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Highlights |
Reports of Roland V Accordion Finals - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The international Finals of the Roland V-Accordion Festival in Rome – Italy are this weekend, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th November. The Finals are being held at the very prestigious Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome with Finalists from 17 countries. The Press Conference lists the contestants, the jury, the rules, plus the Daily Reports about the Finals is online at 2008 Rome Finals. Visit 2008 Rome Finals to view photographs and full Daily Reports of the event. |
Grace Jones Features Accordion - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
After years without any top hit records, Grace Jones is using her new album ‘Hurricane’ to make a comeback. Publicity for the 60 year-old Jamaican-born diva is featuring the accordion including a publicity photo (right) used by a major Austrian news paper last week. There is also a popular U-Tube clip of her singing with the accordion her version of ‘La Vie En Rose youtube’ and ‘Libertango youtube’. The new album ‘Hurricane’ is being released on November 7th. |
Yuri Shishkin Performs in Paris and Lyon - Franceby Elodie Soulard and Alexander Poeluev |
Famous Russian bayanist Yuri Shishkin from Rostov-on-Don, Russia, is about travel to France for an exceptional tour in late November. Yuri Shishkin will give a master class to students of Max Bonnay and Philippe Bourlois at the CNSM de Paris (National Superior Conservatory of Music) on November 24th and 25th. Then from November 28th to 30th, Yuri Shishkin will visit the Conservatory of Saint-Etienne (near Lyon) for a concert and master-classes. Finally, he will conclude his stay in France with a much anticipated solo concert in Paris on December 2nd, 8pm, at the Auditorium of CNR de Paris (National Conservatory of Region), 14 rue de Madrid, 75008 PARIS, France. Entrance is free, without reservation. This is a wonderful opportunity for French accordionists to hear one of the world’s great Russian accordionists performing Bach, Mendelssohn, Rodrigo, Liszt/Horowitz, Semionov, Jutila and Kusiakov. Yuri Shishkin is also invited by Radio France to record a special program of two hours about himself, which will be broadcast in January 2009 on Radio France Musique. He will speak particularly about the 6th Sonata of the Russian composer Anatoly Kusiakov, and about its transcription for accordion. For further information, please contact Elodie Soulard, organizer of Yuri Shishkin's tour in France; email: soulard.elodie@gmail.com |
XII International Accordion Festival, Vilnius - Lithuaniaby Raimondas Sviackevičius |
The 12th International Accordion Music Festival will take place in Vilnius from November 12th to 16th. Accordion stars performing include Finnish accordion adventurist Kimmo Pohjonen (picture left), Stefan Hussong (picture right)of Germany, Luciano Biondini of Italy, Raimondas Sviackevicius (picture left) and string quartet Chordos, Primoz Parovel of Slovenia, 4Tango group of Lithuania, Viktor Novikov of Russia, Vilnius accordion orchestra ‘Consona‘, and many others for what promises to be an exciting and enjoyable festival of accordion music. The first Accordion Music Festival was organized by Lithuanian Accordion Association more than 20 years ago. During these 20 years, the International Accordion Music Festivals in Vilnius have become the most significant feast for Lithuanian accordion lovers. The event has not only acquired regular listeners, admirers of the accordion, but has also contributed considerably to the boost of the image of the accordion in Lithuanian cultural life. Nowadays nobody in Lithuania would be astonished to hear the accordion performing all types of music on the stage, radio or TV, or to hear an accordionist playing with a symphony orchestra. For further information email Festival Art Director Raimondas Sviackevicius: info@akordeonofestivalis.lt |
Major Successes for Renzo Ruggieri Students - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Mario D'Amario, who is only 17 years of age, has enjoyed amazing success since 2006. This year he has won the prestigious Junior Trophée Mondiale in Sarajevo (October 5th 2008), organised by the CMA. In June he won the important international Ikaalinen competition that is broadcast live on Finnish national TV. In 2006, Mario D'Amario won the CIA Junior Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment category in Asker, Norway, and the Variété Junior Trophy at the International Castelfidardo Competition. After these successes Mario D'Amario can proudly present in his curriculum, victory at four of the most important international competitions, a great achievement at only 17 years of age. Spaccarotella Antonio(photo left), at his first participation in international competitions, won the prestigious 2008 Variété Senior Trophy at the International Castelfidardo Competition as well as many has other prestigious awards (International Award of Atri, Musical Ethnic, Ceroni trophy for accordion and orchestra). Both are studying at the school of renowned jazz accordionist, arranger, composer Renzo Ruggieri, who is responsible for the teaching, arrangements and compositions for these very successful students. Renzo Ruggieri also has 6 CDs available online. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
