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Highlights |
Video: 10th Anniversary Jubilee Concert of "Harmony", Rostov-on-Don - Russia
Accordions Rising Filmmaker Roberta Cantow Wins Two Awards - USA
Japan’s Ambassador to Uruguay, an Enthusiastic Accordionist! - Uruguay, Japan
Guardia Nueva Christmas Sibelius Theme, Kokkola, Kalajoki – Finland
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordion Masterclass and Gala Concert in Genk - Belgium
Video: 10th Chinese Golden Bell Award For Music, Accordion Competition - China
Idan Raichel records his first solo album, Kfar Saba – Israel
Video: Organ & Accordion Quartet Performance - New Zealand
Thousands raised by Lewis and Harris Accordion and Fiddle Club - Scotland
Video: Michael Bridge Duo "Rock Bach" New Album - USA
World War 2, Imprisonment, and the Accordion in Karaganda – Kazakhstan & Japan
David Vernon’s St Andrews Night Ball, Warsaw – Poland
Video: Joseph Natoli Performs Epic Cinema Soundrack - USA
‘14 Years Ago’: Lácides Romero Performs in Cathedral, November 2001 - Columbia
Future events |
Akkordeon-Orchester Baltmannsweiler e.V. Concert, Baltmannsweiler – Germany
London Accordion Orchestra (LAO) Concerts, London – UK
Peter Burke Dancing Gigs, Cork, Tipperary, Limerick – Republic of Ireland
Zoe Tiganouria performs each Sunday in December, Athens – Greece
Roman Jbanov Recital, Auvergne – France
Rob Howard & John Jones @ Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Cheshire – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Gary Daverne Site Updated and New Navigation - New Zealand
New and Updated Site: Sergey Osokin, New CD, Performer and Teacher, Moscow - Russia
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri 2 New Works Released - Australia
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
XXIII International Accordion Solo Competition "Arrasate Hiria" - Spainby Harley Jones |
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  Hauspoz (Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea) in collaboration with the City of Arrasate, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government and SGAE Foundation organizes the XXIII International Accordion Competition "Arrasate Hiria", the XXXVI Accordion Contest Gipuzkoa and Gipuzkoa XXVIII Accordion Festival, 4th to 6th December 2015 in Arrasate.As well as the international competition, there are many national classes and a festival with about 350 accordionists from a number of countries. Download the 56 page 2015 program: 2015AHiria.pdf There are entries in the top solo category from: Austria, China, Finland, Germany, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. View contestant details in the program. The international jury includes: Vojin Vasovic (Serbia), Matti Rantanen (Finland), Iñaki Alberdi (Spain), James Crabb (Scotland), Stefan Hussong (Germany). Concerts and Lectures include: Jaso and Marcelo Javier Lopez Quartet, Gorka Hermosa and Francisco San Emeterio, Awards concerts including winners of the 2014 competitions. |
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Video: 10th Anniversary Jubilee Concert of "Harmony", Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Harley Jones |
  The International Music Center 'Harmony' is celebrating 10 years of musical successes with a special 10th Anniversary 'Concert of Harmony' in Palace of Culture Rostvertol. Video of the Jubilee 10th Anniversary 'Concert of Harmony' will be online here by Sunday morning Europe time. Read the International Music Center 'Harmony' 10 years of history at: 2015Harmony The International Music Center 'Harmony' has its largest project ever in 2016 being the host of the 2016 Coupe Mondiale in Rostov-on-Don, 11th to 17th September. |
Accordions Rising Filmmaker Roberta Cantow Wins Two Awards - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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  Filmmaker Roberta Cantow with "Accordions Rising" has achieved two prestigious awards at the recent Accolade Global Film Competition, California: - Documentary - Award of Merit - Movie Trailer - Award of Recognition Currently in its 11th year, Accolade Global Film Competition is a worldwide competition. Previous award winners have gone on to win Oscars, Emmys and other important film awards. Roberta Cantow wrote: "Accordions Rising" reflects something of the landscape of our very own America, our very own culture and our very own present. The more in love with accordions and accordion music I became, the more determined I was to celebrate the talents of those who play and compose for them. I am so pleased to have encountered the feast of artists who appear in the film. Hats off to them for so eloquently setting the record straight." If you have not joined the Accordions Rising mailing list and would like to be informed when this film becomes available on DVD or for streaming, please go to www.accordionsrising.com (and click on Contact). For more information: rcantow@originaldigital.net |
