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Highlights |
Daily Reports: 2018 XX Kokkola Winter Festival and CIA Winter Congress – Finland
Galassi Bellows "Know the People" Interview, Castelfidardo - Italy
Joseph Natoli New President of Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) – USA
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina - Italy
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Renzo Ruggieri New Accordion Duo Composition 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro', Italy
Enrollment Deadline for Zurich Classes is 15th March - Switzerland
Hotel Accordion Block Oversold for 2018 NAA Convention - USA
Viivi Maria Saarenkylä Accordion Artist Of The 2018 Year - Finland
Harry Hussey Unwell, Glasgow – UK
Gorka Hermosa New CD, Donastia – Spain
Future events |
Valentine’s Day Concert, Pretoria - South Africa
Iñigo Mikeleiz-Barrade – Winter Concert Season, London, Kent - UK
NY Klezmer Series in Manhattan, New York – USA
Accordion Orchestra Workshops, Wesseling - Germany
Martynas Lunchtime Concert @ St Martin-in-the-Fields, London – UK
Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Ceilidh, Renfew – UK
East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra Concert, Maghera - Northern Ireland
Gorka Hermosa Master Class, Opole – Poland
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Highlights |
Nello Mengascini, 12 March 1934 - 5th February 2018, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Nello Mengascini, founder of the highly regarded Mengascini Accordion Factory, Italy, passed away on the 5th February 2018, aged 83 (in one month 84 years).Nello Mengascini started work in the early 1950's as a tuner in the company E. Sagni in Recanati and as an artigian collaborating with important factories of the region. During a period when many big factories were closing, Nello Mengascini decided to take over all necessary machinery from the company Accordiola and in 1980, started up his own business as accordion producer with the help of other workers. Mengascini Nello S.r.l. from these beginnings, with sons Fabio and Stefano, has grown to be one of the important quality accordion producers in Italy and a satisfying life project for Nello, who was still active, working in 2018. Many interesting details of the life of Nello Mengascini and the history of the Mengascini Accordion Factory are included in the "Know the People" interview at: 2017MN-Interview |
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Daily Reports: 2018 XX Kokkola Winter Festival and CIA Winter Congress – Finlandby Harley Jones |
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 The 2018 XX Kokkola Accordion Festival, Artistic Director Raimo Vertainen, runs from February 11th 18th and the Daily Reports will feature Finnish music from the 100 year history of Finland, which is rich in accordion activities.The 2018 event will also include the CIA Winter Congress with delegates from many of the 43 international member associations attending. View the Daily Reports of video and pictures at: 2018KokkolaReports Poster download: 2018Kokkola.pdf |
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Galassi Bellows "Know the People" Interview, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 "Know the People" Interview at: 2017Galassiwith: Renzo Galassi (Owner) Editor: Holda Paoletti-Kampl "Know the People" of Castelfidardo who have made this small city so famous around the world for their quality accordion products. Interview at: 2017Galassi Picture below: Renzo Galassi with his parents, Rino and Vanda who began the business in 1948 and even today, work daily in the factory. |
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Joseph Natoli New President of Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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 AWW congratulates Joseph Natoli (picture right) on becoming the new President of the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG). He succeeds Amy Jo Sawyer whose dedication to the accordion is very much appreciated. We wish Joseph Natoli, 1972 Coupe Mondiale 2nd placegetter, notable performer and composer, a most successful Presidency. You can see the ATG web site and his full welcome message at: http://www.accordions.com/atg Excerpts from the Natoli welcome message: Friends, I wanted to announce my first official day as President of the ATG, and am flattered and honored to fill this leadership role for such a great organization. As President, I hope that I can interest you in attending our 78th annual Festival at the Hyatt Regency in Lisle, IL (near Chicago), July 25th – 28th. We have another great line-up that includes Cory Pesaturo, Matthias Matzke, Mike Alongi, Stas Venglevski (previous ATG President), Xia Gang (China), and the incredible ATG Festival Orchestra under the baton of Joan Cochran Sommers. Our many workshops are always outstanding and informative on every level. It's going to be a wonderful 2018 for the accordion! For further information view the website at: www.accordions.com/atg |