NAO Festival Report - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
Just one week after the NAO hosted the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Scotland, the new NAO Festival Season started with the first Qualifying Area Festival for the UK Championships 2009. Organised by NAO General Secretary Gina Brannelli, the festival in Lancashire attracted over 200 entries in the various categories. The members of the Jury with a busy day were Raymond Bodell (CIA Vice President), Graham Laurie (NAO Chairperson), Ken Farran (NAO Hon Vice President) and Frederick Parnell. The early festival proved a great outing for many players tackling new repertoire and bodes well for the forthcoming season. First Prize winners in 3 categories included Soraya O’ Connor (pictured with Raymond Bodell) and Alexander Bodell (pictured with NAO Chairperson Graham Laurie) who received awards for Outstanding Excellence. These were also awarded to Leah Langton, Roseanna Bodell and Nancy Langton. Soraya O’Connor who recently was the winner of the Roland UK Junior Competition and William Langton also gave a demonstration of the Roland V accordion prior to the prize presentation. The next NAO Area Festival will be held on November 22nd in the South of England. |
Stockport AC’s Souvenir Book Launch, Cheshire – UKby Rob Howard |
‘Stockport Accordion Club through the years’ is a limited edition book that traces the story of Stockport Accordion Club all the way back to its origins in 1937, when the very first club was formed by local accordion teacher Jack Ridings. The book is illustrated by a wide variety of pictures that includes band photographs and most of the club’s guest artistes. The main text was written by Rob Howard, plus anecdotal contributions from playing members Graham Bullough, Christine Green, John Jones, Tony Marchell, Kevin Munster, John Nixon, Derek Pritchard, Adrienne Sharpe, John Trigg, Peter Whiteley and Dr Brennan Wilson. This book provides a look back at organised accordion activity in Stockport since the 1930s, and is intended as the present club’s celebration of 21 years since Betty Pollard persuaded the late Clifford Wood to reform his band in June 1987. The book will be officially launched on Wednesday November 12th, 8pm, at Stockport Accordion Club’s Club Night concert featuring the ever popular Jack Emblow and Tony Compton. The Stockport AC Band (MD Peter Whiteley) will also perform. The venue is Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel Street/A560 Hyde Road, Woodley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 1BL. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Future events |
Frank Marocco and Mika Väyrynen at UNAC Festival, Andoain - Spainby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Frank Marocco (USA) and Mika Väyrynen (Finland) are the chief international guest artistes at the third UNAC Festival, held from November 14th to 16th in Andoain, a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque region in the north of Spain. The festival program oncludes: November 14th, 8pm, concert featuring Ignacio Alfayé and Daniel Pérez November 15th, a master class with Mika Väyrynen; an evening concert at 9.30pm, featuring Frank Marocco November 16th, 12.30pm – Mika Väyrynen in concert For further information email: comunicacion@unac.es |
Exhibition ‘MyMusic’, Friedrichshafen - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The exhibition ‘MyMusic’ in Friedrichshafen, Bodensee, in Germany, takes place from Friday November 14th until Sunday 16th. Present during this event will be well-known accordionists Jean Louis Noton (representing the French accordion company Cavagnolo and Bugari) and Roman Jbanov, teacher at the French elite school CNIMA J.Mornet and member of the famous Paris Moscou Duo. A further similar event takes place on Thursday November 27th, from 6-10pm at the accordion shop in Toulouse, France. For further information email: jl.noton@wanadoo.fr |
Newspaper Sponsors “Jazz Greats” Concert, Vienna - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
“Jazz at its finest in the Vienna Konzerthaus” is the heading by the Austrian Kurier newspaper who are sponsoring a concert with over 50 x 2 tickets being raffled for ‘The Art of Jazz Piano’ concert on November 10th. The newspaper writes “The big gala concert entitled ‘The Art of Jazz Piano’ brings jazz greats such as Richard Galliano, George Mraz and the Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba Star - a unique listening experience. Richard Galliano is one of the great masters of the accordion - and certainly the largest of the accordion in jazz. Born in 1950 in Cannes, Galliano led his traditional instrument in jazz that infuses the Paris-musette waltz with jazz elements, merging into what he calls ‘musette neuve’. His flirtatious style is an allusion to the ‘nuevo tango’ of his friend Astor Piazzolla……..” |
8th Annual SMASH, Florida – USAby Rob Howard |
The 8th annual SMASH accordion festival takes place at the Holiday Inn International Drive Resort, 6515 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, on November 15th, from 8.30am until 11pm. The event is organised by the Florida Accordion Association. Guest artistes include Jerry Tramontozzi, Smokin* Joe Zalewski, Lenny Feldmann (a.k.a. The CordeenMan), Maricarmen Vazquez, Gerardo Aguillon, Carmen Vitanza, Mike Lavoe, Vern Corbin, Alvaro Barsi, Michael Greenspan, Jerry Blumenfeld, Jake Herzog, Dick Albreski, John Lobosco, Ron Jaxon, Walter Kasprzyk, Mary Tokarski, Eddie Monteiro, Dr. Ian Blair Fries, Tony Lovello, Eduardo Reyes (Puerto Rico), and Antonio Barbarena (Mexico). The festival uniquely includes the wedding of Karen Adam, President of the Florida Accordion Association, and Walter Kasprzyk, of the famed K Trio. The Best Man will be Antonio Barberena, and Matron of Honor is Mary Tokarski, and Tony Lovello will provide the processional and recessional music, and perform ‘Through the Eyes of Love’ during the ceremony. SMASH includes a dealers’ trade display from 3pm on Friday November 14th until 12noon on Sunday November 16th. Sunday morning will also include a concert (for those who have pre-booked) with Jerry Tramontozzi. For further information: FLACCASSOC@bellsouth.net |
João Gentil Concerts – Portugal and Spainby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Portuguese accordionist João Gentil’s next concert include: November 14th - Café Cultural Roi Xordo, Allariz, Spain 15th - Clandestino, Nigran, Spain 21st - Aturuxo, Bueu, Spain 22nd - Clavícembalo, Lugo, Spain December 11th - Auditório Municipal de Chaves, Chaves, Portugal 12th – Dez/Cine-Teatro de Estarreja, Estarreja, Portugal 20th – Dez/a special concert with a strings quartet, the ‘Quarteto de Cordas de Cantanhede’, performing the music of Astor Piazzolla For further information email: joaogentil1@gmail.com |
Eddy Jay in ‘Brief Encounter’, London – UKby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Eddy Jay is performing Noel Coward’s play 'Brief Encounter' in at the Haymarket Cinema (West End), 63-65 Haymarket Street, London SW1Y 4RL. Performance times are Tuesday to Saturday, 8pm; Wednesday and Saturday, 3pm; and Sunday, 4pm. The show runs until November 16th, then tours the UK and then Broadway - so there is a real buzz from the cast! The music is heavily influenced by 1940s jazz and music-hall, featuring the accordion. For further information email: mail@edwardjay.co.uk |
Two Accordion Concerts, São Paulo - Brazilby Rob Howard |
On December 4th and 5th, 8.30pm both nights, leading accordion soloists Jackson Rodrigues, Bruno Moritz and Ricardo Marcelo are in concert together at the Auditório do Senac, São Paulo. For further information email: concurso@scandalli.com.br |
Grand Accordion Gala of the Akkordeon-Club-Langenhagen 74e.v. – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
On Sunday November 9th, at 3.30pm, the Orchestras of the C present a concert in the auditorium of the school in Konrad Adenauer Street, Langenhagen (diagonally opposite the Town Hall), under the leadership of Musical Director Dietmar Steinhaus. Throughout the year, the orchestra are always eager to practice and rehearse, and work with great enthusiasm. The concert involves the 1st Accordion Orchestra Langenhagen, the Children's Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra and soloists, offering a colourful bouquet of melodies. Only a few days ago the Accordion Club Langenhagen was on television (NDR - THE magazine), presenting a feature on the accordion. Now the club invites warmly all friends of the accordion music to take part in their accordion afternoon full of music. For further information email Dirk: dirk.woehler@htp-tel.de |
New and Updated Sites |
New Music - 'I Like It'by Peter Piccini |
Peter Piccini - accordionist, composer, arranger, performer, release 1 new work for accordion available for purchase online. 'I Like It'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
November Edition of USA Accordion News - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
The November editions of the USA News will be online tomorrow. |
CD Reviews |
Les Invitésby Renato Belardinelli |
Accordéon Mélancolique are orientated towards defining a world in harmony and pursue their work diligently like a keen gardener would .. but this garden is different .. the gate is open .. it is not inaccessible and exclusive. CD Reviews Index. |
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