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Highlights |
The 21st Great Accordion Cruise, Turku to Stockholm - Finland
‘Squeezebox Spring’ Festival – Monaco
Friedrich Lips Accordion Workshop, Carinthia – Austria
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Two Beltango Quintet Concerts in Historic Teatru Manoel - Malta
eTracks MP3 Albums by Friedrich Lips, Renzo Ruggieri & Lionel Reekie Now Online – International
North Staffs Accordion Club @ Stockport, Cheshire – UK
‘14 Years Ago’ – Morris Dancing in Germany
Future events |
Forthcoming Renzo Ruggieri CD, Castelfidardo – Italy
Women’s Day Concert, Tallinn – Estonia
Gorka Hermosa TV2, 10th March and Other Events - Spain, France, Estonia
Musical Show ‘Remember Shtetl’, Krakow – Poland
Paul Chamberlain Solo Concerts, Dewsbury, New Mills – UK
‘Whiskey and Women’ Shows, California – USA
Guildford Accordion Club’s ‘Irish Theme Evening’, Surrey – UK
Victor Prieto Trio @ Terraza 7, New York – USA
José Valadez Classical Recital, Monterrey – México
Petar Ralchev and Dimos Vougioukas Concert, Brussels – Belgium
New and Updated Sites |
eTracks Starts on MusicForAccordion.com Website - International
MP3 eTracks Album Release by Grayson Masefield
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Frank Marocco (1931-2012), California – USAby Rob Howard |
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| The accordion world mourns the passing of Frank Marocco, who died in Los Angeles on March 3rd 2012, aged 81. Born in Illinois, jazz accordionist Frank Marocco’s musical career began in Chicago where, at the age of 17, he won a national music contest, performing his winning solo with the Chicago Pops Orchestra, playing before several thousand people in Soldier’s Field. He spent the next few years travelling all over the USA with his quartet, playing accordion at hotels and clubs in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs. Eventually, he settled down in Los Angeles. After a period as the pianist with the Les Brown swing band, Marocco worked with Bob Hope, playing accordion, both on TV and on worldwide tours entertaining US forces. He also worked with Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, Harry Connick Jr, Liza Minelli, Ray Connif, Burt Bacharach, Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, John Denver, Glenn Campbell, Dudley Moore, Sophia Loren, Bob Newhart, George Burns, and many more. Frank Marocco recorded over 500 soundtracks for films and television in Hollywood. His movie credits include ‘Grease’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, ‘The Muppet Movie’, ‘The Blues Brothers’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Beauty & the Beast’, ‘Dr Zhivago’, ‘Rocky 3’, ‘Schindler’s List’ and ‘The Godfather’, to name just a few. He also recorded with artistes as diverse as Madonna, Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, and Luciano Pavarotti. Widely respected throughout the accordion world, Frank Marocco’s great musicality and dazzling technique were much admired wherever he performed, and his and warm personality endeared him to audiences and all who met him. Marocco is survived by his wife of 60 years, Anne; his daughters Cynthia, Venetia and Lisa; and eight grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to: Anne Marocco, 7063 Whitaker Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406, USA. There will be a private cremation. A Memorial concert will be planned at a later date. Picture below, Italian newspaper. L A Times obituary: marocco_latimes.pdf |
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The 21st Great Accordion Cruise, Turku to Stockholm - Finlandby Minna Plihtari |
