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Highlights |
2014 Harbin China Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
![]() The competitions are divided into 9 categories of solo and group sections for all ages. Entries close 25th July 2014. Entry information and entry application forms in Chinese and English at: Harbin 2014 The event is part of the 32nd China Harbin Summer Music Festival. Harbin was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2010. From August 7th to 11th 2014, some of the finest accordionists around the world will be competing and performing at the Concert Hall of Harbin Normal University. There will be concerts, workshops and a major international accordion competition. The Harbin 2014 chief organizer is Prof. Wang Hongyu (picture left), Vice-President of Media College of Harbin Normal University. Wang Hongyu ran the very successful Harbin 2010 and Harbin 2012 Summer International Accordion Art Week and Competitions which attracted over 500 entrants with many competitors from outside China, from Russia, America, Serbia, England, France, etc. All information at: Harbin 2014 |
Pigini s.r.l. Celebrates 100 Years Since the Birth of Gino Pigini, Castelfidardo – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() Picture left: Massimo Pigini with background picture of father Gino Pigini. Pigini s.r.l. Director Massimo Pigini wrote in 1999. "It was fantastic to start with my father (Gino Pigini), in fact everything was born by him. Unfortunately we lost him on the 1st July of 1994. For us it was a very bad thing, but he had already organised everything for continuing the success story of this development and factory." Time has proven the accuracy of these words by Massimo Pigini and on the 27th June, celebrating this event, were the staff of the Pigini accordion factory, suppliers, distributors and of course, some of the many famous accordionists who play Pigini instruments. Gino Pigini had made his life with the accordion and had a personality that when he smiled, you could not help but smile too. A true gentleman and superbly skilled artisan who established one of the world's finest accordion factories. Please view the page www.accordions.com/pigini100 and enjoy this celebration that included many faces from the accordion world of Italy and around the globe, for the 100 years since the birth of the highly respected and loved Gino Pigini. Picture below of all the Pigini s.r.l. accordion staff. Photo report: www.accordions.com/pigini100 |
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13th ‘Bellows Lovers Night’ Concert, Kobe – Japanby Harley Jones |
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![]() 2014 is the 13th annual ‘Bellows Lovers Night’ and it takes place on Saturday July 12th, 6pm, at the Live Hall, Kobe, Japan. Accordionists performing include Japans most famous accordionist Coba, Gianni Fasetta (Italy), Hiyama Manabu, the duo Mandarin Duck (Ken and Mako), Karisahato, Tako Sugiyama, Matzo, Fujiwara Daisuke, Luann, and Pokasukajan. The event is sponsored by Kirin Lager and there is even a "Bellows Lovers Night" official blog. |
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REMEMBERING Faithe Deffner, Castelfidardo - Italyby Beniamino Bugiolacchi |
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![]() Official Obituary by Helmi Harrington at Faithe Deffner Obituary The author, Beniamino Bugiolacchi is an entrepreneur in the field musical instruments and the owner and manager of Italcinte, musical instrument strap and accessory manufacturer. Beniamino Bugiolacchi has made many important contributions to the accordion over the years and was instrumental: - in the birth of the Premio Internazionale di Fisarmonica, Città di Castelfidardo accordion competition and festival. - in the founding in 1981 of the "International Museum of the Fisarmonica" (accordion) in Castelfidardo of which he is still a Director. - in writing many publications about the history of the accordion in Castelfidardo region. Beniamino Bugiolacchi writes: I learned a few days ago of the sad passing of Faithe Deffner. This news has left me with a deep sadness as the mutual esteem that united us was huge. I have known Faithe Deffner from back in 1967 when I had been called by the Pro Loco of Castelfidardo to organise at the Teatro Astra in Castelfidardo an exceptional accordion concert organized by Ernest Deffner in collaboration with the owners of the Italian accordion factory Titano Victoria (picture left of program cover). Picture left in 1985, of Pino Bontempi (translator