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Highlights |
70th Anniversary 2019 NAO UK Championships, Liverpool - UK
Yury Kazakov (1924-2019), Moscow – Russia
Brandon McPhee Wins UK Entertainer of the Year - UK
Results/Report: 2019 Klingenthal International Accordion Competitions – Germany
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Special Accordion Commemorates ANZAC Day – New Zealand
Grayson Masefiend in Chengdu Performing on World Accordion Day - China
Open Stage at Akkordeon Café Dortmund – Germany
Stanser Musiktage Festival – Switzerland
Accordionist Fifi la Mer Releases 2 New CD’s - UK
Future events |
12th Annual Chamber Music Festival – UK
Cory Pesaturo at San Francisco Accordion Club – USA
2019 International Cajun & Zydeco Festival – Netherlands
1st Rousay Accordion Weekend – Scotland
2019 International Tango Festival – Germany
New and Updated Sites |
New Stas Venglevski eSheet (pdf) Composition - USA
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
World Accordion Day, 6th May 2019 Activities and Reportsby Harley Jones |
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 The World Accordion Day website is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by next Thursday.The Finnish TV Channel AlfaTV program about World Accordion Day video link is: http://www.permanto.fi/fi/web/alfatv/player/vod?assetId=14641936 CIA Secretary General Kimmo Mattila writes: "The program ”Kansan kesken” means ”With People” or ”The People Together”. It is broadcasted every Monday live. In this week it was devoted for the accordion. The program was a popular view to the accordion’s versatility and different aspects. Unfortunately all interviews are only in Finnish, but I think everybody can find a good and positive atmosphere of the people in TV studio. During two hours program there were also several questions from the TV public (by SMS or phone calls) and we tried to reply them live immediately. We presented the CIA and international activities, the history of the accordion (190th anniversary) and of course future events nationally and internationally. I hope that we can do this next year again - including international video clips from several countries." 15 videos of the World Accordion Day weekend and Palmer Festival hosted by the World of Accordions Museum is on the USA News site. |
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70th Anniversary 2019 NAO UK Championships, Liverpool - UKby Anna Bodell, NAO Secretary |
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 The NAO UK Championships 2019 were held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool from April 26th to 28th. It was a very special year for the event as members of the Organisation celebrated its 70th Anniversary and what a great weekend it was full of history, atmosphere, friendly, and full of wonderful music from all who attended.Honoured during the festival with the NAO Associate Award 2019 was Jean Hanger for her devotion and service to the Accordion! It was appropriate the opening to the event was the first rehearsal of the NAO Vintage orchestra (picture above) under her guidance, who following further rehearsals gave a wonderful performance prior to the final prize presentation. The qualification for the CIA Coupe Mondiale 2019 to be held in Shenzhen, China in August was held with both Annalize Bodell (Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Music) and Alexander Bodell (Virtuoso Entertainment Music) being selected. The jury was kept busy with National Competitions being held in 3 venues throughout the weekend. As part of the 70th Anniversary, the NAO was pleased to invite Caroline Hunt with her private collection of over 30 instruments and the Organisation collated several historic displays including one (picture below) featuring all the Chairpersons of the NAO since 1949, all the Merit and Associate award recipients, and all the Merit and Honoured friends awarded by the CIA. Another display included all the UK Programmes covering the 70 years since the first Accordion Day, this feature bringing back some wonderful memories for many. Several international candidates also participated from Poland, Switzerland, Israel and Ireland. A wonderful Masterclass was held under the direction of Frederic Deschamps, the UK and Irish qualifications for the CMA International Open Trophy Competition as well as the Traditional Scottish Ceilidh with Highland Fling. Full results are available on the website: NAO |
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Yury Kazakov (1924-2019), Moscow – Russiaby Rob Howard |
 Yury Kazakov was very much a musical innovator. It was he who developed the bayan from a folk music instrument to a solo classical concert instrument, pioneering the use of free bass in the process. He was the first accordionist to perform solo on radio and TV in the USSR, and he was the first to give a solo recital at the Moscow Conservatory in 1957, thus winning recognition for the accordion as an acknowledged concert instrument.Born into a family of musicians in Archangel in 1924, Kazakov was introduced to the piano and to the accordion at an early age. His first public concerts in the 1930s were played on the piano, but after a few years he preferred using the bayan. In 1942 he joined the Soviet Navy and before long was a leading member of a musical ensemble aboard his ship in the North Fleet, performing an estimated 600 concerts. During the war years he was often heard by American and British seamen who had made the long supply run to Archangel and other ports in Northern Russia. After World War Two ended in 1945 Kazakov studied at the ‘Gnessin’ Institute in Moscow, worked with the Philharmonic Society of Archangel, and made extensive tours of the U.S.S.R. playing varied programmes (which included Chaikin's ‘Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra’). Yuri Kazakov’s technique and artistry was recognised by his contemporaries and audiences throughout his long and productive career both as a performer and also as a composer, and he recorded numerous albums and a DVD. His biography was published in 2006. He toured thirty countries to much critical acclaim, including England, France, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, Poland, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cuba, Chile, Mexico, etc. Recalling a joint visit to England in 1954, the composer and conductor Aram Khachaturian wrote the following: “Unexpectedly the bayan proved to be a tremendous success. In Kazakov’s hands it sang and rumbled, like an organ, filling the great hall with powerful sounds. The remarkabIe talent of the musician and his repertory, which is unusual for a bayanist, immediately made Kazakov a very popular man in the British Isles. I, too, felt that Kazakov induced me to change my attitude to the bayan. Remaining a favourite folk instrument, the bayan is asserting itself on the peak of musical Olympus. The bayan has reached maturity and taken the place it deserves in "big music" and this should be put down to the credit of Yuri Kazakov and other likeminded musicians". In 1983 Kazakov and Pearl Fawcett-Adriano made a successful short concert tour of England, arranged by Adrian Dante, and the following year a joint CD was issued. Yury Kazakov passed away on May 6th 2019 at the age of 94. He was predeceased by his wife Marina, and his funeral took place on May 8th at the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Moscow. |
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Brandon McPhee Wins UK Entertainer of the Year - UKby Christine Johnstone |
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| Accordion entertainer Brandon McPhee has won the 2019 Hot Country TV UK Entertainer of the Year Award. The 9th Annual Hot Country Awards concert was held on April 29th at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan in Ireland. “Hot Country” is a country music show dedicated to featuring the very best in Irish and American country music artists. Brandon McPhee is best known for his country music and Scottish traditional accordion music. See video for his popular performance. |
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Results/Report: 2019 Klingenthal International Accordion Competitions – Germanyby Harley Jones |
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| All results of the 56th Internation Accordion Competition in Klingenthal are now online. Please view at: 2019 Klingenthal |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Report: 2019 Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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 The final day report in Ningbo is now online for this event dedicated to World Accordion Day. http://www.accordions.com/china/shanghai/2019/19april.htmlwith pictures and information about the 19th April "Belt and Road" Symposium and Concert in Ningbo. Video above: Jiangbei “wind language” orchestra, Ningbo Odeum Special Commendation: This Ningblo concert completed all the official parts of the 2019 Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival 'Belt and Road Initiative'. This superbly organised and successful festival and tour was an awesome plan led by Festival Director Prof. Li Cong (also President China Accordion Association) and Festival General Secretary (Crystal) Wang Congyu, (also President Shanghai Musicians Association Accordion Committee). These two extraordinary accordion teachers and superb promoters of the advancement of the accordion in China, have also created, trained and developed one of the finest accordion event organising teams. Thank you to this talented team of accordion teachers/enthusiasts. Most of all, thank you to Li Cong and (Crystal) Wang Congyu - the accordion world is most grateful to you both for all that you do for the accordion. Finally, a thank you to all the organisations and sponsors listed below for their part in the superb event. |
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Special Accordion Commemorates ANZAC Day – New Zealandby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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  The Dargaville Museum Te Whare Taonga o Tunatahi in New Zealand recently unveiled a new exhibit, a unique, but stunning ANZAC Accordion by Dargaville based mosaic artist Kim Harrison (picture below with Kevin Friedrich). Commissioned by Kevin Friedrich, the accordion is a tribute to all New Zealand servicemen and women. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day. The New Zealand Government's Ministry of Culture and Heritage states: New Zealand soldiers distinguished themselves with their courage and skill, establishing an enduring bond with the Australians they fought alongside. Great suffering was caused to a small country by the loss of so many of its young men. However, the 1915 Gallipoli campaign showcased attitudes and attributes - bravery, tenacity, practicality, ingenuity, loyalty to King and comrades - that helped New Zealand define itself as a nation, even as it fought unquestioningly on the other side of the world in the name of the British Empire. After Gallipoli, New Zealand had a greater confidence in its distinct identity, and a greater pride in the International contribution it could make. The mutual respect earned during the fighting formed the basis of the close ties with Australia that continue today. A national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand held annually on 25th April ANZAC Day service, broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". Incorporating mirrors to reflect people’s spirit, the ANZAC Accordion also includes: Red Poppy (after being inspired by the sight of Poppies growing in battle-scarred fields after the First World War, the Red Poppy was adopted as a symbol of Remembrance); Purple Poppy (representing animals in war); White Poppy (representing all people and Peace); Black Poppy (representing anyone affected by war, including civilians); Red Cross (representing Medical personnel); Hammerhead (representing courage and strength); Wings (representing the Air Force); Rope (representing the Navy); Soldiers (representing the Army) and New Zealand Music (representing the spirit of the Maori Battalion for which the accordion was the official instrument). The instrument is complimented by custom designed bellows from Galassi Bellows in Castelfidardo, Italy. The bellows feature three red ANZAC Poppies on one side and a collage of New Zealand published and composed sheet music pertaining to WWI and WWII on the other. The instrument is displayed in the Dargaville Museum’s Military Exhibit and compliments the current Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time housed in the Museum’s Music Wing. |
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Grayson Masefiend in Chengdu Performing on World Accordion Day - Chinaby Harley Jones |
 May 6th: On Monday afternoon Grayson Masefield and Rachel Xu gave a demonstration of the accordion at the Montpellier International Primary School. It was an Accordion Orchestra Founding Event, involving the 40 new members from the school.May 7th: On Tuesday Grayson gave a presentation/master class at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, accordion and modern keyboard department, organised by Associate Professor Xia Gang. A Fun Event was then held at the Modern Keyboard Arts/Accordion Micro Museum and an evening concert was held at the Exuberant English School opened with a performance by Rachel Xu and followed by Grayson Masefield. |
Open Stage at Akkordeon Café Dortmund – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
| The Akkordeon-Café-Dortmund is an Open Stage Event taking place on the 1st Monday of the month at 7pm at the Café in the “Fritz Henßler Haus” Cultural Center, Geschwister-Scholl-Str 33, Dortmund. The Akkordeon Café presents all kinds of accordion music such as Cajun and Zydeco, French Musette, German folk music and shanties, Tango, Country, Pop, Irish Folk, Forro, Cumbia, traditional Balkan tunes, as well as contemporary classical music. Musicians, accordionists, harmonica players, mouth organ artists, soloists, duos and trios, bands with accordion, orchestras and music students are welcome to perform on stage. The venue is supported by a professional PA and light show or players can perform on an acoustic instrument if preferred. Last year (2018) the event celebrated its 10th anniversary. See video for clips of their celebrations. For further information email Stefan Lipke: akkordeoncafedortmund@gmail.com |
Stanser Musiktage Festival – Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
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| The Stanser Musiktage Festival was held in Stans, Switzerland from April 30th to May 5th. The event featured a variety of soloists and groups entertaining including the group “Éan” (pictured below) which includes accordionist Roman Bausch. “Éan” is Irish Gaelic and means bird. This fits in with the airy and light Irish folk music of this Swiss Quartet. The Albin Brun Quartett which includes accordionist Patricia Draeger entertained with an emotional range of music based on the high pulse of contemporary life, and also gives room to today's longing for simplicity and depth. The Roland-von Flüe Echo Quintett includes Julian von Flüe (accordion) and Roland-von Flüe (saxophone and clarinet) plus other backing instruments, who play a variety of folk music. |
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Accordionist Fifi la Mer Releases 2 New CD’s - UKby Rob Howard |
| Accordionist and vocalist Fifi la Mer, based in London, has just released 2 new CD’s entitled “Oh la la Ensemble Volume 1” and “Oh la la Ensemble Volume 2”. These entertaining new albums include cheeky and humorous lyrics and the songs are all arranged by either Fifi la Mer or members of her ensemble. Fifi, accompanies herself on accordion and plays many French chansons and Standards across both two fun albums. She is aided and abetted by Colin Oxley (guitar), Julian Bury (double bass and tenor sax), Alex Garnett (clarinet, tenor sax, and vocals), and Olly Wilby (clarinet and tenor sax). Tracks: Volume 1 include Charleston, Pigalle, C’est si bon and Yes sir, that’s my baby. Tracks: Volume 2 include La complainte de la butte, Puttin’ on the Ritz and Orpheus in the underworld/Can-Can. For further details phone Stephanie Mair: 07970 444 381 |
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Future events |
Mother’s Day Entertainment – USAby Christine Johnstone |
| The Hudson Valley Accordion Ensemble which includes accordionist Mario Tacca (Music Director) and Mary Mancini (vocals) will entertain at a Mother’s Day event at the Taormina Restaurant, 59 Hudson Avenue, Peekskill, New York. The event, which will be held on May 16th at 6.30pm will include a fantastic evening of great live music and fabulous food! Reservations are essential. For details phone: 914-739-4007 |
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12th Annual Chamber Music Festival – UKby Christine Johnstone |
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| The 12th Annual Sacconi Chamber Music Festival will be held from May 17th to 19th in Folkestone, Kent, UK. This year the Kosmos Ensemble will perform at the festival on May 18th at the Quarterhouse, Tontine Street, Mill Bay, Folkestone, Kent. The ensemble includes classical accordionist Miloš Milivojevic, Harriet MacKenzie (violin) and Meg Hamilton (viola). They will play mix of classical and world music with works by Brahms, Dvorak and Sarasate. To celebrate over 10 years of playing together, Kosmos are preparing to make a disc of studio recordings featuring favourite iconic tunes that have been extremely popular with audiences across the UK and Europe. For further concert information email: kosmos@kosmosensemble.com |
Cory Pesaturo at San Francisco Accordion Club – USAby Christine Johnstone |
 Accordionist Cory Pesaturo will entertain at the San Francisco Accordion Club, Chetcuti Community Room, 450 Poplar Ave, Millbrae, California on May 19th at 2pm.2009 Coupe Mondiale Digital Accordion winner and with accoustic accordion, winner of Primus Ikaalinen. Cory Pesaturo is a graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music and a popular entertainer. His extensive resumé includes appearances at the White House for President and Mrs. Clinton on 4 different occasions, starting when he was only 12 years old. For further concert details email: info@sfaccordionclub.com |
2019 International Cajun & Zydeco Festival – Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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| The 2019 International Cajun & Zydeco Festival “Zydecozity” will be held from May 24th to 26th in Raamsdonksveer, Geertruidenberg, North Brabant. The Zydeco Playboys (picture below) will perform on May 24th at the Main stage and 25th on the Swamp stage. This is the 5th time the group has entertained at this event, which is one of the biggest in Holland. The band, which includes accordionist Oliver Kraus, enjoy playing a mix of zydeco, Cajun, rhythm & blues, Latin and Texmex music. See poster above for details or email: info@zydeco.de |
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1st Rousay Accordion Weekend – Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
 The 1st Rousay Accordion Weekend will be held from May 31st to June 2nd organised by accordionists Karen Tweed, James Grieve and Ellen Grieve. This exciting new venture will be held on the beautiful island of Rousay in the Orkney Isles and the weekend will combine fascinating walks and talks by local experts with three days of workshops, dancing, music sessions, and concerts.Workshops will be lead by Karen Tweed (picture left), James Greive (picture below) and Ellen Grieve. The workshops will be based around various ability levels from newer players to experienced players and will focus on different playing styles and tunes from Orkney, Shetland, Ireland, Scandinavia and beyond! There will also be the opportunity for students to try their hand at playing for a Scottish Ceilidh and an informal music session which will allow everyone to swap tunes. The weekend will also feature a musical performance from Karen Tweed and James Grieve in the state-of-the-art building; The Space, which has been converted from an old church to a beautiful venue and recording studio. For further details email: info@karentweed.com |
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2019 International Tango Festival – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
 The 2019 International Tango Festival will be held in Karlsruhe, Germany from June 6th to 10th organised by Siempre Tango e.V. The event will include guest Tango stars from Buenos Aires to create a program that will include performances by dance couples, bands/orchestras and 7 DJs.Performances will be given by “Sexteto Milonguero” (Argentina - picture left), which includes Ignacio Claramonte on bandoneon. This group play traditional tangos of the golden era, jazzy Piazzolla, Milonga, Zamba, Chacarera and Chamamé. Their sensitive arrangements as well as their own compositions give them a distinctive sound. “Tango en Vivo”(picture below) includes bandoneonist Ivan Talanin who founded the ensemble. Ivan became well known as the bandoneonist with the orchestra Solo Tango, where he was first bandoneonist for many years. This new ensemble performs music by musicians from the post-epoca de Oro era, such as Maderma. You can be very excited about this ensemble, their music is known to be captivating. For further details email: info@siempre-tango.de |
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New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ)by Heather Masefield |
 The Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) has updated its website with the 2019 examination dates and 2019 entry fees and entry forms. |
New Stas Venglevski eSheet (pdf) Composition - USAby Megumi Hada |
 New music: Stas Venglevski piece Butterfly Swing (duet)New Stas Venglevski eSheet (pdf) compositions sent to you by email. Catalog: vstas059 Butterfly Swing (duet) Recent releases Catalog: vstas057 Sunshine Return, accordion (solo) Catalog: vstas058 In the Garden, accordion (solo) View samples pages of the music and listen to sample sound files. |
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