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Highlights |
Michel Teló – No 1 in Most Charts Around the World – Brazil
8th International Andreev Competition, St Petersburg - Russia
1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Video of 2011 Trophée Mondial, Now Online - Italy
4th Festival Internacional de Acordeones, Salto – Uruguay
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Toni Savage BEM QSM Farewelled with a Standing Ovation, Auckland – New Zealand
La Bottine Souriante New CD, Quebec – Canada
Lifetime Achievement Award for Yehuda Oppenheimer – Israel
Music Training and the Aging Process - ScienceDaily Internet article
‘14 Years Ago’ – The MIDI Accordion Reaches China
Future events |
Concert by Mirjana Petercol’s Accordion Students, Wiesbaden – Germany
Marco Lo Russo @ Winter Garden Festival, Latina – Italy
Mazaika Performances in February, London – UK
Accordion Tuition Course, Rennes – France
Tony Lovello Entertains, Kentucky – USA
Accordion Variety Concert, Glasgow – UK
‘Intro to Accordion Workshop’, San Francisco – USA
New and Updated Sites |
Renzo Ruggieri Releases New CD
Karen Fremar Releases New Composition
Amy Jennings eSheet Site is Updated
Jay Latulippe eSheet Music Site is Updated
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Hohner Announce the Anacleto Range & Vamonos Wireless Microphone - USAby Rob Howard |
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 Scott Emmerman of Hohner Products Inc, based in Glen Allen, Virginia, USA, announced some new products, at the recent NAMM Show in Los Angeles.The Anacleto Collection, a new premium line of accordions, designed by Anacleto Gabbanelli, of Castelfidardo, Italy. The Anacleto range will be available in different keys and colors, including the 3, 5 and 9 switch (coupler) models, two-tone, four-row diatonic, and 48 bass piano models as well. All are hand crafted with hand-made reeds, beautiful crystal design, and the fingerboard with smooth action that has become the trademark of Anacleto. For years these quality accordions have been a part of the music scene in many music genres including Norteño, Tex-Mex, and Zydeco. There is also the option of selecting custom models that include upgraded grilles, bellow design, crystal design layout, and other features. The Anacleto series will only be available through a group of selected dealers. Hohner, Inc. also announces the launch of the Vamonos wireless accordion microphone system, which enables accordionists to freely move about the stage, delivering professional sound quality for performances and limiting feedback. This system will capture both the high and low reed sounds, amplifying the natural accordion sound that players desire. Technically interesting is its operation over an 18MHZ UHF bandwidth with ability of selecting up to 90 UHF frequencies with the dual internal receiver circuits competing for the strongest possible reception resulting in less noise and RF interference. The rear panel features both XLR and ¼” outputs. For further information email Scott Emmerman: semmerman@hohnerusa.com |
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Michel Teló – No 1 in Most Charts Around the World – Brazilby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Michel Teló is a Brazilian singer and composer, who has been part of two bands, coming to success with the Grupo Tradição. The most popular songs of this group are worth mentioning: ‘Barquinho’, ‘O caldeirão’, ‘Pra sempre minha bida’, ‘A brasileira’, ‘Ai se eu te pego’ and ‘Eu quero você’, which were all compsed by Michel Teló. Besides being a singer, he also plays the accordion, harmonica and guitar and dances.With the song ‘Ai se eu te pego’ Michel Teló became famous outside of Brazil, thanks to the Brazilian player Neymar that, in a video posted on the web and viewed from many locations, he performed in the dressing room before a football match in Santos dancing to the tune of the song. After this, the song was danced by many other popular players. His biggest national and international hit is ‘Ai se eu te pego!’, a number 1 hit in most European countries. |
8th International Andreev Competition, St Petersburg - Russiaby Harley Jones |
 The 8th International ‘Andreev Competition’ for young performers on folk instruments takes place from April 28th to May 6th 2012 in St Petersburg, Russia. The competition is held for performers on the following instruments: button accordion, piano accordion, balalaika, domra, gusli, and guitar. Entries close 1st March 2012.The Competition is divided into 4 age categories: Category Junior – up to the age of 9 inclusive Category Middle – from 10 up to the age of 12 inclusive Category Senior – from 13 up to the age of 15 inclusive Category Juvenile – up to the age of 18 inclusive The Competition is organized by the Federal agency of Culture and cinematography, St Petersburg Committee of Culture, Committee of Education, Committee of Culture of Leningrad Region, St Petersburg Educational-Methodical Centre of Committee of Culture, Director’s Council of Educational Establishments of the Committee of Culture, and St Petersburg’s Methodical Bureau of Folk Instruments Section. For the full rules or further information, email: accordions@mail.ru |
