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Highlights |
Milan Bláha, Pioneer, Performer, Teacher (1927-2015) - Czech
Coupe Mondiale Entries, Post Coupe Mondiale Ships Cruise, Turku - Finland
6th Internacionali Festival Harmonike – Akordeon Art 2015
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Acadian Accordion/Composer Jesse Méa 'Artist in Residence' CNIMA - France
'Accordion Man' Memorial Plaque Petition, St Albans – UK
World Acccordion Day in New Zealand
World Accordion Day, Algarve - Portugal
‘14 Years Ago’: Anne Landa, Alexander Technique graduate, April 2001
Future events |
Cristina Pato CD ‘Latina’ Tour, California, Texas, New York – USA
Jean-Marc Torchy on French TV d'Ambiance Accordéon, Toulouse – France
Marco Lo Russo @ Rome Independent Film Festival – Italy
Two Places Left, International Accordion Masterclasses, Grayson Masefield and Antonio Spaccarotella - Italy
Kennet Accordion Orchestra @ Guildford AC, Surrey – UK
John MacDonald in ‘Scotland Forever’, NSW - Australia
Shane Brogan @ French Restaurant on Saturdays, Edinburgh – UK
John Romero @ North Staffs Accordion Club, Stoke-on-trent – UK
20th National Trophy, 1st International Accordion Competition, Alcobaça - Portugal
Sylvie Pulles and Jerome Richard @ L’Olympia, Paris – France
West Sussex Accordion Club Meeting, Burgess Hill – UK
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Highlights |
World Accordion Day and the Chinese Youth Report - Chinaby Harley Jones |
  I have timed the release of a report on the 2015 China Youth Accordion Year to co-incide with World Accordion Day 6th May. Particularly, I wanted to highlight the wonderful work being done every day by accordion teachers around the world. They are the unsung heroes of the accordion world. To all you students around the world - have you said "thank you" lately? The recent 2015 China Youth Accordion Year tour had two days where, each day had a remarkable story about a Chinese accordion teacher devoting time, energy and their own personal money, entirely for the benefit of young children learning the accordion. The first is Prof. Quo, (right, top) who had retired (over 60 years) and had decided to undertake a private project for accordion. He selected a school in a very poor area, very far out in the country (2 hours drive) from the city. This school has 109 students and Prof. Quo personally purchased 20 new accordions, music, stands so that 20 selected children could have practise every noon and once a week he would drive to give them free lessons. He also assisted to get a full time teacher of accordion. Read more at: 10April2015 The second is Zhou Zhiming (picture right lower), who started teaching in the Sichuan mountains late 1980's. His aim was to have "accordion music ringing over the mountains". He started off in a van with 5 students charging nothing. From that time, to today, the accordion music has "continued to ring over the mountains" and Zhou Zhiming has had a remarkable success in the country areas promoting accordion education and improving the life of the people. Read more at: 11April2015 A huge thank you to accordion teachers around the world for World Accordion Day. |
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Milan Bláha, Pioneer, Performer, Teacher (1927-2015) - Czechby Jörgen Sundeqvist |
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 Two TV videos above, circa 1983. The accordion world has lost one of its greatest pioneers. The legendary Czech accordionist and professor Milan Bláha passed away on April 25th, a few days before his 88th birthday.Milan Bláha graduated from the Prague Conservatory after studies in accordion, composition and conducting. From 1959 to 1980, he was himself the professor of the accordion department at the Prague Conservatory. He also directed many seminars and workshops all over Europe. Milan Blaha toured to many place around the world and gave concerts in Europe, U.S.A., Canada, U.S.S.R, China, Mongolia and Malta. Milan Blaha devoted much of his musical life to inspiring many famous composers to write music for him and his accordion. His great inspiration has contributed many new compositions for solo accordion, chamber music and symphonic works. The list of composers who dedicated works to Milan Blaha is long, but his most famous and successful collaborations were with the Czech composers Vaclav Trojan and Jindrich Feld. Milan Blaha also founded the unique "Trio for Music Modern" together with Milan Zelenka (guitar) and Alexei Madl (violin). In 1968 Milan Blaha founded the accordion duo together with his student Vera Ublová who also would become his wife and partner in life. The accordion world has lost a great musician and a true gentleman. Milan Blaha will be missed. Picture below: Picture taken about 1 year ago of Jörgen Sundeqvist with Milan Bláha in his home. |
