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Highlights |
Editor’s Noteby Rob Howard |
![]() A very Happy New Year to you all! Rob Howard Editor |
The 51st International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2014 - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() The event features: - International competition categories for soloists and groups, for concert and entertainment music, for children through to open categories. Full competition rules and category information is at: 2014Kling The event also features concerts by famous performers and an international jury of well known teachers. Klingenthal, is known as a city of music at the foot of the Aschberg mountain in the wonderful Vogtland region near the border to the Czech Republic. Klingenthal is the cradle of German accordion making and in May 2014 the Klingenthal city again invites accordionists of all nationalities and countries and their numerous friends to the traditional Klingenthal International Accordion Competition. |
World Accordion Day Schedule Announced - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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![]() This schedule has been chosen to be convenient for every guest and association as they will always be live in afternoons or evenings their time. World Accordion Day will be co-presented by Frederic Deschamps and Grayson Masefield assisted by CIA President Raymond Bodell, CIA Secretary General Kimmo Mattila and CIA Ambassador Kevin Friedrich. The first World Accordion Day held on 6th May 2009, marked the 180th birthday of the accordion when an instrument called 'accordion' was first patented in Vienna in 1829 by Cyrill Damian (picture left). This is the 5th CIA World Accordion Day and the 3rd year to have World Accordion Day celebrated with a 24 hour round the clock, round the world web TV broadcast. Please join us for this annual celebration, as accordionists from around the world pay homage to our wonderful instrument. This global event will serve as an exciting means of bringing us together in our efforts to promote and elevate the awareness and status of the accordion! Contact for the event is Grayson Masefield, CIA Music Committee member at: gmasefield@gmail.com |
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‘Martynas’ Voted Classic FM CD of the Year & Tour Dates – USA, Mexicoby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() Martynas Levickis has just begun now, touring the USA plus one date in Mexico, with violinist David Garrett, and the concert dates are as follows: 10th January - Fox Theater, St. Louis, Missouri 12th January – The Midland, Kansas City, Missouri 14th January – Winspear Opera House,Dallas, Texas 15th January – Cullen Theater, Houston, Texas 18th January – Aladdin Theater, Portland, Oregon 19th January – Paramount Theater, Seattle, Washington 21st January – San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California 22nd January – Crest Theater, Sacramento, California 23rd January – City National Grove, Anaheim, California 26th January – Balboa Theater, San Diego, California 28th January – Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico 12th March - State Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota 14th March – Riverside Theater, Milwaukie, Minnesota 15th March, 3pm and 8pm - Chicago Theater, Chicago, Illinois 18th March and 19th March – Best Buy Theater, New York 21st March – Benedum Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 22nd March – Oakdale Theater, Wallingford, Connecticut 23rd March – Hanover Theater, Worcester, Massachusetts 27th March – Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia 28th March – Palladium Theater, St Petersburg, Florida 30th March – Center for the Arts, Coral Springs, Florida |
Coupe Mondiale Website Updated to Add German Language - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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![]() This is most appropriate as the 2014, 67th Coupe Mondiale and the 132nd CIA International General Assembly of Delegates Congress is being held in Salzburg, Austria from 27th October to 2nd November, 2014. There has also been updates of the 2014 program to include additional performances. The 2014 Coupe Mondiale will be hosted by the CIA member for Austria, the Harmonikaverband Österreichs (HVÖ). CIA President Raymond Bodell (picture left) "wishes to welcome accordionists from all over the world, to what will be a most exciting 2014 Coupe Mondiale." Full rules, regulations and entry information are online at: Coupe Mondiale |
Krist Novoselic, Nirvana to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - USAby Harley Jones |
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Video above: An interview at a recent major charity concert. Below: Excerpts from an article published by "The Atlantic", written by Hallie Golden. When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame fetes Krist Novoselic later this year, it will be well-timed recognition. Not for his band — Nirvana certainly doesn't need the publicity — but for his instrument. Krist Novoselic may be the first accordionist ever inducted, an honor that comes at a time when the accordion is experiencing a striking resurgence in popularity. Proudly accordion-centric acts like Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire, and The Lumineers win Grammies and top chart spots. Older ones, like Flogging Molly, They Might Be Giants, and Neutral Milk Hotel, now enjoy cherished-cult-icon status. Accordion diehards and retailers say it really does feel like a comeback for the instrument, whose previous heyday ended in the ‘60s. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Happy New Year 2014 gift video - Netherlandsby Harley Jones |