1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Video of 2011 Trophée Mondial, Now Online - Italyby |
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| The 2011 61st Trophée Mondial, organised by the Confédération Mondiale de l'Accordéon (CMA), was held, 13th to 18th September 2011 in Pineto, Italy. The CMA and MusicForAccordion.com announces the sponsoring of Free Educational Video Downloads. The performances of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners of each 2011 Trophée Mondial category are online for the educational benefit of accordion teachers and students. Click 2011CMA-video to see over 40 videos downloadable to your computer. The purpose is to enable accordion teachers and students to see the performances of the Trophée Mondial Laureates and assist the education of young accordionists around the world. The CMA thanks MusicForAccordion.com for their assistance in making this project possible. 2011CMA-video |
4th Festival Internacional de Acordeones, Salto – Uruguayby Rob Howard |
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| The 4th Festival Internacional de Acordeones takes place on July 21st 2012 at the Teatro Municipal Larrañaga, Salto, Uruguay. This non-profit making festival is organized by Silvio Previale Jr, and carries the name of his father, accordion teacher and founder of the event, Silvio B. Previale, who died in 2007. The festival will involve accordionists from Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Portugal and Spain. A master class is expected to be a feature of the event. The event is recognized by the Cultural Incentive Funds MEC, sponsored by the Municipality of Salto, Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay, Hotel Los Naranjos, Argentine Consulate in Salto. Tickets will be sold throughout Uruguay through Red UTS. For further information email: academiaspreviale@hotmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Passing of Joe Smiell, San Francisco - USAby Joan Grauman Morse |
  Beloved accordionist, composer, conductor and arranger, Joe Smiell, died January 31st, after being diagnosed with liver cancer only one week ago. Joe also conducted his Accordion Chamber Ensemble (ACE) in San Francisco for the last time one week ago Monday. I had the pleasure of playing under Joe's baton in 2006 and 2007 at the Galla-Rini Camp in the San Francisco area. He was the kindest, dearest man and a tremendously talented musician. Joe touched everyone with generosity, his love for music and his love for the accordion. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to Joe's family and to the San Francisco Accordion Club. An article on Joe Smiell's long and productive life will follow shortly on the Accordion USA News website. Photos by Steve Mobia. Please send messages of condolence which will be forwarded to family members. Email Lynn Ewing, President of the San Francisco Accordion Club (SFAC): Ewinglynn@gmail.com |
Toni Savage BEM QSM Farewelled with a Standing Ovation, Auckland – New Zealandby Harley Jones |
 The funeral of well known blind accordionist 92 year old Toni Savage was held on January 4th 2012 with the funeral notified as ‘Toni's Last Gig’ and the subheading “This will be a celebration of Toni’s life and in accordance with her wishes… it will not be a gloomy affair!!” The Waitakere Brass Band were playing outside in tribute to Toni and the funeral was reported in the national news as “a colorful woman was remembered with a colorful funeral in Auckland today”. Entertainer Laura Joan Savage, known by her stage name Toni Savage, died at 92 years of age, and in memory of the work she did with guide dogs, she was given a special guard of honour. Toni Savage had wanted an upbeat celebration, not a solemn funeral, but it's never easy to say goodbye to an old friend. Friends are one thing she had a lot of, and today they remembered what it was that made her so popular. "She always had great energy that she brought to the room," said famous New Zealand entertainer Tom Sharplin. "People liked her very much, respected her and liked her, and admired her talent," says Guy Cater of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. Most of all, she made people laugh. Toni Savage took up the accordion in her teens and before long, she was performing at parties. That was only a few years before she began to lose her sight, but that didn't slow her down. In later life she devoted much of her time to help and entertain others, and raised money for guide dogs to help others like her who were also blind. She received many awards for her work, including a Queen's Service Medal for her services to entertainment. It was a fitting service for a remarkable woman, and Toni Savage was farewelled off the stage with the biggest reward any entertainer could wish for – a standing ovation. The accordion has lost a very good friend. The section about Toni Savage from the book (catalog No: nzaa1081) History of the Accordion in New Zealand, by Wallace Liggett, is linked: Toni Savage BEM QSM |
