Association) wants to send an invitation to all accordionists and supporters from all countries to our very special event. To celebrate the 40th year of the All-Ireland Accordion Festival, the Irish Accordion Association are holding an International Accordion Festival and Competition for soloists/ensembles/orchestras of all ages, standards and genres of music over the weekend of April 15th to 17th 2011. Already we have special guests including The St. Petersburg Youth Accordion Orchestra (artistic director and conductor: Vladimir S. Iljenkov), and the ‘Arts Across Borders’ Ensemble (featuring lots of accordions, harps, flutes, bagpipes and percussion in an exciting dynamic mix) performing newly commissioned works from Irish composers. This will be an exciting event featuring traditional Irish music, dancing and entertainment. You will be sure of a warm Irish welcome and leave with some great memories. We are currently investigating several venues for this event. This will be decided very shortly and a special website will be set up with all the details of the festival and competition. Please look out for our next communication with this information in the next few weeks. |
by Rob Howard
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Romiley Little Theatre’s production of ‘Allo Allo’ takes place, May 13th to 15th, 7.30pm, at Hyde Festival Theatre, Corporation Street, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 1AB. ‘Allo Allo’, was a long running BBC TV comedy about the French resistance set during World War II, and the stage version includes many musical numbers. Rob Howard, author of the popular series of books ‘An A to Z of the Accordion and related instruments’ will be playing the accordion on stage as part of the show. For further Information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() For further information email: mossak@popp.net |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Ian Watson writes: “Participants are always encouraged to play as much as possible but are free to sit out certain pieces or sections that might be too advanced - as yet! As this is really a completely new venture (moving to Devon), we are hoping that if any group/band could send 3/4 players then they could perform a pre-rehearsed piece in the concert. My group from Morley college will be there and the local band in Illfracombe will play a piece. There are loads of types of accommodation from camping to log cabins to 5* hotels within a 2 mile radius of the rehearsal venue”. For further information email: i.watson99@googlemail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
by Franck Angelis
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by Gary Dahl
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Gary Dahl - Mel Bay Publishing Author, composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator announces the following titles for purchase on-line. 'Finlandia, catalog:DH0229'. Samples for this music is now available at the MusicForAccordion.com web site. The music is in eSheet format e-mailed directly to your computer. Easy purchase with credit card. |
by NAA Publications
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by Yehuda Oppenheimer
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Yehuda Oppenheimer release 1 arrangement for acccordion - 'Tumbalalaika, catalog:OY559'. Sample of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
by Mario Tacca
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CD Reviews |
by Alessandro Mugnoz
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CD Reviews Index for the Review of "R. Galliano plays BACH" by Alessandro Mugnoz. Performer is Richard Galliano. |
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |