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XXVIII “Arrasate Hiria” International Accordion Competition - Spainby Christine Johnstone |
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The XXVIII “Arrasate Hiria” International Accordion Competition will take place in Arrasate-Mondragón (Basque Country) from December 4th to 7th, 2021, organised by Hauspoz Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea, the Town Hall of Arrasate and The County Council of Gipuzkoa. The competition is open to soloists of any age and nationality. Test piece music will be provided to all contestants free of charge upon request. The competition will be held in two stages as follows: • Qualifying round: An own choice original piece for accordion – time frame of 7 to 13 minutes • Final round: Free programme – time frame 25 to 35 minutes The winner of the competition will be invited by the organizers to give a series of concerts at the XXIX “Arrasate Hiria” International Accordion Competition. Entries close on September 30th, 2021 and must be emailed to: hauspoz@hauspoz.org Organizers will confirm in writing that the contestant has been admitted to the competition by November 1st, 2021. Download competition rules and application form here: 2021ArrasateHiria.pdf |
V International Competition "AccoPremium" 2021 - Belarusby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() This live event will include competition categories for bayan and accordion (academic and pop nominations), bandoneon, harmonica (or any kind of harmonica), digital bayan-accordion, as well as ensembles (from duets to octets). The event will include concerts by well known performers such as Vladimir Murza (Ukraine), "AKKO Quartet" (Ukraine - see picture left), Vladislav Pligovka (Belarus), Stanislav Malyshev (Russia), Andrey Fedyai (Belarus), Aidar Salakhov (Russia), Semion Shmelkov (Russia), Alexey Khromov (Russia), Antipov Trofim (Belarus) and Anatoly Taran (Belarus). In addition, Master classes by Vladimir Murza (Ukraine), Professor of the Odessa National Academy of Music named after A. V. Nezhdanova, and members of the jury will be held. Competition entries close this month. For details phone: +375 29 639 55 70 |
Martynas Levickis Concert with the Gewandhausorchester – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The concert will coincide with the opening of the orchestra's 241st season and Martynas will share the stage with Baiba Skride (violin) and Harriet Krijgh (cello) to perform one of Gubaidulina's most recent works “The Triple Concerto” plus works by Sergej Rachmaninoff. Concert details: • September 17th at 8pm in the Grand Hall • September 19th at 11am in the Grand Hall For details email: ticket@gewandhaus.de |
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Astoria Marathon: Four Concerts in Mons - Belgiumby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Accordionist Christophe Delporte (picture left) and his ensemble “Astoria” will perform a set of four concerts at the Arsonic Arts and Cultural Centre in Mons, Belgium on September 25th to celebrate 100 years of the great Argentinian master Astor Piazzolla. The event entitled “Astoria Marathon” will include four concerts as follows: • 1st concert – 2pm: Astoria Classic • 2nd concert – 4pm: Astoria Movies • 3rd concert – 6pm: Astoria Poetry • 4th concert – 8pm: Astoria Dance Attendees can choose to go to one of these concerts or all four. The program will include some of Piazzolla’s best-known works such as Libertango, Oblivión and Adiós Nonino as well as many others. The Astoria ensemble features Christophe Delporte (accordion, bandoneon and accordina), Isabelle Chardon (violin), Jennifer Scavuzzo (vocals), Léonardo Anglani (piano), Eric Chardon (cello), Adrien Tyberghein (double bass), Jérôme Baudart (percussions) and dancers Dante and Monika Dominguez (Cie Eguimodanz). Their four concerts will be recorded live for the program "Le Monde est un Village" on the RTBF Radio Show (with host Didier Melon). For details email: public@surmars.be |
Doorslaande Tongen Workshops - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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Following the cancellation of 2020 workshops due to Covid-19, a weekend of Doorslaande Tongen Workshops will be held from 19th to 21st November 2021 at the Beukenhof in PJ Biezenmortel, Netherlands, organised by Stichting Volksmuziek Nederland. The workshops will include the following: • Make It Beautiful with Frans Tromp for medium to advanced CF. If you can play a melody, that's not the end, but it's just beginning. Then it's time to put a personal note on it. • Functional decorating in rhythmic music with Kok de Koning - Applying 2-row CF and 3-rower GCF He will work on some not too difficult instrumental pieces with different decorations that are functional in rhythmic music. Think of musical styles such as polka, cumbia