La Bottine Souriante New CD, Quebec – Canadaby Rob Howard |
 La Bottine Souriante, from Quebec, is a ten piece ensemble who specialize in traditional Québécois folk song and dance music. Formed in 1976, their present line-up includes Pierre Bélisle (piano accordion) and Benoît Bourque (diatonic accordion).La Bottine Souriante’s new CD, ‘Appellation D' Origine Controlee’, presents a selection of lively Québécois dance tunes. The tracks are: ‘Cette bouteille-la’, ‘Mon pere’, ‘Reel a Roland’, ‘Le gourmand’, ‘Chus chatouilleux’, ‘Andre Alain en sol majeur’, ‘Au rang d'aimer’, ‘Intsusadi’, ‘Reel Calgary’, ‘On va barrer les portes’, ‘Pele-mele’, ‘Le baillard’. For further information email: support@allcelticmusic.com |
Lifetime Achievement Award for Yehuda Oppenheimer – Israelby Harley Jones |
 Yehuda Oppenheimer is being honored on the 14th February with a Lifetime Achievement Award for all that he has done for the accordion during his lifetime in Israel. Yehuda has been ill in hospital and through his wife Adina, has thanked the many people who have sent him get well messages. I am pleased to report that Yehuda is steadily improving and hopes be home from hospital next week, with a few days to spare before the Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony on the 14th February. Anyone wishing to send Yehuda Oppenheimer a get well or congratulations message may email: adinaya@netvision.net.il Last November, we reported the newly published book (picture left), ‘The Man, the Accordion, and the Legend’ (Catalog No: oybook) is a unique and monumental book, containing all 30 compositions plus 30 classical transcriptions of Yehuda Oppenheimer, Israel’s most accomplished accordionist. The beautifully presented book also includes a short biography plus many photographs. The book is large sized, hard back, and has 250 pages. Catalog No: oybook price is €30 or the US$ equivalent plus postage, available online. Below are also some pictures taken at the launch of the book in October attended by 42 of Yehuda's former pupils and their families (pictures below), two of whom came especially from the USA to attend. Available online at Yehuda Oppenheimer are two CD's, sound samples, original compositions, arrangements of folk music and famous classics. |
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Music Training and the Aging Process - ScienceDaily Internet articleby Harley Jones |
  Those who play the accordion (or other instruments) or sing will doubtless be aware that making music is good for your general health. To my knowledge, no studies have been done about the physical co-ordination factor of playing a musical instrument relative to age but I suspect, that playing a complex instrument like the accordion also impacts positively on the physical co-ordination aging process too.A recent article, ‘Music training has biological impact on aging process’, is reproduced here from the US-based news website ScienceDaily here for your interest…? Science Daily (Jan. 30, 2012) — Age-related delays in neural timing are not inevitable and can be avoided or offset with musical training, according to a new study from Northwestern University. The study is the first to provide biological evidence that lifelong musical experience has an impact on the aging process. Measuring the automatic brain responses of younger and older musicians and non-musicians to speech sounds, researchers in the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory discovered that older musicians had a distinct neural timing advantage. "The older musicians not only outperformed their older non-musician counterparts, they encoded the sound stimuli as quickly and accurately as the younger non-musicians," said Northwestern neuroscientist Nina Kraus. "This reinforces the idea that how we actively experience sound over the course of our lives has a profound effect on how our nervous system functions." Kraus, professor of communication sciences in the School of Communication and professor of neurobiology and physiology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, is co-author of "Musical experience offsets age-related delays in neural timing" published online in the journal Neurobiology of Aging. "These are very interesting and important findings," said Don Caspary, a nationally known researcher on age-related hearing loss at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. "They support the idea that the brain can be trained to overcome, in part, some age-related hearing loss." "The new Northwestern data, with recent animal data from Michael Merzenich and his colleagues at University of California, San Francisco, strongly suggest that intensive training even late in life could improve speech