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 The 21st and 2012 Finnish Accordion Association (Suomen Harmonikkaliitto - SHL) organised Great Accordion Cruise took place on the 4/5 March and was again the worlds biggest cruise with: - 2500 accordion lovers from all over Finland and from many other countries taking part; - hundreds of accordionists performing on the cruise ship; - semifinals of the 2012 Golden Accordion and Silver Accordion competitions, selected the finalists who will compete at the Sata-Häme Soi Festival, 3rd to 8th July. Pictured above top, are the finalists of the Golden Accordion Competition 2012, back row left: Tarvo Kantola, Julia Suihkola, Sanna Sällinen, Meeri Koskinen, Henriikka Santamaa and Jari Saarenpää. The Silver Accordion Competition 2012 Finalists are, front row left: Tuukka Waris, Kalle Makkonen, Pilvi Huhta, Anna Salomaa, Linda Ullgrén, Nestori Hujala and Maija Pirinen. Picture above, lower is Airin Spelarit playing in concert. Picture above left is Julia Suihkola playing for the VIP guests. The winner of Golden Accordion competition 2012 at the Sata-Häme Soi Festival in July will represent Finland in the International Primus Ikaalinen competition. This is one of the most picturesque winter cruises. See the 2010 Finland Cruise pictures. Pictures below are: left, Mikko Makkonen and right Timo Hautamäki in concert, lower is Jaakko Laitinen & Väärä Raha at Joe's Place Pub. |
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‘Squeezebox Spring’ Festival – Monacoby Rob Howard |
 The ‘Squeezebox Spring’ festival takes place at venues in Monaco, March 16th to 18th. The festival opens on Friday March 16th, 5.30pm, at the Marlborough Gallery, with ‘Meet the Accordion’, with Pascal Contet. This is followed by a concert at the Salle Empire, Hotel de Paris, featuring Pascal Contet, Richard Galliano (picture left) and Breton music specialist Jabick Martin. On Saturday March 17th event highlights include an Accordion Master Class with Basque musician Philippe de Ezcurra, 10am to 1pm, and a music software presentation, 2pm to 5pm, both at the Théâtre des Variétés; accordion music from Italy and the Basque region by Philippe de Ezcurra, and traditional Italian music by the Duo Bottasso, (violin and diatonic accordion), 8.30pm at the Chateau des Terrasses, Cap d'Ail. There is a concert of music by Bach and Ligeti, played by Germano Scurti, and traditional Irish music, played by Charlie Harris (diatonic button accordion), at the Anglican Church, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, on Sunday March 18th, 3pm. At 6pm in St Michael's Church, La Turbie, there is a concert of traditional Basque music by Philippe de Ezcurra (accordion and bandoneon), and an open air ‘Latin Cabaret’ in the streets of La Turbie by Max Bonnay and Claude Delangle (accordion and saxophone). For further information email: verdure.sophie@printempsdesarts.com |
Friedrich Lips Accordion Workshop, Carinthia – Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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 For the very first time, the annual Friedrich Lips accordion workshop in Austria will be held during Musikforum Viktring from 8th to 12th July 2012 (located in Carinthia, near Klagenfurt). Photos of the historic venue above.Friedrich Lips, concert artist, acclaimed tutor, is head of the famous Bayan/Accordion Department of the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow. He will give solo lessons to participants giving his view of how to solve musical and technical problems, performance on stage, etc. For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at 24 CD's available at Friedrich Lips website. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Joe Burke ‘Traditional Irish Music Collection’, Galway – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
 Joe Burke - Traditional Irish Music Collection’ is a collection of 104 reels, jigs and hornpipes, with settings as played by this master of the 2-row diatonic button accordion. The book includes three CD, which include all the tunes played right hand only for learning purposes.Joe Burke (born 1939), from Galway, is a legend of Irish traditional music. In 1959 and 1960 he was an All Ireland Champion on the 2-row BC button accordion, and for many years lived in the USA, where he performed with distinction at many festivals and other events. Joe Burke – also a noted flautist - now lives back in Galway, where he teaches the accordion and continues to perform and record. For further information email: joeburkemusic@eircom.net CD available online at: Joe Burke |
Two Beltango Quintet Concerts in Historic Teatru Manoel - Maltaby Harley Jones |
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 Colores del Tango is a high quality dance show accompanied by the Beltango Quintet. There were two performances at the historic Teatru Manoel in Valletta, Malta, on February 25th and 26th (picture above).All tickets were sold out on both consecutive nights, and it was great to see the theatre filled to capacity. The beautiful live music and the flawless execution of the dancing inspired each other, and gave the audience the chance to experience the true colours of Tango. Barbara Elekes reported that: The dancers Johanna Kulik, Josip Bartulovic and Santiago Maciel captivated the audience and the Beltango members led by accordion and bandoneon player Aleksandar Nikolic (picture right) showed true mastery of their individual instruments and the skill with which the different sounds were bought together in the evening’s repertoire". Aleksandar Nikolic, Ivana Nikolic (piano/vocal), Jovan Bogosavljevic (violin), Bogdan Pejic (el.guitar), Ljubinko Lazic (double bass) vividly impressed the audience through the intensity of Tango and everybody in the theatre was touched in one way or another. Beltango Trilogia Triple CD pack available online at Beltango. |
eTracks MP3 Albums by Friedrich Lips, Renzo Ruggieri & Lionel Reekie Now Online – Internationalby Harley Jones |
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  The eTracks part of the MusicForAccordion.com website starts its 3rd week and has already grown to over 350 MP3 tracks available. Priced at only € 0.70 a track with most albums costing € 8.00 or less its great value.New Albums this week are: 4 albums by Friedrich Lips Russisch und Trepak / Russia and Trepak: Also Sprach Zarathustra Encore Schneefall bei Nacht / Snowfall at Night 2 albums by Renzo Ruggieri Kramer Project Opera 1 album by Lionel Reekie Each week from now on, new eTracks will be released until most of the artists who currently sell their CD's through the MusicForAccordion website are listed. These will be announced each week as the eTracks are made available. The advantage of eTracks is that you can download the MP3 files to your computer or other sound device such as ipod, iphone etc. You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. |
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North Staffs Accordion Club @ Stockport, Cheshire – UKby Rob Howard |
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| Stockport Accordion Club's February 29th Club Night featured the North Staffs Accordion Club Band (MD Geoff Millward) in concert - picture above. This was the return fixture, following Stockport Accordion Clubs visit to North Staffs last November. The evening proved to be a resounding success. There was a large attendance, and the guests did two great sets, with music that was entertaining and varied. The buffet was great too and it was all free, so everyone was a winner! North Staffs’ long serving Geoff Millward is retiring as MD, and this was his final concert. He was presented with a copy of Rob Howard’s ‘Vintage Accordions’ as a momento. The NSAC program included ‘Der Arnbacher March’, ‘I Dreamed A Dream’, ‘Begin The Beguine’, ‘Gallop’, ‘Largo’ (New World Symphony), ‘Yesterday’/’When I’m 64’, ‘Fiesta Espana’, ‘Mfyanwy’, ‘Big Parade’, ‘Speak Softly Love’, ‘Whistle Down The Wind’, ‘A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square’, ‘Morgens Und Sieben’ (James Last), ‘Memory’, ‘An American In Paris’ (Gershwin), ‘Oklahoma Selection’ (Rodgers & Hammerstein), and ‘Amazing Grace’ For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
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‘14 Years Ago’ – Morris Dancing in Germanyby Rob Howard |