and tarantella. • Decorate with the bellows with Wim Dictus for medium to advanced GC. It is sometimes difficult enough to (just) put down one melody beautifully or to come up with a nice accompaniment in the basses. Should we start varying and decorating? Is that any use? Sometimes it is, often it isn't. • Decorating on accordion bellows and other instruments with Mayke van den Broek for beginners and average players. Mayke enjoys playing music from different countries and usually the decoration of the melody or rhythm comes naturally, sometimes because the atmosphere of the music demands it or because it fits the tradition of music. • What makes a tune "Irish"? with Mariëtte Kuipers-van Kooten for 2-rower G/C, D/G, A/D, B/C, C#/D or in consultation. This course will cover the learning of different Irish melodies, both by ear, or as the Irish say “Playing by heart”, and of sheet music. And what makes an Irish melody Irish? What is the essence of a tune? We mainly focus on learning different decorations in the tunes, such as rolls, triplets and swing. For details email: secretariaat@volksmuziek.nl |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Mika Väyrynen World Premiere Recordings and Concerts - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() On September 13th, Mika will record world premiere works Sonata No. 2 "Dead on Time" (by Paavo Korpijaakko), "Childhood Whims" by Nicolas Economou (arranged by Mika) and "Pavane- for Dead Princess" (Maurice Ravel). The recordings will be completed at one of best concert halls in the country, "The Sello Hall" in Espoo by YLE (Finnish National Broadcasting Company). On September 16th, Mika will then travel to Kuusamo in northern Finland, where he will perform the "Of Life and Death" concert program. Kuusamo has excellent concert halls and is one of most popular winter holiday destinations in Finland. Concert information at: 2021MikaVäyrynen |
Antique Accordion Restoration Course at A World of Accordions Museum – USAby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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![]() A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) curator Helmi Harrington, Ph. D., presented a seminar and course teaching Antique Accordion Restoration at the renowned A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin. The week long course, one of several in the series, focused on reeds with topics and practical work assignments including identifying dislodged reeds (a common occurrence in antique instruments), removing, cleaning and treating all the reeds, dealing with rust and age related issues, sequencing according to keyboard configuration, cleaning and prepping the reed blocks, reed leather work and finally waxing the reeds back into place. In this seminar, each topic’s complexities paid particular focus to how it applied to antique instruments. See pictures of the work at: 2021Course Participants included accordionist and CIA Ambassador and curator of the Accordion Gems Exhibition at the Dargaville Museum in New Zealand Kevin Friedrich and local Symphony Conductor, musician and accordionist Tracey Gibbens. Additional assistance was provided by Museum volunteer Robin Floyd. During the timeframe of the weeklong course, several of the AWAM Board of Directors met with the Mayor of Superior, Jim Paine. The Mayor is an enthusiastic supporter of his community and has been proactive in recognizing the importance and uniqueness of A World of Accordions Museum in Superior. The Mayor has invited A World of Accordions Museum to display several instruments at the City Hall offices to create awareness of the 2,000 instruments housed in the adjacent World of Accordions Museum. The Mayor was excited to hear that the Museum was the recent recipient of a substantial donation of instruments (350) from a private Washington DC and Paris based collector Alain Papineau. A preliminary display of instruments from these holdings is on display in the Special Exhibits area at the Museum. Future classes in the series pertaining to antique accordions will include Tuning, Bellows Work, Bass Mechanics and general aesthetics and restoration. For more information please visit www.worldofaccordions.org Picture below left to right are: Rod Dingman, Roger Schmitz, Kevin Friedrich, Helmi Harrington, Mayor Paine and Tracey Gibbens. |
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Now in Russian, German and Spanish, Friedrich Lips 2021 Interview by Herbert Scheibenreif, Moscow - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() The interview is now online in Russian, German and Spanish. He was originally interviewed in 1999 and now 22 years later, on the occasion of the publication of Lips CD030 Double Mirror, Moderator: Dr Herbert Scheibenreif interviews him again. The co-operation between Prof. Friedrich Lips and Dr Herbert Scheibenreif has now produced an incredible 30 CD's for the accordion world. View the 2021 Interview, English: Lips2021 Deutsch: Lips2021-de España: Lips2021-es Russian: Lips2021-ru Original 1999 Interview at: Lips1999 |