processing in older adults and, as a result, improve their ability to communicate in complex, noisy acoustic environments," Caspary added. Previous studies from Kraus' Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory suggest that musical training also offset losses in memory and difficulties hearing speech in noise -- two common complaints of older adults. The lab has been extensively studying the effects of musical experience on brain plasticity across the life span in normal and clinical populations, and in educational settings. However, Kraus warns that the current study's findings were not pervasive and do not demonstrate that musician's have a neural timing advantage in every neural response to sound. "Instead, this study showed that musical experience selectively affected the timing of sound elements that are important in distinguishing one consonant from another." The automatic neural responses to speech sounds delivered to 87 normal-hearing, native English-speaking adults were measured as they watched a captioned video. "Musician" participants began musical training before age 9 and engaged consistently in musical activities through their lives, while "non-musicians" had three years or less of musical training. Story Source: The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Northwestern University. The original article was written by Wendy Leopold. Journal Reference: Alexandra Parbery-Clark, Samira Anderson, Emily Hittner, Nina Kraus. Musical experience offsets age-related delays in neural timing. Neurobiology of Aging, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.12.015 |
‘14 Years Ago’ – The MIDI Accordion Reaches Chinaby Rob Howard |
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 MIDI, developed in the USA in the 1980s by engineer and musician Dave Smith, reached China in the following decade. The Accordions Worldwide news for January 30th 1998 announced that Maurice Jones, from New Zealand, had recently given the first public performances and workshops using MIDI accordion, thereby demonstrating the possibilities of this innovative technology. Maurice Jones remains very active today as Manager of Accordion House Importer/Retailer in New Zealand, which imports and sells new and used accordions and repairs. Maurice Jones was featured at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale in New Zealand, above on the TV 3 Sunrise Breakfast Show and right at the Mix and Mingle Evening. The Weekly News article from 14 years ago read: FIRST MIDI ACCORDION CONCERTS IN CHINA Contributed by Maurice Jones New Zealand professional accordionist, Maurice Jones, toured China from January 15th to 25th, playing concerts and giving workshops in Shanghai, Fuzhou and Xiamin cities. These concerts were organised by the Shanghai Accordion Association and the Fujian Accordion Association and were reportedly the first MIDI synthesised accordion concerts in China. In Shanghai, Maurice filled the 1500 seat Shanghai Concert Theatre, two nights running, with hundreds queued up outside hoping for a spare ticket. This concert theatre is the most prestigious venue in Shanghai. Press and the TV news covered Maurice's modern electronic/acoustic programme, which included hits like Lambada, Dancing Queen (Abba), tangos and American marches, and he was mobbed by autograph hunters after every concert. Workshops were given in each city on improvisation, own arrangements, and modern bass rhythms. Maurice has been invited back later this year with requests that he perform in many more cities. |
Future events |
Festival Het Accordeon, Deventer – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
 The 12th bi-annual Festival Het Accordeon in Deventer, Netherlands, takes place from February 2nd to 5th, featuring a wide range of musicians, bands, and orchestras. The festival offers concerts and workshops, with the bandoneon player Carel Kraayenhof hosting the Saturday evening concert. The festival guests include the Dutch Symphony Orchestra and bayan player Geir Draugsvoll, the Nederlands Accordeon Ensemble, Orchestra De Ereprijs, Piazzo Ensemble, the Etty Hillesum Lyceum Schoolorkest, Hot Griselda (Belgium), tango and fado pianist Juan Pablo Dobal (Argentina), The Van Amsterdam Duo, Nederlands Jeugd Accordeon Orkest, Bram van Weverberg and Kwintetto, Hans Günther Kölz and Matthias Anton (accordion/saxophone), Luciano Biondini and Maarten van der Grinten (Jazz – accordion/guitar), Marijke Boon (accordion/saxophone/clarinet), Gertie Bruin, Mia Gast and Nanne van der Werff (accordion/voice/piano), Claudia Buder and Matias de Oliviera Pinto (accordion/cello), Rick Slagers (blues harmonica), Beltuner (France), Balfolk (diatonic button accordion), Quatuor d'Amore and actor Hubert Damen (Tango: music and poetry), Alphen Opus 2, Flemish harmonica player Wim Claeys and Frenchman Bruno le Tron, De Beer & Co, classical accordionist Ivan Koval, TOEAC, and Joris Linssen & Caramba. For further information email: info@hetaccordeon.nl |
