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Highlights |
Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival – Finland
XІІth International Bayan-Accordion Competition “Perpetuum Mobile” - Ukraine
2019 Stradella International Music Competition – Italy
Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration 2019 - USA
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Michael Bridge & Ladom Ensemble Release New Album - Canada
French Accordionist and Composer Louis Ledrich Passed Away Last Week
And All Because of a Bumper Sticker - USA
New DVD Release by Pierre Andre - France
Aiden Gort Receives Scholarship for Accordion Repair - USA
Future events |
Valentine’s Day Concert – Belgium
Romano Viazzani Ensemble Concert – England
Future Book on History of the accordion in Malta
New and Updated Sites |
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Finnish Accordion Association Annual Cruise - Finland, Swedenby Kevin Friedrich |
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| The Finnish Accordion Association (Suomen Harmonikkalitto SHL) hosted their 28th Annual fundraising cruise from Turku, Finland to Stockholm, Sweden and back on the ship 'Baltic Princess'. The Silja Cruise line boat was filled to capacity with 2,000 accordionists and featured an array of guest artists, concerts, competitions, exhibitions, jam sessions and social engagements. Among the activities were the SHL qualifications for the CIA Coupe Mondiale. Candidates included Anniina Luukkainen and Lina Pontinen (piano), Pilvi Huta, Sonja Lampinen, Jere Rouvinen, Eveliina Uitto (diatonic), Vilma Wirén, Janina Suihkola and Lida-Sofia Hanhikoski (viola), with the category featuring a guest appearance by well known Finnish artist Viivi-Maria Sarrenkylä. The jury comprising Pasi Hirvonen, CIA President Mirco Patarini (Italy) and Sirpa Kainulainen approved Pilvi Huhta, Sonja Lampinen and Janina Suihkola to represent Finland in the upcoming Coupe Mondiale competitions in Shenzhen, China in the Junior Virtuoso Entertainment, Senior Virtuoso Entertainment and World Music categories. Concerts featured winners of the 2018 Coupe Mondiale International Competition for World Music, The Pillers comprising Danijel Piller (accordion) and Darko Piller (violin) from Serbia, popular Finnish vocalist Eila Pienimäki, accompanied by Finnish Accordion Association President Kimmo Mattila, the Lars Karlsson Band, Glen Qvarnström and the Polka Kings, renowned 90 year Veikko Ahvenainen and his wife Carina Nordlund, the Pirttilahti Tango Experience featuring a unique group of seven bandoneonists and strings and many more. At the grand closing ceremony, popular conductor Henna-Maija Vannemaa was presented the 'Accordionist of the Year' Award. The award was presented by the previous winner Viivi-Maria Saarenkylä. Henna-Maija's Valtakunnallinen Nuorten Accordion Orchestra performed a series of pieces on the closing ceremony concert, bringing the spectacular cruise to a close. |
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Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival – Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
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  The Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival will be held in Kokkola from February 10th to 17th organised by Artistic Director Raimo Vertainen (picture left). The event will include a variety of accordion performances and styles including classic, folk, rock, entertainment and jazz.Guest artists include Giorgio Dellarole (Italy), Oivind Farmen (Norway), Lars Karlsson (Sweden) and Esse Quintet (Russia), Trio Fratres, other artists listed on the posters as well as well known Finnish artists and orchestras. Download posters: 2019Kokkola.pdf The final concert will feature the highly popular Guardia Nueva Orchestra conducted by Raimo Vertainen with soloists Mika Pohjonen and Jennie Storbacka. For further details email Harriet Jossfolk-Furu: harrietjfuru@gmail.com |
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XІІth International Bayan-Accordion Competition “Perpetuum Mobile” - Ukraineby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Entries close on March 20th, 2019 for the XIIth International Bayan-Accordion Competition “Perpetuum Mobile” held in Drohobych, LVIV Region (Ukraine) from May 3rd to 6th. Founders of the competition are Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine; Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogic University; Institute of Musical Art; Drohobych Vasyl Barvinsky Musical College; National Ukrainian Music Alliance; and State Scientific and Methodological Center Content Cultural and Arts Education. The aim of the competition is to encourage the popularity of folk-instrumental art, discovering and upgrading the level of professional education of creative youth, unifying the methods of teaching, and promoting the bayan-accordion performing arts in Ukraine and the world. The jury will include teachers, performers and composers from different countries of the world. Participants are expected from Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Serbia, Poland, Italy, Russia, Germany, Bashkortostan, Slovakia, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Australia, Bulgaria and Moldova. The competition will include age group categories for soloists, ensembles, students of Musical-Pedagogical educational institutions, performers of folk, pop and jazz music, mixed folk instrument ensembles and orchestras. As well as the competitions, there will be concerts, master classes, meetings, conferences, methodological seminars, an exchange of musical and scientific literature, video and audio recordings. Please click here for competition rules and entry information: 2019PerpetuumRules.pdf |
2019 Stradella International Music Competition – Italyby Christine Johnstone |
