Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Editors Note:by Rob Howard |
I note with real pride, the many successes that young accordionists have both in the accordion field and outside it – see articles below about young New Zealand and Australian accordionists. Somehow, successful young accordionists also learn to achieve in so many other fields of endeavour – is this a real and powerful testament to the value of a fine musical education? Rob Howard |
Frankfurt Musikmesse 2009 - Germanyby Harley Jones |
For four days at the Frankfurt Musikmesse Fair, 1st to the 4th April, manufacturers, dealers and professional, semi-professional and amateur musicians meet to discover the latest musical product innovations. Some 1,560 exhibitors from 51 countries presented their products, and during the 4 days there were also 300 concerts. Accordion was strongly represented by accordion manufacturers from Europe, Russian and Chinese accordion manufacturers not attending. There were many accordion stars with accordion well represented at the stage performances and many other famous accordionists playing at the accordion manufacturers display stands. Holda Paoletti-Kampl attended and compiled a lovely photo montage of the event. 2009 Frankfurt Musikmesse Montage. |
Mika Väyrynen to perform with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Tampere - Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
Accordionist Mika Väyrynen will appear in Tampere, Finland on April 17th 2009 when he performs with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Okko Kamu, performing the work ‘Prophecy’ - Concerto for Accordion and Symphony Orchestra by Erkki-Sven Tüür. A regular soloist with Symphony Orchestra, Mika gave the premiere of this work in October 2007 when he performed with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Olari Elts. Mika will keep a busy spring schedule with two trips to Spain to teach in Zaragoza and Oviedo, as well as recording on bandoneon for NBC. For more information, please visit www.accordions.com/mika |
Accordion Concert Reviewed in the New York Times - USAby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Finnish accordionist Mikko Luoma performed in New York on March 26th, and the concert was reviewed in the New York Times, in which Anthony Tommasini wrote quite reflectively on the accordion and its possibilities. As it is not often that a major (classical) music critic comments on the accordion, the review is presented here… Luoma NY Times Review For further information email: mikko.luoma@turkuamk.fi |
Successful Young Accordionist - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
On Saturday 4th April Stephanie Panzic was presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award by the Governor- General of New Zealand, his Excellency the Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand in a ceremony at Government House Auckland. This was the culmination of 5 years following a skill, a sport, service in the community and outdoor expeditions. Stephanie was also chosen to give the speech of thanks on behalf of the other 32 recipients, for which she received much acclaimation and later, personal congratulations from the Governor-General. Also, on 20th March, Stephanie Panzic received her ATCL for flute at a Trinity Guildhall graduation held in Auckland. Stephanie Panzic has just begun her first year at Auckland University studying Law & Science and in her spare time sings with the Greater Auckland Chorus, plays in the North Shore Accordion Orchestra and is preparing to compete in the Coupe Mondiale in August. Who can succeed better than accordionists? |
Academic Successes by Accordionists - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
Lina Chegodaev and Nick Shcherbakov passed their AMEB A.Mus Accordion Diplomas and the presentation took place on the 8th March at the University of New South Wales. Ivan Liashenko, Vice President of the Australian Accordion Teachers Association, completed his Bachelor of Music Performance Degree at the University of Western Sydney. Ivan will continue his education at the UWS with the aim of achieving Masters of Music Performance. Congratulations to these three accordionists. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Minna Weurlander’s New CD, Malmö - Swedenby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Minna Weurlander (born in 1971 in Finland) studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. As a solo accordionist she plays all kinds of music,from contemporary to Argentinean ’Tango Nuevo’. Her first solo CD ’Usva’, was released in 1999. She has performed as a soloist with chamber and symphony orchestras and has been involved in a large number of dance, opera and theatre performances, both as musician and as composer. Weurlander’s new CD ’ Señora del Destino’ includes South American and Russian music: it contains music by the two bandoneon master Luis di Matteo (Uruguay) and Astor Piazzolla (Argentina). Also included are ’Kalina Krasnaja’ and ’Don Rhapsody’ by the Russian bajan virtuoso Viatcheslav Semionov, ’Milonga en cinco’, by the Swedish composer Erik Uddunge - written especially for Trio Fatale, a trio that Minna started with Berit Hesing and Berit Johansen Tange almost ten years ago. ’Frida’ was written by Minna for a theatre performance about the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Minna says that this recording is ”a little journey through memories and dreams...I dedicate my CD to my grandfather who showed me how to play the accordion thirty years ago”. For further information email: minna.weurlander@telia.com |
Competition “Debut” in Rostov Art College - Russiaby Alexander Poeluev |
A competition for young performers of Russian folk instruments and was held on the 28 and 29 March at the Rostov Art College. All lecture rooms and the concert hall's of the College were given to the young musicians attending this competition. More than two hundred young musicians from 60 towns and villages of Rostov Region and Krasnodar Territory, ages 7 to 17 years, were divided into four age categories. The competitions took place using five halls at the same time. The young performers on the guitar, domra, balalaika, accordion, bayan demonstrated their skills. Of special interest was the bands category, where 49 groups of different instrument composition and numbers were competing. The repertoire for young performers included works from all periods and genres, from the Baroque to the latest pop music. The closing concert featured orchestras of accordion and national instruments, the best competitors as well as accordionists of the Rostov College of Art, who performed for a crowded hall. The winner of the bayan category was Peter Panyushkin, a student of Rassvet music school, teacher Ludmila Eraksina. The winner of the accordion category was Alexander Aksenov, a student of Tsimlyanskoe music school, teacher Elena Sidonians. Each contestant received a commemorative CD of the "Debut" with videos of speeches and leading performers including accordion players plus prizes and gifts for the competition winners. |
Gala d'accordéon, Belley – Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Over 500 people in Belley, in the Rhône-Alpes region of South East France, recently enjoyed a gala concert featuring an impressive line up of accordionists. These included Alexander Skliarov (Russia), Quartet Azztango, Trio (Peter Soave and Mady Soave, Jean Louis Noton), Alain Musichini and his Orchestra. The concert was organized by the Accordion Club of Bugey, MD Annie Mougel. |
Future events |
CNIMA Courses, Saint-Sauvres d’Auvergne – Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Training courses organized by CNIMA J.Mornet run from April 13th to 18th, and from 20th to 25th. The CNIMA teachers will include Jacques Mornet, Nathalie Boucheix, Stéphanie Methot, Claude Sauvage, Pascal Meurge, and Amélie Castel. These dates also include courses for Roland Virtual Accordion and keyboards. For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Motion Trio’s First UK Concert Tourby Rob Howard |
The Motion Trio, from Poland, tour the UK for the first time during April, and their debut took place April 8th in a concert with the British pianist and composer Michael Nyman at The Barbican, London. This concert, titled ‘Music to write films to’, was the closing event in the Kinoteka Film Festival. Founded by Janusz Wojtarowicz in 1996 as street performers on the sidewalks of Krakow, Motion Trio have since become regulars on concert stages around the world. Ripping up clichés and cultural stereotypes, Motion Trio have changed the way that the accordion is perceived as an instrument, pushing the boundaries of its musical capabilities to the limit. A very special superb group. Their tour dates include: 25th - The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury 26th - The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury 27th – Master class, Duke’s Hall, Royal Academy of Music, London 28th - St.George’s, Bristol 29th - Wesley Memorial Church, Oxford 30th - Turner Simms Concert Hall, Southampton For further information email: karolina.kolodziej@polishculture.org.uk |