Concert by Mirjana Petercol’s Accordion Students, Wiesbaden – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 A first concert of this year by the accordion class students of Professor Mirjana Petercol will take place with the subject ‘Absolutely Romantic’, where her students will present in the wonderful Ringkirche in Wiesbaden numerous works of romantic and neo-romantic composers (including Reger, Karg-Elert, Boelman, Piazzola). The concert is on Sunday February 5th at 5pm with free admission.For further information email: mirjanapetercol@gmx.de |
Marco Lo Russo @ Winter Garden Festival, Latina – Italyby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Marco Lo Russo performs music from his most recent CDs at ‘Rockin’, Latina, as part of the Winter Garden Festival on February 5th, 9pm. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Mazaika Performances in February, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 The accordion/violin duo Mazaika, Igor Outkine (vocals, accordion), and Sarah Harrison(violin, vocals), perform this month as follows: February 8th, 9pm - Valentine Masquerade Party, Green Room, Actors Club, 5 Cavendish Square, Oxford Circus, London W1 OPG. February 11th, 8.30pm - Masked Ball of the TangoBootCamp Valentines Festival, Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove, East Sussex BN3 3TH February 18th, midnight - Valentine’s Masked Ball, The Last Tuesday Society, 11 Mare Street, London E8 8RP February 24th, 7.30pm - ‘Phantom of the Opera’ (1925), starring Lon Chaney; live improvised music accompaniment will be performed by one man ‘Silent Orchestra’ orchestra Igor Outkine; The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, London SE15 3BE. Tickets: £10, and advance booking is recommended; please send your payment by PayPal to: igor@mazaika-music.com For further information email: info@mazaika-music.com |
Accordion Tuition Course, Rennes – Franceby Rob Howard |
  An accordion tuition course led by Domi Emorine, Roman Jbanov and Camille Privat takes place on Saturday February 25th and Sunday 26th at EMCR, 9 bis square Louis Armand, Rennes, Brittany. The course, titled ‘Stage d’Accordéon Chromatique’, is organized by L'association Atout Vent, and is open to all levels, and with no age limit. The closing date for registrations is February 10th. For further information email: atout.vent@yahoo.fr CD's available from Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov |
Tony Lovello Entertains, Kentucky – USAby Rob Howard |
 Veteran accordion entertainer Tony Lovello will be performing one night only at the ‘Three Suns Bistro’, Brannon Crossing, 298 E. Brannon Rd, Nicholasville, Kentucky, on Saturday February 11th, 6pm to 9pm. |
Accordion Variety Concert, Glasgow – UKby Rob Howard |
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| On Saturday March 3rd Scottish showbusiness legends The Alexander Brothers, singer Alastair McDonald, and the Graham Laurie Paisley Accordion Orchestra (picture above) are in concert at the Mitchell Theatre, 6 Granville Street, Charing Cross, Glasgow G3 7DR. For further information email: servicedesk@s1play.com |
‘Intro to Accordion Workshop’, San Francisco – USAby Rob Howard |
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| Each Saturday, at 4pm, an ‘Intro to Accordion Workshop’, led by Valle Tiberti and Julie Bruce, takes place at The Accordion Apocalypse Repair Shop, 255 10th St., San Francisco, CA 94103. Anyone interested can learn to play the piano accordion in a fun, creative, and inspired environment with other beginners. There will be an accordion anatomy lesson, accordion care tips, learn a song, and practice time to work in small groups. Accordions to borrow will be available during workshops on a first come first serve basis. The Apocalypse Repair Shop is owned and run by Skyler Fell. For further information email: accordionapocalypse@yahoo.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Klaus Paier Releases New CDsby Klaus Paier |
  Klaus Paier selling new CDs titled 'Tango', catalog: kpaier101 and 'Accordion'. catalog:kpaier102 with sound samples. Music performed by Klaus Paier. Purchase online |
Renzo Ruggieri Releases New CDby Renzo Ruggieri |
 Renzo Ruggieri selling new CD titled Opera?, catalog: rruggieri09 with sound samples. Music performed by Renzo Ruggieri. Purchase online. |
Karen Fremar Releases New Compositionby Karen Fremar |
 Karen Fremar releases 1 new composition for accordion available for purchase online. ''Irish Dance', catalog:kfremar308. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Jay Latulippe eSheet Music Site is Updatedby Jay Latulippe |
| Jay Latulippe eSheet Music Site is Updated with further information available about the works. |
CD Reviews |
Classical Accordion CD by Paul Chamberlainby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Classical Accordion CD, reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers. Artist is Paul Chamberlain. |
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