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Highlights |
2022 Sata-Häme Soi 50th Anniversary Celebrations - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() The festival Director Kimmo Mattila (picture left) announced a jubilee celebration with an Accordion Folk Music Competition, exhibitions, concerts, trade fair, art exhibition, lesson at the Accordion Museum, dances, children’s concerts, a music cruise and much more. Music of all genres will take over lanes, concert halls and stores throughout Ikaalinen. Download the festival program here: 2022SataHameProgram.pdf For details email: toimisto@satahamesoi.fi |
2022 Landesmusiktag Accordion Competition – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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The 2022 Landesmusiktag Accordion Competition will be held in the Filum Concert Hall in Filderstadt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany on October 15th and 16th, 2022. The competition will include categories for soloists, duos, trios, chamber music, ensembles and orchestras. The competition jury will comprise of Anne-Marie Hölscher, Matthias Matzke, Sandra Eller, Andreas Heimerdinge, Ralf Schwarzien and Simone Tonka. Entries close on August 1st, 2022. Download competition rules in German language here: 2022Landesmusiktag.pdf |
2022 Cotati Accordion Festival – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Information on the 2022 Cotati Festival. The 31st annual 2022 Cotati Accordion Festival will be held at La Plaza Park, Cotati, California, USA on August 20th and 21st, 2022. Music at the festival will range from Conjunto, folk, jazz, Irish, Venezuelan, rock, classical, zydeco, western & more. The event will include a Jam Tent, a Zydeco Dance Party, a Student Stage, the Ray's Deli Stage, and two main stages, along with over 60 vendors including crafts, accordions, food, wine and beer. This year’s performers include Alex Meixner, Amber Lee Baker, Sourdough Slim, Nuevos Aventureros, Gun Street Girls, Sergei & Maria Teleshev, Cory Pesaturo, The Mad Maggies, Junk Parlor, Nathan & Jessie, California Blue Runners, Mark St. Mary, Motordude Zydeco, Les Amis, Steve Balich Band, Sheri Mignano & Jim Lehmann, Corey Purcell & Rob Curto, Matthias Matzke, Iko Ya Ya, Matt Tolentino, Zla Vila, Sam Reider & Jorge Glem, Renee de la Prade & Leslie Jackson and many more. For details email: info@cotatifest.com |
Vladimir Ushakov June Concert Tour with Vocalist Methodius Buzora - Israelby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionist Vladimir Ushakov is currently touring Israel giving concerts with vocalist Methodius Buzora. Following on from a previous Methodius Buzora successful tour several years ago, the duo began this tour entitled “Memories…(continued)” on June 6th with a concert in Rishon-le-Zion. They will perform eleven concerts in total. See poster above for concert details. |
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22nd Smédraget Annual Accordion Festival - Swedenby Christine Johnstone |
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The 22nd Smédrage Annual Accordion Festivalwill be held at the Vilsta Sport Centre and Camping Ground, Eskilstuna, Södermanland, Sweden on July 2nd, 2022 at 1pm, organised by the Accordion Club Smedbälgarna. The event will feature performances by visiting accordion clubs as well as local artists. From 6pm the stage will be open for spontaneous musical performances. See poster for details. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
2022 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Association Championships and Festival Daily Reports - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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Video 1: North Shore 50th Anniversary Orchestra performs Beatles Medley, arranged by Gary Daverne and used for numerous concerts both in New Zealand and internationally, conducted by Heather Masefield. Video 2: Grayson Masefield performs Tango for Claude by Richard Galliano The New Zealand Accordion Association held their annual South Pacific International and New Zealand National Accordion Championships and Festival at the Takapuna War Memorial Hall, Takapuna, Auckland on June 4th and 5th. Daily Reports and pictures are online with video of the Finale Concert at: 2022SouthPac |
Bogdan Laketic Folkwang Concert Exam - German Premiere of D'Ase's "Accordion Concerto" - Germanyby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
![]() ![]() This summer semester, three Folkwang students gave their final concert exam concerts together with the Bochumer Symphoniker under the direction of General Music Director Tung-Chieh Chuang, where Yow-Ting, Bogdan Laketic and Martin Fuchs passed part of their final exam of the Folkwang concert exam excellence course. Bogdan Laketic (accordion) from the class of Prof. Mie Miki (picture above right) dedicated a German premiere to the accordion concerto by the Austrian Dirk D'Ase, who with this concert underlines the importance and the diverse application possibilities of the accordion by showing as many facets of the sound as possible, as well as using the technical possibilities of the instrument to the limit. Dirk D'Ase's Accordion Concerto was first performed by Belgian accordionist Philippe Thuriot at the 1993 Flanders Festival. What is the special appeal of this accordion concert? On the one hand it is the unusual combination, the interplay of classical string parts and weird accordion sounds, on the other hand the hitherto unknown creative freedom that the accordion offers and is able to fill at the same time. What is new in this context is the staccato-like way of playing, which sometimes stands out massively from the usual long-drawn-out bands of sound. Rapid changes in atmosphere, passionate gestures and excellent interpretation by soloist and orchestra open up new sound experiences for the listener. Dirk D'Ase's close association with the accordion began in Africa in 1987/88 when he was on a research trip transcribing South East African folk music which also included the use of the accordion as a folk musical instrument. Because of the special sound that fascinated the composer, he decided to include this instrument in the orchestra for his first opera “Red Rubber” (European Capital of Culture, Antwerp '93), set in Africa. While D'Ase was working on his opera, he became familiar with the special possibilities of the accordion; the idea of using this instrument as a solo instrument in a concert matured. The accordion has long been neglected in serious music. Dirk D'Ase was fascinated from the start by the special possibilities and the specific sound of the accordion, which was patented in Vienna in 1829 and finally reached Africa through colonization, including England, where it later became part of African folk music. Vienna-based Serbian accordionist Bogdan Laketic was born in 1994 and is one of the most active accordionists of his generation. Bogdan is a dynamic soloist, chamber musician and member of multiple ensembles of different musical styles. With his Duo Aliada, he pushes the limits of his instrument’s possibilities, regularly performing challenging transcriptions of works written for piano and even full orchestra. Additionally he is an active performer of contemporary music, having worked with such established composers as Wolfgang Rihm, Isabel Mundry, Dirk D’Ase and Wolfgang Liebhart. He actively cooperates with young composers and has contributed to the accordion repertoire by premiering more than fifteen works. He has performed in over 35 countries at festivals such as Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Kissinger Sommer, Thüringer Bachwochen, Wien Modern, Impuls Graz, Festival de musica de Morelia Mexiko, Chiloe Concertante Festival, Summerwinds Festival, Musical Olympus Festival, Johor Bahru Festival, European Arts Forum, Brückenfestival, Alpenarte Festival, Ohrid Summer Festival to name a few. Bogdan has played in some of the most important concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Wien, Tonhalle Zürich, Teatro Del Lago Chile, Hermitage Theater St. Petersburg, Kolarac Belgrade, Katsushika Symphony Hills Tokyo, Tianjin Conservatory of Music and ORF Radiokulturhaus. Program performed at the Gala Concert Folkwang Examination at the Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr in Bochum as follows: Anatoly Lyadov: The Enchanted Lake Op. 62 Camille Saint-Saëns: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 Dirk D'Ase: "Accordion Concerto" for accordion and strings 1993/21 Carl Maria von Weber: Concerto for clarinet and orchestra No. 2 in E flat major op. 74 Yow Ting Hsieh, piano Bogdan Laketic, accordion Martin Fuchs, clarinet Bochum Symphony Orchestra Tung Chieh Chuang, conductor |
2022 Scythian International Band of Mystery Tour – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() See poster for details. |
45th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival - Canadaby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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Tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Vancouver Folk Music Festival, which will be held at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from July 15th to 17th, 2022. In honour of Earth Day, festival organizers are committed to ensuring they get closer each year to being a zero waste festival and have an amazing team of volunteers who ensure their recycling programs and site clean up run smoothly. For more information: info@thefestival.bc.ca |
Mario Andretti & Cory Pesaturo Break Record at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – USAby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Mario Andretti, renowned as “the world’s most versatile racing driver in history” teamed up with accordionist Cory Pesaturo who is claiming the record for the “Fastest Land Speed a Musician Has Ever Given a Performance At”. The video above was filmed in a specially modified 2-seater Indianapolis racing car on May 31st, 2022 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the USA. Cory (CPEZ) is also a Guinness Record Breaking Accordionist for continuous hours playing the accordion and he now declares there is no question anymore who the “Fastest Accordionist In The World” is!! |