| The Accordions Worldwide news for March 6th 1998 included an item telling how German accordionist Dorothée Reuther had become so entranced by Morris dancing whilst living in England that on returning to Dresden she resolved to form her own team. Morris is one of most quintessentially English forms of dancing, and it would be interesting to know how successful Dorothée was in forming her team. If anyone reading this knows, please let me know; email robaccord5@hotmail.com ACCORDIONISTS WANTED! - GERMANY Contributed by Andrea Rautenberg During her stay in England Dorothée Reuther (Dresden) joined a Morris-Dance Group and had so much fun, she now wants to set up a group in Dresden, Germany but needs accordionists! Morris-Dance involves groups of six men, wearing white shirts and trousers, decorated with ribbons, and bells on their legs. They stand in a two-by-three formation and begin a vigorous, athletic dance, moving up and down, back and forth, gesturing with big white handkerchiefs while performing spectacular leaps. Dorothée is looking for interested accordionists from Dresden to join the group. There is a similar group in Leipzig and there are plans to organise a joint workshop in June. Morris-Dance is "a chance to perform in the street, to show off, to be loud, silly or raucous, to violate normal standards of behaviour and not only get away with it but be applauded for it." Interested accordionists email Dorothée at: dr12@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de |
Future events |
Romano Viazzani in Jazz Cabaret Show ‘Transatlantic’, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday March 11th, 7.30pm, ‘Transatlantic’ is at the Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn St, London SW1Y 6ST.‘Transatlantic’ is a jazz cabaret show presenting the music of composers from the 1930s to the present day, ranging from Hoagy Carmichael and Jerome Kern to Paul Simon and Sting. The vocalist is Joanna Strand, and the musicians involved include accordionist Romano Viazzani. For further information email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk 3 CD's available online at Romano Viazzani |
Forthcoming Renzo Ruggieri CD, Castelfidardo – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 Accordionist Renzo Ruggieri and pianist Paolo Di Sabatino, two of the most famous Italian jazz musicians, combine on a new CD to play some universally recognized melodies from popular Italian music in captivating ways. Starting from the National Anthem, they go through movie soundtracks (Morricone, Piovani, Ortolani), pop and folk music, opera music, etc. The CD will be released in May 2012. |
Women’s Day Concert, Tallinn – Estoniaby Rob Howard |
| A French-themed concert to celebrate Women’s Day, organized by Corelli Music, takes place on Sunday March 11th, 7 pm, at the Toompea Music Lounge, Hall of Estonian Academy of Sciences, Kohtu str 6, Tallinn, Estonia. Performing are Silvi Vrait – vocalist, Raivo Tafenau - accordion, Jürmo Eespere – keyboards, and Liina Amon – percussion. Corelli Music celebrates Women's Day with a particularly delicate sound world in the cozy Toompea Music Lounge, created by Silvi Vrait, a grand lady in Estonian music, and Jazz Musician of the Year 2010 Raivo Tafenau with his band. Silvi Vrait will lead us to Paris, the City of Love. The enjoyable atmosphere of Paris will be brought to us by Raivo Tafenau on accordion. Together they will perform some of the most famous French chansons, both in French and Estonian. Almost all of the Estonian lyrics have been written by Lauri Leesi. Accordion, which is basically the first thing to represent the concept of Seine river and the famous café commotion beside it, and – of course – love have central place in this concert programme. Who could put love into music better than the French? |
Gorka Hermosa TV2, 10th March and Other Events - Spain, France, Estoniaby Gorka Hermosa |
  Tomorrow at 12h, 10 March, Gorka Hermosa will be on Spanish National TV (TVE2) playing with Ara Malikian, presenting my last CD "Flamenco Etxea" and premiering my last composition "Goya: Capricho 43". Coming events: 14 &15 March 2012: Jury at Grand Prix International d`accordéon from 13 to 15th of March. Montrond les Bains (France) and premiere of my new accordion composition by Grayson Masefield. 20 March 2012: "Malandro trio". Santander. SIM 24 March 2012: "Garúa & friends". Santander. Sol Cultural 29 March 2012: "Malandro trio": La Arnía (Cantabria) 14 April 2012: "Fantangueando" (duo with the harpschicord player Silvia Márquez). Tallin (Estonia) |
Musical Show ‘Remember Shtetl’, Krakow – Polandby Rob Howard |