and former singer at the New York Metropolitan), Faithe Deffner and Beniamino in the Castelfidardo square. The show consisted of famous accordionists from the USA making a musical tribute to the Italian manufacturers of this popular instrument. It was from the late '40s that the city of accordions had last hosted big name American accordionists. The last was Peter Deiro. The success of the concert was great because the duo Palmer / Hughes, Stanley Darrow and the orchestra "The Duluth Accordionaires” had brought a wave of genuine musicality and new ideas. Perhaps it was that concert and the immediate friendship born with Faithe Deffner that introduced me to the concept of accordion promotion as a tool in the rock era of that time, which was the antithesis of my musical ideas. I discovered therefore a person tenacious, stubborn, who always looked to the future with optimism, convinced that with adequate and modern promotional campaign tools, the accordion could hold back the declining numbers of accordions being made and maintain an important role for the accordion in the international music scene. Since then, continuous exchanges of opinion on how best to publicize our beliefs; I in the role of Director of the Museum Castelfidardo, Faithe in the guise of distributor, publisher and executive of the Amerian Accordionist's Association (AAA). Here then, our meetings / confrontations with different cultural environments (Moscow, 1985), debates on a plane or debates about accordions at the magnificent contest she organized at the Hilton New York (1988), meetings of the heads of international competitions co-ordinated by the CIA in Glasgow (2008) so that we should come to a closer connection between the various competition and festival organizations, plus countless meetings in Castelfidardo all about promoting and ways to benefit the accordion. I feel greatly saddened in Castelfidardo to learn of YOUR passing. A heartfelt and sincere THANK YOU is owed by many here. The workers of various factories with whom you collaborated and you've got them working, the museum of the accordion that you have provided with valuable donations, all the little world of the accordion to which you have devoted ideas and a lot of passion. Benjamin Bugiolacchi Picture below: 1975 reception by the City of Castelfidardo. Left to right: Sam and Peggy Falcetti, Mayor of Castelfidardo Laura Cianca, Faithe Deffner, Dee Dee and Roger Latulippe. |
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Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival, San Francisco USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() The guests this year include Stas Venglevski, the Frank Petrilli Quartet, Xia Gang (China), Antonio Spaccarotella (Italy), Gary Blair (UK), Jeff Lisenby, and the Peter Di Bono Trio. The ATG Festival Orchestra will be conducted by both Joan Sommers and Jeff Lisenby. Also appearing are Jana Maas, Steve Albini, Café Vienna Trio, Jamie Maschler, Michael Zampiceni, The Great Morgani, AbsolutAccord, and Reno Di Bono. The Friday evening concert on July 25th, featuring the UMKC Quartet (picture below), is being dedicated to the memory of the late Faithe Deffner, long serving ATG Executive Officer. The workshops will include: ‘Bass Workshop’ - Reno Di Bono, ‘Behind The Bellows’ - Steve Mobia, ‘The Improvising Accordionist’ – Jeff Lisenby, ‘Brazilian Music’ - Jamie Maschler, ‘Rhythms of Bulgarian Folk Music’ - Joan Grauman, ‘Modern Tango’ - Antonio Spaccarotella, ‘Orchestrating for Digital Accordion’ - Steve Albini, ‘Things I Learned At Camp!’ - Jana Maas, ‘Bellows Hiccups and Other Maladies’ - Michael Zampiceni, and ‘Tips and Tricks on playing Celtic Ceilidh Music’ - Gary Blair. The festival includes competitions for solo, duet and ensemble categories, with many offering cash prizes. There is also an original accordion composition concert on the Friday afternoon. For more information on guest artists, the festival schedule, workshop clinicians and registration information, please visit the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) website. Pictured below: Kevin Friedrich(standing left), Samantha Jarquio-Wagner(standing right), Betty Jo Simon(sitting left), Joan C. Sommers(sitting right) |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Fismen “flying high” - Switzerlandby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Video: From 2:26 is where the accordion is featured. Fismen staff picture with accordion. Video above of the Kapelle Sisters (Charlotte Widmer and Ursina Gregori), a cabaret female duo. For their performance they need bellows that measure approximately 10 times longer than normal: 10 x 19 folds = 190 folds. The bellows were produced by Galassi Bellows. The company Fismen Accordions was the manufacturer of the accordion shown in this video about the Circus Monti, Switzerland. The Kapelle duo will be performing for about 8 months over the next year in tours with the Swiss Circus Monti. |