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Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina - Italyby Rob Howard |
 Bach, Satie, Piazzolla, Bacalov, Rota, Morricone, and Lo Russo are just some of the composers of the songs scheduled for the concert ‘Sacred Harmony’ by Marco Lo Russo, scheduled for Sunday February 11th at 6pm at the Abbey of Valvisciolo in Sermoneta, Latina, Italy.The concert ‘Sacred Harmony’, after an international premiere on August 15th for the Night Krakow Sacred in Poland, arrives in Italy. Among the songs in the program is ‘Ave Maria’, composed by Marco Lo Russo and dedicated to Pope Francis: a musical production Rouge Sound Production, RAI Italian television, music editions already available in online stores. In addition, the Abbey of Valvisciolo has hosted the shooting of the official video clip of the ‘Ave Maria’. Official video, una luce umanoide production on https://youtu.be/_lrGM6-9XS The entrance to the concert has been made free thanks to the precious contribution of Banca Popolare del Lazio. Marco Lo Russo will also perform on Friday February 23rd at 8.15 pm at the Teatro Moderno in Latina, Italy, for an event on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of UPTEL, Popular University for all Ages. For further information email: press@marcolorusso.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
27th Finnish Accordion Association 24 hour Cruise - Finland & Swedenby Minna Plihtari |
| The 27th annual Finnish Accordion Association 24 hour Cruise from Turku, Finland to Stockholm, Sweden took place on the 27th and 28th January. The whole ship was full with 1,700 accordion players and accordion music lovers. Many people came on the 27 "accordion buses" from all over Finland and the rest by car or train etc. There were 17 accordion orchestras playing on the cruise plus many more ensembles playing traditional Finnish accordion music, dance music, jazz, tango nuevo, pop etc. Well known performers were Cory Pesaturo (USA), Jörgen Sundeqvist (Sweden), and from Finland, Jonna Pirttijoki, Viivi Maria Saarenkylä, Tiia Karttunen, Henna Leppänen with her Tango Ensemble, Seppo Lankinen, bandoneon player Sami Pirttilahti. We also had a wonderful Variete concert with young musicians. Two of them will represent the Finnish Accordion Association at the 2018 Coupe Mondiale. They are Pilvi Huhta, 16 years old and Tiia Karttunen, 21 years old. Pilvi is a school girl from Vihti and her teacher is Sofia Ahjoniemi. Tiia is studying at the Sibelius Academy to become music teacher. There were music all over the ship for 23 hours with people singing and dancing and having fun all night long. All who wanted to join were unable to be there because there were no more space. But no worries... the next Accordion Cuise will take place, 26-27 January 2019 and it's already on sale! (www.harmonikkaristeily.fi) |
Renzo Ruggieri New Accordion Duo Composition 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro', Italyby Harley Jones |
  This composition is taken from the OPERA? project, CD rruggieri09, for accordion, orchestra and reciting voice, which had the world premiere in Italy in 2008 in Pineto and in 2010 at the "State Theater" of Rostov-on-Don (Russia). This newly published version of 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro' is a reduction for duo accordion and is very effective, usually used in international competitions as well as in concert repertoires. Video above: Performance of Lo Scuro e il Chiaro (accordion duo) by Lorenzo Bosica and Andrea Di Giacomo "Virtuosity Duo" who won the "World Music" category in CIA Coupe Mondiale, Turku (Finland) in October 2015. Purchase and view sample pages at: rrenzo516 |
Enrollment Deadline for Zurich Classes is 15th March - Switzerlandby Kevin Friedrich |