2021 AAA Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition Winner - USAby Mary Tokarski |
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The AA runs an annual Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition and 1st placed in the Open Division was Kinga Broslawska, 24 years old, of Poland. Video above is winning compositiion title "XYZ" composed and performed by Kinga Broslawska. XYZ sheet music is available as a free pdf file from the composer on the AAA website at: http://www.ameraccord.com/bennett.php |
Accordion Show Cremona 2021 - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() The Accordion Show, which began in 2018, is the youngest event in Cremona Musica but in recent years it has already been popular, with important initiatives. This year there are 13 stands in the hall, with exhibitions by various accordion companies in a space dedicated to culture and non-stop events over the course of the show, with conferences, presentations, and lots of live music. In past years there have been performances by some important musicians such as Fausto Beccalossi, Luca Zanetti, Francesco Palazzo, Eugenia Cherkazova, Lorenzo Munari, Gianluca Campi, Danilo Di Paolonicola and many others. This year’s show will include a program of 30 events, with highlights such as the conference on Saturday 25th at 3pm between the two most important cities in the world for craftsmanship towards musical instruments: Castelfidardo and Cremona, the first official meeting between the institutions of two cities for future collaboration. In addition, Maria Susana Azzi (Argentina), author of the most complete book / biography to date on Astor Piazzolla "A life for music" for the centenary of his birth, will be accompanied by Pasquale Lancuba's Bandoneon and the Trio Tanguedia Project. Cremona Musica is considered one of the most important events in the world for high craftsmanship instruments. For details email: cas63bianca@gmail.com |
Video: 2021 Global Accordion Orchestra Projectby Christine Johnstone |
Video: The 3rd and final 2021 Global Accordion Project Orchestra commission, which features accordionists from around the world. This piece is entitled “Towards the Light” by Ian Watson. |
Video: Face2Face Duo Performs "Isn't She Lovely" - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Face2Face Duo performs this version of "Isn't She Lovely". In this video the duo features Bartosz Kolsut (accordion) and Pawel Janas (melodica). The two musicians have won 60 awards in various countries, such as Poland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Great Britain and France, and they have performed at numerous festivals in many European countries, the USA, Canada and China. |
Postponed: Canterbury Accordion Association Jam Session - New Zealandby Jeanette Perry |
![]() ![]() Organisers are aiming to hold this event as soon as conditions are more flexible to allow them to hold it safely. For details phone: 027 210 4600 |
Future events |
Online: IV International Competition "Magic Symphony", Moscow - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
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The IV International Online Competition "Magic Symphony" will be held with the support of "The Magic of Sound" Charitable Foundation for the Support of Young Talents from September 1st to October 15th, 2021. The President of the "Magic of Sound" Charitable Foundation is Maria Pavlovna Smerdova. The competition is aimed at identifying new musical talents in order to receive support from Charitable Foundations and subsequent performances at the best concert venues in the country. A variety of categories are available to entrants including solo instrumentalists, vocalists, ensembles, "Art of Accompaniment", "Teacher and Student", "Teacher/performer", "Orchestra", "Choral performance", "Composer creativity", and "Family music groups". • September 1st to October 8th: Competition applications are accepted • October 8th to 14th: Jury will watch the entrant videos • October 15th: Publication of results • October 16th to 26th: Participant diplomas will be sent by email Competition winners will be invited to perform at the December 2021 Gala Concert in Moscow, celebrating the festival. For details email: v.zvuka@mail.ru |
Mickaël Clément Big Weekend of Music - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() The next day, September 10th, Mickaël will entertain at “Les Vendredis de Folie” (Mad Friday) at The Madison in Revigny Sur Ornain from 5pm to 11pm. See poster top for details. On September 11th Mickaël will perform in the Ardennes followed by entertaining in duo with Giovanni Natale (guitar) at the “Fete Patronale” in Mouzay, Meuse (picture above left). |
