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Primo piano |
Video: a Lorenzo Antonelli il 24° Premio Nazionale Gentile da Fabriano - Italiaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() svoltosi il 10 ottobre a Fabriano, Italy. Il filmato presenta l’azienda e la sua filosofia produttiva, un percorso all’origine della qualità del suono della fisarmonica, un viaggio “magico” tra tradizione e innovazione! |
Anais Bessières riceve il premio Francis Baxter per il miglior CD musette dell'anno 2020 - Franciaby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
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![]() La giovane fisarmonicista francese Anais Bessières ha ricevuto il premio Francis Baxter 2020 per il suo CD di musette "Une pointe d'accent". Questo premio viene consegnato dalla SACEM (Società francese per compositori e autori di canzoni) per il miglior CD musette dell'anno, in memoria del grande fisarmonicista/compositore Francis Baxter (arrangiatore del famoso brano di musette "les Fiancés d'Auvergne"). Anaïs Bessières (22 anni), suona la fisarmonica da quando aveva 9 anni. La sua passione per questo strumento è stata accesa dai nonni che la portavano a ballare ogni fine settimana. Originaria della regione sud-occidentale del Lot, ha studiato con Christian Llorens, proseguendo poi la sua formazione presso la famosa scuola internazionale di fisarmonica, la CNIMA, fondata da Jacques Mornet e Nathalie Boucheix. Nel 2017 Anaïs ha conseguito il DEM (diploma del conservatorio nazionale francese) con voto A + e congratulazioni della giuria. Nel 2018 ha raggiunto il 4° posto al concorso Klingenthal in Germania e nel 2019 ha ricevuto il premio del pubblico. I suoi professori al CNIMA, Jacques Mornet e Nathalie Boucheix, affermano: "Anais è sicuramente una dei prossimi fisarmonicisti di punta di questa nuova generazione. Questo primo CD sarà seguito da molti altri". Il CNIMA è noto per essere un trampolino di lancio per la carriera di molti fisarmonicisti tra cui Alain Musichini, Domi Emorine, Félicien Brut, Vincent LHermet e Christine Rossi per citarne alcuni. La scuola offre corsi di formazione a tempo pieno, workshop, studi a la carte e corsi skype aperti a tutti gli stili, tutti i livelli e tutte le età. Restate sintonizzati per l’uscita imminente di "Une pointe d'accent" di Anais Bessières su tutte le piattaforme digitali del mondo. Per ulteriori dettagli scrivere a: cnima@orange.fr |
Stéphane Chapuis - Svizzeraby Harley Jones |
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![]() Christine Savioz (Le Nouvelliste in Vallese, Svizzera) ha scritto il seguente articolo: “Stéphane Chapuis, virtuoso della fisarmonica e del bandoneon, è morto martedì dopo una lunga e crudele malattia. La notizia della sua morte ha creato molta tristezza tra gli artisti del Vallese e altrove e gli omaggi si sono riversati sui social media. Il musicista Rolan Sprenger non riesce a crederci, ricordando ancora il suo incontro con Stéphane subito dopo il Winemakers' Day dello scorso anno. Stéphane Chapuis è stato uno dei solisti dello spettacolo. "Era raggiante!" aggiunge Sprenger. "Amava questo progetto", conferma il musicista Hervé Forclaz, amico di lunga data del virtuoso, che ha collaborato con lui per una trentina d'anni. "Era un maestro della fisarmonica, conosciuto e rispettato in tutto il mondo. Aveva infatti tenuto concerti negli Stati Uniti, Parigi, Cina del Nord, Brasile, Africa, Italia" aggiunge Hervé Forclaz. Oltre ai suoi concerti e alle sue esibizioni, Stéphane Chapuis, che aveva ottenuto un virtuosismo della fisarmonica con lode e congratulazioni dalla giuria e un diploma di insegnamento con eccellenza, era un insegnante molto rispettato presso la Lausanne High School of Music, il Nion Cantonal Conservatory of Music e l'EJMA-VS. Dal 1983 al 1992 è stato più volte vincitore di concorsi internazionali. Nel 2010 ha anche ricevuto il Valais State Incentive Award. In questa occasione, Sprenger aveva scritto un testo sul suo amico. "Stephane conferisce alla fisarmonica i suoi ranghi di nobiltà. Ha detto troppo modestamente: "Tutto quello che ho fatto è stato semplicemente saltare nella breccia dei pionieri, come i miei insegnanti che hanno combattuto per il riconoscimento della fisarmonica", ha descritto Sprenger all'epoca. Stéphane Chapuis, padre di cinque figli, era un uomo modesto che si era innamorato del Vallese diversi anni fa. "Era un musicista molto generoso, popolare e molto amato. Qui in Vallese, tutti gli artisti che richiedevano la musica per fisarmonica nelle loro registrazioni, lavoravano con lui. Tutti sono sconvolti dalla sua morte", dice Hervé Forclaz. |
XXII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Anatoli Kusiakov, Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