 Israeli singer and dancer Mendy Cahan and Poland’s singer and accordionist Olga Mieleszczuk (picture right) perform their musical show, ‘Remember Shtetl’, of Jewish, Polish and Ukrainian folk songs and dances at the Galicia Jewish Museum, 18 Dajwor St, Krakow, on Tuesday March 13th, 5pm. Free admission.For further information email: info@galiciajewishmuseum.org |
Paul Chamberlain Solo Concerts, Dewsbury, New Mills – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Paul Chamberlain, from Edinburgh, will be giving two solo classical concerts in the north of England next week.The first is a lunchtime recital in Dewsbury Town Hall, Yorkshire, on Wednesday March 14th at 12.30pm as part of the Kirklees Concert Season. The following evening, March 15th, Paul will perform in the Providence United Reform Church, New Mills, Derbyshire, at 7.30pm. The concerts will feature a varied programme, including works by Bach, Angelis, Repnikov and Khachaturian. For further information email: paul@theaccordionist.com Classical Accordion CD available at Paul Chamberlain |
‘Whiskey and Women’ Shows, California – USAby Rob Howard |
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 The trio ‘Whiskey and Women’ are button accordionist Renee de la Prade, and violinists Rosie Steffi and Joan Wilson Rueter. Their music is a mixture of Cajun, Folk, Rock and Irish. Their forthcoming dates include:March 15th, 7pm - Presidio Yacht Club a.k.a Travis Marina, Sausalito, CA. March 17th, 4.30pm - St Patrick's Day gig at the Celtic Soul Concert, Urban Island, CA March 17th, 9pm - The Sleeping Lady, Fairfax, CA For further information email: squeezeboxgoddess@gmail.com |
Guildford Accordion Club’s ‘Irish Theme Evening’, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
 Guildford Accordion Club’s next concert will be an ‘Irish Theme Evening’, on Friday March 18th, 7.30pm, in a nod to St.Patrick’s Day. The evening begins with a Playalong, featuring Irish tunes. Accordionists Richie Ahearne and Bob Murphy (picture left) will provide Irish entertainment. Also appearing are the Tillingbourne Accordion Orchestra, who will perform ‘Irische Suite’, by Matyas Seiber.The evening includes an Irish Supper. Just bring a plate (with something on it) if you wish. The Club will supply tea, coffee and Porter Cake. Irish Coffee will be an optional extra. The venue is the Ripley Village Hall, High St, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6AF For further information email: myrabee@btinternet.com |
Victor Prieto Trio @ Terraza 7, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
 The Victor Prieto Trio perform at Terraza 7, 40-19 Gleane St, Elmhurst, NY, on Thursday March 22nd, 9.30pm. Jazz accordionist Victor Prieto has recently returned to New York after what he describes as “an amazing and intense tour in Spain with my trio, Edward Perez, bass and Eric Doob, drums”. For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
José Valadez Classical Recital, Monterrey – Méxicoby Christine Johnstone |
 Accordionist José Valadez performs a classical recital at the Teatro del Centro de las Artes, Parque Fundidora, Monterrey, N.L., México on March 28th, 8pm.The first half of the program – for solo accordion - includes ‘Preludio Op. 31’ (Volpi), ‘Acquarelli Cubani’ (Fancelli), and ‘La Comparsa’ (Lecuona). The second part of the recital is accordion and chamber orchestra: ‘Concerto for Clavichord in D Major BWV 1054’ (Bach), ‘The Flight of the Bumblebee’ (Korsakov), ‘In a Persian Market’ (Ketelby), and the overtures ‘Poet and Peasant’ and ‘Light Cavalry’ (Suppé). For further information email: joseavaladez@prodigy.net.mx |
Petar Ralchev and Dimos Vougioukas Concert, Brussels – Belgiumby Harley Jones |