Happy New Year 2014 gift video from Domonique Paats (accordion), Noah Schaefer, Romino Gruenholz and Paulus Schaefer. A special wish for you all from our heart. |
Marco Lo Russo in Polandby Rob Howard |
![]() The single, produced by the East Polskie Nagrania record label, has also reached Italy, thanks to intense programing carried on Radio RAI-3. The concerts held in Poland during the first days of December were the forerunners of a forthcoming European tour, which will start from Poland, and which will see the two artists engaged for most of 2014. Marco Lo Russo ended the year by performing on December 27th at the Collegiate Church of San Michele Arcangelo, in Sermoneta, Italy, an event that was part of ‘Inferences D'Arte’ - an exhibition of visual arts and cultural events. The concert saw Marco Lo Russo perform with the duo La Boquita - Silvia Basurto (vocals and percussion) and Paulo Uccelli (stringed instruments and flutes). The concert was a mix of flamenco, Arabic music, Hindu, Mexican, Argentine tango and Latin American music. Marco Lo Russo first met the duo in Cuba last October, during the IV Festival de Música de Cámara Leo Brouwer, and they also met later in July during a tour of Mexico. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Video: Armando Rizzo at Mengascini Accordions - Italyby Harley Jones |
Armando Rizzo accordionist at Mengascini Accordions test the Mengascini f21 wood, double bassoon (16ft - low) treble reeds model accordion. |
Video: Gianluca Pica Performs his Composition "Silhouette" - Italyby Harley Jones |
The irrepressible and popular Gianluca Pica made this teaching example video for his student (Alessio Giaccherini). The work is a variete style composition by Gianluca Pica, titled "Silhouette". |
Video: Aydar Gaynullin Performing in Novosibirsk - Russiaby Harley Jones |
International competition winner Aydar Gaynullin is a musician with many talents, and I was most surprised to learn that he is also an opera tenor as you can hear in this video of an October 2008 concert in Novosibirsk. Aydar Gaynullin is now a well known composer, winner of several prestigious international accordion competitions, winner of many awards, Academy of Motion Picture Arts, and the composer of award winning film music. |
Video: Jérôme Robert - The Zimbola - Franceby Harley Jones |
Published on Sep 24, 2013. Extract from his DVD - The Zimbola - CD, DVD and sheet music available on the website: www.jerome-robert.fr |
Video and Updated Website: Yury Kazakov (Retired) Concert Artist - Russiaby Håkan Widar |
Video above: Yury Kazakov performing "Variations on a Ukrainian Theme". Yury Kazakov website: Håkan Widar (Sweden) has just made many updates and improvements on the website for his friend, very famous Russian bayan player Yury Kazakov. The site inludes unique private sound clips, photos etc. all given to Håkan Widar by Yury Kazakov. Yury Kazakov is now 89 on 24th December 2013, so while he is no longer actively performing, he surely a living legend! |
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Video: "Aproksimato br 5"-Bashkim Shehu (Albanian Accordions) - Albaniaby Harley Jones |
Published on Dec 26, 2013. "Albanian Accordions" is an instrumental formation created in 2009, but its beginnings are earliest and related with the school of arts "Onufri", Elbasan. The Passion of the pedagogue of accordion at the University of Arts Tirana Mr. Elton Balla aroused the interest of many young instrumentalists to be part of the "Albanian Accordions". The main players of the "Albanian Accordions" are: Elton Balla, Renato Kodra, Gersian Shero, Armand Ferra, Klajdi Cerriku, Enrik Topçiu, Erand Kurani, Mirjan Sulovari. In this video they're performing "Aproksimato br5" a composition by Bashkim Shehu. |
Video: TVP Polonia, Ryszard Rynkowski Performs "Gdybym miał gitarę" - Polandby Harley Jones |
Ryszard Rynkowski Performs Gdybym mial gitare (If I had a Guitar) on TVP Polonia. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Accordions Worldwide staff meeting in New Zealandby Rob Howard |
Accordions Worldwide Team Meets Down Under - New Zealand Several members of the Accordions Worldwide staff met in the far north of New Zealand, at the tiny summer resort, Bayly's Beach. Discussions covered all the Accordions Worldwide sites including Accordions Worldwide (the largest accordion site on the internet), Accordion Links (the world's largest accordion links site), Search-Accordion (a search engine dedicated to accordion sites) and the Accordion Yellow Pages, which includes tens of thousands of listings of instruments, teachers, performers, etc. Another exciting venture on the news front is the development of the National News sites. Accordions Worldwide is sponsoring sites in several countries including the USA, France, Germany and Italy, with more on the way. Attendees included AWW founder and owner Harley Jones, Web Master Wayne Knights, News Coordinator Christine Adams, Office Manager Tatiana Lanchtchikova, Europe Manager Holda Paoletti-Kampl, German representative Uli Ebner and US Manager Kevin Friedrich. |