Antonio Figueroa Trio Entertains in Morteros - Argentinaby Christine Johnstone |
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The Antonio Figueroa Trio entertained at the Club San Jorge in Morteros, Córdoba, Argentina last week. Further performances were given by Miguel Figueroa who presented pieces from his new album “Cortando Campo”. |
9th Regional Accordion Meeting – Reunion Islandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Forty candidates and 20 ensembles gave performances including the Orchestre Polyphonia (conducted by Pierre Varo) which celebrated their 20th anniversary at the event. |
Betty Jo Simon Performs on Winning Parade Float - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The theme was "Back Together Again" and under the category of "Best example of Past, Present and Future" their float was the winner! Following the parade, Betty Jo had fun playing for the Shawnee German American Club picnic at the Sister City Park. |
Future events |
Mikaël Vigneau Entertains in Pellegrue - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionist Mikaël Vigneau will entertain with the Trois Cafes Gourmands (trio) at Halle in Pellegrue, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. This concert will take place on June 11th, 2022 at 9pm. For details email: booking.mikaelvigneau@gmail.com |
Canterbury Accordion Association Jam Session - New Zealandby Jeanette Perry |
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The Canterbury Accordion Association will hold their next Jam Session at St Stephens Church in Christchurch on June 12th, 2022 at 3pm. Everyone is welcome. See poster for details. |
The Wild Murphy’s “One Night in Dublin” Concert – UKby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Information on Wild Murphy’s “One Night in Dublin” concert. Popular Irish band “The Wild Murphy’s” will perform their “One Night in Dublin” concert at the Bolton Albert Halls in Bolton, Manchester, England, UK on June 17th, 2022. The night will be a celebration of the music and song of Ireland with the group playing covers of songs from The Dubliners, The Pogues, Brendan Shine, Daniel O’Donnell, Nathan Carther, Foster and Allen and more. For details email: middi@wildmurphys.com |
Sylvia Pagni Performs “Mi Pasion” Concert - Italyby AWW |
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Video: Accordionist Sylvia Pagni and Luigi Piovano (cello) joined on May 2nd, 2022 at the Theater of Atri in Atri, Abruzzo, Italy to record this new video entitled "Mi Pasion" by Loris Cattunar. "Mi Pasion" is a record production of published and unpublished tango pieces arranged and/or composed by Sylvia Pagni. The premiere of the “Mi Pasion” concert will be presented by Sylvia Pagni on June 18th, 2022 at 8.30pm the Mittelcult Cultural Center of Trieste in the Beethoven Hall for the review dedicated to the centenary of Raffaello de Banfield “RdB. 100 ". For details phone: 040 3498276 |
"Edward II" Perform at Beardy Folk Festival – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Information on the 2022 Beardy Folk Festival Edward II (picture below) will entertain at the Beardy Folk Festival, which will be held at Hopton Court, South Shropshire, England, UK from June 16th to 19th, 2022. The festival will include two outdoor music stages with four days of folk, roots and acoustic music performances plus workshops such as "Session Tunes", "EFDSS Ceilidh Band", "Mini Melodeons for Beginners", and Traditional French and Breton music. For details email: beardyfolk@gmail.com |
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Jeremy Dutheil Entertains at Guinguette Festival - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The outdoor event which runs from June 16th to 19th will include a variety of shows, concerts, workshops and games. Admission is free. For details email: dutheil.jeremy@gmail.com |
Accordionists Perform at Open Music Graz Concert – Austriaby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Ghenadie will perform "Freedom for Notes and Men" by Matthew Shlomowitz and Andreas will perform Asthma, for accordion and video (2017) by Simon Steen-Andersen and Self-Care, for accordion, tape recorder and film (2017) by Jennifer Walshe. For details email: ute.pinter@openmusic.at |
TOEAC Duo Perform at Beach Concert - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Circus Theatre Carré introduces its hilarious geese-act. TOEAC accordion duo accompanies with Trepak and Arabian Dance by Piotr Tchaivskoky (arrangement by TOEAC). The TOEAC accordion duo of Pieternel Berkers and Renée Bekkers (picture above) will perform at an afternoon of classical music at the Weerwater, on the beach on the Esplanade in Almere Haven, Netherlands, organized by Goede Rede Concerts. The event will take place on July 3rd, 2022 from 12 midday to 4pm in a bandstand erected especially for the concert TOEAC will perform works by Piazzolla at 2.45pm. Entry is free of charge. For details email: info@goederedeconcerten.nl |
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Links to Previous News Still Current |
List of Linksby AWW |
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2022 Coupe Mondiale, October 04 - 09, Switzerland News Link |
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Buy last stock at old price, "The Art of Accordion Playing" by Friedrich Lips News Link |
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80th Anniversary ATG: July 20-24, Chicago News Link |
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Steirische Harmonika WM 2022 News Link |
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Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
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2021 Coupe Mondiale Report and Video of all contestants Report Link |
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Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link |
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2022 Dr William Schimmel’s Accordion Seminars, July 29-31, NY News Link |
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Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
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2022 AAA Recent publications, USA News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
Renzo Ruggieri Updates Popular Volo Degli Angeli Solo Arrangement - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() Volo Degli Angeli (Flight of the Angels) composed by Carmen Carozza, was arranged for virtuoso accordion by Renzo Ruggieri: "Volo degli Angeli" is a famous melody composed by Carmen Carozza which many artists have played in their virtuoso programs. I made this arrangement especially for international competitions and with this arrangement, my students won many competitions. Other virtuoso arrangement by Renzo Ruggieri rrenzo500 - Song For S.B (Accordion and Orchestra) and (Accordion and String Orchestra) rrenzo501 - Song For S.B (Solo) rrenzo502 - Volo Degli Angeli (Solo) rrenzo503 - Tango Italiano (Solo) this very successful solo has been updated in February 2021 (ver. 1.3). Tango Italiano for 5 types of ensembles rrenzo522 (ensemble) rrenzo504 - Carnevale (Solo) rrenzo505 - Roma Tango (Solo) rrenzo506 - Cinema (for 4 parts and drums, electronic accordion) rrenzo507 - Variations on Säkkijärven Polka (Solo) rrenzo508 - Medley Disco (Solo) rrenzo509 - Acquarelli Italiani (Solo) rrenzo510 - Grande Jo (Solo) rrenzo511 - Figaro (Solo) or (Solo with string orchestra) rrenzo512 - Accordion Kids (10 pieces) simple and modern compositions rrenzo514 - La Vita Delle Cose (The Life of Things) rrenzo515 - Peccatum et Gratia for electronic (hybrid) accordion rrenzo516 - Lo Scuro e il Chiaro (accordion duo) rrenzo517 - Il bosco incantato (for free bass accordion, solo) This work for free bass accordion and string orchestra is catalog rrenzo524 rrenzo518 - Valentango (Solo) rrenzo519 - The Jackson Medley (Solo) rrenzo520 - Acquarelli Italiani for Accordion and Orchestra rrenzo521 - ll Tuo Sguardo (solo) rrenzo522 - Tango Italiano (ensemble) (full score and individual parts). The solo version is catalog rrenzo503 rrenzo524 - Il Bosco Incantato for free bass accordion and string orchestra (full score and individual parts). The solo version is catalog rrenzo517 |
Reminder: 2022 AAA Festival Virtual Competitions - USAby Frank Busso Jnr. |
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![]() Categories include Standard & Open solos, Standard & Open duets, and Open Ensembles & Bands. Contestants in Standard categories must choose a selection from the Standard music list. All other categories are Open, which means you can play anything you wish, except in the Ethnic, Pop, and Jazz categories, where the style of music is designated. Download the virtual competition Rules, Categories and Required Composition List at: 2022AAARules.pdf Entry Forms Due Date is July 1, 2022. Video Submissions Due Date is August 1, 2022. For any enquiries, please contact Frank Busso Jr. Contest Chairperson, at frank@bussomusic.com |
CNIMA July Accordion Workshops - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The workshops are an “opportunity to develop instrumental technique with the Jacques Mornet method, a winning pedagogy that has earned the CNIMA the superb results in the world at international competitions”. Attendees will learn: Instrumental work, approach of the accordion as a wind instrument, management of the air column and the bellows, search for a balance between body and instrument, work on the touch and articulation, quest for musicality, work on 1 or 2 pieces of their own choice (variety, classical, musette, jazz, balkans) and progress in accelerated speed. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
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