  Accordionists Petar Ralchev, from Bulgaria, and Dimos Vougioukas, from Greece, perform music of the Balkans (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey, etc), and their own compositions in a concert at The Art Base, 29 rue des sables, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. This concert takes place on Friday March 30th, 8pm.Petar Ralchev is one of the brightest stars on the contemporary Bulgarian music scene. The founder of a unique performing style, which he describes as "virtuosity, melodiousness, rich harmony and improvisation," he is an inspiration for many young accordionists around the world today. Having inherited a wealth of tunes, rhythms and measures from the folk tradition, he takes them into new realms and leads them to new heights. Dimos Vougioukas is one of the young accordion soloists of Greek and Balkan traditional music. He has worked with well known soloists in the Balkans such as Ionica Minune and Petar Ralchev. Moreover, he played with performers of Greek music as Nena Venetsanou, George Dalaras, Glykeria, Nana Mouskouri, etc. For further information email: vougioukas_dimos@hotmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
eTracks MP3 Albums by Friedrich Lips and Renzo Ruggieri Now Online – Internationalby Harley Jones |
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  The eTracks part of the MusicForAccordion.com website starts its 2nd week and has already grown to over 240 MP3 tracks available. Priced at only € 0.70 a track with most albums costing € 8.00 or less its great value.New Albums this week are: 4 albums by Friedrich Lips Et Exspecto De Profundis Six Children's Suites Dieu Parmi Nous 4 albums by Renzo Ruggieri Improvvisazioni Guidate Storie di Fisarmonica Vissuta Terre Renzo Ruggieri Collection |
eTracks Starts on MusicForAccordion.com Website - Internationalby Harley Jones |
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 As a special tribute to the passing of Yehuda Oppenheimer, he will be the first artist to be featured on the new MusicForAccordion eTracks part of the site.You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. As a Super Special in commemoration of Yehuda Oppenheimer, if you buy one Yehuda Oppenheimer album (7 Euro), we will also send you free of charge, another Yehuda Oppenheimer album. Just email your choice after you have ordered. This is a two week special in honor of the life of Yehuda Oppenheimer. Other eTracks albums being released this week are a series of New Zealand albums: - Catalog: coupe2009 featuring Coupe Mondiale 2009 World Accordion Orchestra III and the 2009 Coupe Mondiale winners concert. Historical New Zealand accordion recordings to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the New Zealand Accordion Association. - Catalog: Timelapse - featuring Maurice Jones, John Statham and Paul Marshall - vocals, (1980 and 1986) - Catalog: joneshm - featuring Harley Jones and Maurice Jones (1975) - Catalog: Silvio De Pra (1997) - Catalog: anzao201 - featuring Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (1992) - Catalog: anzao1986 - featuring Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (1986) - Catalog: nsao1984 - featuring New Zealand NS Accordion Orchestra (1984) |
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MP3 eTracks Album Release by Grayson Masefieldby Grayson Masefield |
 Five times World Accordion Champion, 2008, 2009, 2010, Grayson Masefield has released his first album titled Grayson Masefield. The works include both Concert music and Virtuoso Entertainment music as befits his major international competition wins. Most tracks are only €0.70 and the 14 tracks are: Concert Music 1. Ah vous dirai~je Maman - W.A. Mozart 2. Prophetic Dream - Viatcheslav Semionov 3. Sonata in F major - D. Scarlatti 4. Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor - J.S. Bach 5. Fragilissimo - Gorka Hermosa 6. Hommage a Paco - Franck Angelis Virtuoso Entertainment 7. Pondichery Tango - Jérôme Richard 8. Notes Vagabondes - Claude Thomain 9. L’enfant Demon - Claude Thomain 10. Bluesette - Toots Thielemans 11. Oblivion - Astor Piazolla 12. Tico Tico - Zequinha Abreu 13. La Tempete - André Astier 14. Tango Pour Claude - Richard Galliano The advantage of eTracks is that you can download the MP3 files to your computer or other sound device such as ipod, iphone etc. You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. |
CD Reviews |
Kein Schöner Land CD by Leuchter - Melroseby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Kein Schöner Land CD, Italian and English, reviewed by Alessandro Mugnoz. Artist is Manfred Leuchter and Ian Melrose. |
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