Future events |
‘The Bellows Ball’, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Performing will be the accordion-driven bands Banda Magda, Matuto, and Jeffrey Broussard and The Creole Cowboys. |
‘Accords des Montagnes’ Festival, La Bresse - Franceby Rob Howard |
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![]() Accordionists performing include James Leseur, Frederic Buch, Zinzin, Thierry Bonnefous, Pierre Peribois, Laurent Micelotto, and Johann Rich & Beltuner. |
Marco Lo Russo Concert, Piacenza – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: biglietteria@teatripiacenza.it |
Marko Kassl January Diary Dates, Dortmund, Nuremberg - Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() January 16th, 7.30pm – ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, Opernhaus Dortmund, Theaterkarree 1-3, D-44137 Dortmund January 19th, 11.15am – New Museum, Luitpoldstr. 5, D-90402 Nuremberg January 24th, 7.30pm - ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, Opernhaus Dortmund, Theaterkarree 1-3, D-44137 Dortmund January 26th, 5pm – accordion-piano duo concert (with Shuri Tomita), Evangelical Church Moers-Repelen, An der Linde, D-47445 Nuremberg. For this concert the duo will perform music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Bernhard Molique, Astor Piazzolla, Olivier Manoury, and two world premieres by Hans-Josef Winkler and Shunsuke Azuma. For further information email: info@marko-kassl.de |
Mairtin O’Connor Band Concert, Lancashire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Máirtín O’Connor, from Galway, is one of Ireland’s leading button accordionists. He was a member of De Danaan in the 1980s, and has also played with Midnight Well, De Dannan, The Boys of the Lough, and Skylark. His first solo album ‘A Connachtman's Rambles’ (1979) established O’Connor as a top flight solo traditional musician and proved a major critical success, and his further solo recordings ‘Perpetual Motion’ (1990), ‘Chatterbox’ (1993) and ‘The Road West’ (2001) revealed O’Connor to be a composer with great imagination and diversity. He has worked as a session musician with Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello, Mark Knofler, The Chieftains, The Dubliners, Davy Spillane, Maire Brennan, and the Waterboys. For further information email: simon.tradmusic@gmail.com |
Jean Dauvain on ‘Sur Un air D’Accordeon’ TV Show – Franceby Rob Howard |
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Paul Chamberlain Recital, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Paul Chamberlain was one of the first classical accordionists to graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, where he studied with Djordje Gajic. He gained a BMus (Hons) degree and has recently graduated from RCS with a Master of Music Performance, with Distinction. Paul has performed at festivals such as Baltica Harmonica in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Sata-Häme Soi Accordion festival in Ikaalinen, Finland. He has also performed in France, Italy, Greece, Bahrain and the USA. In 2011, Paul released his debut solo album, ‘Classical Accordion’. This spring he will be making a new recording which will include a mixture of chamber works and solo repertoire, and will be released in July 2014. For further information email: paul@theaccordionist.com CD and compositions online at: Paul Chamberlain |
Harry Hussey & Lily’s Weepers @ North Staffs Accordion Club – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Lily’s Weepers are Peter Robinson (guitar/banjo), Pete Brown (trumpet/vocals), Terry Brunt (trombone/vocals), Lily Lynch (double bass) and Dave Timmis (drums). Oh, yes, there will also be the post-Christmas sherry, mince pies and Christmas cake. For further information email: stevehg0@gmail.com |
Victor Prieto Trio Concert, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() With accordionist Victor Prieto for this gig are Jorge Raeder - bass, and Eric Doob – drums. For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
Motion Trio Concert, Krakow – Polandby Rob Howard |
![]() The Motion Trio’s latest CD, ‘Polonium’, contains music by Polish composers, including Witold Lutoslawski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Wojciech Kilar, Henryk M. Gorecki, and Marty Ptaszynska (a composition dedicated to the Motion Trio). |
Sergio Scappini Digital Accordion Course - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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A digital accordion course, led by Sergio Scappini, takes place on Saturday January 25th, 2.30pm until 5.30pm, at Aula Magna Scuoli Elentari Nord, via Guisan 7, Bellinzona. The course includes: welcome to all participants, a brief history of the digital accordion, presentation of technical/construction aspects, musical features, application and development possibilities, a short demonstration concert, and hands-on/questions & answers. |
CD Reviews |
Accordion - Black Orpheus CD by Nihad Hrustanbegovic, Accordionby Joan C. Sommers |
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