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Highlights |
Next Broadcast 9th May, World Accordion Day (WAD) Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) Showby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() The show hosts are CIA former President and currrent CIA Ambassador Kevin Friedrich (USA) and CIA Music Committee Deputy Chairman Grayson Masefield with technical assistance from CIA Public Relations Harley Jones. There will be a broadcast on 6th May, broadcast local start times are: New York – 4 am * Rome – 10 am * Shanghai – 4 pm * Auckland – 8 pm The video will be broadcast live on the World Accordion Day website. The other 2020 CIA WAD broadcasts are. Saturday 9th May, New York – 4 am * Rome – 10 am * Shanghai – 4 pm * Auckland – 8 pm Saturday 23 May, New York – 2.30 PM * Rome – 8.30 PM * Shanghai – 2.30 AM (May 24) * Auckland – 6.30 AM (May 24) Saturday 6th June, New York – 2.30 PM * Rome – 8.30 PM * Shanghai – 2.30 AM (May 24) * Auckland – 6.30 AM (May 24) |
AAA Annual Master Class and Concert Series to be Presented Online – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() 1st hour - 3pm: Master Class - Talks/Workshops 2nd hour - 4pm: Concert/Performances Download flier: 2020AAAMasterClass.pdf Dr. William Schimmel, one of the principal architects in the resurgence of the accordion, holds Bachelor of Music, Master of Science, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in composition from the Juilliard School. Schimmel's music has been featured in a number of television shows and films, perhaps most notably 'Scent of a Woman' starring Al Pacino, where Schimmel appears in the famous Tango scene. Schimmel performs music in many genres, has commissioned and premiered hundreds of new works, has written a number of books and articles and has made numerous recordings and videos. He has served and continues to serve as Artist in Residence of The American Accordionist's Association (AAA) where he also serves as Distinguished Lecturer in Residence and member of the Governing Board. The Seminars were brought to the AAA by Dr. William Schimmel with the idea of presenting all facets of the accordion to The New York Artistic Community, with the notion of finding ways to find new angles of expression, composition, video art, performance, dance, design, trapeze, as well as new takes on old ideas and bringing the Accordion Ancestry into fresh new light. The response has been important in the establishment of an accordion culture in New York City and its influence has gone international. Download flier: 2020AAAMasterClass.pdf |
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Quarantine and Music Days with Marco Lo Russo – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() He says “little is said about the difficulties that the art, music and live entertainment sector is experiencing which, being an aggregating activity, will be the last to start again, with easily imaginable consequences”. So, Lo Russo has made available the free listening of over one hundred songs of his musical production on his soundcloud channel, and in particular for childrens, 11 chapters that compose the musical tale “Fata Concetta” in Italian. Marco Lo Russo is a teacher in Orchestration and Jazz arrangement, and accordion. He is also working on the soundtrack of two film productions, one of which is international. For details phone: +39 340 94 04 250 |
Video: Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi Vivaldi Double Concerto - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Performers are: Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (bandoneon) Andrés Gabetta (solo violin) Rob Rutkauskas (violin) Eurydice Vernay (violin) Marco Massera (viola) Marcello Scandelli (cello) Davide Nava (bass) and Andreas Hecker (harpsichord). |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Emergency Accordion Stoop Extravaganza in Brooklyn - USAby Christine Johnstone |
Video above shows Paul Stein playing and talking about his venture. Accordionist Paul Stein (pictured below) was in Covid-19 lockdown and wanted to do something to cheer up his neighbourhood. So….he took out his accordion and played. Each evening at 7pm he plays on the steps leading up to his building (his stoop) and he says “The natural acoustics of the narrow street bring the music to my neighbours.” To his surprise The Associated Press (one of the largest news-gathering organizations in the world), sent two top photojournalists to cover his accordion concerts. The concerts help to raise people’s spirits, encourage staying at home and social distancing, and applaud the healthcare and other essential workers who are risking their lives to protect and support the rest of us. The AP story was published this week by over 200 news outlets throughout the United States, from large national media like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today to local newspapers and TV stations in small towns and cities in all parts of the country. The story was also picked up by news outlets in Australia, Canada, Croatia, England, Lebanon, Roumania, South Africa, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates. |
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Cancelled: ATG 80th Anniversary Festival in Los Angeles - USAby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
![]() ![]() With the decidedly international nature of our Festival this year, there are many groups and attendees who had planned to come and participate, but simply cannot for a variety of reasons because of Covid-19..... which collectively will make it impossible for our Los Angeles Festival to occur as anticipated. Therefore, in spite of great sadness in our hearts over this cancellation, there is an equal amount of hope and positive anticipation that you will join us next year at the Hyatt in the Lisle, Illinois area again for what we hope to be a recovery from this unfortunate year of the virus; with renewed best wishes for your safety, wellness, and bringing all our musical lives back to normal from July 20th to 25th, 2021. Please plan on being with us to make this a very special celebration of our collective recoveries and victory over the events of 2020”. |
Celebrate World Accordion Day with “Accordions Rising” Available Now!by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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![]() “Accordions Rising” offers entertaining interviews, anecdotal commentary and both formal and informal music performances from celebrated accordionists, composers, and bands working in America today. The film provides a tapestry of fascinating individuals, their attitudes, deep passions, and above all else, profound dedication to the instrument. You will learn that these musicians have an audience, from some of the hippest hideaways to the most sought after mainstream venues. The film makes clear that the accordion world includes everything from wacky and kitsch to sophisticated, serious, meditative and post-modern. Full information how to view/purchase at: Accordions Rising Documentary |
Video: Novelette Duet Performed by AC-Duo, Irkutsk - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Video: A Gold Award competitor in the 2020 International Video Competition and Promotion of Accordion Music by Gary Daverne. Novelette composed by Gary Daverne is performed by the AC-Duo, from Irkutsk, Russia. This talented duo was formed in 2015 comprising of Sergei Fukalov (Accordion) and Alexander Petrov (Saxophone). |
Accordion Monument Planned - Maltaby Christine Johnstone |
![]() He is not requesting any money at this stage, just proposals of sponsorship. If you would like to help please email: intia680@gmail.com |
Accordion Babes Fridays - Video Concerts From Our Homesby Rob Howard |
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On May 1st, Renee de la Prade (Editor of the Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar) began an Accordion Babes weekly streaming concert series on their social media page. All past, present, and even future Accordion Babes are invited to participate. The concept: Accordion Babes play a 30 minute concert from their living rooms, staggered throughout the day every Friday until lockdowns are lifted and they can play their regular gigs. Each of the players can post their Paypal/donation link during the live stream so they can receive tips during the show. For details email: editor@accordionpinupcalendar.com |
Video: Trio Voronezh Play Libertangoby Harley Jones |
![]() They named themselves after the working-class city from which they studied and perfected their craft, a city of over a million people, and approximately 350 miles south of Moscow. In 1995, Trio Voronezh sprang onto the international stage after they were discovered playing classical favorites and folk tunes in a Frankfurt, Germany subway station! |
Diatonic and Chromatic Accordion Course Cancelled - Belgiumby Christine Johnstone |
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Future events |
Daddy Squeeze Online Concerts - USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() May 5th at 6pm: Café Accordion Music which will include French musette pieces May 8th at 4.30pm: Louisiana Happy Hour! – the show will include popular Louisiana music! May 11th at 12 midday: Traditional tunes - Dan will play a lunch time concert of traditional tunes from Europe and the Americas. Dan thanks his supporters and is looking forward to when he can start playing in person again. For more information email: daddyqueeze@yahoo.com |
Stowe Tango Music Festival's Bandoneon Intensive Workshop - USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() ![]() Led by bandoneon player Hector Del Curto (picture right), the one week program consists of daily technique classes, workshops, a bandoneon orchestra, private lessons and performance opportunities. Technique classes focus on instrument management, fingering, and other techniques that will narrow the gap between musical intention and execution. The workshops will help students acquire knowledge and experience in stylistic and interpretative skills. In addition, students will have the opportunity to apply their skills through master classes and performance. For details phone: 802-779-9669 |
1st Accordion Summer Course Planned, Amsterdam - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
![]() During the five days all participants will have five private lessons, tailored to his or her needs, with Vincent van Amsterdam and/or Yuri Shishkin (Russia). In addition there will be daily group lessons for all participants. Organisers are honoured to have Russian accordion soloist Yuri Shishkin at this first edition of the Van Amsterdam Summer Course. During the masterclass week he will share his knowledge with the younger generation and inspire the accordionists attending this course. For more information email: accordionweek@gmail.com |
"Bayan and Accordion Stars" Concert Series, Moscow – Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
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The second concert in the "Bayan and Accordion Stars" concert series will be held on December 6th, 2020 at 7pm in Moscow, Russia. The concert series, which includes three concerts, all held at the Chamber Hall of the Moscow Philharmonic Conservatory begins on November 2nd, 2020. Details on that concert were reported in Accordions Worldwide Weekly News: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=17-Apr-2020&lang=en#art16381 The December 6th concert will include a performance by Joseph Puritz (bayan - picture above), Andrey Ustinov (presentation and interview) and Cecilia Bignall (cello). Their program will includes works by Scarlatti (Sonatas in D minor and F minor), Bach, Gubaidulina and Shostakovich. The 3rd and final concert in this series will be held on March 7th, 2021. For further information email: info@meloman.ru |
New and Updated Sites |
Renzo Ruggieri Updates Acquarelli Italiani (Ensemble) Music - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() accordion solo and orchestra (full score and individual parts) & accordion solo and string orchestra (full score and individual parts) & accordion solo and accordion orchestra (full score and individual parts) This massive musical digital pdf booklet of 163 pages Catalog rrenzo520 in pdf format is available online, for only 50 Euro. Acquarelli Italiani was born in 2003 for accordion and symphonic orchestra, later it was adapted for solo accordion (in same musical editions). It is a tribute to the composition "Acquarelli Cubani" by the brilliant Luciano Fancelli but basing its development on the rhythm of the "tarantella". The arrangement also contains a “written improvisation” that the soloist can customize. rrenzo509 - Acquarelli Italiani (Solo only) |
Updated Site: Accordion House New Logo and New Premises - New Zealandby Alanah Jones |
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![]() The address is: 5 Penning Road, Milford 0620. The phone number remains the same +64 9 4898316. Titano and Pigini accordions distributor. |
CD Reviews |
Review: Gary Daverne Video “This is My Life” - New Zealandby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
![]() Daverne has also conducted many major orchestras around the world and is also New Zealand's most prolific composer and arranger of music for the accordion. The video includes pictures of accordionists that have performed with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra including New Zealanders Tracey Collins, Kevin Friedrich, Harley Jones and Stephanie Poole as well as Mary Tokarski and Betty Jo Simon (from USA). Full review: MyLifeGaryDaverne |
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