Japan’s Ambassador to Uruguay, an Enthusiastic Accordionist! - Uruguay, Japanby Rob Howard |
 From an article in the Financial Times by Lucinda Elliott. Keiko Tanaka, from Tokyo, recently appointed Japan’s ambassador to Uruguay in Montevideo, wants to fine-tune trade ties with Latin America — and pick up a few musical customs on the way. Picture right: Keiko Tanaka with her accordion in the Teatro Solis, Uruguay’s oldest theatre. Her first diplomatic posting is unusual in more ways than one. She may seem a natural choice for a diplomat after a successful career in business spanning 33 years and three continents with the car manufacturer Nissan. Japan is looking to promote trade links in Latin America and has frequently appointed industry executives to its diplomatic service. Keiko Tanaka is the first lady appointed. An electric guitar player and music fan, Tanaka is also an enthusiastic J-Pop (Japanese pop) singer on karaoke. “I imagine myself as a bit of a rocker in my old age, with long grey hair,” laughs Tanaka. Inspired by Uruguay’s tangos and milongas, she has also taken up the accordion with great enthusiasm. |
Guardia Nueva Christmas Sibelius Theme, Kokkola, Kalajoki – Finlandby Rob Howard |
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 Videos from the recent 2015 Coupe Mondiale concert.Video 1: Sa et Kyynelta NAA Video 2: Tico Tico The fabulous Finnish tango and entertainment orchestra Guardia Nueva, which recently performed at 2015 Coupe Mondiale in Turku and at the Usedom Festival, Germany, has two new concerts scheduled for this weekend. These are Christmas concerts with a Jean Sibelius theme. This year is the 150th anniversary of the birth of this great Finnish composer (1865-1957) and Guardia Nueva has included a lot of pieces by Sibelius in the program. Conductor and music director is Raimo Vertainen (picture right). Guardia Nueva will perform all the Christmas music that Sibelius has written and also the famous composition ‘Valse Triste’, arranged by the conductor Raimo Vertainen for the orchestra. The soloist for the orchestra is one of Finland’s most famous bass-baritones, Juha Uusitalo, who has made a successful career in the leading opera houses in Bayreuth, Germany, Covent Garden, London, and the Metropolitan in New York. The concerts take place in Kokkola church on Friday December 4th, 7.30pm, and in Kalajoki church on Saturday December 5th, 6pm. Video of all the Guardia Nueva Coupe Mondiale concert is online at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2015/video08concert.htm CD's available online at: Guardia Nueva |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Michael Late, Semi-Finals, Britain's Got Talent 2015 - UKby Diatonic News |
| Britains Got Talent TV Show. Magician Michael's Austrian-themed act was a hit the first time - Semifinals Sunday 29th Oct. 2015. Video 1: The Austrian Lederhosen Wearing Magician features an accordion "construction" specially made by Strasser with an extra length bellow for this act. Video 2: Continues the Austrian theme music and style. |
Accordion Masterclass and Gala Concert in Genk - Belgiumby Harley Jones |
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 Picture above: Genk Academy Accordion Class conducted by Wendy Remans.Last weekend, Ronald Ehlen and Wendy Remans (picture left) with their accordion sextet 'Aerophonic' organised a gala concert in association with the Genk Academy for Music, Word & Dance and the Genk Academy for Arts, to celebrate their 60th & 70th anniversaries. The weekend started with a masterclass by Gorka Hermosa at the Genk Academy followed by a concert that showcased a wide variety of music of all genres and performers of all ages. It began with an orchestra comprised of the accordion class of the Genk Academy conducted by Wendy Remans. Next Gorka Hermosa showcased his compositions ranging from traditional to contemporary music including Fragilissimo, Gernika, Paco & Pater Noster. Next Aerophonic performed and then added Grayson Masefield as soloist, to perform the world premiere of Rhapsody No. 2 for Accordion Solo and Orchestra composed by Gary Daverne. This work was written for Grayson Masefield. The concert finished with a solo recital by Grayson Masefield of classical and variety music. His program included Ka Mate by Gorka Hermosa and Semionov's Unforgettable. He also made the premiere of Disco Medley a new arrangement by renowned Jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri. Picture below: Gorka Hermosa (left), Grayson Masefield Maori Haka War Dance introduction to Ka Mate. |
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Video: 10th Chinese Golden Bell Award For Music, Accordion Competition - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Li Churan, 4th place
 Videos above: Last week we featured videos by the 1st and 2nd place getters and this week we feature video of the 3rd place Jiang Bolong and 4th place Li Churan semi-final programs. Allow a few seconds for the loading of these videos.Daily Reports of video, photos, rules and results at: 2015GoldenBell |
