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Highlights |
Janne Valkeajoki (Finland) Wins XXIII International Competition "Arrasate Hiria" - Spain
NAO Area Festivals, UK Championships, 2016 - UK
VI International Competition of Bayan and Accordion Players in Moscow
Emilio (Accordionist) and Gloria Estefan Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom - USA
William Schimmel is Accordionist on Album Nominated for 2016 Grammy - USA
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Gorka Hermosa’s Compositions, Santander - Spain
Video: Tony Lovello, About to Celebrate 83rd Birthday - USA
Nicholas Smith (1934-2015), Surrey – UK
Video: Luciano Gentili on Canale Italia - Italy
Judith Williams at the C.C.A. DVD, Glasgow – UK
Future events |
Schlüchttal-Akkordeon-Orchester Year End Concert 2015 - Germany
Erika Dance Date, Dinant – Belgium
The Henry Girls ‘Tracks in the Snow’, Dublin – Republic of Ireland
Stockholm Accordion Club Christmas Party, Stockholm - Sweden
StriCat Concert, MK Twello - Netherlands
Avsenik Brothers - Slovenia
West Sussex AC Christmas Party, England – UK
Debra Peters and Jhan Dudley Concert, Vancouver – Canada
Rockorchester Akonima Concert, Wehr – Germany
New and Updated Sites |
New and Updated Site: Sergey Osokin, New CV, Performer and Teacher, Moscow - Russia
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri 2 New Works Released - Australia
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Editors Note:by Rob Howard |
 Christmas is coming along fast now, and if you are still choosing presents for accordionists, why not have a look at what the pages of Accordions Worldwide have to offer, including the reviews section. There is a very large selection of recordings on CD and DVD, music books, sheet music, instruments, accessories, etc, on this website. Please consider supporting our loyal advertisers, whose quality products should meet the needs of most accordion enthusiasts. |
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Janne Valkeajoki (Finland) Wins XXIII International Competition "Arrasate Hiria" - Spainby Harley Jones |
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 Picture of the 2015 "Arrasate Hiria" competitors prize giving above, organised by Hauspoz (Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea). The results were:1st Janne Valkeajoki (Finland) - picture left 2nd Shen Wang (China) 3rd Arseniy Strokovskiy (Russia) Download the 56 page 2015 program: 2015AHiria.pdf Finland is a small country with a great accordion tradition and Janne Valkeajoki is the 3rd person from Finland (Rättyä Janne 1996, Ari Lehtonen 2007) to win this competition. There were entries in the top solo category from: Austria, China, Finland, Germany, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. View contestant details in the program. One of the nice stories of the event took place in the junior category of "Competition Gipuzkoa" state level. In this category reserved for participants under 14 years, twin brothers, Luis and Juan Arenosa, coming from Santander won 1st equal prize. XXXVI Certamen Gipuzkoa State competition. The winners in each of the three categories of the contest were: Categoría Senior 1st Queralt Morral (Barcelona) 2nd Vera Drazic (Zaragoza) 3rd Amaia Zubimendi (Zumaia) Diploma Categoría Junior 1st Juan Matías (Santander) 2nd = Sota (Donostia) y Ainhoa Quintana (Pamplona) Categoría Infatil 1st = Luis and Juan Arenosa (Santander) 2nd Leire Alonso (Irún) 3rd Ainara Galán (Irun) |
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NAO Area Festivals, UK Championships, 2016 - UKby Anna Bodell, Past NAO Chairperson |
  The NAO Area Festival season 2015/2016 continues its season with a busy time in February with three qualifying competitions for the NAO UK Championships 2016.Dates are: 7th February, the NAO Thames Area (London) festival; 20th February, the NAO Northern Ireland Festival will be held in Larne, Northern Ireland; 27th February, the NAO West of Scotland Festival will be held in Glasgow, Scotland; NAO Area Festivals will also be held in March in the North West (Manchester) and East Anglia (Colchester). The 2016 NAO UK Championships will be held 22nd – 24th April again at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. As well as the National Finals, the NAO UK Championships will host International Solo categories in both classical and variety and an International Orchestral Category. Download rules and regulations: 2016NAO-UK.pdf Entry closing date: 28th February 2016 NAO Chairperson and CIA President Raymond Bodell (picture right) states “That the NAO Area Festivals continue to attract a good number of entries and I am sure the UK Championships will attract great support from all over the UK as well as international participation” For full details of the Area Festival season and the UK Championships, see the website: National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) or the Email: naouk@btinternet.com |
VI International Competition of Bayan and Accordion Players in Moscowby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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 The VI International Competition of Bayan and Accordion Players and the 27th International Festival "The Bayan & Bayan Players" will be held at Gnesins Grand Concert Hall, Moscow, from 13 to 20 December 2015. Artistic Director is Friedrich Lips (picture left).Reports will be added as they come to hand. Competition rules and posters/program in English/Russian and 62 page program at: 2015Moscow |
Emilio (Accordionist) and Gloria Estefan Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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 Photo above: A young Emilio Estefan plays the accordion for his mother, Carmen, in Cuba. The Accordion is Instrumental to Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Did you know that Emilio Estefan started his musical career by playing the accordion? I found this out when reading the Wall Street Journal the other day. Read the full article at: Estefan.pdf Gloria Estefan first met Emilio when he was playing the accordion in a wedding band and was mesmerized. The rest is history! Gloria Estefan, 58, and Emilio Estefan, 62, have won 26 Grammy Awards. Emilio says that the accordion is his most treasured item, even today! On 24 November, they were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their contribution to music. The Broadway musical “On Your Feet!” is based on their lives. Emilio and Gloria Estefan at their home on Star Island, Mami. |
William Schimmel is Accordionist on Album Nominated for 2016 Grammy - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
  Well known accordionist Dr. William Schimmel is the accordionist on the soundtrack album of "An American in Paris" which has just been nominated for a 2016 Grammy Award. An American in Paris is the romantic story of a young American soldier, a beautiful French girl and an indomitable European city which are at the heart of Broadway’s breathtakingly beautiful new musical. An American in Paris is a four-time Tony Award-winning production that also earned the awards for Best Musical of the Year from both the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama League. Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs a remarkable company of 25 international and Broadway virtuosos as they bring the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with award winning orchestrations of unforgettable works by George and Ira Gershwin, including such classics as “I’ll Build A Stairway to Paradise,” “I Got Rhythm” and “The Man I Love.” The show is now taking place at The Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway, New York, New York. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Passing away of Alexander Nikolayevitch Cholminov (1925 – 2015) - Russiaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 Video 1: 2011 XXIII International "Festival Bayan and Accordion" in Moscow attended by A. Cholminov. Suite for Accordion performed by Sergey Osokin. Link at bottom of this article has a photo of Cholminov congratulating Sergey Osokin for this performance.Video 2: Kholminov Nocturn & Finale performed by Alexandr Hrustevich Alexander Nikolayevitch Cholminov, one of Russia’s first rank composers, passed away on 26th November, 2015. Besides his works for bayan he has created many operas including "Optimistic Tragedy", "Greatcoat", "Anna Snegina, "The Karamazov Brothers", "The Carriage". Additionally, there are 8 symphonies, 8 cantatas, vocal cycles by such poets as A. Pushkin, A. Block, A. Akhmatova, S. Kaputikyan, M. Karim, I. Takuboku, etc. His works also include 10 instrumental concertos (for flute and string orchestra, for cello and chamber choir, for cello, brass quintet and 3 timpani, for 2 violins and chamber orchestra. etc.), 4 string quartets, music for films, including the "Chairman" (epochal in the history of Russian cinematography), songs and instrumental miniatures. For many years, Alexander Cholminov has been engaged in creative and public activities. In 1959 he became a member of the Organizing Committee of the Union of Composers of the RSFSR, for a long time (1968-1990) he was the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the USSR Union of Composers. 1973-1990 he was a member of the RSFSR Commission on State Prizes. A.N. Cholminov is a People's Artist of the USSR, Order Holder of Merits for the Motherland (4th Degree), of The Red Banner of Labor of Honor. He has also been awarded by Gold Medal named after A.V. Alexandrov and other distinctions. Especially for the bayan he wrote "Suite" (1951), "Concert Symphony" (1998), "Autumn Melody" (2005) and "Moment" (2013). His "Concerto" for Bayan and Symphony Orchestra was completed in 2009 and dedicated to Friedrich Lips. Previous news items about Cholminov: Alexander Cholminov – 85th Birthday on September 8th, Moscow - Russia http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=10-Sep-2010#art2819 Cholminov congratulates - 6th picture down: 2011Moscow Concerto CD by Friedrich Lips features Concert for Bayan and Symphony Orchestra by Cholminov. Catalog CD025 IL Cinema Per Sempre CD by Sergey Osokin features Cholminov works, Cat: os602 |
Gorka Hermosa’s Compositions, Santander - Spainby Rob Howard |
  Spanish accordionist, teacher, historian and composer Gorka Hermosa is very happy and gratified to have discovered that two extremely talented young accordionists have been playing his compositions in concerts in many parts of the world in the last year: Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) has played ‘Ka Mate’ in the USA, Canada, Chile, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Italy, and Pietro Roffi (Italy) has played ‘Gernika, 26/4/1937’ in China, Argentina, Rumania and Italy, and next year he will do the same in Australia, South Africa, China, USA, and Portugal. Gorka Hermosa is Professor of Accordion at the Conservatorio de Santander, Spain. He was one of the earliest composer/accordionists to perform in Spain as a soloist with a symphony orchestra, and his compositions are performed by accordionists in many parts of the world. Gorka Hermosa compositions are available online free of charge by this very generous and highly talented composer. |
Video: Tony Lovello, About to Celebrate 83rd Birthday - USAby Harley Jones |
| Tony Lovello plays his beautiful arrangement of "Bei Mir Bist du Schon." For this old time favorite, Tony is using his flash drive arrangement as the background music. Tony Lovello prepares to celebrate his 83rd birthday in just ten days, 18th December, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tony Lovello. |
Nicholas Smith (1934-2015), Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
  Nicholas Smith, the actor who played the Grace Brothers department store manager Mr Cuthbert Rumbold in the popular BBC comedy ‘Are You Being Served?’, which aired from 1972 to 1985, has died aged 81. The show regularly had audiences of 20 million viewers, and became popular in many countries, especially the USA. In an interview with American chat show host Ed Sutkowski, Nicholas Smith described that ‘Are You Being Served?’ got its chance only because of the chaos caused by the terrorist attacks at the 1972 Munich Olympics. He said that the show had been recorded as a one-off for the BBC ‘Comedy Playhouse series’ but had not been shown because the BBC thought it "too trivial". But when the live Olympic feed had to be cancelled the BBC showed the episode, and "the public reaction was so enormous" the BBC commissioned a whole series, and the show went from success to success. Also a musician Nicholas Smith played the accordion, organ and piano, wrote music, was a trained singer, and was featured playing the accordion and the piano in episodes of ‘Are You Being Served?’. He played the accordion mainly for recreation, and especially enjoyed playing Swiss, Tyrolean and Austrian folk dance music. |
Video: Luciano Gentili on Canale Italia - Italyby Harley Jones |
| Luciano Gentili appears on the program "Cantando Ballando", Canale Italia performing 'La Zita' by Tony Santagata. Published on 7th December 2015. |
Judith Williams at the C.C.A. DVD, Glasgow – UKby Rob Howard |
 ‘Judith Williams at the C.C.A.’ is a full length concert (148 minutes) by Scottish jazz singer Judith Williams recently released on DVD. Judith has a pleasant and engaging voice, and works her way through some of what is often called ‘The Great American Songbook’, accompanied throughout by the amazing Harry Hussey on accordion, the mellow clarinet sound of Dick Lee, and the subtle guitar of Paul Tracey and smooth double bass of Cameron Maxwell. Harry, Dick and Paul add in classy solo riffs here and there to enhance the songs. The style is that of ‘late night jazz’, and there is a large and young audience lapping it all up at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. The concert, filmed in black & white probably to give the show a retro 1940s look, was the first night of the Glasgow Jazz Festival, recorded on July 28th 2012. If ‘late night jazz’ is your thing, you will surely enjoy this collaboration. Tracks: Secret Love, East of the Sun, Moon River, You’ve changed, The shadow of your Smile, All of me, The man I love, Blue Skies, Quiet night of quiet stars, Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, My funny valentine, But beautiful, Close your eyes, All the things you are, The more I see you, After you’ve gone, I thought about you, My foolish heart, Time after time, Stardust The DVD ‘Judith Williams at the C.C.A.’ costs £10 + £1.50p, and is available from Harry Hussey. For further information email: harry.hussey@btinternet.com |
Future events |
CNIMA Great Value Christmas Course, 26-30 December - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
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| Your accompanying (e) full board from € 97.00 From Saturday, December 26, 14:00 to 18:00 Tuesday, December 30, in the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of CNIMA you participate in the Christmas accordion internship (open to all ages, all levels and all styles). For his/her friend, the CNIMA ... makes the cross-country skiing track, the snowshoe hiking, wildlife photography, tours, etc. Your own room, she / he only pays € 97.00 full board! (And Odile, chef, has promised to surpass for the holidays). Quickly call 04 73 22 27 45 or email: cnima@wanadoo.fr. |
Schlüchttal-Akkordeon-Orchester Year End Concert 2015 - Germanyby Harley Jones |
| Schlüchttal-Akkordeon-Orchester Year End Concert 2015, Gurtweil, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. 12 December 2015 at the Halle Gurtweil, 19.00 hours. |
Erika Dance Date, Dinant – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Erika, known as ‘The Princess of the Accordion’, and her keyboard accompanist Jean-Marie play for dancing on Saturday December 12th, 3pm, at the Café Ardennais, Dinant, Belgium. |
The Henry Girls ‘Tracks in the Snow’, Dublin – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
 The Henry Girls perform their winter show, ‘Tracks in the Snow’ at The Ark, Temple Bar, Dublin, on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm and 4pm until December 20th, and on Friday December 18th at 6pm. School performances are on from Wednesday - Friday. The Henry Girls are three sisters from Donegal, who all sing and play various instruments, including the accordion. For further information email: boxoffice@ark.ie |
Stockholm Accordion Club Christmas Party, Stockholm - Swedenby Rob Howard |
| The Stockholm Accordion Club hold their annual Christmas party on Monday December 14th, 7pm, at Arsta Folkets Hus, Artsa, Lake Malaren, Stockholm, Sweden. |
StriCat Concert, MK Twello - Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
 On Wednesday December 16th, 8pm until 9.30pm, the trio StriCat perform at Pigini Nederland, Rijksstraatweg 149, 7391 MK Twello, Netherlands.StriCat are a Dutch jazz trio who play Balkan music. Formed in 2006, the trio are trumpet player Gijs Levelt, accordionist Theo van Tol, and cymbalist Bokkie Vink. Their original and virtuoso mix of Romanian folk music and jazz attracts both jazz and world music audiences. StriCat's debut album ‘Rats & Gentle People’ in 2007 was highly praised by the Dutch music press. The trio performs at festivals, such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Roof, Contraband Festival, ZomerJazzFietsTour, Karnatic Lab Festival, RASA, Paradox and Bimhuis. They toured Taiwan in 2008, and in 2009 released a second album ‘Jab’. For further information email: info@pigini.nl |
Avsenik Brothers - Sloveniaby Rob Howard |
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| The Avsenik Brothers present a show featuring polkas and other ethnic music on Wednesday December 16th, 7pm, at the library Paul Golie in Trebnje, southern Slovenia. The evening also involves the publication of a book and extracts from a documentary about the 60 years old Avsenik musical tradition. |
West Sussex AC Christmas Party, England – UKby Rob Howard |
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| The West Sussex Accordion Club Christmas 3 Hour Squeeze Party is on Saturday December 19th, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. The venue is St Andrews Youth Centre, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0LG. The £4 admission includes Seasonal Refreshments, and there’s a Christmas Club Raffle. |
Debra Peters and Jhan Dudley Concert, Vancouver – Canadaby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Debra Peters and blues guitarist Jhan Dudley perform in concert on Saturday December 19th, 7pm to 9pm, at Cliff's, 2-868 Cassiar St, East End, Vancouver. Debra, from Texas, says “Bring your dancin' shoes. Jam/ party/ shenanigans afterwards”. |
Rockorchester Akonima Concert, Wehr – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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| The Rockorchester Akonima performs in concert on Saturday December 19th, 6pm, at St. Martinskirche, Wehr, Germany. The programme includes music from Chicago, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Leonard Cohen, and more. |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Gary Daverne Site Updated and New Navigation - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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  The website of Gary Daverne, Accordion Composer, Music Director - Orchestral Conductor - Arranger - - Record Producer has been updated with new navigation and further information. The recently released book "From the Podium" by Gary Daverne is available on the site. All the accordion compositions and recordings of Gary Daverne are available online at: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/daverne/index.htm |
New and Updated Site: Sergey Osokin, New CV, Performer and Teacher, Moscow - Russiaby Harley Jones |
 Sergey Osokin has added an updated biography in English and Russian to his site. This performer and teacher from Moscow, tutor at Schnittke's Moscow State Institute of Music has been performing in many countries, including recently in China and Lithuania. The new Il Dolce Dolore CD by Sergey Osokin (accordion) features has recently been released and features four major works, Sergey Osokin performing with Nadezhda Tokareva (violin) and Andrey Berezin (violoncello). Site updates include the pages about three albums: os601 Eternal Returning CD and eTracks album os602 Il Cinema Per Sempre CD and eTracks album os603 Il Dolce Dolore CD and eTracks album |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri 2 New Works Released - Australiaby Franco Cambareri |
 Franco Cambareri has released two new compositions:cfranco201 - L'ultima Bachata cfranco202 - Samba Rumbesca as an eSheet, able to be purchased online with credit card and sent to you by email. |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: “So Far, So Close” CD by Incoerente Duoby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of “So Far, So Close” CD by Incoerente Duo – Alessandro Tampieri (violin), Giorgio Dellarole (accordion). Review by Alessandro Mugnoz. |
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