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Highlights |
VII International Festival ‘Vivat Accordeon’, Klaipeda – Lithuania
Arrasate Accordion Competitions, Gipuzkoa – Spain
Corrado Rojac plays at Harvard University, Massachusetts – USA
NAO North West Area Festival and 2011 Festivals - UK
Xmas Gift Suggestions for Family and Friends
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Passing of Dr. Salvatore Febbraio - USA
Joe Derrane’s New CD, Massachusetts - USA
Aldo De Rossi Passes Away, Massachusetts – USA
‘14 Years Ago’ – Caister 1996
Future events |
Salvatore Cauteruccio’s December Concerts, Calabria - Italy
Accordions in the Hat Works and Air Raid Shelters, Stockport – UK
Veli Kujala Performs New Concerto, Lahti – Finland
CNIMA J.Mornet Courses, Auvergne – France
Eddie Giffney Performs in Cabaret – New Zealand
Stockport AC Band/Orchestra Concert, Macclesfield – UK
‘Monsters of Accordion 2010’ Tour, West Coast – USA
Félicien Brut and Pierre Laval Concert, Menat – France
‘Emporium’ at the Semiteatro, Rome – Italy
New and Updated Sites |
December Accordion USA News Now Online
NAA Publications new music releases
Zevy Zions Releases New Arrangement
Franck Angelis release 1 new work
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
‘Frank Marocco Accordion Event – Europe Edition’, Castelfidardo - Italyby Elke Ahrenholz |
  The 2011 ‘Frank Marocco Accordion Event – Europe Edition’, organized by Elke Ahrenholz, takes place in Castelfidardo, Italy, from June 6th to 11th 2011. This week has been designed along the lines of the very successful annual ‘Frank Marocco Accordion Event organized by Dan and Joan Grauman, which will be held in Mesa, Arizona, USA, January 13th to 17th, for the 5th consecutive year. The Italian location will be the 4 star Hotel Parco in beautiful Castelfidardo, Italy. The cost is 680 Euro per accordionist, and 500 Euro for non-players. What is included: • 4 nights lodging • 3 meals daily • Sightseeing in the Castelfidardo area • A visit to the Castelfidardo Accordion Museum • 2 workshops: one on accordion building and one on Jazz Accordion, led by Frank Marocco • Daily accordion orchestra rehearsals • Evening activities • Final concert by the accordion orchestra at the Teatro Astra on Sunday evening, June 5th. A maximum of 50 accordionists can participate in the orchestra. Orchestra sheet music will be assigned and distributed by March 1st 2011. A limited number of private lessons with Frank Marocco will be available by appointment The registration deadline is December 15th 2010. Frank Marocco, American piano accordionist, arranger, composer and conductor, is one of the most recorded accordionists in the world playing on hundreds of movie soundtracks, TV shows, commercials and recordings. Frank’s passion is jazz and, in recent years, he has been playing concerts in the US, Europe, Japan, and Brazil. For further information email: eahrenholz@me.com |
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VII International Festival ‘Vivat Accordeon’, Klaipeda – Lithuaniaby Alexander Mitenev |
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 Photo above: After the concert Miroslav Lelyukh, Robertas Uzgalis, Edita and Grirory Savkov. Photo right: Nerius Bakula (upper), Miroslav Lelyukh (lower).The 7th International Festival ‘Vivat Accordeon’ was held in October, 22nd – 24th, in Klaipeda, Lithuania. The 12-year history of the festival is noted for the participation of such musicians as Vladimir Zubitsky, Pavel Fenyuk, Vladimir Ushakov, Sergey Osokin, and others. This year the festival pleased the audience with a great number of surprises and musical experiments. The first day was marked by the quartet and the duet of teachers, G. Savkov and M. Lelyukh, the orchestra of the music school named after Gargzhdu, and the international trio ‘La Mer’ (Miroslav, Edita, Robertas), which was performing for the first time. The second day became memorable for the listeners with different premieres. Here people could listen to music of different genres, such as jazz, musette, pop, and avant-garde. Miroslav Lelyukh and Nerius Bakula moved the public with their brilliant improvisation of popular French themes. The solo concert by Miroslav Lelyukh, which closed the program of the festival, couldn't do without some surprises. Miroslav played 2 compositions with G. Savkov, trio ‘La Mer’, and with the quartet. All the concerts at this festival were a great success. "The next festival will be even more interesting and varied in music and performances", said Robertas Uzgalis, the organiser of the festival. |