 Accordionists interested in enrolling at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste/Zürich University of the Arts (ZHdK) in Zurich, Switzerland for the new accordion classes offered by Mika Väyrynen, are invited to apply by the March 15th, 2018 deadline. Entrance examinations will take place on May 3rd, 2018.Accordionists may take Bachelor, Master and Post Graduate studies and degrees studying under renowned Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen who will being the news courses in addition to his regular teaching at The Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and The Tampere University of Applied Sciences in Tampere, Finland. With around 2,800 students and 650 teaching staff, the Zurich University of the Arts is one of the major Universities of the Arts in Europe and easily accessible from all over Europe and abroad. The University Campus features many venues for exhibitions and performances, where the results of the education provided can be showcased to the public. Mika Väyrynen has distinguished himself as one of the world's leading exponents of the accordion not only as a performing and recording artist, but in working with and commissioning some of the world's most well known composers to include the accordion in their work. with worldwide performances as a soloist, a chamber musician and with symphony orchestra, his recording work, his teaching at the elite academic institutions Finland, his global Master Classes and working with some of the world's leading and most well known composers, inspiring them to create valuable new repertoire for the accordion. For more information at https://www.zhdk.ch/en/classical-music-2445 or you may contact the head of the Master's Department Prof. Cobus Swanepoel at e-mail: cobus.swanepoel@zhdk.ch or Mika directly at e-mail: mikaaccordion@gmail.com. |
Hotel Accordion Block Oversold for 2018 NAA Convention - USAby Harley Jones |
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 National Accordion Association (NAA) President Norman Seaton (picture right) has written that the "NAA has oversold their Hotel Accordion Block for March 7 - 10, 2018 for the NAA Convention. The exciting list of performers and clinicians has attracted the accordion fans.If you cannot book direct with the hotel (information on NAA site), then please contact me and we will manually book the rooms." For further information about the event and my contact details are at: NAA |
Viivi Maria Saarenkylä Accordion Artist Of The 2018 Year - Finlandby Minna Plihtari |
 For the first time in Finland, The Finnish Accordion Association made the award "Accordion Artist Of The Year". Legandary Finnish accordionist Veikko Ahvenainen handed out this award to Viivi Maria Saarenkylä.Viivi Maria Saarenkylä has found her own music style and genre. She has studied abroad after her basic music studies and she has achieved international successes in many international accordion competitions all over the world. She has now become a full-time musician and is also studying at the international Glomas Programme at Sibelius Academy. Viivi has represented her country with great success and has also been an excellent role model for other young accordionists as well as demonstrating just how versatile and modern sounding the accordion can be. Viivi is an important public relations person for the future of Finnish accordion music and its continuity which is also very important to the Finnish Accordion Association. |
Harry Hussey Unwell, Glasgow – UKby Rob Howard |
 One of the UK’s favourite accordion players, Harry Hussey, became unwell last week. After consulting with his GP he promptly drove himself to hospital and an operation was performed later that evening. We can report that Harry is now sitting up in bed (asking for his accordion) and feeling much better with the world. His operation does mean that he will not be able to perform at next week’s Eastbourne Accordion Festival and all further gigs over the next few weeks have been cancelled whilst he is recuperating. It is hoped that he will be back on his feet for the Blackpool Accordion Festival in early March. Harry Hussey (born 1929) has long been one of Britain’s busiest and most popular accordionists, well known for his spontaneous jazz performances at accordion clubs and festivals. His hugely successful musical career has seen Harry playing for and alongside some of the biggest names in show business including George Chisholm, Matt Monro, Alan Littlejohn (who once introduced Harry by saying “Here is a man on the squeezebox & wireless set” referring to his amplifier), Norman Wisdom, Jack Emblow, Frank Marocco, Rolf Harris, and Anthony Newley. |
Gorka Hermosa New CD, Donastia – Spainby Rob Howard |
 Spanish accordionist and composer Gorka Hermosa has released a new CD of his compositions, ‘ELE, Lauaxeta – Lorca’. He describes this recording as “the most biographical CD that I have done: - ‘Ode to grandmother Josefa’ is about the misfortunes of my family in the Spanish Civil War; - ‘Belarri Motzak’ is about the immigration of my parents; - Gernika (Guernica) ... South and North, Lorca and Lauaxeta. I hope that you feel goosebumps at least half more than me...fff!!... how many emotions together...” For further information email: elkar@elkar.eus |