Accordeon Melancolique Concerts – Netherlandsby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The highly accomplished duo Accordeon Melancolique perform as follows: April 19th, 1am until 12noon - concert in Antonius Hospital, Bolswarderbaan 1, Sneek April 19th, 2pm until 4pm - Inn Greate Paired, Greate Pierwei 9, Kimswerd, by Harlingen; entrance includes light refreshments May 3rd, 5pm until 7pm - The Waarhuis, Zijlsterweg 20, Aduarderzijl (18 km from Groningen) July 5th, 2.30pm until 4.15pm - Opening of the Cultural week of Aardenburg, Galerichel, Weststraat 38, Aardenburg (26 km from Bruges) July 26th - matinee concert in the Petruskerk, main street Pieterburen August 9th - ‘Day of Romantic music’, The Park (not far from the Euromast), Rotterdam September 19th, 8.15pm - Museum Vosbergen, Vosbergerlaan 35, Eelde October 25th, 3pm - Walloon church, Catharinastraat 83 b, Breda November 8th, 3pm - The Toonzaal, 5211 HE, Prince Bernhardstraat 4-6'S-Hertogenbosch For further information email: info@acmel.nl |
Akkordeon-Sound-Orchester at Guildford AC, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
The Akkordeon-Sound-Orchester, from Walslode, Germany, are the guests at Guildford Accordion Club, Ripley Village Hall, Guildford, Surrey, on April 17th, 8pm. The evening will begin with a reception attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Jennifer Jordan, who will welcome the guests. Refreshments will be included. For further information email: myrabee@btinternet.com |
Paprika Balkanicus at Royal Albert Hall, London – UKby Rob Howard |
The Balkan group Paprika Balkanicus, following their very successful trip to Australia and New Zealand, perform at the Café Consort, Door 12, Royal Albert Hall, London, on April 17th, 12 noon. This is a great group and a must see for those able to be in London on this date. Admission is free. The line up of Paprika Balkanicus is Milos Milivojevic (Serbia) – accordion, Zivorad Nikolic (Serbia) – accordion, Bogdan Vacarescu (Romania) – violin, Vlad Jocic (Serbia) – guitar, and Jozef Secnik (Slovenia) – bass. For further information email: milosmusic@hotmail.com |
Accordion and Violin Courses, Serre-Eyraud – Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Accordion and violin courses, organised by the association Europe Accordeon Arts and Cultures, will take place from April 18th to 24th at Serre-Eyraud in the Hautes-Alpes. The courses will be run by John Marc Marroni and Marie-Laurence Rocca, Professors at the Conservatory d'Aix-en-Provence. For further information email: veronique.marroni@wanadoo.fr |
AMISAD 2009, San Benedetto del Tronto - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The 5th Festival dell’Adriatico (AMISAD 2009), a competition for players of diatonic accordions, takes place at the Hotel Philosophj in San Benedetto del Tronto on April 25th. This festival is organized by the Associazione Musicale Italiana Strumenti ad Ancia, and Diatonici (AMISAD) di Maiolati Spontini, Ancona. This competition includes a range of sections for junior and senior contestants. For further information email: roncogia@libero.it |
Accordion Jazz Course, Northamptonshire – UKby Rob Howard |
An annual Accordion Jazz Weekend Course takes place at Knuston Hall, Northamptonshire, May 29th to 31st. The course is led by Bert Santilly, one of Britain’s best jazz accordionists and teachers.? For further information email: bert@santilly.co.uk |
New and Updated Sites |
H S Production New Music Releasesby H S Productions |
H S Production releases 9 new pieces, 'Morning Arrangement, catalog:hs454', 'The Old Acquaintance, catalog:hs455', 'Game Arrangement, catalog:hs456', 'Song 3, catalog:hs457', 'March Arrangement, catalog:hs458', 'Little Melody, catalog:hs459', 'Solemn Arrangement, catalog:hs460', 'Song 4, catalog:hs461' and 'Two Canons, catalog:hs462'. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Yehuda Oppenheimer release 1 arrangement for Acccordionby Yehuda Oppenheimer |
Yehuda Oppenheimer releases 1 arrangement for acccordion - 'Mini Valse (Duet), catalog:OY597'. Samples of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
H S Production New Music Releasesby H S Productions |
H S Production releases 8 new pieces, 'Leave, Masha, catalog:hs444', 'Eastern Melody, catalog:hs447', 'Good Night Arrangement, catalog:hs448', 'That Snowflakes, As Fuzzes, catalog:hs449', 'Spring Waltz, catalog:hs450', 'The Cheerful Girl Lena, catalog:hs451', 'The Doll Dance Krakovyak, catalog:hs452' and 'Who Takes The Tambourine Faster, catalog:hs453'. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
“Dreams, Music of Davor Bobić”by Alessandro Mugnoz |
CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Dreams, Music of Davor Bobic” by Alessandro Mugnoz |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |