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Highlights |
‘1,2,3 Musette’ DVD Volume 2 - Franceby Harley Jones |
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![]() The list of performers reads like the who's who of the world of musette accordion with the best artists of the new generation of French accordionists - see performers list at 123musette02. The DVD is presented by Pierre-Yves Lombard and Jérôme Richard and feature stars like (alphabetical list): Jérémie Buirette, Phil Bouvier, Benoit Chabod, Grayson Masefield, Mickaël Richard, Mickaël Vigneau and many others. Performing with the accordionists is the Orchestre Jérôme Richard consisting of Vincent Lemaire (drums), Antonin Martineau (bass) and Jérôme Bouteleux or Dany Dayn (piano/keyboards). Jérôme Richard, who is a former student of Frédéric Deschamps, has won both the Coupe Mondiale and Trophée Mondial classique and variété competitions. The vast majority of the TV show accordionist guests are also winners of international competitions and also alumni of Frédéric Deschamps. Many would not realise, that the superbly talented Jérôme Richard is also one of the three most played composers in the world in international accordion variété music competitions, the other composers being Richard Galliano and Astor Piazzolla! This music only Volume 2 DVD lasts nearly two hours and includes the titles of 27 of the best selected from the 2011 TV programs - see titles list at 123musette02. Do not miss out on this limited edition DVD. At only 21 Euro plus postage, this top quality DVD is excellent value and perfect for a Christmas gift for anyone who enjoys the finest in musette music. Cat No: 123musette02 for the 1,2,3 Musette DVD Volume 2. The Theme tune the the TV show performed by Jérôme Richard, Grayson Masefield and Mickaël Richard can be viewed at: http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=14&item=6&id=248 TV Interview Grayson Masefield and Frédéric Deschamps in English and French http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=14&item=6&id=250 A performance not on the DVD: http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=14&item=6&id=249 Photo below: Jérôme Richard, Vincent Lemaire, Frédéric Deschamps, Grayson Masefield, Pierre-Yves Lombard, Dany Dayne, Mickaël Richard |
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Renzo Ruggieri With Touring Van Gogh and Gauguin Exhibition – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Among the 150 paintings on display are such famous works as ‘The Sower’ and ‘Self Portrait’ – Van Gogh, and From where we came from, where we go’ – Gauguin. Renzo performed with the Dante Aligheri Orchestra, from Ravenna, along with Piero Salvatori (cello), Mauro Martello (flute), Angelica Leo (actress), Gilberto Colla (actor) and Sandro Buzzatti (actor). Most of the music was composed or arranged by Renzo. For further information email: info@renzoruggieri.it |
Hohner AGM, Trossingen – Germanyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() The Hohner Group financial report for fiscal year 2010/2011 said that its consolidated sales increased by 10.2% from € 58.0 million to € 63.9 million and that profit increased from € 0.8 million to € 1.5 million. Hohner was founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner as a manufacturer of harmonicas, and since 1903 have been one of the world’s major producers of accordions. For further information email: CNiederwieser@hohner.de |
XXVII International Accordion Festival, St Petersburg – Russiaby Nadia Guseva |
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![]() XXVII Photos Report. The Paris Moscou duo, Roman Jbanov and Domi Emorine (above right), gave a concert on the first day of the festival. Their technically exquisite yet dramatic playing captured the public that was charmed by the profound interpretation of pieces written by Franck Angelis and the brightness of Russian music composed by Viatcheslav Semionov, Novikov and Shalaev. Their special artistic presentation made each piece even more interesting and understandable for the audience. The second day featured two different duets. In the first part of the concert the audience was very impressed by the playing of Una Sinistra, two accordionists (above left) from Moscow – Yulia Amerikova and Alexander Selivanov. Their performance included a beautiful, refined transcription of Tchaikovsky’s ‘March’ and ‘Divertissement’, a deep and powerful rendition of the ‘Balkan Rhapsody’, by Semenov, the sense of Piazzolla’s tango and the lightness of Couperin’s works. The transcription of Motion Trio’s ‘Libertin’ with its’ powerful energetic rhythm became the audience’s most beloved piece. The second part of the concert was special as it happened to be the Jubilee Concert of Alexander Dmitriev (picture right), who had turned sixty this year. From the first notes he took the public’s breath away by an astonishing, vigorous performance of self-transcripted ‘Cavatina di Figaro’, by Rossini. His young spirit and great technical experience created a fine combination for this piece. Then followed a completely different philosophical and solemn ‘Prayer’, by L.Boellman, played with deep sincerity. A rough and dramatic ‘Fracanapa’, by Piazzolla, was truly emotional and thrilling. The performance was continued by the skilful solo playing of son Vitali Dmitriev who created musically the beautiful Danube river. The final of the concert was no less magnificent. A dynamic, powerful, staggering performance of the duo Alexander Dmitriev and son Vitali Dmitriev left a tremendous impression on an audience that didn’t want to let the musicians go off the stage. The Gala Concert on the last day included not only the performers of the two previous days but also many young players who had won prizes at prestigious international accordion competitions. Among them were Vitaly Pugachev, Alexander Kolomiytsev, Vladislav Ilyin, and other students of St Petersburg musical colleges and the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. They showed a very high technical and musical level in their performances. At the end of the concert every musician came to the stage again, and the audience had one more chance to applaud all the remarkable participants of the XXVII International Accordion Festival St Petersburg 2011. XXVII Photos Report. Photo below of all participants, rear row, left to right: Thom Hardaker, Vitaly Pugachev, Roman Jbanov, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexander Selivanov, Artem Davydov, Ivan Lyagun, Alexander Kolomiicev. Front row, left to right: Domi Emorine, Manuela Glock, Alevtina Nikitina, Stepan Armasar, Egor Vasilev, Ekaterina Upalainen, Alexander Pavlov, Vladislav Ilin, Yulia Amerikova. |
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Accordion Christmas Gift Ideas for Friends and Familyby Harley Jones |
![]() These ideas have been compiled to hopefully attract your Xmas gift money to be spent with accordion artists, composers, arrangers and publishers. Please support accordion artistry and choose from over 1,900 eSheet pieces, 350 CD/DVD’s, 1,700 plus printed works and numerous books (text) to choose from. 2011 Xmas Gift Ideas |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Viennese Accordion Chamber Ensemble Annual Concert – Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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The Viennese Accordion Ensemble, directed by Werner Weibert, celebrated its annual festival concert in the newly opened concert hall of Perchtoldsdorf Castle, near Vienna, on Friday, November 11th. Their program included works by Händel, Mozart, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, Strauß and Piazzolla. The members of the well known group are: Ladies: Sylvia Zobek, Margarete Gebauer and Elisabeth Weibert Gentlemen: Werner Weibert, Guenther Zobek, Walter Dietz, Herbert Scheibenreif and Anton Barinka This year, percussionist Bernhard Winkler was the special attraction of the evening by performing Khatchaturian’s famous ‘Sabre Dance’ and ‘Circus Renz’ with the Viennese Accordion Ensemble. As usual, the concert was closed with some famous songs like ‘Lady Be Good’, ‘Drunken Sailor’, and ‘Java Jive’, which were well acclaimed by the public. For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
Debora Sbarra CD ‘Indios’, Pavia - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The tracks include: Apache, Nabbini, Alabama, Czardas (Monti), Gio Mazurka, Cumbia Do Re, La Spizzicata, Pablito, Para Ti, Una Fisa per Vienna, Fascination, Libertango. For further information email: info@mwedizioni.it |
New Composition for Accordion Sextet, Milan – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() ‘Horror vacui’ explores stillness and movement in sound throughout sonic textures combined rhythms and repeating fragments. The composition, dedicated to foremost North American composer and accordionist Pauline Oliveros, is a journey of listening to a continuous musical landscape, which (as in its title) never stops but always changes. For further information email: info@yuvalavital.com Video: http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=6&item=6&id=253 |
14 Years Ago’ – Dresden Orchestra’s Diamond Anniversaryby Rob Howard |
The Hohner-Handharmonika-Club Dresden-Leuben, Germany, celebrated 60 years of music making in November 1997, as reported in the Accordions Worldwide news for December 5th 1997. The history of this long established accordion orchestra includes surviving the exceptionally severe allied bombing raids of February 1945 which destroyed all their instruments, music and equipment. ACCORDION ORCHESTRA DRESDEN CELEBRATES 60th ANNIVERSARY - GERMANY Contributed by Andrea Rautenberg 60 years ago on November 13th 1937, the Hohner-Handharmonika-Club Dresden-Leuben had its first performance. To mark this occasion the Dresdner Akkordeonorchester e.V. organised a gala concert in the Congress Hall of the Hygienemuseum Dresden, performing to nearly 600 guests. With a program of mainly classic original accordion compositions, the ensemble, under the artistic direction of Anita Heinze (President of the Deutscher Harmonikaverband Sachsen) showed their high technical level with an enthusiastic performance. The thrilled audience demanded three encores and rewarded the orchestra with long applause and many, many flowers. To further celebrate this occasion the orchestra has edited a commemorative publication and arranged an exhibition about the history of the ensemble. Among the more than thirty musicians are many young people. Next year the orchestra will participate in the International Accordion Festival Insbruck again, where they have already twice reached ‘Excellent’ (1992 and 1995). |
Future events |
Una Sinistra Concert, Moscow - Russiaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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The duo Una Sinistra - Yulia Amerikova (piano accordion) and Alexander Selivanov (button accordion) - perform in the prestigious Green Hall, Yauza Palace, Moscow, on December 9th, 7.30pm. Their program includes compositions by Buxtehude, Couperin, Stravinsky, Schostakovich, Barber, and other classic composers from the 17th to the 20th Century, arranged for accordion duo by Yulia Amerikova. This concert follows very successful recent concerts at the Trophée Mondial in Pineto, the Castelfidardo Festival, the Coupe Mondiale in Shanghai and the 27th Festival of Music for Accordion, St Petersburg, Russia. For further information email: sasha.se@rambler.ru |
Servais Haanen Leads Accordion Workshops, Burg Fürsteneck – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() Dutch diatonic button accordionist Servais Haanen leads the accordion workshops, which end with a concert. Servais Haanen, also a composer and the organiser of the festival, ‘Akkordeonale’, has been leading accordion workshops since 1988. For further information email: bildung@burg-fuersteneck.de |
Dr William Schimmel's Concert Dates - USA, Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() On December 5th, 7.30pm, Dr Schimmel will perform in a concert version of ‘She Loves Me’ (Harnick and Bock) at The Stephen Sondheim Theater, Manhattan, sponsored by the Roundabout Theater Company. The concert will be conducted by Paul Gemignani. Dr William Schimmel will perform ‘Kammermusik No 1’ with the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble during their European tour of Germany, from December 6th to 12th, with concerts in Baden Baden, Cologne, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf. For further information email: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
Tony Kearney Gigs, London/Southern Area – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() December 3rd – St Joseph’s Hall, Balls Pond Rd, Islington, London December 4th – Holy Ghost Club, Luton December 8th – Noctors, Maidenhead December 9th – The Ship, Tottenham High Rd, London December 10th – Conways Burnt Oak, Edgeware Rd, London December 11th- Birmingham Irish Centre December 15th – Tea Dance, Harringay Irish Centre, London December 17th – Ceili, Holy Rule Hall, Watford December 18th – Ceili, Irish Centre, Camden Town, London December 19th – Peacock, Gravesend December 22nd - Noctors, Maidenhead December 24th – Irish Club, Corby, Northants December 26th – O’Shea’s, Luton December 31st – McGuire’s, Ilford, Essex For further information email: starr63@gmail.com |
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Sermoneta, Rome – Italyby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Marco Lo Russo performs in the church of St Thomas Aquinas, Sermoneta, on Sunday December 4th, 5.30pm. The next day, Monday December 5th, Marco Lo Russo performs with Fabrizio Mocata (piano) and Michele Staino (bass) at the ‘Tivoli Music Concerts 2011’ in Rome. The concert is part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy. For further information email: dina.tomezzoli@alice.it |
TOEAC Accordion Duo To Shanghai, Beijing - Chinaby Rob Howard |
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![]() December 9th - Oriental Art Center, Shanghai December 11th - Dalian Development Area Grand Theatre December 15th - National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing December 16th, 6.40pm – concert, followed by Gala Dinner, Grace Hotel, Beijing The TOEAC accordion duo are Renée Bekkers and Pieternel Berkers. Both began accordion classes at the age of nine at the school of music in Gemert, Netherlands. Their accomplishments include many competition successes, including 1st prize at the 'Premio Internazionale di Fisarmonica' in Castelfidardo, Italy in 2007. They are currently studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. In the summer of 2012 they will make their debut in Germany, France and South Africa, and they will play at the Cheltenham Festival in England. For further information email: info@toeac.nl |
Seasonal Accordion Entertainment, Derbyshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: mikeoregan2000@yahoo.co.uk |
Trez Fez Jazz Night, Ormskirk – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Trez Fez are a six-piece hot club jazz band, featuring accordionist Helen Maher, and whose music is a mixture of jazz standards from the 1930s and 40s and music inspired by Django Reinhardt. For further information email: trezfez@googlemail.com |
Stockport AC Band/Orchestra Annual Charity Concert, Macclesfield – UKby Rob Howard |
On Friday December 9th, 7.45pm, the Stockport Accordion Club Band (MD Derek Stubbs) and Orchestra (MD Brian Jenkins) perform their annual charity concert in aid of the East Cheshire Hospice at the Broken Cross Institute, Macclesfield, Cheshire. The organiser of this long running and well supported concert is the well-known fund raising accordionist John Jones, who has to date raised over £200,000 playing for various charities. For further Information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
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Uakti Concert, Ghent – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() Jazz is only of the many types of music he performs. Tuur Florizoone is comfortable in pop as well as world music. In 2008, during the prestigious World Soundtrack Awards (Ghent) his passionate score of the Flemish movie Adnrijding in Moscow (directed by Christophe Van Rompdey) achieved international success. |
Accordion Club Zelo Concert, Hoogwoud – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
The two bands of the accordion club Zelo (MD Christa Groeneveld) perform their Winter Concert in the church at Hoogwoud on Saturday December 10th, 8pm. Also performing are the Dijk en Duin Consort recorder quartet. |
CNIMA Christmas Accordion Course, Auvergne – Franceby Rob Howard |
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The last accordion course of 2011 takes place from December 19th to 24th at Les Ludines, 63950 Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne. For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Pascal Contet Concerts in December - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() 3 décembre PARIS 20H31 (Plein -Jeu de Philippe Hurel) - journée de Futurs Composés à l'Opéra Comique "la musique contemporaine , tout un programme" débats et concerts 4 décembre GIGNAC (près de Montpellier) 20H30 Centre Culturel de Gignac - le duo Maguelone Vidal en première partie de Phil Minton 9 décembre LE KREMLIN BICETRE 20H30 Centre Culturel "Buenos Aires, ville imaginaire" avec Isa Lagarde, Isabelle Veyrier et Catherine Jacquet 10 décembre GARDANNE (13) 20H30 Médiathèque en duo avec Maguelone Vidal, saxophones 11 décembre 17H00 PARIS Galerie HUS "OBLI" duo avec la contrebassiste Joëlle Léandre 11 décembre FRANCE MUSIQUE de 1h00 à 7h00 "La Nuit de l'Accordéon" proposée et animée par Pascal Contet , 6 heures non stop (aussi podcastable) 23 décembre FRANCE INTER Invité d' Oscar Strasnoy en compagnie de quelques solistes de l'Ensemble 2E2M (Ecos) For further information: pascalcontet@numericable.fr |
New and Updated Sites |
New DVD, ‘1,2,3 Musette’ Volume 2 Available from MusicForAccordion.comby |
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Manny Corallo selling his new christmas CDby Manny Corallo |
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Karen Fremar - accordionist, composer, releases 4 new compositionby Karen Fremar |
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New Book, ‘The Man The Accordion And The Legend’ Available from MusicForAccordion.comby Yehuda Oppenheimer |
![]() Catalog No: oybook ‘The Man The Accordion And The Legend’ |
New Book, ‘Vintage Accordions’ Available from MusicForAccordion.comby Rob Howard |
![]() Catalog No: robaccord05 ‘Vintage Accordions’ The new book, ‘Vintage Accordions’ is an all-colour pictorial history of the accordion, in its various forms, from the early 19th Century onwards up to the present time. There are 300 pictures plus information and some interesting historical articles. This book is a limited edition, A4 sized, 60 pages, and in hardback. |
CD Reviews |
Cocktail "Rio Rita" CD by Friedrich Lips, Bayanby Joan C. Sommers |
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |