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Highlights |
Daily Reports, 76th Coupe Mondiale 2023, Bijeljina - Bosnia and Herzgovinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Results, Daily Reports, pictures at: 2023CM-Report The Daily Reports of video and pictures started with the Opening Concert. There will be video of every Coupe Mondiale contestant and the concerts, provided by the CIA Video Archive and Education Project. The Coupe Mondiale competition results will be announced at 18 hours, Saturday 9th September. Download printable event poster at: 2023CM-poster.jpg |
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Ugljevik Hosts CIA Coupe Mondiale Opening Festivities - B&Hby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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![]() The Mayor of Ugljevik Vasilije Peric and President of theAssembly of the Republic of Serbska Zoran Lazic hosted a series of events in the city of Ugljevik (logo left) as part of the 76th Coupe Mondiale in Boznia and Herzegovina from the 3-9 September,2023. Delegates of the Confédération Internationale desAccordéonistes (CIA) and guests were invited to partake in the annual Festival of Plum, Fruit, Rakija and Honey as well as the gala Luncheon receptions, a roundtable discussion with city officials and an International Concert. CIA 2023 Honorary Vice President Slaviša Peric coordinated a series of activities including media interviews and concerts and performances showcasing the unique cultural heritage found inthe surrounding areas. The Ugljevik Concert featured an impressive lineup of 4 CIA Coupe Mondiale World Champions including Kirill Rusinov (2019 from Russia), Alexander Selivanov (2004 from Russia), Olzhas Nurlanov (2021 from Kazakhstan) and Grayson Masefield (2009 from New Zealand). The finale of the concert featured Alexander Selivanov (Russia), Mirco Patarini (Italy) and Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) performing a magnificent version of a work by the popular Motion Trio. The Mayor and the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Serbska were assisted by Ružica Petricevic from the Government office who offered continuous translations for the visiting CIA international guests. Pictured at Mayor’s Roundtable Discussion: Ružica Petricevic, CIA General Secretary Kimmo Mattila (Finland), President of the Assembly of the Republic of Serbska Zoran Lazic, CIA President Mirco Patarini (Italy), 2023 Coupe Mondiale organizer and CIA Honorary Vice President Slaviša Peric, The Mayor of Ugljevik Vasilije Peric, CIA Ambassador Kevin Friedrich (USA) and Chairperson of the CIA Music Committee Alexander Selivanov (Russia). Pictured: CIA President Mirco Patarini, Ružica Petricevic, Ðorde Peric, (accordionist) and CIA Public Relations Manager Harley Jones in the festival Carriage Ride procession. |
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The London Accordion Orchestra in Concert - UKby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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On Sunday, 3rd of September 2023, the London Accordion Orchestra, under the direction of Ian Watson, presented their latest concert in their “Bellows Across Borders” series. Performing at St. Gabriel’s Church in London, for this performance, they welcomed the superb Bavarian State Youth Orchestra (Landesjugend-Akkordeonorchester Bayern) from Germany, conducted by renowned Germany conductor and composer, Stefan Hippe. The 40 member London Accordion Orchestra performed Adios Nonino by Astor Piazzolla, Lullaby by Louise Drewett, Tico Tico by de Abreu, A Swift’s Return (Premiere) by Ian Watson and the popular Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Márquez. The Bavarian State Youth Orchestra (Germany) under the direction of Stefan Hippe performed Jubilee Overture by von Weber, Overpainting by Stefan Hippe, Trumpet Suite in D Major by Handel, Werziade III by Fritz Dobler, Sensemaya by Revueltas, Episodes sur une Image by Hans-Günther Kölz and Marche Slave by Tchaikovsky with the rousing encore of Elgar’s famous “Pomp and Circumstance”. The Bavarian Youth Orchestra is a project to promote young accordion players from Bavaria by offering a repertoire of contemporary original works for accordion as well as transcriptions of the classics. LAO conductor Ian Watson is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Ian has been LAO’s Principal Conductor since its formation. He brings his experience as a professional musician and composer to the orchestra and always strives to keep LAO growing musically. His compositions are played by accordion orchestras around the world. During Stefan Hippe’s career, he has presented more than 120 world premieres of contemporary music. Concert tours have taken him to Hungary, Poland, Greece, France, the Czech Republic, Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA, Russia and Belarus. Since 1999 he has been teaching accordion and composition at the Nuremberg Music School and since 2015, Stefan has been engaged as a lecturer for conducting, score playing and music history at the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen, Germany. For more information on the London Accordion Orchestra and upcoming concerts, please visit LAO. |