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 Registrations for the 2019 Stradella International Music Competition organised by the Accademia del Ridotto close on March 10th, 2019. The event will be held at the Stradella Theatre, Vicolo Faravelli, 2, Stradella (PV) from April 4th to 7th.The competition is open to musicians from any country and will include accordion categories for a variety of age groups in classical, virtuoso/variety, jazz, diatonic and ensemble music. There will also be a professional performance prize for accordion “Mariano Dallapé” Accordion Prize. Winners will be awarded with prize money, concert opportunities and scholarships to study at the Accademia del Ridotto. Click here for competition rules: 2019AccademiaRules.pdf |
Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration 2019 - USAby Kathleen Falco |
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| Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration (LIAC) 2019, June 20-23, 2019 Further information will be online shortly. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Franck Angelis Two New Works Published - Franceby Harley Jones |
 Very popular French composer Franck Angelis has published and made available for international sale two new works:ang568 - Spleen (Solo) View information and sample page ang569 - Fantaisie (Solo) View information and sample page The music is in pdf format sent to the client by email. |
Michael Bridge & Ladom Ensemble Release New Album - Canadaby Rita Davidson Barnea |
 Accordionist Michael Bridge and the Ladom Ensemble have released a new album, "The Walls are Made of Song”. A unique ensemble — accordion, cello, piano, & hand percussion — Ladom Ensemble was formed 10 years ago at the University of Toronto and has toured across Canada. You may have noticed their name is “modal” spelled backwards, which points to their Persian and Balkan musical influences, along with Tango, Classical and Celtic flavours which form their musical tapestry. The title track, “The Walls are Made of Song”, was inspired by one of Rumi’s poems, which reads: “In the house of lovers, the music never stops, the walls are made of song, and the floor dances.” It was written by the ensemble’s pianist and resident composer, Pouya Hamidi. Through their original music, adaptations of classical and folk tunes from Iran, the Balkans, Central Europe, Argentina (and many more), and their collaborations with Canadian composers – they do not represent any one tradition but instead present a uniquely Canadian mosaic of coming together through music in a divided world. Available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify Accordionist Michael Bridge has been a full-time member of the ensemble for the past five years and is pursuing his doctorate in accordion performance at the University of Toronto. |
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French Accordionist and Composer Louis Ledrich Passed Away Last Weekby Rob Howard |
 French accordionist and composer Louis Ledrich (from Alsace, of German descent) died last week. Louis performed numerous concerts during his career and has released several albums comprising of 108 tracks. His best known composition is Printemps d'Alsace (Spring in Alsace). |
And All Because of a Bumper Sticker - USAby Joan Grauman Morse, AAA Historian |
 “Who is this crazy person tailgating me??”, thought my good friend and fellow accordionist, JoAnn Pankow. She was driving to the Carver Center in Purcellville, Virginia to return containers that she uses to prepare and deliver meals through the center’s home-delivered meals program. The woman behind the wheel, Karen Michaels, was not going to give up. She pulled into the left lane of the road (yes, where oncoming traffic could be an issue!) and asked JoAnn to please stop. She did, and what a sweet meeting that turned out to be!! Why did Karen tailgate and stop JoAnn? Karen had been desperate to find other accordionists to play with her father. Then she saw JoAnn’s “I’d Rather Be Squeezin’” bumper sticker. Karen’s father, Art Piel, is an accomplished accordionist. Art now has Alzheimer’s and has moved near his daughter to a dementia facility. Karen wanted to keep her father busy and fulfilled, so she signed him up as an official volunteer in Loudoun County, Virginia. Karen and Art were on their way to — you guessed it — the Carver Center where Art would play accordion for an adult daycare group. JoAnn returned her containers, then walked over to where Art was playing the popular music of the 1940s. She sat at the piano and joined him. Art was so pleased! “My father lives in the moment,” Karen said. “If it’s a joyful moment, he will remember being happy.” She spoke of her father’s love of the accordion and of music in general. Art taught himself to play the accordion at the age of 5, then took lessons on and off, but he mainly plays by ear. Art worked on his sight-reading skills when the Connecticut Accordion Orchestra was formed. He loved playing with this group, then under the direction of Linda Soley Reed. Linda described Art as “the sweetest person I have ever met. He always volunteered to help with everything and anything and was always the first to arrive at rehearsals and performances.” It was sad for all when it became apparent that Art was losing his memory. “My father is still physically fine, but the dementia has become very advanced. This doesn’t take away his passion for music and he still plays with feeling,” Karen noted. She asked JoAnn if she would consider accompanying her father again. JoAnn drove to the facility where Art now lives. His roommate is an accomplished guitar player and they frequently play together. JoAnn joined the duo playing the hits of the 40s. This time she brought her accordion. Art was thrilled! Karen reflected on that first amazing meeting with JoAnn, which she feels was “God’s intervention.” Karen was running late that day, and she is almost never late for anything. “That car with the bumper sticker was RIGHT in front of me! If I had been on time....” |