Ksenija Sidorova in ‘Born in Riga - World Famous’, Riga – Latviaby Rob Howard |
![]() These include accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, violinists Baiba Skride and Gidon Kremer, singers Elina Garancha and Inese Galante, conductor Mariss Jansons, ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, film director Sergei Eisenstein, sculptor Vera Mukhina, philosopher Isaiah Berlin, chess player Michael Long, and many, many more. "They are all Latvian artists with a global name”, says musicologist and cultural journalist Ines Lusina. On July 6th Ksenija Sidorova and other musicians listed in the exhibition take part in a ‘Born in Riga Gala Concert in Riga. For further information email: arproductions@btinternet.com |
Video: Master MIDI Production and Giustozzi Sponsor "La Voce" by Gianni Mirizzi - Italyby Harley Jones |
Video: Master MIDI Production and Giustozzi Accordions sponsor "La Voce" musica di Gianni Mirizzi performing at the 2013 Castelfidardo Festival. The video was published on Jun 27, 2014 and was filmed at the Auditorium San Francesco on 20th September 2013. |
John Brannelli (1921-2014), Blackpool – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() In the pre-war years John and Florence Brannelli played regularly at the George and Dragon, a pub and well-known performance venue better known as the Band on the Wall, in Manchester, fronting a band that included a singer, pianist, saxophonist and drums. John Brannelli born 12/7/1921, passed away 22/6/2014. He is survived by wife Florence, son John and daughter Gina R.I P. |
Video: Nick Ariondo, Memorial Concert Tribute to Edward Hosharian - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() The Edward Hosharian/Nick Ariondo "Accordion Concerto in G Minor" for accordion and orchestra evolved through many years of working and collaborating together. The three separate movements: Maestoso-Allegro con fuoco, Lento con espressione, Danza Viva, showcase the accordion's massive range, diversification and challenging virtuoso style. Upon Edward Hosharian's passing in 1990, Ariondo finished the incomplete 1st and 3rd movements, adding a second movement for final completion. The accordion concerto is composed in a modern contemporary style with shades of Khatchaturian, Prokofiev and Shostakovich, embodying the melodic inventiveness of Armenian folk music with the dramatic and rhapsodic Russian classic idiom. Armenian pianist Gevork Gyulatyan has an enormous reputation and plays the orchestral accompaniment with Nick Ariondo in this video of the Memorial Concert Tribute to Edward Hosharian. Edward Hosharian first heard Nick performing at the famous Russian-Armenian Kavkaz nightclub-restaurant in West Hollywood where a mutual respect and a longtime friendship transpired. Hosharian, born in Kiev, Russia, of Armenian parents, was a highly educated teacher, musician, conductor, composer and founder/director of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (Hosharian featured Ariondo as soloist with the orchestra as well as an orchestra member). |
18 Year Old Accused of Using Accordion to Smuggle Meth - USAby Pamela Tom |
![]() U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers say 18-year-old Eloy Renteria-Ortiz was arrested on Monday at the Port of Nogales after being searched at the Morley Gate crossing. According to officers, nearly $13,600 worth of meth was found wrapped in black tape and stashed in the center of the accordion that Renteria-Ortiz was carrying. The drugs and instrument were seized and Renteria-Ortiz was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations. Its not known if the accused is actually an accordionist and a close up examination of the the picture, shows the accordion straps appear unused. The possible outcome of this may be, that in the US, the Transportation Security Administration could require an internal exam of your accordion. This could be a problem as described by Shelia Lee (Houston accordion performers & Heritage Arts Productions, Inc. Performing Artist, co-owner and professional accordionist). The critical concern is that they will “pull the bellow pins so that they can see inside.” Pliers over 7 inches in