Arrasate Accordion Competitions, Gipuzkoa – Spainby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| The ‘Arrasate Hiria’ festival, organised by Hauspoz (Basque Association of Accordion Players), includes international and national competitions, concerts, lectures, and workshops, and takes place from December 5th to 8th in the Town Hall, Hermani, Arrasate-Mondragón (Basque Country), Gipuzkoa, Northern Spain. The festival includes the prestigious ‘Arrasate – Hiria’ International Music Competition for accordion soloists, for all nationalities and without age limit. Attractive prizes, trophies, diplomas and special awards are available for all competitors. Hauspoz, founded in 1974, is a member of the CIA (Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes - IMC - UNESCO) and its main aims are to improve the accordion education in Schools, and raise the performing and pedagogic level of accordionists. For further information email: info@hauspoz.org |
Corrado Rojac plays at Harvard University, Massachusetts – USAby Francesca Pigini, Pigini Accordion Factory |
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| The concert season of the Harvard New Music Group, based at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, featured Italian accordionist Corrado Rojac, a teacher at the Conservatory G. Tartini, Trieste, in a lecture and recital. The lecture, held in the Davison room, was about accordion repertoire, with a special focus on contemporary music, and its interpretation. His performance included examples, such as ‘Triptych’ by Alessandro Solbiati and the ‘De Profundis’ by Sofia Gubajdulina. Corrado Rojac met some students who are interested in writing for accordion. Corrado Rojac will return to Harvard to perform in April 2011, this time in the John Knowles Paine Concert Hall. |
NAO North West Area Festival and 2011 Festivals - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
  The NAO North West Area Festival was held in Fleetwood Lancashire on Sunday 28th November, the 2nd Qualifying Area Festival for the NAO UK Championships 2011 following the Southern Area Festival in Wimborne earlier in the month. The festival was organised by NAO General Secretary Gina Brannelli, and was particularly well supported by the Craven School of Music under the direction of Harry Hinchcliffe. Outstanding performances by Alexander Bodell, who received from adjudicator Ken Farran (NAO Honorary Vice President) the highest marks of the day with 95 and 94 in the 15 & under Solo and 14 & under Polka categories respectively. Winner of numerous sections was Brandon Hindle and also of note was the popular performances of ensembles from the Craven School of Music. Qualifying Area Festivals for the coming months are: Midlands, Organiser Pauline Noon, 23 January 2011 Ph: 0116 241 2856 Northern Ireland, Organiser Clyde Johnson, 29 January 2011 Ph: 028 2827 2258 North Central, Organiser Harry Hinchcliffe, 12 February 2011, Ph: 01535 635074 South East Thames, Organiser John Cumiskey, 13 February 2011, Ph: 020 8546 1767 West Scotland, Organiser Brian Laurie, 26 February 2011, Ph: 0141 887 9827 East Anglia, Organiser Elaine Beecham, 06 March 2011, Ph: 01206 866615 The NAO UK Championships 2011 will be held at the Metropole Hotel in Blackpool from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th May. Full details may be found at the NAO website or email naouk@accordions.com |
Xmas Gift Suggestions for Family and Friendsby Harley Jones |
 There are new additions to the exciting Christmas Gift ideas at: 2010 Xmas Gift Ideas.These ideas have been compiled to hopefully attract your Xmas gift money to be spent with accordion artistes, composers, arrangers and businesses. Please support the accordion industry and choose from over 1,896 eSheet pieces, 352 CD/DVD’s, 1,700 plus printed works and numerous books (text) to choose from. 2010 Xmas Gift Ideas |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Stolen Accordion Recovered, Birmingham – UKby Rob Howard |
 In early July Accordions Worldwide reported that Richard Adey had his Scandalli Super V1 stolen as he was setting up for a gig in Evesham, Worcestershire. An immediate search, involving the police, revealed no result.The good news is that last week the accordion was recovered, having been identified by sharp-eyed Mark McCabe, of Hobgoblin Music, Birmingham, who spotted the instrument on e-bay. Well done, Mark! Evesham Police obtained and executed a Magistrates search warrant in the middle of the night, and the accordion was quickly reunited with its grateful owner. It was all very dramatic! Richard commented, “Of course, I am over the moon to have my instrument back! And players, there is a lesson here... don't leave your instruments unattended for even a moment... especially in public spaces”. Richard Adey and his Scandalli performs in a corporate engagement on December 4th and 5th at Lee Longlands furniture store, Birmingham. On December 4th he will be performing a Jazz and Tango programme with the Venezuelan jazz pianist Edgar Macais, and on the 5th he will be appearing with ‘Playing Django’ for some Gypsy jazz. ‘Playing Django’, featuring Richard Adey, have a weekly residency every Monday evening at La Bastille Restaurant, Birmingham. |
Passing of Dr. Salvatore Febbraio - USAby Colin Gustafson |
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| Photo above: Salvatore Febbraio and AAA President Linda Solely Reed earlier this year. Salvatore Febbraio, a Mount Vernon native who founded and ran a music school in his hometown for more than 50 years, died Saturday, November 27, 2010 at his home on Parkway East. He was 75. In 1956, he founded the Febbraio School of Music of Westchester in Mount Vernon. Today it has more than 200 students and a staff of about 15. He continued to serve as director until his death. "It was something he loved," said his younger son, Gregg Febbraio, 49, an attorney who lives in Greenwich, Conn. Febbraio studied music and education at Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music, before receiving a doctoral degree in music from New York University. His more noteworthy performances as an accordionist include a concert he did with students at the 1964 New York World's Fair in Queens and a 1965 reunion party for West Point's class of 1915, where he performed for former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, family members said. His former students have performed on the concert stage, Broadway and throughout the world, and remarkably for six USA Presidents- Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan and Bush. Salvatore Febbraio was a long time member of the Governing Board of the American Accordionists' Association. More information can be found in the USA News, December 2010 edition. |
Joe Derrane’s New CD, Massachusetts - USAby Rob Howard |
  ‘Grove Lane’ is the title of a new CD from Irish-American accordionist Joe Derrane, featuring a splendid selection of traditional jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes, barndance, plus ‘Tango Derrane’, a self composition. Joe Derrane (born 1930), from Boston, Massachusetts, is widely regarded by his peers as the greatest exponent of the 2-row D/C# system diatonic accordion. Playing professionally and recording since 1947, Joe Derrane’s Irish dance music has been much admired for his vigorous, accurate and highly ornamented playing. By the late 1950s Derrane had switched to piano accordion and formed a band to play for weddings and similar engagements, moving away from Irish music to popular music and music from other traditions, including Italian and Jewish. By the mid-1970s musical tastes had changed once more and Derrane again switched instruments, moving to the electronic organ. In 1994 Derrane switched back to the button accordion and began performing and recording again, with great success. He has appeared on radio and television many times, and was the subject of an Irish TV documentary, ‘As Played By Joe Derrane’. He has toured Canada, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and appeared with The Chieftains at Boston Symphony Hall. In 1998, Derrane was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (North American Province) for his contribution to Irish traditional music. For further information email: support@allcelticmusic.com |
Aldo De Rossi Passes Away, Massachusetts – USAby Donna Maria Regis |
 The accordion world has lost a highly distinguished and deeply cherished member. Aldo De Rossi, 93, passed away peacefully at his Massachusetts home on November 30th 2010. Aldo was the featured composer at ACCORDIONS NOW! 2010 in New Hampshire in August. As the festival's artistic director (and his admiring cousin), I am so grateful that we celebrated his music and accomplishments while he was still able to appreciate the tribute. Excerpts from the souvenir program book, including Aldo's photo and biography, are attached. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours, 4-7 PM, Thursday, December 2, at the Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home, 495 Park Street, New Bedford, MA. More information can be found in the December 2010 edition of the USA News. |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Caister 1996by Rob Howard |
 This week’s look back at the news of 14 years ago on Accordions Worldwide reproduces a report about the annual Autumn Accordion Festival at Caister, UK, written by the organizer, Malcolm Gee. Very sadly, Malcolm Gee died unexpectedly in February 1997, but his influence on the UK accordion scene continues to be felt to the present day.AUTUMN ACCORDION FESTIVAL, Caister - England This year's event at Caister (near Great Yarmouth, on the east coast) was yet another overwhelming success. The undisputed stars were The St Petersburg Musette Ensemble with Vladimir Ouchakov (piano accordion), Serguei Likhatchev (chromatic accordion), Vladimir Kourganov (bass guitar) and Victor Chafranov (percussion). The Accordion Orchestra of Flandres were the visiting artists from France, and Britain's own Colchester Accordion Showband, just home from their tour of USA, also starred at the Gala Concert. Workshops and lectures fill the daytime at this major annual festival and there was Scottish, Ballroom and Line dancing in abundance to the accordion music of the Gary Blair Scottish Accordion Band and The Ron Hawkins Trio. This annual event is organised by The Accordion News, and already everything is virtually prepared for next years festival (including overseas guest artists) which will be held from November 13th to 16th. Regular updated information will continue to appear in the pages of the Accordion News. |