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Coupe Mondiale Entries, Post Coupe Mondiale Ships Cruise, Turku - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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 The Coupe Mondiale entries are available online now and CIA President Raymond Bodell invites everyone "to what will be an exciting and wonderful Coupe Mondiale in Turku, 6th to 11th October."At the conclusion of a wonderful Coupe Mondiale week, it’s time to unwind and relax with other guests, candidates, jury members and delegates and the Finnish Accordion Association (Suomen Harmonikkaliitto) invites you to join them for a 23 hour cruise through a spectacular Turku archipelago to Stockholm (Sweden) and back. Departure: Sun 11th Oct at 20.00 hours Arrival: Mon 12th Oct at 19.00 Pricing: starting from 75€ per person (tentative price, final price will be confirmed later) The ship departs on Sunday evening from Turku harbour. You can enjoy the various restaurants and bars, live entertainment and shopping possibilities on board and finally fall asleep in your comfortable cabin. The ship makes a short 10-minute visit at special Åland Islands during the night and arrives Stockholm early Monday morning. There is no possibility to disembark in Stockholm as the stop takes only one hour. You may enjoy views of the scenic Stockholm archipelago and beautiful city at a breakfast that is served at multiple restaurants. A full day on the Baltic Sea gives you a great possibility to continue exploring the onboard activites. The ship stops again at Mariehamn, the capital of Åland Islands, Monday afternoon and you can see other large ships visiting the small harbour at the same time and the cruise concludes back in Turku on Monday evening. So take this opportunity, to extend your trip to Finland in October for another 24 hours and enjoy the Post Coupe Mondiale Ships Cruise. For further information or to reserve, email: bookings@coupemondiale2015.fi |
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6th Internacionali Festival Harmonike – Akordeon Art 2015by Anna Bodell |
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 Picture above: Festival Organiser Zoran Rakic (right) presentation to Gorka Hermosa following his very well received seminar.The 6th Internacionali Festival Harmonike – Akordeon Art 2015 was hosted in Eastern Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina from the 28th April to 2nd May 2015 under the direction of Prof Zoran Rakic, Dean of the University of the Academy of Music, Eastern Sarajevo. The Festival has grown into a truly international event with candidates coming from 19 different countries for the 9 categories of solo competition. The 12 international jury included Raymond Bodell, President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) who welcomed all present at the opening concert, Gorka Hermosa (Spain), Vojin Vasovic (Serbia), Boris Jegorov (Russia), Mihail Sarabarin (Russia), Miljan Bjeletic (Serbia), Jevgeija Cerkasova (Ukraine), Zorica Karakowtowska (Macedonia), Diana Stanceva (Bulgaria), Goran Sevaljevic (Croatia) and Tanja Lukic-Marx (Australia). The winner of Category 9 (Seniors) from the 49 entrants in that category was Stojan Bojic (picture right), a former student of Zoran Rakic who is now studying with Juri Sidorow in Moscow at the renowned Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. The Festival also featured superb concerts including a solo concert by the renowned Russian artist Yuri Sishkin and an orchestral concert by the Accordion National Orchestra of the Tchaikovsky Academy of Music from Kiev, Ukraine. Also featured was a special talk by Gorka Hermosa about his life and his compositions for the Accordion. Picture below: Raymond Bodell, Yuri Shishkin and Anna Bodell. For further information email: makss@spinter.net |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Walter Ostanek's 80th Birthday Party, Ohio – USAby Rob Howard |
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 Seven hundred fans wished Canada’s Polka King a happy birthday as the National Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame saluted the legendary Walter Ostanek on Sunday May 3rd.Eighteen Cleveland-Style Polka stars paid tribute to his 80th year with eight hours of music in two halls at the Slovenian Society Home in Euclid, Ohio – all in honor of the three-time Grammy Award winner. The photo below shows Joey Miskulin with Walter Ostanek. |
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Acadian Accordion/Composer Jesse Méa 'Artist in Residence' CNIMA - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
 Video: assembled extracts from the Jesse Méa & CNIMA show.Acadian accordionist and composer Jesse Méa, was welcomed as an 'Artist in Residence' at CNIMA J.Mornet in Saint-Sauves-d’Auvergne – France Jesse Méa is from New Brunswick Canada, a bilingual province where French speakers represent a 30% minority. Jesse Mea, accordionist, composer and arranger, discovered CNIMA on the web, as a French school, and the only one in the world offering full-time accordion studies with full accommodations for all levels of performance, beginner right through to leading international competitors. Jesse obtained financing from his province’s cultural institution to lead a French-Acadian cultural exchange program while studying accordion. The CNIMA was happy to accept his proposal and Jesse arrived in Saint-Sauves in January, 2015. Straightaway, Jesse set to work to recruit students volunteers – at all skill levels - to participate in this musical project. The artistic endeavor resulted in a performance at the famous ski resort town of Le Mont-Dore on April 16th. Jesse Mea presented a slideshow on the Acadian history and culture. The presentation was interspersed with pieces performed by the students and Jesse. This very original show was much appreciated by the sizeable audience of all ages. This cultural project demonstrates the interest of CNIMA J.Mornet for working with artists and composers from around the world. If a similar adventure attracts you, please contact CNIMA J.Mornet. |
'Accordion Man' Memorial Plaque Petition, St Albans – UKby Rob Howard |
 Nearly 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for a memorial to a musician known as the "accordion man of St Albans" on the spot where he played.John "Paddy" Delaney, who died on March 31st, aged 86, spent more than 35 years entertaining people in the city's market place. Petition organisers said a plaque at his ‘spot’ near W H Smith would be a "fitting tribute" to him. The petition on the St Albans District Council website closes on May 14th. It was organised by Miriam Skelton and backed by posts on the Accordion Man of St Albans Appreciation Society page on Facebook. Katherine Hann posted that he "lit up the world with his infectious humour", while Harry Scoffin posted "there should be a commemorative plaque" to "a towering figure in the history of St Albans". St Albans singer Melanie Wall has organised a busking event and street collection to raise money for a suitable memorial. "Performing in the city centre and entertaining young and old seemed a very fitting way to raise funds and also to celebrate his life," she said. She has been granted a street collection licence by the district council. Mr Delaney's granddaughters were "very happy and touched with everything done," she said. The council said the petition could be presented to a meeting of the authority and would be considered. |
World Acccordion Day in New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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| On Wednesday the 6th May the North Shore Accordion Orchestras celebrated World Accordion Day with 3 groups rehearsing at Sunnybrae Primary School, Auckland, New Zealand. The young players in the Music Makers were under the baton of Christine Johnstone, the older players in Musicale under the baton of Megan Jennings and leading the top group, the Auckland Accordion Symphonietta, was Lionel Reekie. All 3 groups are taking part in the New Zealand Accordion Competitions and Festival on 30th and 31st May. |
World Accordion Day, Algarve - Portugalby Kimmo Mattila |
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 Photos of the event commemorating World Accordion Day organized by Myth Algarve - Accordionists Association of the Algarve. President João Pereira wrote that "it was a huge success!" |
‘14 Years Ago’: Anne Landa, Alexander Technique graduate, April 2001by Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending May 4th 2001 included an article about accordionist Anne Landa graduating as a teacher of the Alexander Technique. Those of you who play the accordion will surely realise the need for physical fitness in handling an instrument, especially those of you who perform in public. The Alexander Technique has much to offer accordionists in techniques of well-being. Accordionist Graduates – Netherlands On April 6th accordionist Anne Landa graduated at the Alexander Technique Centre of Amsterdam as Professor of Alexander Technique. Anne works with accordionists to overcome the numerous problems they face, including stage fright, problems of nervousness, tensions, tendinitis, etc. As a professional accordionist and professor of the Alexander Technique, Anne studies the design of the accordion and how the accordionist utilises his/her own body in relation to the instrument. The aim is to save energy and work with the appropriate muscles to develop a conscious control over the psychological and physical mechanisms controlled by the accordionist. Anne Landa will work mainly in Spain as a professor of the Alexander Technique, giving courses and private classes. For further information email: allend@teleline.es |
Future events |
Patricia Bartell Performs with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, WA - USAby Rob Howard |
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| Patricia Bartell performs Astor Piazzolla's ‘Bandonenon Concerto’ with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra (MD Eckart Preu) on Saturday May 9th, 8pm, and on Sunday May 10th, at 3pm, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 West Sprague Avenue, WA 99201. Also on the program will be ‘Dupree's Paradise’ - Frank Zappa, and ‘Symphony No.3 - Organ Symphony’ - Camille Saint-Saens. Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Patricia Bartell is widely-known throughout the northwest USA and western Canada as an adjudicator, performer, and teacher. She was the organizer of the 2012 CMA Trophée Mondial, held in the USA for the first time. |
Cristina Pato CD ‘Latina’ Tour, California, Texas, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
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| Singer Cristina Pato has released a CD, ‘Latina’, accompanied by Victor Prieto (accordion), Edward Perez (bass), and Eric Doob (drums). Cristina Pato and her accompanists now embark on a short promotional tour, as follows: May 10th – Green Music Center, Sonoma, California May 13th – UCSB Arts and Lectures, Santa Barbara, California May 14th – Musical Bridges Around the World, San Antonio, Texas May 17th – Subculture, New York |
Jean-Marc Torchy on French TV d'Ambiance Accordéon, Toulouse – Franceby Rob Howard |
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| Accordionist Jean-Marc Torchy is the guest this Sunday May 10th, 9am, on the TV show ‘Ambiance Accordéon’ on Télé-Toulouse, Canal 31 DTT. The presenters are Sandrine Tarayre and Gilles Bagur. |
Marco Lo Russo @ Rome Independent Film Festival – Italyby Rob Howard |
| Video above: Trailor World premiere on Monday May 11th, 10 pm, at a screening at the Rome Independent Film Festival, in the hall of the University eCampus at Rome University, of the documentary film ‘The people of King Heruka’ with Isabel Russinova, soundtrack music composed and played by accordionist Marco Lo Russo. The film focuses on issues of discrimination against the Roma people of Europe, and has been produced in cooperation with Amnesty international. For further information email: press_mlrakarouge@marcolorusso.info |
Two Places Left, International Accordion Masterclasses, Grayson Masefield and Antonio Spaccarotella - Italyby Eleonora Ienaro |
 The P.I. Tchaicovsky University and the Festival del Mediterraneo organize the 'International Accordion Masterclass. There are two places left for the International Accordion Masterclass.Two days of training and discussion through the masterclasses of two already well known personalities on the international accordion scene. The award-winning Grayson Masefield, New Zealand accordionist now based in Switzerland, who will hold a classic accordion masterclass Friday May 15 while the master of jazz and modern accordion, Antonio Spaccarotella, will hold a masterclasss on May 16, both at the Conservatorio di Musica P.I.Tchaikovsky in Nocera Terinese (CZ). This type of masterclass and meetings is aimed at the development and deepening of technical and stylistic accordion, and offers students a unique opportunity to discuss, within an individual and collective work area. In addition, students are given the opportunity to interact with each other, sharing the same passion for music. The number of students is limited to 10. The masterclass is also open to students and listeners, unlimited places. For further information and costs, to apply, ring 0968.923854 or email: segreteria@tchaikovski.it |
Kennet Accordion Orchestra @ Guildford AC, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
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| On Friday May 15th, doors open at 7pm, the Guildford Accordion Club welcome the superb Kennet Accordion Orchestra (MD Nigel Pasby), to the club for the very first time. The organizer is John Cumiskey. Don't forget to bring your accordions for our Playalong session. Venue: The Ripley Village Hall, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6AF. Refreshments included in the admission charge. All are welcome at this friendly and popular club - we have just celebrated our 25th anniversary. For further information email: mryrabee@btinternet.com |