length are not allowed on carry-on luggage. And really, how many TSA personnel are equipped with or trained to use specially modified pliers for removing the pins without damaging the surface of the accordion, nor aware that the pins are hole-specific and need to be replaced in the original cavity?" Lets hope, that due to the incident at the US-Mexican border, traveling with your instrument does not become more challenging. When flying commercially, some accordionists split the accordion open and carry the bass end on the plane so that it can be stored under the seat or in the overhead bin. This approach may now have another advantage of easy viewing, if the TSA insists on wishing to open the accordion for inspection. |
Video: Marc Berthoumieux Trio - Les Choses de la Vie [Live] - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Published on Jun 27, 2014, filmed at the Festival of Jazz Vladivostok, Russia on the 8th November 2013. Performers are: Giovanni Mirabassi (piano) Laurent Vernerey (bass) Marc Berthoumieux (accordéon) |
‘14 Years Ago’: Francis Ford Coppola – accordion enthusiast, June 2000by Rob Howard |
![]() ‘Cafe Niebaum’ Opens with Accordion Music – USA Contributed by Jon Hammond Film director Francis Ford Coppola recently opened an authentic Parisian style cafe/restaurant in North Beach, called ‘Cafe Niebaum’. Accordion music is presented every Friday and Saturday evening. Last week French accordionist Odile Lavault entertained. |
Future events |
Video: and Declan Aungier plays for dancing – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
![]() Accordionist Declan Aungier plays for dancing this weekend, as follows: Friday July 4th - Park Labbamallogga, County Cork (4th of July American Tea Party) Saturday July 5th - Railway Bar, Abbeyfeale, County Limerick Sunday July 6th – Kades Kounty, Glenville, County Cork Declan Aungier became All-Ireland Under 18 Piano Accordion Champion in 1987, playing piano accordion. He switched to the 5-row Continental button accordion, and works mainly as a solo entertainer, with many albums to his credit, providing music ranging from Country & Western, some Irish traditional music, and popular music from the present day, including some jazz. For further information email: declan@declanaungier.com |
Andrew Walter Tribute Concert @ Bälgspel Event, Klarälvdalen – Swedenby Rob Howard |
![]() This annual event attracts thousands of musicians and spectators from all over Scandinavia, Europe and America. The venue has two concert areas, three barns, and three dance floors that easily filled with happy musicians for four days. This year’s Bälgspelet includes a memorial concert, 11am until 1pm, dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Andrew Walter (1914-78), legendary Swedish accordionist and composer. Performing in the concert, and playing music composed by Andrew Walter, are Jörgen Sundeqvist, Walter Eriksson Jr, Mogens Beckgaard, David Walle'n, Niklas Sunden, Fredrik Aberg, and others. |
Whiskey & Women Summer Europe Tour – France, Germany Swedenby Rob Howard |
![]() July 5th, 3pm-5pm concert, then a show for the dinner line 7pm-8pm; sharing the stage with ‘Roots 66’, Ambert, France July 6th - Renée and Rosie play “sur la piste”, starting at Viverols between 10am-11.10am, and playing another set at 3pm at Saint Amand Roche Savine, France July 11th – Whiskey & Women (with Joan too) at Les Copains D'abord, 52 avenue d'Orléans, 41300 Salbris, Centre, France July 12th – Les Copains D'abord, Salbris, France July 17th – Cafe Haag, Am Haagtor 1, 72070 Tübingen, Germany July 18th – Kulturcafe Lichtung, Ubierring, Cologne, Germany July 19th – Club Hanseat, Salzwedel, Germany July 20th – Speicher Ueckermünde, Ueckermünde, Germany July 22nd – (a show at Ingo's art space with the Rebel Lovers!) Pusthof Haus 17, Hamburg, Germany July 24th – The Poet's Corner, "Poeten på hörnet", Malmö, Sweden July 26th – Musik i Bruksmiljö music festival in Sandviken, Sweden July 27th – Engelen Pub, Stockholm, Sweden For further information email: squeezeboxgoddess@gmail.com |