Future events |
Gorka Hermosa’s TV and Concert Dates - Spainby Rob Howard |
  Spanish accordionist Gorka Hermosa performs as follows:December 4th, 11am - Spanish National TV will broadcast the program ‘El club de Pizzicato’, with Gorka Hermosa performing. He will play with the violinist Ara Malikian. The students of the Conservatory of Santander (where Gorka Hermosa teaches) will also perform on the program. Spanish National Radio will broadcast a resume of the program at 10pm. December 10th - Fado concert with María Berasarte at San Sebastián`s, Kursaal, with arrangements of José Peixoto (Madredeus). For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
Salvatore Cauteruccio’s December Concerts, Calabria - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Italian accordionist Salvatore Cauteruccio performs, solo and with bass and drums, as follows: December 4th – solo performance, Belvedere M.mo (Cs), Calabria December 5th – ‘màs en tango’ (accordion/bass/drums), main avenue of Praia a Mare (Cs) December 8th - ‘màs en tango’, Villa Donnamazza (lamezia terme) December 9th - ‘màs en tango’, Gino's jazz live music, Tortora, Cs) December 10th - ‘màs en tango’, Jazz & Wine, Rende, Cs December 11th – solo, Nettuno Palace, Belvedere M.mo (Cs) December 18th – solo, Diamante (Cs) December 26th – solo, Scalea (Cs) For further information email: info@salvatorecauteruccio.it |
Accordions in the Hat Works and Air Raid Shelters, Stockport – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Rob Howard will be playing seasonal music as part of a themed afternoon at the Hat Works, Wellington Rd, Stockport, on Sunday afternoon December 5th, 12 until 4pm. Others performing include a brass band and theatre group. The Hat Works is the UK's only museum dedicated to the world of hats and hat making.Accordion duo Rob Howard and John Jones will be playing their annual mixture of war songs, Christmas songs and carols in the Stockport Air Raid Shelters on December 13th and 16th. On each evening there is a guided tour of the Shelters at 7pm, followed by mince pies, wine and music at 8pm. This year marks 70 years since the Blitz on Greater Manchester by the German Luftwaffe, which began on December 22nd 1940 and lasted until May 1941. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Veli Kujala Performs New Concerto, Lahti – Finlandby Veli Kujala, Head of the Classical Accordion Studies, Sibelius-Academy of the University of Arts Helsinki |
 On December 6th, Finland's Independence Day, accordionist Veli Kujala will perform in the Sibelius Hall of Lahti a new double concerto for cello, accordion and symphony orchestra by Finnish composer Olli Virtaperko, with Timo-Veikko Valve (the principal cellist of Australian Chamber Orchestra) and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ari Rasilainen. The concerto is titled ‘Five Words of Calvino’ and reflects the famous ‘Six Memos for the Next Millenium’, by Italian writer Italo Calvino (1923-1985), who could finish only five of them before his death. Olli Virtaperko is one of the most prominent young Finnish composers. Having already been awarded in several international composition competitions Virtaperko made his breakthrough last year with an orchestral work Kuru (‘The Ravine’), performed by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Composed along with Kuru, the 32-minute double concerto promises to be a notable addition to the repertoire of both accordionists and cellists. The concert will be online from December 9th to December 30th on the Classiclive.com –service; direct link: http://www.classiclive.com/Concerts/2010/December/Independence-Day-Concert. The second performance of the double concerto will be on December 8th in Hämeenlinna, with the same performers. |
CNIMA J.Mornet Courses, Auvergne – Franceby Rob Howard |