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Daily Reports: 48th International "PIF Citta di Castelfidardo" Accordion Prize & Festival - Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() The City Council of Castelfidardo (Marche region, Italy), in collaboration with Castelfidardo Pro Loco Tourist Association, organizes the PIF International Competition “Città di Castelfidardo” reserved for accordion soloists and groups, of classical music and other genres and a music festival featuring accordion. The Castelfidardo Municipal Administration is led by Mayor Roberto Ascani, the Castelfidardo Pro Loco headed by Ruben Cittadini, and 2023 PIF Artistic Director Antonio Spaccarotella. Daily Reports from 13th September online at: 2023Castelfidardo |
Martynas Levickis Performs with Vienna Concert Association Orchestra – Austriaby Christine Johnstone |
![]() This event is held to celebrate the National Day Concert – Brucknerhaus Linz (Konzert zum Nationalfeiertag – Brucknerhaus Linz). Their program includes “Unfold for accordion and string orchestra” by Gerald Resch. For details email: info@martynasmusic.com |
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Cremona Musica 2023 - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
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The 2023 Cremona Musica 2023 international exhibition and festival will be held at CremonaFiere in Cremona, Italy from September 22nd to 24th, 2023. This musical event is dedicated to high-end instruments and features accordions, pianos, violins, guitars and wind instruments from around the world, crafted by the finest musical craftsmen. “Admire the craftsmanship of these unique instruments up close and participate in exciting concerts and interactive rehearsal sessions. Cremona Musica 2023 offers an engaging experience for musicians, enthusiasts and professionals in the sector. Discover the latest musical innovations and technologies, meet internationally renowned artists and participate in exclusive workshops and masterclasses.” |
Kosmos Ensemble Tours Swedenby Christine Johnstone |
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The Kosmos Ensemble will tour Sweden from October 14th to 20th, 2023. The trio consists of Miloš Milivojevic (accordion), Harriet Mackenzie (violin) and Meg Hamilton (viola). Tour dates are: • 14th October, 4pm - Musikverket, Kuturcentrum, Sanviken • 15th October, 6pm - Norrtullkyrkan, Soderhamn • 16th October, 7pm - Missionkyrkan, Ockelbo • 17th October, 7pm - Soldatkyrkan, Gavle • 18th October, 7pm - Hanebo forsamlingshem, Kilafors For details email: kosmos@kosmosensemble.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Report: 32nd Cotati Accordion Festival 2023 - USAby Tracey Collins |
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![]() Scott Goree (Executive Director) and Cory Pesaturo, a great friend whom I had met in Auckland, New Zealand at the Coupe Mondiale in 2009 made all this happen. Following my flight, it was a long 2.5 hour wait at customs and Cory Pesaturo was kind enough to pick me up at the airport. We had just enough time for a little tour of San Francisco, then we went to visit Steve Albini at his gig. Steve Albini kindly loaned me his Petosa accordion over the weekend. I had never played this model before so was a little nervous at first about performing with it (like driving a new car!). Every year Cory Pesaturo is invited to do a pre-festival performance for a lovely bunch of locals, so I managed to give it a test run there. Cory also performing with his very talented friend Yasmine Azaiez on violin. An excellent first day/night before the festival even started! I performed two sets over two days at the Cotati Festival which went super well and was a lot of fun. The audience was very receptive and really love and appreciate the accordion! Cory and I managed to perform a couple of duets during each of our sets. We played Volare and La Cumpersita (picture above left). Every year they present an Honorary Director for the festival and this year it was Frank Lima “The Great Morgani”, who has since retired but it was a nice acknowledgment for his contribution to the accordion world. There were many excellent performers at this year’s festival – Erica Mancini, Foleada Forro, Those Darn Accordions, Elena Stenkina to name a few, showcasing the diverse range of genres you can play on an accordion. On Sunday August 20th, we had the finale show and many of the performers all got together to perform, a great way to end the festival (picture below). The whole Cotati team were so organized and the festival ran super smoothly. They certainly made you really feel a part of the community, for this very special event. Following the festival, Cory, myself, Elena, and Yasmine along with 3 x instruments and luggage crammed ourselves in the hire car enroute towards LA. We couldn’t take the coastal route due to flooding, so the only other alternative was one loooong straight road! But thanks to good music, banter and roadside Pistachios, Fresh Strawberries and Garlic Ice Cream, we made it in 12 hours to stay with Liz Finch who was so lovely and accommodated us over the next few days. Tuesday night, August 22nd, Cory arranged a house concert at his friend Leah Zeger’s place (another very talented violinist). We were surrounded by an amazingly talented group of artists and supporters and were lucky enough to perform and jam with everyone. It was a superb night! Wednesday 23rd, was our last night in LA and Cory surprised Elena and I with tickets to see Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl which was terrific. Joni Mitchell, Santana also made guest appearances. I enjoyed a fantastic trip and I wish to extend a big thanks to Cory for being a terrific tour guide and host and to Scott Goree and the team for arranging my Cotati performances. |