Marko Kassl Ensemble Black Pencil New CD + Diary Dates - Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() The original works by Roderik de Man, Chiel Meijering, Nico Huijbregts, Guus Janssen and Enric Monfort are influenced by the different characters of the Commedia - the farcical Scaramouche, the thoughtful Columbine or the clumsy Zanni. The original works are connected through interludes, short improvisations and the ensemble's own adventerous arrangements of masterpieces of the past, that were in turn inspired by the Commedia dell'arte: Georg Philipp Telemann, Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi, Domenico Gallo, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and Wilhelm Unico van Wassenaer. Marko Kassl has the following forthcoming dates this month: July 5th, 8pm – Duo Mares, Bergerkirche, Berger Str.18b, D-40213 Düsseldorf July 6th, 6pm - Ensemble Black Pencil presntation concert for the new CD ‘BUFFONI!’, Summerwinds, Kunsthalle Lingen, Kaiserstr.10, D-49809 Lingen July 11th, 8pm - Art Ensemble NRW, Festival Klangraume, Bergerkirche, Berger Str.18b, D-40213 Düsseldorf For further information email: info@marko-kassl.de |
Marco Lo Russo: ‘From Poland to Ponza’, Krakow - Polandby Rob Howard |
![]() The festival, which is sponsored by the Polish authorities, is organized by the Polish Association Strauss Society and the Museum of Krakow. The stage, which is located 120 meters underground, will feature Marco Lo Russo and singer/songwriter Agnieska Chrzanowska. The duo will present their recent recording ‘Piosenki Do Mezczyzny’. This is the first stage of a long summer tour that will see Marco Lo Russo on the stages of several European capitals. |
Igor Outkine ‘One-man band’ Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: igor.outkine@yahoo.com |
Video and Nick Ariondo Bastille Day Concert, Los Angeles – USAby Harley Jones |
Video above: Video above: Nick Ariondo performs the Chopin: Polonaise in A (Military) Op.40, No.1 published 12 June 2014. On Sunday July 13th, 6pm to 7pm, accordionist/composer Nick Ariondo and friends perform a Bastille Day Concert, with music by Debussy to Piaf, Bizet, Satie, Ariondo, Aznavour, Trenet, Gainsbourg & more. The venue is Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Leo S. Bing Theatre, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Free admission. This concert will be streamed "live" over the internet. For further information email: accomusic@nickariondo.com |
Altrincham French Festival, Cheshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The event will be opened at 10am by Graham Brady MP, with ‘The Marsellaise’ being sung by the tenor Martin Toal. Locally-based French vocalist Laura Illouz will be performing during the day. All are welcome. Entry is free. Proceeds will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
‘L’accordeon Voyage’, Bourges – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Video above: Published on Dec 16, 2013, Elsa Gourdy in concert at Onet-le-Chateau (12), 24 October 2013. Elsa Gourdy performs: Papillons Noir de J. Privat Chiquilin de Bachin d'A. Piazzola Carnaval de R. Ruggieri |
Julie Best Concert, Staffordshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Formerly a member of the Ronmar Accordion Orchestra from Carlisle, Julie Best is a highly accomplished soloist, with a large and varied repertoire. For further information email: accordions@northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated: Faithe Deffner Official Obituary by Helmi Harrington - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() This official Faithe Deffner Obituary has been written by Helmi Harrington, Director of the World of Accordions Museum, Wisconsin, USA, at the request of Faithe Deffner. More pictures and text has been added. Faithe Deffner Obituary |
Oleg Sharov Releases eTracks Album - Russiaby Oleg Sharov |
![]() 'Bayan Collage', catalog: osharov01 with sound samples. Music performed by Oleg Sharov. |
Oleg Sharov Releases eTracks Album - Russiaby Oleg Sharov |
![]() 'From Barroco to Jazz', catalog: osharov02 with sound samples. Music performed by Oleg Sharov. |
Jon Faukstad Releases eTracks Album - Norwayby Jon Faukstad |
![]() 'Konsert Pa Kleppe', catalog: faukstad201 with sound samples. Music performed by Jon Faukstad. |
Zhang Guoping Releases eTracks Album - Chinaby Zhang Guoping |
![]() 'Happy Sheng', catalog: guoping02 with sound samples. Music performed by Zhang Guoping. |
Jon Faukstad Releases eTracks Album - Norwayby Jon Faukstad |
![]() 'Classic Accordion', catalog: faukstad202 with sound samples. Music performed by Jon Faukstad. |
Phil Bouvier Releases eTracks Album - Franceby Phil Bouvier |
![]() 'Mister Phil', catalog: phil01eT with sound samples. Music performed by Phil Bouvier. |
Jon Faukstad Releases eTracks Album - Norwayby Jon Faukstad |
![]() 'Norske Drag', catalog: faukstad203 with sound samples. Music performed by Jon Faukstad. |
CD Reviews |
“3 Couleurs” CD by Lydie Auvray e AUVRETTESby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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