![]() ![]() Questo concorso, che comprende le categorie per bayan e fisarmonica, si tiene al Conservatorio di Stato di Rostov dal 1968. L'evento includerà classi per vari gruppi di età che si sfideranno in un massimo di due round. I concorrenti si registreranno il 2 aprile nell’ingresso del conservatorio dalle 9:00 alle 16:00, seguito da un sorteggio per determinare l'ordine di esibizione. La competizione stessa inizierà il 3 aprile 2021. La data di chiusura delle iscrizioni è il 10 marzo 2021. Per i dettagli inviare un'e-mail a: rgkbayan@yandex.ru Scarica il regolamento del concorso qui (in lingua russa): 2021RostovRules.pdf |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() ![]() The XIII Francisco Escudero International Composition Competition was held on October 23rd in Zarautz, Spain. Hauspoz Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea, in collaboration with the culture department of Zarautz City Council, the Provincial Council of Guipúzcoa and SGAE Foundation, organized the awards ceremony which took place at the Cine Modelo de Zarautz. The competition winner was Japanese composer Tetsuya Yamamoto with his work 'Voix de l'orgue 2' for accordion quartet. The prizewinning work will be featured in the 2021 Arrasate Competition held in Arrasate, Spain. Dates to be confirmed. Jury member Iñaki Alberdi announced a special mention given by the jury to the work 'Heterosis I' for accordion, oboe and bassoon by composer Carlos Núñez Medina. During the gala event, Juan Matías (accordion), Lucia Arzallus (piano), Iker Bilbao (violin) and Fabio Rafael Arias (cello) performed the winning work from the 2019 competition “The Sea of Rains” by Greek composer Lina Tonia (see photo below). Accordionist Garazi Navas performed the work “Omne vivum ex ovo” for accordion solo by Italian composer Antonio Macaretti, winner of a special mention by the jury in 2019. Photo below and video courtesy of “Baier streams”. |
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by Christine Johnstone
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The Inaugural Concert of the XXV Festival of Soloists and Accordion Ensembles Kotlin 2020 included a well received performance by Rafal Grzaka (accordion) and Przemyslaw Skaluba (clarinet). See video for festival concerts. |
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by Christine Johnstone
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![]() Accordion: Alexander Poeluev and Vladimir Poeluev Percussion: Elizabeth Poelueva Arranged by Alexander Poeluev & Elizabeth Poelueva Filming: Byeder Bondarev |
by Christine Johnstone
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Video: Martynas Levickis (Lithuania) performing Sonata in D minor, K 1 L 366 by Domenico Scarlatti. |
by Christine Johnstone
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by Harley Jones
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![]() This work is one of the first Italian pieces in the field of chamber music with accordion. Adam Volpi, great organist, composer and teacher, was one of the reference figures of the first, now historical, literature for accordion; having dedicated to the instrument various concert pieces, recreational/didactic and chamber music, in a rather academic style, but always balanced and refined. Pieces such as "Preludio" op.31, "Fileuse", "Concertino D Minor", etc. have entered the repertoire of many Performers internationally. Recorded in Ancona, Auditorium of the Higher Institute of Musical Studies "G.B. Pergolesi" 4th December 2010. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Johnny played the accordion from a young age and often joked that during the Blitz in WW2 others would leave the air raid shelters, preferring to listen to the bombs dropping to his accordion playing! He went on to play in bands, and eventually became a solo entertainer using electronic accordions and also singing. In the 1970s Johnny Coleclough was resident at Blackpool Tower, performed in holiday resorts in Spain, and in the 1980s and 90s was resident at the Piccadilly Bierkeller in Manchester. He also played accordion as a dep in concerts with Mantovani and Count Basie, and later played Tyros keyboards in social clubs. A popular and charismatic figure at accordion festivals in England during the 1980s and 1990s, Johnny ran buskers and stage presentation workshops, and also did compering. He performed at several accordion clubs, and was the President of Stockport Accordion Club from 1996 to 2011, after which he and his family moved to Catalonia, Spain. Picture below left to right: Dermot O'Brien, Gary Blair and Johnny Coleclough. |
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by Christine Johnstone
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As Covid-19 resulted in lockdowns, the North Shore Accordion Orchestras in Auckland, New Zealand were unable to rehearse for most of this year. So the conductors held a meeting and decided that for the last few weeks of 2020, they would run some fun jam sessions for all orchestra members (young and old) to come along and just have some "good old fun" playing together. The music ranged from light classical to rock & roll and all members sight read while the parents play percussion. On October 28th, the session included a variety of players including New Zealand past champions Kevin Friedrich, Maurice Jones and Campbell Bettridge, New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) Secretary Heather Masefield, Music Education Centre Director Lionel Reekie, NZAA Competitions Secretary Renee Jeffries, AWW Weekly News Editor Christine Johnstone, Lian Jones (member of the tango group Milonga De Cuatro), and Alanah Jones (accordion premiere with composer David Hamilton). The jam sessions also gave younger players the opportunity to play alongside more experienced accordionists, who were only too willing to help the junior players. Maurice Jones offered a few useful tips for handling this kind of gathering so that the players could get the most out of it. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Brian studied the accordion with Wilfred ‘Pip’ Walker and George Harris, passed all eight British College of Accordionists grades, and played in various bands. In the late 1940s he played accordion for the renowned Irish tenor Josef Locke, and later played in a Bavarian band that was resident in The Wilhelm Tell Bierkeller, Deansgate, Manchester. He also played the tenor horn in the British Aerospace Brass Band and received a long service award from the North West Brass Band Association in 2017, celebrating 70 years as a bandsman. In 1996 Brian became the Musical Director of the Stockport Accordion Orchestra, and soon afterwards also became closely involved with the Tameside Junior Accordion Band and the North West Accordion Orchestra, where he was very well-liked and held in high esteem. The Stockport Accordion Orchestra used many of Brian’s excellent arrangements, which were characterised by his brass band background. He also spent many happy years as a popular and respected MD of the weekend orchestras at the accordion festivals in Blackpool, Pakefield, Caister, Mundesley, and Seacroft. |
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by Christine Johnstone
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Happy Halloween. Pat Walter performs “Witch Doctor” sing along for Halloween 2020. This is a 1958 American novelty song written and performed by Ross Bagdasarian, under his stage name David Seville. It became a number one hit and rescued Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy. |
Future events |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() For details email: g.rotari@yahoo.com |
by Christine Johnstone
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Scythian, which includes accordionist Dan Fedoryka, will put on their spookiest costumes and bring you the online “QuaranSCREAM” Halloween concert on October 31st at 7.30pm. For details email: scythianmail@gmail.com |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() The event offers fine Italian food, wine and music, while attendees can admire amazing Italian cars and motorcycles including the best of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, De Tomaso, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Lambretta, Vespa & more. All funds will go to Rotary community projects. |
by Christine Johnstone
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The World café Trio will present “Vivaldi’s Four Seasons” and “Going to the Movies” both live and online this week. The live concert will be held at Christ Church Constantia in Constantia, Cape Town on November 1st at 3pm. Only a small audience of 150 (less that 40% of usual capacity) will be permitted to attend due to Covid-19 regulations. The trio, which includes Stanislav Angelov (accordion), Petrus de Beer (violin), and Schalk Joubert (bass guitar) present a stunning arrangement of Vivaldi’s most enduring work. The second half of their program comprises of popular tunes from the movies, ending with Zorba the Greek. The online recording will be available in one week. Tickets are available through Quicket from R80. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() 'La Cadence' is a term used by French traditional dance musicians that translates loosely to the English word groove. In this workshop you will learn some tunes from Central and Northwest France, and how accordionists supply the groove for different types of tunes including the bourrée, mazurka, schottishe, and gavotte. For details email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
by Christine Johnstone
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Kevin Friedrich will hold his 2nd Christmas concert “Sounds of the Season” at the Dargaville Museum Lighthouse Function Centre in Dargaville on November 22nd, 2020. The concert is a fundraising variety show for the Dargaville Museum which houses his Accordion Gems A Master Collection though time exhibition. Kevin organises an annual concert in March of each year, but unfortunately the March 2020 event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand. All tickets purchased for the March show can be transferred to the November concert. Kevin’s new CD “The Journey” which features music by New Zealand composer Gary Daverne, is also available at the Museum reception. For details phone: 09 439 7555 |
by Christine Johnstone
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The Akkordeon-Club Sulzbach e.V. will hold their annual concert entitled "Faszination Akkordeon" (Fascination Accordion) at the Frankfurter Hof Civic Centre in Sulzbach on November 29th. Due to Covid-19 regulations and restrictions that reduce seating capacity, the concert will be held at 4pm and repeated at 7pm. Admission only with mouth/nose mask and pre purchased tickets. The concert will include performances by the Akkordeon-Club Sulzbach e.V., soloists and the Projektorchester des Bezirks Hessen West. For details email: VVK@akkordeon-club-sulzbach.de |
by Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo
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The 12th International Grand Prix Competition "Golden Talents" will be held in Kursk, Russia from December 10th to 13th, 2020. The competition will include categories for accordion and bayan as well as other folk instruments. Competition Awards include a Grand Prize of 200,000 rubles. Entries must be received by November 1st, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, videos are requested to be sent without accompaniment. For details email: info@talentsgrandprix.ru |
CD Reviews |
by Joan C. Sommers
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |