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Highlights |
Just Released: New German Language Book by Friedrich Lips - Germany
Harmonika-WM 2017 in Außervillgraten - Austria
Video: Russian Renaissance: Chamber Arts Competition Grand Prize Winner - USA
7th Harmonika Fest, Tivat - Montenegro
Daily Reports/Video: 2017 South Pacific Accordion Championships - New Zealand
RAM Final Recital Performances, London – UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
International Week of the Accordion 2017, Alcobaça – Portugal
Video: 1st Stefan Oberhofer (IT) 10th Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika - Austria
Accordion Babes Pin Up Calendar, California - USA
Video: 2nd Marko Gostencnik (SLO), 10th Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika - Austria
Frank Vilich QSM, NZAATC, 23 July 1930 to 31 May 2017 - New Zealand
Video: 1st Anže Krevh (SLO) 10th Junior Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika - Austria
Video: 1st Klara Missebner Category Stufe A 1 - Austria
Future events |
Gorka Hermosa Concerts, Master Class, Jury Member – Spain, Portugal
Bob Liddle Entertains, Scotland – UK
Rob Reich Concerts, California – USA
The Mad Maggies June Shows - USA
Romane & Eric Bouvelle Quintet, Paris – France
Heather Smith @ North Staffs AC, Staffordshire – UK
Martynas and Mikroorkestra Concert, Bleckede – Germany
Norimichi Nagasaka Concert, Osaka – Japan
New and Updated Sites |
My Vanishing African Dreams eBook by Susan M. Hall - Kenya
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
2017 Coupe Mondiale Artwork and 2017 Entry System Goes Live - Italyby Mirco Patarini |
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 CIA Secretary General Kimmo Mattila announces that the 2017 Coupe Mondiale online entry system is now open for entries to the 70th Coupe Mondiale. http://coupemondiale-entry.eventio.fi/ Entry closing date is 31st July 2017 and all entry and hotel information is online at: Coupe Mondiale 2017 Coupe Mondiale host is the CIA member, Italian Accordion Culture (IAC) and their Artistic Director Mirco Patarini proudly presents the newly created 2017 Coupe Mondiale Artwork by famous Italian painter Aurelio Alabardi (picture left). Print your color A4 Coupe Mondiale poster at: 2017Alabardi.pdf The 2017 Coupe Mondiale features 7 international categories for classical, virtuoso entertainment and ensemble music. Other events are concerts featuring Italian music and performers, the new "digital accordion showcase" and the World Accordion Orchestra IX. |
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Just Released: New German Language Book by Friedrich Lips - Germanyby Harley Jones |
 Friedrich LipsDie Kunst der Bearbeitung klassischer Musik für Akkordeon (The Art of Editing Classical Music for Accordion) Catalog No: kslips02 Available in German language: Subscription Offer Exclusive special offer 25% price advantage on pre-orders Now 29.50 euros instead of later 39.50 euros (plus shipping and handling) Purchase at Catalog No: kslips02 |
Harmonika-WM 2017 in Außervillgraten - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 The Steirische Harmonika World Championships and the national Austrian Steirische Harmonika Championships took place in Ausservillgraten in Osttirol, a small village with only 760 inhabitants.The entire little village took place and made all artists, no matter, whether famous or not, into real stars. Many many audience gave huge applause for the performances. Local authorities participated every day and beautiful weather made the whole event very special. For all videos, pictures, results and activities, view: 2017Harmonika |
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Video: Russian Renaissance: Chamber Arts Competition Grand Prize Winner - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
| Excerpts from article by Martin Slagter: Russian Renaissance consisting of Ivan Kuznetsov (balalaika), Anastasia Zakharova (domra), Aleksandr Tarasov (accordion) and Ivan Vinogradov (balalaika-contrabasso) captivated the audience and jury on Thursday, May 4, inside Hill Auditorium to capture the second M-Prize chamber music competition. At $100,000, it is said to be the largest chamber music prize in the world. The competitions was organized by the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater & Dance. The winners receive important performance opportunities and are invited to teach at the school of music, theatre and dance at the University of Michigan 2017-18 School year. Aside from the big money, what sets M-Prize apart from the crowd is the breadth of the music that is welcomed as part of the competition. Russian Renaissance competed for the $100,000 grand prize with senior strings division winner, the Argus Quartet and senior winds division winner the Donald Sinta Quartet. The international jury included former New York Philharmonic concertmaster Rodney Friend, Juilliard String Quartet cellist Astrid Schween, Swiss saxophonist Lars Mlekusch, renowned flautist Carol Wincenc, multigenre cellist Jeffrey Zeigler and Grammy Award-winning soprano Dawn Upshaw. In addition to the grand prize, three $20,000 prizes are awarded to winners of three different categories of strings, winds and open competition, as well as junior strings and winds categories for ages 18 and under. |
7th Harmonika Fest, Tivat - Montenegroby Raymond Bodell, President, Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) |
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 Picture above: Raymond Bodell, Anna Bodell, Yuri Shishkin, Petar Maric and Predrag Jankovich.Contestants and International guests travelled from 10 different countries to take compete at The 7th Harmonika Fest, hosted by NVO “Harmonika Montenegrina”. This festival took place in Tivat, Montenegro from 29th to 31st May 2017 attracting over 160 contestants for the solo, chamber music and orchestra categories. Members of the international jury which included Raymond Bodell (CIA President), Yuri Shishkin, (Russia), Miljan Bjeletic (Serbia), Janusz Pater (Poland), Irena Merdovic (Montenegro), Bojan Martinovic (Montenegro), Vladimir Mandic (Serbia), Miroslav Ilic (Montenegro) and Petar Maric (Serbia) were busy throughout the days and heard outstanding performances in many categories including 1st prizewinner in the highest category, Dusan Ceganjac (Serbia), a student of Miljan Bjeletic. There were also a number of concerts, including a truly spectacular outdoor opening concert held at Galerija Ljetnikovca Buca. This former summer residence of the family Buca dating from 1548, now houses the Cultural Centre with the small town museum. This concert began with Vladimir Domazetovic (piano) followed by Petar Maric, a CIA Coupe Mondiale multiple champion. Petar premiered electronic arrangements of a number of new works and was also joined on stage by his duet partner Vuk Javanovic (piano). The following evening in the magnificent setting of the Five star Regent Hotel offering a venue of timeless elegance inspired by the Venetian palazzos around Boka Bay was only to be outshone by a perfect performance from Yuri Shishkin – Organiser of Coupe Mondiale 2016 in Rostov-on-don, Russia. His program comprising of all arrangements for accordion was truly incredible, both technically and musically. The festival closed with another outdoor concert on the seafront by the Orkestar Harmonika from Kragujevac conducted by Bojan Spica (picture below). Full results at: 2017Tivat.pdf |
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Daily Reports/Video: 2017 South Pacific Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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| Daily Reports of the 2017 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships & Festival, Saturday 3rd June and Sunday 4th June, including results, photos and video will be online at: 2017SouthPac |
RAM Final Recital Performances, London – UKby Rob Howard |
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| Picture above: Ilona Suomalainen, Katariina Ahjonienemi and Inigo Mikeleiz-Berrade. Royal Academy of Music Final Recital Performances take place on Thursday June 8th from 5.45pm to 9.30pm in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall, at the RAM, London. This is an opportunity to hear three RAM accordion students perform in their final recitals. The students are under-graduate Katariina Ahjonienemi, and post-graduates Ilona Suomalainen and Inigo Mikeleiz-Berrade. Each performance is 50 minutes with a short break between performances and will combine solo and chamber music works. For further information email: K.INGRAM@ram.ac.uk |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
9th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition & Festival - Japanby Hermi Kaleta |
 Video: Performance of the Duo Prokopiev, 20th May, final round of the competition.Music list: 0:00 Concert Fantasy "Dedication to Yehudi Menuhin" (composers A. Kugaevsky, A. Davtyan, N. Prokopiev) 10:27 A. Cuss Waltz "The Amur Waves" 14:40 A. Piazzolla Tango "The Shark" 18:41 V.Monti "Czardas" 23:37 RNP "Valenki" arr. Shalova This very prestigious international competition takes place every three years in the categories: I (string quartet), II (wind ensembles) and Festa (in memory of the world-famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin). The Duo Prokopiev of Artyom Davtyan (domra) and Nikolay Prokopiev (accordion) from Novosibirsk (Russia) participated in the "Chamber Music Festa" and won the 1st Prize (Menuhin Gold Prize) through their excellent performance and carefully selected program. The historical background, is that the teachers of these two musicians, Andrei Romanov (accordion) and Andrei Kugaevsky (domra) took part in this competition in 2003 and also won the gold medal. |
International Week of the Accordion 2017, Alcobaça – Portugalby Rob Howard |
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| The 21st International Week of the Accordion "Alcobaça 2017", which runs from May 27th to June 4th, presents competitions, concerts and other activities. The event is organised by the Associação de Acordeão de Portugal ASACORD. The event includes the National Trophy contest and International Competition, and these have a large and record number of entries. |
Video: 1st Stefan Oberhofer (IT) 10th Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Video: Stefan Oberhofer (IT), winner of the 2017 10th Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika organised by the Harmonikaverband Verband Österreich (HVÖ) on the 26th May. Daily Reports, pictures, video and results at: 2017Harmonika |
Accordion Babes Pin Up Calendar, California - USAby Rob Howard |
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| The Accordion Babes 2018 Album & Pin-Up Calendar is in preparation, but the deadline for submission of photo, song on CD, art, pre-sales and advertising, etc, has been extended until June 26th. Renee de la Prade, the organiser, writes: “Our theme for next year is Calling All Muses. The world needs inspiration in these troubled times. When you plan your photo shoot, think about what inspires you to play music, or think about how you want your character and costume in the photo to inspire other artists”. There are lots of tips and diagrams available from Renee de la Prade for producing a calendar-quality photo, including nuts-and-bolts stuff like image dimensions, and some do's and don'ts for your photo shoot. There are new guidelines for photos, and please note that a photo needs to be accompanied by a photo release form signed by the applicant and her photographer. Applicants also need to submit a professional quality CD featuring them playing accordion. Songs can be traditional or own compositions, but not covers. For further information email: editor@accordionpinupcalendar.com |
Video: 2nd Marko Gostencnik (SLO), 10th Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Video: 2nd place Marko Gostencnik SLO in the 2017 10th Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika organised by the Harmonikaverband Verband Österreich (HVÖ) on the 26th May. Daily Reports, pictures, video and results at: 2017Harmonika |
Frank Vilich QSM, NZAATC, 23 July 1930 to 31 May 2017 - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 Frank's musical career commenced at the tender age of five years when his father gave him a ukulele. Although his father was a guitarist and singer Frank's preferred instrument was to be the accordion. He was given a concertina when he was seven, and an accordion for his 10th birthday.His early years were spent in Australia where he learned drums, playing them in the Broken Hill Junior Boys Brass Band. In these early years, Frank was involved in entertaining as a child accordionist on the radio and later while in Sydney he formed his own dance band. While living in Sydney his accordion was stolen from a train, but this misfortune was compensated for, when he made music with a Dalmatian group, an activity he loves and is renowned for. In 1951 Frank made a visit to NZ where he travelled to Dargaville to meet a number of his countrymen who reside in that area. One evening he was invited to a dance and on returning to his seat, he found a lady and her very attractive daughter had occupied his vacant seat. He soon became acquainted with that beautiful daughter Stephanie Sutich and she became the reason he stayed in NZ, and a little later she became his wife. After he settled in Dargaville, Frank was to contribute to making it one of the centres of the accordion in NZ. Although a small town, at its peak, it boasted six accordion bands and has produced some of NZ's best accordionists. Frank soon started teaching the accordion and formed the Frank Vilich Accordion Band (FVAB) as well as performing with the Dargaville Tamburica Orchestra. His accordion band never accepted fees for their performances even though they travelled over much of Northland and performed ten or twelve times per year for many charity functions. They were instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for these charities. The accordion Museum in Dargaville currently has memorabilia on display from these times. It was a sad day for Dargaville when Frank left to live in Auckland. However Auckland has benefited from his enthusiasm for music and the accordion and once again Frank began teaching and formed the Frank Vilich Revival Accordion Band, which, as it had done in Dargaville, delighted so many people with performances of Dalmatian and other types of music. Here in Auckland the dominant feature has been helping good causes without accepting remuneration. Frank often returned to Dargaville to entertain at various functions held by the community. In addition to these activities Frank has judged regularly at the NZ Accordion Championships, and played for a number of years at night clubs and restaurants. During his brief tenure as President of the NZAA he initiated a picnic and a regular Association Ball. While living in the North he was a member of the first music group to make a recording in that area and in later years while residing in Auckland he has recorded for local radio stations. Frank is a Life Member of the New Zealand Accordion Association. In 1990, Frank Vilich was awarded the Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand Merit Award. In 1996 Frank Vilich was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for Community Service (QSM) in the New Years Honours. Frank has entertained at retirement homes for many years, both in groups and as a soloist. During his lifetime he has given pleasure to tens of thousands. Thank you Frank Vilich. Requiem Mass to celebrate Frank's life will be held at 11am on Tuesday 6 June also at Christ the King Catholic Church. Dearly loved husband of Stephanie and cherished Father and Father-in-law of Carleen and Robert, Sonja and Giles, Deanna and Paul, and Petreece and Bob. Loving Grandpa of Milos and Mariam, Mara, Terence, Gregory and Madeleine. God has you now in his keeping, we have you in our hearts. Requiem Mass to celebrate Frank's life will be held at 11am on Tuesday 6 June also at Christ the King Catholic Church. |
Video: 1st Anže Krevh (SLO) 10th Junior Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Video: 1st Anže Krevh (SLO) 10th Junior Weltmeisterschaft for Steirische Harmonika organised by the Harmonikaverband Verband Österreich (HVÖ) on the 26th May. Daily Reports, pictures, video and results at: 2017Harmonika |
Video: 1st Klara Missebner Category Stufe A 1 - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 Video: 1st was 8 year old Klara Missebner in the Category Stufe A 1, Harmonika-WM 2017 in Außervillgraten.Daily Reports, pictures, video and results at: 2017Harmonika |
Future events |
Leonard Brown & Bryan Gear Concert, Sheffield – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday June 3rd, 8pm, accordionist Leonard Brown and Shetland fiddler Bryan Gear perform together in concert at the Gleadless United Reform Church Hall, Hollinsend Rd, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S12 2NP.Leonard Brown’s latest DVD 'A Toast to Scotland’, released this month, features Leonard Brown and his band, and was filmed on location around Scotland and in The Salutation Hotel, Perth. The DVD includes a series of tributes to legendary Scottish musicians such as Sir Jimmy Shand, Will Starr, The Alexander Brothers, Lindsay Ross, James Scott Skinner, Andy Stewart, Bobby MacLeod, Ian Powrie, and more. The band includes Liam Stewart, John Sinton, Duncan Findlay and Malcolm Ross, with special guest fiddle player Paul Anderson. For further information email: leonardbrownaccordion@gmail.com |
Gorka Hermosa Concerts, Master Class, Jury Member – Spain, Portugalby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist and composer Gorka Hermosa performs in a quartet on Saturday June 3rd, 8pm, at the Malandra Club, Donostia, Tabakalera, in the Basque region of northern Spain.Later this month Gorka Hermosa, a Professor of Accordion at the Santander Conservatory in northern Spain, visits Santarem, Portugal, where he is a Jury member at the Santarem Accordion Competition, holds a master class, and also performs in a concert. For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
Bob Liddle Entertains, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
 The versatile Scottish accordionist, guitarist and vocalist Bob Liddle entertains and plays for dancing on Saturday June 3rd, 9pm, at Templehall Hotel, Morebattle, Scottish Borders, Scotland.Bob Liddle, from Kelso, plays the 5-row button accordion, guitar, keyboards, Highland bagpipes, drums, bass and bohdran. Also a composer and singer, he plays at accordion clubs, functions and weddings, both as a soloist and with the Blackthorne Ceilidh Band, and has recorded several albums. |
Rob Reich Concerts, California – USAby Rob Howard |
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| Accordionist Rob Reich and his band perform three concerts at venues in San Francisco, California, in the next week, as follows: Sunday June 4th, 11.30am – Gaucho, Boxing Room, 3999 Grove St, San Francisco Wednesday June 7th, 5pm - The Page Bar, 298 Divisadero, San Francisco Friday June 9th, 6.30pm – free admission, Wilsey Court, De Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, California Performing are Rob Reich – accordion/piano, Ben Goldberg – clarinet, Erik Jekabson – trumpet, Vic Wong – guitar, Daniel Fabricant – bass, and Beth Goodfellow – drums. For further information email: rob@robreich.com |
The Mad Maggies June Shows - USAby Harley Jones |
 Excerpts from the Mad Maggies newsletter. We've been cooking up some musical madness for you all. We're rehearsing and recording new tunes and can't wait to share them with you at our next live performances which just happen to be in a few days. • Wednesday June 7 - 4:20pm Lagunitas Brewing Company Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary, Petaluma. We always have a good time at this relaxed venue. Good sound, good stage, delicious beer and food. Dogs and kids are welcome. • Friday June 9 - 8pm - the Big Easy, downtown Petaluma. "A Night with the Mad Maggies" $5 cover. This is our first time at this true music-lovers venue. Come show your support and enjoy our show in a laid back atmosphere with good drinks. • Sunday June 11 - 4:30pm Berkeley World Music Festival - Free, all ages, outdoors. We will be rocking People's Park as part of the 14th annual BWM fest. We are very pleased to have been invited to play this popular gathering of world musicians. |
Romane & Eric Bouvelle Quintet, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
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| On June 9th and 10th, 9pm, the gypsy jazz guitarist Rome and accordionist Eric Bouvelle, with accompaniment, perform in concerts at Sunset, 60 rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris. Eric Bouvelle, born in 1972, was making recordings and winning competitions when barley into his teens. In 1987 he toured Finland with Marcel Azzola, and in 1988 won the Entertainment Section at the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Trossingen, Germany. He has subsequently performed all around Europe, Russia, USA, Canada, and further afield in Martinique and Guadeloupe. He is much in demand as a musette dance and jazz musician, with many CDs and DVDs to his credit. |
Heather Smith @ North Staffs AC, Staffordshire – UKby Rob Howard |
 Heather Smith is the guest at the North Staffs Accordion Club on Tuesday June 20th, 8pm. The venue is the Goldenhill Working Men’s Club, Kidsgrove Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 5SH.. Admission is £4, pay at the door.Heather Smith, from Hull, was a British Champion in the 1960s, and came second in the CMA Trophee Mondiale. Since then she has become the organiser of accordion festivals in Caister, Pakefield, Mundesley, Blackpool, and Seacoft, and is the editor of the monthly magazine ‘Accordion Profile’. Heather pays the Music Tech digital accordion in the East Coast Swing Band. For further information email: stevehg0@gmail.com |
Martynas and Mikroorkestra Concert, Bleckede – Germanyby Rob Howard |
 Lithuanian virtuoso accordionist Martynas performs ‘The Four Seasons’ by Vivaldi, and music by Tchaikovsky and Piazzolla, with the Lithuanian string ensemble Mikroorkestra at the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Bleckede, Lower Saxony, Germany, on Friday June 23rd, 7.30pm.Martynas graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London, played at the Royal Albert Hall, Auditorio Nacional in Mexico, Debussy's residence in Paris, the Berlin Waldbühne, etc. In his home country he won ‘Lithuania’s Got Talent’ on national TV. |
Norimichi Nagasaka Concert, Osaka – Japanby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Norimichi Nagasaka performs in concert with a jazz violinist and two guitarists on Thursday June 29th, 7pm, at the restaurant Beronica, Kyobashi, Osaka, Japan. |
New and Updated Sites |
Fismen Accordions "Know the People" Interview, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| "Know the People" Interview: with: Luciano Guffo (Director) Silvano Palmieri (Director) Francesco Stacchiotti (Director - not present) of Fismen Accordions Editor: Holda Paoletti-Kampl "Know the People" of Castelfidardo who have made this small city so famous around the world for their quality accordion products. Interview at: 2017Fismen Picture below: Luciano Guffo (left) and Silvano Palmieri (right) |
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My Vanishing African Dreams eBook by Susan M. Hall - Kenyaby Harley Jones |
  This book is not about accordion but it is a fascinating read and its written by Susan M. Hall, a superb Kenyan artist. The author writes: "My Vanishing African Dreams describes my unusual and exciting life as a women, both on our cattle ranch where we were traders in beef cattle in Kenya, and my remarkable experiences exploring Kenya's mostly uninhabited Norther Frontier District. My story includes the mountains I've climbed and the dangers of those climbs, as well as treacherous experiences encountering wildlife." Further information about the book and the artist at: Susan M. Hall Buy the eBook pdf edition emailed to you, only US$9 or Euro equivalent, Shopping basket link: Hall101 |
CD Reviews |
Review of The Shortcut to Playing and the Bellows-Technique for The Accordion by Lars Ekby Franco Cambareri |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of the eBook (sent to you by email) written by Lars Ek, reviewed by Franco Cambareri.The Shortcut to Playing and the Bellows-Technique for The Accordion by Lars Ek CD Reviews Index |
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