Future events |
‘Tango Sensations’ Concert, Fribourg – Switzerlandby Rob Howard |
 The quintet ‘Tango Sensations’, featuring accordionist and bandoneonist Stéphane Chapuis, performs ‘Misa Tango’, by the Argentinean composer Martin Palmeri, at l'Université de Fribourg, Switzerland, on Sunday February 11th, 8pm.Stéphane Chapuis teaches at the Conservatoire de Lausanne - HEMU (Haute Ecole de Musique University), the Conservatoire cantonal de musique de Sion, l’EJMA - VS (Ecole de Jazz et Musique Actuelle), and the Conservatoire de Musique Montreux. |
Valentine’s Day Concert, Pretoria - South Africaby Rob Howard |
 Israeli mandolin player Alon Sariel leads a quartet, featuring accordionist Sergio Zampolli, for a Valentine’s Day Concert of famous Neapolitan Café Music on Wednesday February 14th, 7pm, at the Brooklyn Theatre, Pretoria, South Africa.For further information email: info@brooklyntheatre.co.za |
Iñigo Mikeleiz-Barrade – Winter Concert Season, London, Kent - UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Iñigo Mikeleiz-Barrade performs, as follows:February 15th, 7.30pm - Royal Academy of Music, London (David Josefowith Recital Hall). An evening of chamber music by Dvorák, Mozart, and Efrem Podgaits, as well as Václav Trojan’s beautifully descriptive and poetic ‘The Emperor’s Nightingale’ for violin, guitar and classical accordion. February 27th, 10.45am - Diphonon Duo (accordion and viola duo), The Faversham Assembly Rooms, Faversham, Kent. Repertoire includes from original contemporary works to transcriptions from baroque and classical music. March 6th, 11.30am - Concordia Foundation Solo Recital @ UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre, London. Concordia encourages excellence in both performance and technical musicianship. There is a focus on developing the whole artist, illustrating the benefits of giving back to the community and helping to foster a well-rounded personality able to surmount the challenges of a life in the Arts. Born in 1994 in Navarra, Spain, Iñigo Mikeleiz Berrade, studied at the Conservatory of Music ‘Pablo Sarasate’, the Superior Conservatory of Music of Navarra, graduating with Bachelor of Music with honours, and moved to London for postgraduate studies with Professor Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music. He has attended masterclasses with, among others, Anne Landa, Javier López Jaso, Miguel Ituarte, Alexey Artemyev, Antonio Serrano and Javier Colina. For further information email: info@zzmusic.uk |
NY Klezmer Series in Manhattan, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
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| The 2018 NY Klezmer Series begins on Thursday February 15th, 7pm, at FUNKY JOE'S!, 455 West 56th St. (near 10th Ave.), Manhattan, New York. There is ample free street parking after 7pm near Columbus Circle subway). The evening timetable is: 7pm - Instrumental Klezmer Workshop, 9pm - Short Concert set and Tantshoyz (Dance Party), and 10.30pm until 11.30pm - Jam Session. The musicians are Lauren Brody – accordion, Alicia Svigals – violin, and Aaron Alexander – drums, and the dancing instructor is Sarah Myerson. For further information email: newyorkklezmer@gmail.com |
Accordion Orchestra Workshops, Wesseling - Germanyby Rob Howard |
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 The Akkordeon-Orchester Wesseling (MD Anita Brandtstäter, picture left) is, for the 6th year running, presenting a series of workshops, ‘Playing together with a pinch’, for accordion students to experience the interaction with others in an orchestra. The workshops are on consecutive Thursday evenings, 6.15pm, February 15th, 22nd, March 1st, March 8th, and March 15th. On the final date, March 15th, the workshop is planned as part of an accordion concert.The rehearsal schedule and for the concert program of the workshop orchestra are new pieces like ‘Wusel's Adventure in the Zoo’, by Sebastian Klein, ‘Anton’s Tango’, by Tobias Dalhof, the Russian ‘Song of the Crocodile Gena’, by Vladimir Shainsky, arranged by Elena Taran, and the suite ‘Blues, Ballad and Boogie’, by Peter Martin, arranged by Ronny Fugman The Akkordeon-Orchester Wesseling is based near Cologne, Germany. For further information email: a.brandtstaeter@netcologne.de |
Martynas Lunchtime Concert @ St Martin-in-the-Fields, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 Lithuanian accordion virtuoso Martynas Levickis performs a free solo lunchtime concert at the famous St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, London, on Friday February 16th, 1pm until 1.45pm. The concert programme will include transcriptions of Baroque masters and much-loved classics, inspiring contemporary works, beautiful arrangements of traditional Lithuanian folk melodies, and new Lithuanian compositions.From the age of three Martynas Levickis began to teach himself the traditional folk music of his home country Lithuania. At eight years old he started to learn formally at the S. Sondeckis School of the Arts in his hometown of Šiauliai, and then went on to study with Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music in London followed by postgraduate studies with Iñaki Alberdi at Musikene in Spain. In 2013 he became the first accordionist to be signed to Decca Classics, a Universal Classics label. His debut album achieved great success going straight to the top of the UK Classical Album Charts. Martynas Levickis has performed on tour in China, Germany, South Korea, Spain, the UK and the USA. He enjoys a busy and varied international career, performing at venues and major festivals across the globe. This season he will direct his ensemble Mikroorkéstra in various projects including his own vibrant arrangement for accordion and chamber orchestra of Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’. Martynas Levickis is the Artistic Director of Vilnius Accordion Music Week and of Composers+ Summer Academy. He is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and a member of the Advisory Board of the Lithuanian World Arts Council. He plays a classical accordion Pigini NÒVA thanks to the generous support of The Lady R Foundation. |
Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Ceilidh, Renfew – UKby Rob Howard |
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 On Friday February 16th, 7.30pm to 11.30pm, the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Concert (MD Gary Blair) performs a fund raising ceildhs at the Masonic Hall, Queen St, Renfrew PA4 8TR, Scotland.The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra has a history dating back to the early 1970s. During the 1970s, the orchestra was a dominant force in the All Britain Accordion Championships, winning competitions in all orchestra sections and many of the band members won group, duet and solo sections. The band also played many concerts, including visits France, Belgium and Canada. With the untimely death of Jimmy Blair in 1981, the band was taken over by his wife Lola, until she also died a few years later. In 2009 their son Gary Blair revived the JBAO, which has won first prizes at NAO local and UK Championships. |
East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra Concert, Maghera - Northern Irelandby Rob Howard |
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| The East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra (MD Clyde Johnston) performs in concert on Friday February 16th, 8pm, for the Tobermore Boys Brigade at the McKinney Hall, Main Street, Tobermore, Maghera, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. For further information email: clyde.johnston@hotmail.co.uk |
Gorka Hermosa Master Class, Opole – Polandby Rob Howard |
 Spanish accordionist, composer and teacher Gorka Hermosa is holding a master class on Sunday February 18th at the Szkola Muzyczna Fryderyk Chopin, Opole, Poland.Gorka Hermosa was the first Spanish accordionist to play as soloist with a symphonic orchestra, and has since performed all around Europe. He plays in various musical styles including flamenco, fado, folk, pop-rock, jazz, techno, fusion, etc. As a classical composer, his works are frequently performed around the world. He recorded 3 CDs, written 4 books about the accordion, and has given conferences about the history of the accordion in Macedonia, Italy and Spain. He is currently the Professor of Accordion at the ‘Jesús de Monasterio’ Conservatory in Santander. For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
New and Updated Sites |
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UKby Harley Jones |
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 UK composer Douglas Ward and Charnwood Publishing have released 6 new compositions. Click the links to learn more about each work and see a sample page.DW944 - Bananas for Two DW945 - Countryside March DW946 - Emergency Tango DW947 - Chasing Rabbits DW948 - Mosaic Waltz DW949 - Forest Waltz |
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