Datastico e. V. Accordion Orchestra Celebrates Open Day – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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The Datastico e. V. Accordion Orchestra (picture below) will hold an Open Day (Tag der offenen Tür) on September 12th, 2021 at the Leohaus in Olfen, Coesfeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany from 2.30pm to 5pm. All music enthusiasts are invited to attend, from beginners to professionals. The orchestra will give demonstrations on playing the accordion and how an orchestra rehearsal takes place. Program as follows: • 2.30pm Welcome, insights into the rehearsal work • 2.45pm: Experience rhythm • 3pm: Try the accordion, music stand driver's license, music table, information stand This program will be repeated again from 4pm to 5pm. Masks are required. For details email: kontakt@datastico.de |
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Guildford Accordion Club Meeting, England - UKby Christine Johnstone |
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The Guildford Accordion Club are pleased to announce that they will hold their next meeting on September 17th, 2021 beginning at 7.30pm. This will be held at their new venue at the Cobham Village Hall, Lushington Drive in Cobham, Surrey, Engand. Future meetings will be held on the third Friday of each month. For details email: anita.boothby@guildford-accordion-club.org.uk |
Duluth Oktoberfestival – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The festival will include a parade, games, helicopter rides, giveaways, stalls and authentic German live music performances by a variety of bands including Winzige Hosen (accordionist Brian Schanzenbach – picture left), Alex Meixner Band, Richie Yurkovich & Polkarioty (picture below) and the Bill Koncar Band. For details email: lindsay@kernkompany.com |
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Patricia Crolbois Performs at 40th Verdun National Fair – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Accordionist Patricia Crolbois will entertain at the 40th Verdun National Fair in Verdun, France on September 17th, 2021 at 8pm. Patricia will perform a variety of musical styles with Mario (drums), Patrice (bass), Jeremy (vocals) and Jordan (keyboard). For details phone: 032 986 2929 |
Friday Night with Black Pencil Ensemble Concert - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Black Pencil Ensemble performing “The Count” a track from their upcoming CD “Come Out Caioni”, which includes works from the Caioni Codex collection. The Black Pencil Ensemble will perform at a Friday Night Concert series at the Kunstlinie Almere Flevoland in Almere, Netherlands beginning on September 24th, 2021 at 8.15pm. Black Pencil, which features accordionist Marko Kassl will perform works by Bach, Vivaldi and Debussy, “interspersed with surprising forays into gypsy music, dances, music from long ago and brand new compositions.” In addition you will hear masterpieces of classical music from the centuries-old Caioni Codex. In the eighties, a bricklayer found this collection of music in a wall of a shelter where monks had hidden it from the Russian soldiers during World War II. Black Pencil chose 18 pieces from the more than three hundred-year-old Caioni Codex, which contains a collection of pieces of music with an unprecedented variety of styles. For details email: info@kunstlinie.nl |
Dominic Karcic Entertains in New York – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
![]() Dominic is an AAA Board member, accordionist, pianist, and band leader. Reservations for this event are necessary. Fine dining plus great accordion music! For further information: dkarcic10@gmail.com |
Childrens Corner |
Video: "Accordéons-nous.org" 2021 Young Winner - Belgiumby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Madlyn Dugue (France) performing Romance No 2 by Frank Angelis at the 4th International "Accordéons-nous.org" 2021 competition held from August 24th to 29th, 2021 in Mons, Belgium.. Madlyn won: 1st prize in her age group - Variety section 1st prize in her age group - Classical section |
New and Updated Sites |
Excellent Entries for 'Live' 74th Coupe Mondiale in Munich - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() While Covid is causing problems for travel from some countries, a live Coupe Mondiale with live jury is clearly very popular with the contestants and their teachers. Additionally, the CIA has received 44 delegate registrations from 23 member countries for the CIA International Congress with many Delegates also participating as jury for the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships. CIA President Mirco Patarini writes: “My best welcome to all people that will attend the 74th Coupe Mondiale, and my warm wishes to all competitors. We will have a great event with real music in a live situation, and all our young players will have the chance to express their talent without limits. Good luck!!" Download printable event poster at: 2021CM-poster.pdf |