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New DVD Release by Pierre Andre - Franceby Rob Howard |
 A new DVD by accordionist Pierre Andre entitled “N’arrete pas le vent” is now available. The DVD, which includes 17 tracks, is less traditional than his previous recordings and focuses on the sea, the south, the land and love. It is intended to give listeners enjoyment, to make your day sunnier and to help you forget your worries! |
Aiden Gort Receives Scholarship for Accordion Repair - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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 In honor of Ronny Setniker’s life, his daughter Shelby suggested the monies raised at A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) recent memorial event be used as a scholarship to benefit a promising accordionist who has expressed interest studying accordion repair at the institution. Ron Setniker, who died in 2018, was a professional accordionist, a popular entertainer, and active in many aspects of the accordion world.Sixteen year old Aiden Gort of South Range, WI, has been chosen as recipient of this award enabling six two-hour apprenticeships at the museum and Harrington’s book, “A Technician’s Manual for Understanding Procedures”. His studies will include familiarity with major members of the accordion family, their quality criteria, and basic handling and repair procedures. |
Future events |
Accordionists Perform with Camerata String Ensemble and Hudson Valley Accordion Ensemble – USAby Christine Johnstone |
 On February 3rd, Mary Mancini & Mario Tacca will perform with the Camerata String Ensemble (founded by Victor Lionti) at the at Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Room 200 Theatre, Classroom Building, Valhalla, New York. Mary and Mario have performed with them before as the Victor Lionti String Quartet, at their annual Candlelight Christmas Concert.This performance will include an afternoon of great classics that you don't want to miss! A few days later on February 7th, Mary and Mario will perform with the Hudson Valley Accordion Ensemble at the Taormina Restaurant, 59 Hudson Ave., Peekskill, New York. As well as an evening of great accordion music and a delicious Italian style meal, tenor Rinaldo Toglia will join them to entertain you. For further concert details email: manciniandtacca@gmail.com |
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Valentine’s Day Concert – Belgiumby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
| Accordionist, composer and arranger, Gjovalin Nonaj will perform a Valentine’s Day concert on February 17th at Salle du Centre Européen de Médiations, 119 rue de l’Hôtel des Monnaies in Brussels. For concert information phone: +32 479.640.534 |
Romano Viazzani Ensemble Concert – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
 The Romano Viazzani Ensemble will entertain at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho, London on March 10th. The concert will be a preview of the music for their forthcoming album of the same name which includes Argentine dance music as well as some of the most evocative and exhilarating original tango music from Argentina and around the world including works by Astor Piazzolla.The group (pictured) includes Romano Viazzani (accordion), Corinna Hentschel (violin), Yaron Stavi (double bass), Jonathan Preiss (electric guitar), John Bailey (piano), Joanna Strand (vocals) and Jacqui Tate (vocals). |
Future Book on History of the accordion in Maltaby Rob Howard |
 The “Times of Malta” newspaper printed an article last week regarding Philip Agius, an accordion student of Carmelo Abela who would like to publish a book on the history of the accordion (piano accordion, chromatic accordion and concertina) in Malta and Gozo Islands, which will also include a directory of living accordionists.Philip has performed in Christmas processions organised by the Christian Doctrine Museum Society and over Christmas last year he played the accordion in front of the Pietà chapel to raise awareness of the fact that the chapel needed restoration. (see picture) If you have any information to contribute for the book, please send to: PO Box 16, Msida, Malta. |
New and Updated Sites |
What Are You Doing For World Accordion Day? - Internationalby Harley Jones |
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 What are you doing for World Accordion Day to promote the accordion in your country? World Accordion day is on May 6th, which is the day the accordion was patented in 1829.World Accordion Day was started in 2009 by the CIA and has been very successful, generating a lot of positive publicity for the accordion. A key part of this event is the World Accordion Day website. Every association, group, orchestra, performer and teacher, is asked to actively support this event by encouraging national and local accordion activities to happen in their country on this day or the weekend either side of Accordion Day if that should be more convenient. Everyone can register their World Accordion Day activity on the website and send a report of their event after, for that website. No event is too big or too small. ALL accordion events celebrating World Accordion Day are welcome. This is a CIA promotion for the accordion in which every accordion enthusiast can participate and help bring our accordion world together as well as strongly promote the accordion. |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Hymn to Aphrodite CD by Friedrich Lipsby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Hymn to Aphrodite CD by Friedrich Lips. Review by Joan Cochran Sommers.Recent years Lips CD's: CD028 Hymn to Aphrodite CD CD027 Fachwerk | Kapote CD CD026 Night Flowers CD CD025 Lips Concerto CD CD024 Under The Sign of Scorpio CD CD023 Cocktail "Rio Rita" CD & eTracks mp3 album CD022 Viva Voce CD & eTracks mp3 album CD021 ecLipse CD & eTracks mp3 album CD020 ¡Buenos Dias, Astor! CD & eTracks mp3 album |
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