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27th International Recoaro Terme Accordion Meeting - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Hosted by Elio Bertolini, the event featured a performance by Quintetto Veneto (picture below), an exhibition inauguration dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the death of Italian accordionist Gervasio Marcosignori curated by Prof. Sandro Strologo, as well as a presentation of the C.E.A. Star for artistic merit award to Simone Marini (picture left). Simone Marini will perform a live Milonga concert entitled “La Gran Tango” in Cinisello Balsamo, Italy on September 16th, 2023. |
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Future events |
Ladom Ensemble Performs at 2023 Honens Festival – Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Ensemble members are Michael Bridge (accordion), Adam Campbell (percussion), Pouya Hamidi (piano) and Beth Silver (cello). Their first concert on September 8th at the Royal Canadian Legion, was entitled “Around the World with Ladom Ensemble” and featured “traditional melodies from Persia, Romania, Russia, and Argentina, and for fans of alternative rock, music of Radiohead.” Further concerts are: • September 9th at 10.30am at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church. A family-friendly concert that embraces neurodiversity and disability. • September 9th at 2pm. An open air concert at Central Memorial Park • September 10th at 10.30am at Evan Hazell Theatre at Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton. A family-friendly concert. • September 10th at 2pm. An open air concert at George Lane Memorial Park, High River. |
Sharon Shannon 2023 September Tour - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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Sharon Shannon began her 2023 USA Tour on September 8th with a concert at the Irish American Heritage Centre in Chicago. Her concert tour will finish on September 16th and 17th with performances at the Michigan Irish Music Festival in Muskegon, Michigan. See poster for details. |
Malarkey Irish Band Guests at “March to the Movies” Concert – New Zealandby Jeanette Perry |
The Sumner Silver Band will hold their “March to the Movies” concert at the Sumner Centre Main Hall in Christchurch, New Zealand on September 10th, 2023 from 3pm. Guest performers are the Malarkey Irish Band (picture below). Entry is free of charge. |
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Martina Jembrišak Performs in Croatia and Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() This will be followed by a performance at the large hall of the DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst in Hörstel, Germany on September 17th, 2023 at 6pm. The event is organized by Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst and supported by Dr Carl Dorken Stiftung. Martina will perform with other scholarship winners from the Dörken Foundation in Herdecke. Their program is listed below. For details email: jembrisakmartina@gmail.com |
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Accordionists Entertain at 3rd Fiesta De La Torta Frita - Argentinaby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionists Antonio Figueroa Trio and Miguel Figueroa Y Su Conjunto Amanecer Campero will entertain at the 3rd "Fiesta De La Torta Frita y Del Mate Cocido", held in Villa Clara, Entre Ríos, Argentina on September 10th, 2023 at 2pm. |
Alpine Music Concert – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
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Slovenian-Australian trio featuring Phill Nadvesnik (accordion), Peter Grivic (bass) and Steve Rezonja (guitar) will perform instrumental alpine music (Oberkrainer music and Volksmusik) from Slovenia and Austria, for a laid back afternoon with authentic European food and drink at the Austrian Club in Heidelberg West, Melbourne, Australia on September 10th, 2023 from 12.30pm till 4.30pm. |
Noé Clerc Trio Perform at D'Jazz Nevers Festival - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The trio features Noé Clerc (accordion & accordina - picture left), Clément Daldosso (double bass) and Élie Martin-Charrière (drums). The evening program will be presented in music and images by Roger Fontanel, Director of the festival. For details email: info@djazznevers.com |
Accordion Masterclass with Alan Small – Scotlandby Rob Howard |
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Accordionist Alan Small from the Lomond Ceilidh Band will hold an accordion masterclass at the Radio Room in Islesburgh, Scotland on October 7th, 2023 from 3pm to 4.30pm. The event will be held in collaboration with the Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival Club and cover traditional/continental music for intermediate and advanced players of all ages. See poster for details. |
Edward II "Farewell for Now" Christmas Party - Englandby Christine Johnstone |
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Edward II are inviting fans to their “Farewell for Now” Christmas Party, to be held at Band on the Wall in Northern Quarter in Manchester, England on December 28th, 2023 starting at 7pm. The band plan to take a break throughout 2024 but would “like to go out with a bang, or at least a rumbling bass line, rocksteady rhythms and blistering melodeon.” The night will “feature all the festival favourites, old and new, and will feature a number of special guests.” For details email: gavin.sharp@me.com |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
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2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports 2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports |
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PIF Castelfidardo 2023 Competition Information |
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2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report 2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report |
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XXXIV International Festival, Moscow Daily Reports |
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Information 2023 World Accordion Day, 6th May each year |
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2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
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Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
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Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article Link |
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Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
AAA Composers Competition Results - USAby Harley Jones |
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Sound files: (click links to play sound files)
Le Accordeon du Diable (performed by Maria Martonová, accordion) composed by João Pedro Oliveira
Walts Curse composed by Jacob Bean
Flicker, free bass accordion solo, by Kaidson Davis
![]() 1st place: Le Accordeon du Diable, for accordion and electronic track, by João Pedro Oliveira 2nd place: Walt's Curse, accordion solo, by Jacob Bean Honorable mention: Flicker, free bass accordion solo, by Kaidson Davis Two Legs, One Peg, Two Arms, accordion solo, by Cody McSherry Full information including recordings of the compositions are at: http://www.ameraccord.com/bennett.php |
2023 Xin Jiang Ta Cheng Accordion Art Festival - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Guinness World Record Achieved at the 2023 Xin Jiang Ta Cheng Accordion Art Festival. Video above of the 2525 live accordionists, plus 2003 verified online to total 4528 accordion players. Full report of this amazing huge event in Ta Cheng, China is online at: 2023Tacheng There are probably more accordionists per head of population in Tacheng than any other city in the world. Tacheng is in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region of China, and to reach Tacheng, takes over 5 hours flying time from Hong Kong, Shanghai or Beijing and is close to the border of Kazakhstan. To put this in perspective, London to Moscow is 3 hours 40 minutes. The China Daily Times (English edition) wrote: "Dubbed as the "city of accordion", Tacheng has a rich history and legacy of accordion. The accordion is akin to a symbol of the city, and out of every 10 people there will be two or three who can play the accordion. |
"Meditato" by Gorka Hermosa Has Chicago World Premiere, Chengdu Premiere, Ugljevik Premiere - USA / China / Bosnia & Herzegovinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() A most successful World Premiere of "Meditato" composed by Gorka Hermosa was performed by Grayson Masefield at the 2023 Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival in Chicago. Photo report at: http://www.accordions.com/atg/2023report.php “Meditato” (2023) is a Meditation on the irrationality of human barbarism that was commissioned by the ATG thanks to the ATG President Mary Ann Covone and Harley Jones. When approached for the commission, Gorka Hermosa proposed a melodic piece as most commissioned works he receives are for virtuoso pieces. He thought that it was deeper to go in the opposite direction with a melodic work. Gorka writes: "Meditato tries to express the desolation in my soul in front of barbaric acts such as I previously showed in Gernika (1994), and in Fragilissimo (2000) showing that all depends on the point of view and our inability to understand the point of view of the people who thinks to the contrary of us. To compose “Meditato”, I listened to the main melodical pieces written for accordion (Romance of Angelis, Kalina Krasnaya of Semionov...), music by Albeniz, Satie, Debussy... and finally I found the inspiration listening to Rachmaninoff (for the introduction of the piece) and Villalobos (Bachiana Brasileira nº5) for the rest of the piece, departing from the improvisation on its harmony, to write what I finally composed in this piece.” Grayson Masefield performed the Chinese premiere of "Meditato" at a concert in Chengdu last week with over 9,000 additional audience viewing by the internet. "Meditato" received enthusiastic audience response in both the USA and China where the work was also performed in concert in Tacheng last week. Full report of Tacheng festival at: 2023Tacheng Grayson Masefield will perform the European premiere of "Meditato" at the 2023 Coupe Mondiale concert by "CIA officers" on 4th September in Ugljevik, Bosnia & Herzegovina. |
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