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Kevin Friedrich Releases 'Reflections' CD - USAby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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![]() Many of these performances were in conjunction with my days of competing in International competitions such as the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) Coupe Mondiale (1979, 1980 and 1981) and Klingenthal (1986) and during my Conservatory studies in both Kansas City (USA) and Paris (France).” Kevin goes on to say “One of the few regrets I have in life, is that I didn’t professionally record all this magnificent repertoire at the time I was performing it. In those days it was a rapid succession of exams and competitions often enticing new works. In the excitement and challenge of learning, the older repertoire was often unceremoniously discarded, making way for the new. Fortunately not all was completely lost and there were occasions that my live performances were recorded. Often these were made on cassette tapes, as was common in the 1970s and 1980s. While not ideal in this age of digital recording, in the interest of preserving recordings for prosperity’s sake, I feel blessed to have them.” At the request of the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) Kevin has now compiled a series of his performances which will serve as a historical record of some of his work. An exponent of both the piano and button keyboards, some of the pieces are performed on his Pigini Super Sirius Bayan, (Instrument No. 85 - C System) and some on his Titano Emperor JW5 Piano Accordion (quint free bass system). The tracks include: Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) by J. S. Bach; A Farewell to St. Petersburg, No. 10, The Lark by Mikhail Glinka, arr. M. Balakirev; Reflections by Karen Fremar (I. The Prairie, II. The Plaza, III. The Festival); Four Pieces in Old Style, (III. Aria) by Georgiy Shenderev; Prelude and Fugue “The Great” in A minor (BWV 543) by J. S. Bach; Sonata by Alexander Timoshenko (II. Rondo, III. Lento Doloroso, IV. Rondo Finale); Prelude and Fugue No. XV in G Major (WTC I - BWV 860) by J. S. Bach; Concert Suite for Accordion by Albin Repnikov (I. Recitative and Toccata) and Sonata No. 2 (III. Vivacissimo Con Spirito) by Vladislav Zolotaryov. For more further information and ordering ‘Reflections’ catalog friedrich02 as well as his CD showcasing the music of New Zealand composers Gary Daverne ‘The Journey”, catalog friedrich01 please visit: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/eTracks/inform/friedrich/index.htm |
Updated Information: National Accordion Convention Request for “Expressions of Interest” for the 2022 Convention – USAby Norman Seaton, President National Accordion Association (NAA) |
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The National Accordion Association (NAA) is inviting you to submit your “Expression of Interest” for the 2022 convention, which will be held in Richardson, Texas from March 16th to 19th, 2022. The convention will consist of traditional activities plus a focus group discussion related to 2022 popular styles of music. The 2022 Planning Committee is looking for individuals to participate in both the focus group discussion and to present workshops related to new opportunities. The 2022 door of opportunity to conduct a workshop during the 2022 Convention closes on September 15th, 2021. For details email: NatlAccordion@SBCGlobal.net |
Updated Site: Accordion Russia Newsby Christine Johnstone |
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The Accordion Russia News has been updated with new additional articles. |
2021 CIA Video Archive and Education Project, Munich - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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![]() The "Video Archive Education Project" is a project initiated in 2010 by the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) with assistance from sponsors and Accordions Worldwide. Videos should be online approximately 1 hour after the live performance or live competition and viewers will have free downloads of Coupe Mondiale competitions playing a vast range of different types and styles of music. The project includes a video of all the Coupe Mondiale categories and their contestants to be kept in the CIA archives in Finland, which over the coming years will become a wealth of historical recordings, including the premiere of many original accordion works and the emergence of upcoming artists at the Coupe Mondiale. We thank the Scandalli Accordion Factory for their sponsorship enabling this ambitious free project to assist accordion students and tutors throughout the world. |
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