 The music school CNIMA J.Mornet, led by Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix and their team of accordion and other instrumental teachers, have announced their next series of next weekend accordion training courses. These include the following dates: December 13th to 15th, 2010 January 17th to 19th, 2011 February 7th to 9th, 2011 March 14th to 16th, 2011 April 11th to 13th, 2011 May 16th to 18th, 2011 CNIMA J.Mornet is based at Les Ludines, 63950 Saint-Sauves Auvergne, in central France. For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Eddie Giffney Performs in Cabaret – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 Auckland accordionist Eddie Giffney is playing in ‘Cabaret' for the Auckland Theatre Company. The show advertising says: “The venue is the Salon Perdu, a beautiful European Mirror Tent (spiegeltent – picture above). The girls are beautiful. Even the orchestra is beautiful.”As many accordionists will know, the music score for ‘Cabaret’ has a great accordion and synthesizer part. 'Cabaret' is the major Auckland Theatre Company end-of-year production and Eddie Giffney will be playing the accordion (and also some keyboard) in the 6 person on stage pro-band. Eddie Giffney is the 2010 New Zealand Accordion Champion and in 2009 won 3rd place in the Coupe Mondiale Junior Virtuoso Entertainment category. The show was due to run from 28th October to 4th Dec but the season has now been extended to 18th December. Tickets are available from Ticketek (http://premier.ticketek.co.nz) |
Stockport AC Band/Orchestra Concert, Macclesfield – UKby Rob Howard |
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| On Friday December 10th, 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. This year’s concert includes a guest spot by Stockport AC Vice President Walter Perrie. The organiser is accordionist and well-known fund raiser John Jones, who has to date raised over £200,000 playing for various charities. For further Information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
‘Monsters of Accordion 2010’ Tour, West Coast – USAby Rob Howard |
 Rock singer/accordionist Webley is the organiser of the occasional Monsters of Accordion tour, an all-accordion extravaganza that takes place on the West Coast. The tour came together when Webley was invited to play at an accordion shop in Oakland, California, and met two Bay Area accordionists, Daniel Ari and Aaron Seeman. They decided to do an accordion only tour, which was the first Monsters of Accordion. The tour has since featured such accordionists as Corn Mo, Geoff Berner, Amy Denio, Mark Growden, Stevhen Iancu, and Eric Stern.The ‘Monsters of Accordion 2010’ features Corn Mo, Renee de la Prade and the Petrojvic Blasting Co, plus a special guest each night. December 15th, 8pm – Neomos, 925 E Pike St, Seattle, Washington 16th, 7pm – Kennedy School Theater, Portland, Oregon 17th, 8pm – Wow Hall, Eugene, Or 18th, 8pm – Slim’s, San Francisco, California 19th, 8pm, Troubador, Los Angeles, CA For further information email: jason@jasonwebley.com |
Félicien Brut and Pierre Laval Concert, Menat – Franceby Rob Howard |
 The impressive young accordion duo Félicien Brut and Pierre Laval perform at Salle la passerelle, Pont de Menat, Menat, on Saturday December 18th, 8pm – 10.30pm. |
‘Emporium’ at the Semiteatro, Rome – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| ‘Emporium’ is a play involving just two actors, Antonio Sanna and Francesco Sechi, to the accordion accompaniment of Roberto Palermo. The play is based on a poem, ‘Poemetto di Civile Indignazione’, by Marco Onofrio. The original musical score is written by Alessandro Panatteri and Roberto Palermo. The production takes place on Saturday December 4th, 9pm, and on Sunday December 5th, 6pm, at the Semiteatro, via Adelaide Bono Cairoli 3, Rome. For further information email Roberto Palermo: rob.palermo@yahoo.it |
New and Updated Sites |
December 2010 Diatonic News Now Onlineby Werner Weibert |
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| The December 2010 Diatonic News is now online. |
December Accordion USA News Now Onlineby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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| The December Accordion USA News is now online. |
NAA Publications new music releasesby National Accordion Association |
 National Accordion Association releases 4 new pieces, 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?', catalog:naa176, 'Open Up Your Heart', catalog:naa178, 'Frosty, Etude In C—G--Bb', catalog:naa180 and 'Wheel Of Fortune', catalog:naa181. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Zevy Zions Releases New Arrangementby Zevy Zions |
 Zevy Zions releases 1 new arrangement, 'William Tell', catalog:zzions013. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Franck Angelis release 1 new workby Franck Angelis |
 Franck Angelis release 1 new piece, 'Haiti', catalog:ang561. Sample of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
Lydie Auvray Trioby Roberto Lucanero |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of "Lydie Auvray Trio" by Roberto Lucanero. Performer is Lydie Auvray. |
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