Idan Raichel records his first solo album, Kfar Saba – Israelby Rob Howard |
 Idan Raichel (born 1977) is an Israeli singer/songwriter, pianist and accordionist, known for his Idan Raichel Project, distinctive for its fusion of electronics, Hebrew texts, Arab and Ethiopian music. Raichel has recently recorded his first solo CD, ‘At the Edge of the Beginning’, set for release in January 2016.Born in Kfar Saba, a leafy central Israeli town, at the age of 9 Raichel first played and studied the accordion, an instrument introduced to him by his mother, along with mandolin played by his grandfather. “I don’t think any kid picks the accordion to play,” laughed Raichel, who said he thanks his parents for “almost forcing” him to play the accordion. “It’s maybe the most uncool instrument. But it was these strong Israeli roots that made me aware of other kinds of music. The accordion is a very global instrument, and in all the melodies of the Idan Raichel Project and this solo project, you feel its influence.” |
Video: Organ & Accordion Quartet Performance - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
| 1. Simple Gifts - in Jazz by Joe Utterback for accordion quartet and organ 2. Rigaudon by Andre Campra arranged for accordion quartet and organ by Stephen Vincent Uploaded on Oct 3, 2015 Performed at St Lukes Church, Remuera, Auckland NZ 4 October 2015 Performers: Steven Vincent (organ), accordionists left to right: Stephanie Poole, Lionel Reekie, Campbell Bettridge, Alexandra Reekie (bass accordion). |
Thousands raised by Lewis and Harris Accordion and Fiddle Club - Scotlandby Rob Howard |
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| Pictured is the presentation of the cheque. Report by the Stornoway Gazette. A hugely enjoyable night took place at the Lewis and Harris Accordion and Fiddle Club’s November event, the ‘Iain Crichton Memorial Charity Night’, where a cheque for £2,890 was donated this year to ‘Enable’, a charity that supports those with special needs on a daily basis. The money was raised by members of the club playing at the Coop and Tesco stores plus the proceeds on the night. This brings the total donated to local bodies by the club since 2000 to £27,607. For an equally enjoyable evening of accordion and fiddle music the club meets in the Caladh Inn, Lewis and Harris, on the first Thursday of every month starting 8pm and all are welcome. |
Video: Michael Bridge Duo "Rock Bach" New Album - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
| Michael Bridge (accordion) and Kornel Wolak (clarinet), video published on Nov 23, 2015. Brahms: "Rondo alla Zingarese" Armed with accordion and clarinet, Double-Double Duo uniquely fuses classical showpieces with rock, jazz and world music. This piece was released on Double-Double's "Rock Bach" album in November, 2015. |
World War 2, Imprisonment, and the Accordion in Karaganda – Kazakhstan & Japanby Harley Jones |
 2015 marks 70 years since the end of World War II and this is especially notable, because so few who lived during that terrible period of conflict are alive today.For the 70th Anniversary, there have been many news stories around the world about WWII and some of these stories have featured accordion pictures. Just last month while visiting the CIA Archives in Finland, I was shown a book of photographs of accordion/soldiers selected from WWII archives by the Finnish Accordion Association. Pictures showed prisoners and soldiers enjoying accordion music together. Below is a story, this time from Japan of how the music of the accordion helped in terrible times. Yuisuke Tanaka, a member of the Japanese Kwantung Army occupying Manchuria, was one of 1,000 Japanese soldiers imprisoned in Karaganda in central Kazakhstan, which was part of the former USSR. Yuisuke Tanaka, now 89 years old, was 19 years old when he was detained. He and his comrades were sent to a Soviet labour camp, where conditions were very bad and the work was hard. Anyone who tried to escape was gunned down. The temperatures in Karaganda dropped below minus 40C in winter. Tanaka lost two fingers to frostbite and suffered a serious head injury due to a fall while working laying railway tracks. “Living was harder than dying,” he recalled. Yet even within this harsh life, there were happy moments. A German soldier in the camp taught Tanaka to play the accordion, and the heartwarming tunes of the instrument soothed his desperate mind. Tanaka returned to Japan in 1949 and after much hard work became a musician. Since the 1980s, he has been sharing his experiences in the camp and the importance of music to the soul while playing the accordion, which continues to do to this day. |
David Vernon’s St Andrews Night Ball, Warsaw – Polandby Rob Howard |
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| Scottish accordionist David Vernon writes, “Another great night on Saturday, playing for the Warsaw Caledonian Society. Personally it was my 28th trip to play for them, and the 20th year doing their St Andrews Night Ball. Singer/guitarist Andy Ramage and I did the first one in 1996. Saturday was very much focused on fund-raising for local charities, (especially children) and the charity auction/raffle at midnight raised an astonishing 160,000 Zloty, which is approximately £26,500. Now that's a result in anyone's book!!” |
Video: Joseph Natoli Performs Epic Cinema Soundrack - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
| Joseph Natoli Performs Epic Cinema Soundrack. Joe Natoli was performing at the “Carrefour Mondiale de L’Accordeon", an annual international accordion and diatonic festival in Montmagny, Quebec, Canada. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Lácides Romero Performs in Cathedral, November 2001 - Columbiaby Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending November 30th 2001 included an article announcing a concert at the cathedral in Montería, Columbia, to be given by Lácides Romero. In a country where the diatonic accordion and folk music are dominant, Lácides Romero has trod a different path, performing mainly classical music on the accordion. He continues to this day giving recitals and master classes, not only in Colombia but in other countries also. Long may he be an inspiration to accordionists in South America. Cathedral Concert – Colombia Colombian Accordionist Lácides Romero, will perform at the Montería Cathedral in Montería on December 1st. The concert will take place to celebrate the appointment of the new Bishop, Julio Vidal. Romero's program will include ‘Allemande and Gigue in G Major’, ‘Pasacalle con Variaciones’ (Handel), ‘Saltarella’ (Leybach) and ‘Slavonic Dance No 8’ (Dvorak). |
Future events |
Cory Pesaturo To Perform with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestraby Rita Davidson Barnea |
| Video: Published on Aug 6, 2015. Business Rockstars has former Coupe Mondiale Digital Accordion category winner and revolutionary Cory Pesaturo on the show! As usual, Pink Floyd's Scott Page brings the artist on. Cory Pesaturo will perform with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at the Veteran's Memorial Hall in Providence on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 7:30 PM.. Cory has played with him many times in private settings and known him since 2010. The program is entitled "Big Band Holidays". Get into the swing of the season with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Under the direction of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer/trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, America’s preeminent jazz orchestra features 15 of the finest musicians working today. They’ll ring in the season with "Big Band Holidays", a night of swinging holiday favorites, New Orleans inflections and jazzy good cheer featuring the vocal stylings of special guest Denzal Sinclaire. This is JALC’s fourth year in partnership with FirstWorks to educate young musicians across Rhode Island and keep America’s great big band tradition alive and swinging. Cory is the youngest accordionist to perform with the Wynton Marsalis and JALC. (Jazz At Lincoln Center). For tickets call: 401-421-2787. |
Akkordeon-Orchester Baltmannsweiler e.V. Concert, Baltmannsweiler – Germanyby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday December 5th, 7.30pm, the three orchestras of the Akkordeon-Orchester Baltmannsweiler e.V. perform in concert at the Kulturzentrum Baltmannsweiler, Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany.Further details on the poster left. |
London Accordion Orchestra (LAO) Concerts, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 The London Accordion Orchestra (MD Ian Watson) performs in concert twice in the next week, as follows:Saturday December 5th, 6pm until 8pm - St Gabriel’s Church, Warwick Square, London SW1V 2AD; admission £12/£10 Friday December 11th, 8pm - Royal National Theatre, Southbank, London SE1 9PX; tickets are on sale via the National Theatre website. The London Accordion Orchestra began life in 1999 as the Morley Accordion Orchestra. The LAO plays a wide variety of music – from original works to show tunes and film music. In 2013 the LAO performed at the World Music Festival in Innsbruck, Austria. In 2014 the LAO hosted two overseas accordion orchestras – Torkest, from the Netherlands, and the Nuremberg AO, from Germany, and in 2015 the Akkordeon-Orchester Wiesbaden, from Germany. In 2016 the LAO will again perform at the World Music Festival in Innsbruck the World Music Festival in Innsbruck. For further information email: mail@londonao.co.uk |
Peter Burke Dancing Gigs, Cork, Tipperary, Limerick – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
 Upcoming dance gigs dates next week for Irish accordionist Peter Burke include:Saturday December 5th - Midleton GAA, County Cork Sunday December 6th – Ownahincha, Cork Monday December 7th - Templemore Arms, Main Street, Templemore, County Tipperary Wednesday December 9th - Bulgaden Castle, Kilmallock, County Limerick |