John MacDonald in ‘Scotland Forever’, NSW - Australiaby Rob Howard |
 Highly regarded accordion professional John MacDonald is a featured performer this month in the show ‘Scotland Forever’ – a celebration of Scottish culture – music, songs and dance. The performances are on Saturday May 9th, 8pm, at Windsor High School, and Saturday May 23rd, 8pm, at Moss Vale Ex-Services Club, New South Wales. ‘Scotland Forever’ is a Celtic Extravaganza also features performances from the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley Pipe Band (current Grade 4 2014/15 Australian Pipe Band Champions), and Douglas McFarland’s Down Under The Kilt Highland Dancers. |
Shane Brogan @ French Restaurant on Saturdays, Edinburgh – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Shane Brogan is now resident at the Pierre Victoire Restaurant, 18 Eyre Place, Edinburgh EH3 5EP, on Saturdays. It’s live accordion music from 6.30pm until late.Shane Brogan comes from the west coast of Scotland, where he was born along with his twin brother Paul in 1971. His late father, Neil Brogan, who played the accordion, was a huge influence on Shane’s desire to learn the accordion, and he studied with Jim Hutcheon, from Ayr. Shane studied music at Napier University, Edinburgh, where he graduated with a diploma in music, specialising in the accordion, piano and composition. He was the very first accordionist ever to be accepted by the university. Shane went on to study jazz improvisation and also began writing music. For further information email: shanbrog@gmail.com |
John Romero @ North Staffs Accordion Club, Stoke-on-trent – UKby Rob Howard |
 John Romero is the guest at the North Staffs Accordion Club, Goldenhill Workingmens Club, Kidsgrove Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 5SH, on Tuesday May 19th, 8pm. Admission is £4.John Romero has been a professional accordionist for over 30 years. He spent the early years of his life based in Watford and it was here that he learned his trade as an entertainer in the London club scene. He moved to the South East coast, and is well-known as the organizer of the Eastbourne Accordion Festival. John was an All Britain Champion before turning professional. Since then he has appeared on national UK television and has entertained on numerous cruise ships including 11 months cruising around the USA, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He has worked hundreds of clubs, holiday sites, pubs, hotels and restaurants. He is also a professional organist. For further information email: stevehg0@gmail.com |
20th National Trophy, 1st International Accordion Competition, Alcobaça - Portugalby Harley Jones |
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| The Accordion Association Alcobaça announces that it will organize, from 29th to 31st May 2015, the 20th National Trophy, 1st International Accordion Competition, Alcobaça for accordion soloists and groups. Download rules and regulations at: 2015Alcobaca.pdf Entries close: 15th May 2015 List of Concerts/Competitions: 23 May Bayan Qartet (Portugal) 27 May Gorka Hermosa (Spain) 28 and 29 May Gorka Hermosa masterclass 29 May Giancarlo Palena (Italy) and Tian Jianan (China) 30 May and 31 May - Competitions and competition winners concert |
Sylvie Pulles and Jerome Richard @ L’Olympia, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
 French accordionists Sylvie Pulles and Jerome Richard perform on Saturday May 30th, 8pm, at L’Olympia Bruno Coquatrix, Paris. The concert is to celebrate both Sylvie Pulles and Jerome Richard’s 30th year anniversaries as professional accordionists. |
West Sussex Accordion Club Meeting, Burgess Hill – UKby Rob Howard |
 The next meeting of the West Sussex Accordion Club is on Saturday May 30th, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, at St Andrew’s Church Youth Centre, Cants Lane, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0LT. The May theme is "Hat for a Song", and the club organizer is Sue Bennett. All are Welcome!For further information email: sqzbxs@aol.com |
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CD Review: L'armonica a mantice di Giuseppe Greggiatiby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of L'armonica a mantice di Giuseppe Greggiati, in English and Italian languages. Performer Corrado Rojac, reviewed by Alessandro Mugnoz. |
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