Zoe Tiganouria performs each Sunday in December, Athens – Greeceby Rob Howard |
 Video: Zoe Tiganouria Television appearance as guest of Reni Tsitsimpikou and Peter Koumpli on EPT Television on 30th July 2015. Accordionist Zoe Tiganouria entertains as part of a cultural show that pays homage to women on Sunday evenings throughout December 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, all beginning at 9pm, at Libra, Kydathinaion Street, Plaka, Athens. She will be playing some of her own compositions and also an international repertoire. Also performing are the string ensemble ‘Athenian Rhapsody’, and several dancers and singers. Admission (with beer and wine): 12 €. For further information email: info@zoe-music.net |
Roman Jbanov Recital, Auvergne – Franceby Rob Howard |
 Russian accordionist Roman Jbanov performs a recital, with a program of Russian and French classical works on Thursday December 10th, 8.30pm, at Maison de l’Oradou, 88 rue de l’Oradou, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne. Roman Jbanov, born 1976 in Pervomaisk, Russia, won several competitions, most notably the CMA Trophée Mondiale in 1997 in Andorra. He subsequently moved to France, formed the Paris-Moscow Duo with Domi Emorine, and often performs and holds master classes. |
Rob Howard & John Jones @ Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Cheshire – UKby Rob Howard |
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| Accordionists Rob Howard (picture left) and John Jones will be playing war songs and Christmas music in the Stockport Air Raid Shelters, 61 Chestergate, Stockport SK1 1NE, on Monday evenings December 14th and Thursday 17th. Picture above with the Mayor of Stockport. The evening consists of a guided tour at 7pm, followed by a singsong of war songs and carols at 8pm, with wine and mince pies. It's all very jolly and seasonal stuff, and Rob and John have been doing these gigs since 1999. The Shelters, a huge labyrinth of tunnels that stretches everywhere underneath the town centre, opened in 1939, and became home each night for up to 7,000 people in 1940/41. The Shelters were closed in May 1945, and were restored and re-opened by the council as an educational resource and tourist attraction in 1996. This year marks the 75th anniversary on the Manchester Blitz, which began on December 22nd 1940. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri 2 New Works Released - Australiaby Franco Cambareri |
 Franco Cambareri has released two new compositions this week:cfranco201 - L'ultima Bachata cfranco202 - Samba Rumbesca as an eSheet, able to be purchased online with credit card and sent to you by email. |
Updated Site: Gary Daverne Site Updated and New Navigation - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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 The website of Gary Daverne, Accordion Composer - Music Director - Orchestral Conductor - Arranger - Record Producer, has been updated with new navigation and further information. The recently released book "From the Podium" by Gary Daverne is available on the site. All the accordion compositions and recordings of Gary Daverne are available online at: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/daverne/index.htm |
New and Updated Site: Sergey Osokin, New CD, Performer and Teacher, Moscow - Russiaby Harley Jones |
 The new Il Dolce Dolore CD by Sergey Osokin (accordion) features four major works performing with Nadezhda Tokareva (violin) and Andrey Berezin (violoncello):1. Trio No. 1 Op. 9 for violin, cello and accordion (1986) Timo-Juhani Kyllönen 21:38 2. Dream Garden for Violoncello and bayan (1997) Mikhail Bronner 10:28 3. Fantasy in the Memory of Alfred Schnittke (1998) Efrem Podgaits 10:10 4. Il Dolce Dolore for violoncello and bayan (1990) Sergey Berinsky 10:40 Total time: 54:19 Sergey Osokin is a tutor at Schnittke's Moscow State Institute of Music and has been performing in many countries, including recently in China and Lithuania. Il Dolce Dolore is available as a CD (posted to you) or as eTracks mp3 download available online at: Sergey Osokin Site updates include the pages about two albums: os601 Eternal Returning CD and eTracks album os602 Il Cinema Per Sempre CD and eTracks album |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri 2 New Works Released - Australiaby Franco Cambareri |
 Franco Cambareri has released two new compositions last week:cfranco199 - Walking Sticks cfranco200 - Colours of Autumn as an eSheet, able to be purchased online with credit card and sent to you by email. |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: “So Far, So Close” CD by Incoerente Duoby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of “So Far, So Close” CD by Incoerente Duo – Alessandro Tampieri (violin), Giorgio Dellarole (accordion). Review by Alessandro Mugnoz. |
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