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Highlights |
Online: 58th Klingenthal International Accordion Competition - Germanyby Harley Jones |
The 58th Klingenthal International Accordion Competition will be held online from May 2nd to 8th, 2021 and is open to soloists, accordion duos, trios and groups. Download competition rules in German, French, Russian, Spanish and English languages at: 2021KlingenthalRules.pdf Download competition entry forms at: 2021KlingenthalEntry.pdf Musicians of all nationalities and citizenships may participate in a variety of age group categories from children to adults and will be prepared to perform in a selection of rounds with a final round. Entries close on January 31st, 2021. |
CIA “The Magic of the Accordion” Promotional Video Competition - Finlandby Kimmo Mattila Secretary General, Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) |
Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) President Mirco Patarini announces the competition for the creation of a promotional video “The Magic of the Accordion”. The object of the competition is the creation of a promotional video spot lasting approximately 60 seconds on the theme “The Magic of the Accordion”; dedicated to the promotion of the accordion to the general public. It is recommended that the video spot is also adaptable in the versions of 30 seconds and 10 seconds for media uses. Download the printable pdf competition notice: 2020MagicVideoCompetition.pdf CIA site Magic Video page: magicvideo.php |
Concert Schedule Online: 32nd International Moscow Festival “Bayan and Accordionists” - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
The 32nd International Moscow Festival “Bayan and Accordionists” will be held at the Gnesin Academy of Music in Moscow, from December 15th to 20th, 2020. Artistic Director is Friedrich Lips. Download a full schedule of concerts in English and posters of each concert at: 2020Moscow |
Martina Jembrišak Receives Prestigious “Ivo Vuljević” Award – Croatiaby Christine Johnstone |
Martina Jembrišak (pictured above) has received the prestigious “Ivo Vuljevic” Croatian Musician of the Year 2020 award. This is the first time an accordionist has won this prize! The official prizegiving ceremony was held on December 9th, 2020 at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb. The award was presented by Tonci Bilic, Director of the Jeunesses Musicales Croatia. The Jeunesses Musicales Croatia has been presenting this award since 1988, which consists of a diploma, a sum of money, and concerts that assist in the development of musical careers of the recipients in Croatia and abroad. The award is named after Ivo Vuljevic (1919-1986), lifetime Honorary President of the Jeunesses Musicales Croatia, Director of the Opera of Croatian National Theater in Zagreb, Director of the LADO Ensemble, longtime director and honorary member of Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall. The award ceremony focuses the public's attention on the talents, efforts, abilities and musical personalities of young artists. The Jeunesses Musicales Croatia has numerous supporters and partners including the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, the City Office for Culture of the City of Zagreb, the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Zagreb Soloists Ensemble, Tis Group and HEP-Hrvatska elektroprivreda as the main sponsor. Photo below from left to right: Frano Parac, Martina, Mia Pecnik (who also received a prize), Jeunesses Musicales Croatia Director Tonci Bilic and previous award winner Danijel Detoni. |
2021 Swiss Accordion Competition (Schweizer Akkordeon Wettbewerb – SAW) - Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
The Swiss Accordion Competition (Schweizer Akkordeon Wettbewerb – SAW) for soloists, duos and chamber music will take place on May 29th and 30th, 2021 in Aarberg, Switzerland. The event is organised by accordeon.ch, with the Accordion Orchestra Ipsach and Aarberg-Kallnach and OK President, Thomas Peter. Organisers have allowed 2 days for the event due to additional possible Covid-19 regulations having to be implemented. The following events leading up to the entry closing date are as follows: Seminar Competition Preparation for Teachers: 9th January, 2021 in Lyss. Information for the selection of Coupe Mondiale entrants: 9th January, 2021 in Lyss. The deadline for competition entry registrations is February 28th, 2021. Download competition information and rules in German and French languages here: 2021SwissRules.pdf For further details email: info@accordeon.ch |
Worlds First Accordionist to Get Covid Vaccine is John Jones MBE - UKby Rob Howard |
On day 1 of the covid vaccine rollout in the UK, John Jones MBE became the first accordionist in the world to receive the Pfizer anti-Covid vaccine. Macclesfield General Hospital in Cheshire has offered the vaccine to all staff and volunteers, and because of his many years of fund raising playing the accordion in the hospital, John is listed as a volunteer. John’s non-stop fund raising has made him a local legend in Macclesfield! Since John retired from his career as a structural bridge engineer in 1992 he has devoted much of his time to fund raising for various charities, and in 2012 was awarded the MBE for his efforts in raising over £250,000. The ceremony took place in Buckingham Palace, carried out by HRH Princess Anne. Before taking up the accordion in the 1980s John was a pianist who entertained in pubs, and since switching to the accordion he has played at all sorts of functions and has a very large repertoire of all kinds of music. He is a member of both Stockport Accordion Club and North Staffs Accordion Club, and is the organizer of the annual charity concert at the Broken Cross Club in Macclesfield in aid of the East Cheshire Hospice. He and Rob Howard have performed war songs in the Stockport Air Raid Shelters each December since 1999. Like everybody else, John has this year been sidelined from playing gigs indoors because of the Covid lockdowns and restrictions, but undeterred has gone out into the streets and parks busking. About one such occasion he writes: “On September 11th I was busking in Teggs Nose Country Park, raising money for the Intensive Care Unit in Macclesfield Hospital in memory of my wife June who passed away on March 9th, when suddenly there was a very loud “vroom, vroom” as a convoy of Super Cars arrived in the car park. These cars were on a rally known as ‘The Cannon Run’. One of the group saw my collecting box, and put a £20 donation in it. The box was then passed round and a total of £158 was raised for the hospital charity. A member of the group then asked me to play the accordion, which he recorded. I was then told that I had just been videoed with a famous rapper called ‘Mist’ (picture left), who has a worldwide fan base of millions, and the video was then posted on his Instagram page. Imagine my surprise when my grandson, Marcus, rang me up later in the evening to tell me he had seen the video and couldn’t believe that his grandad played the accordion for Mist. It seemed to me it was as if I’d been seen with Elvis!”. Picture below: John Jones is also popular with the birds who love the acccordion!! |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Piero and Horacio Finalists in Got Talent Uruguayby Christine Johnstone |
Accordion and violin duo Piero and Horacio performed in the Got Talent Uruguay program, receiving a standing ovation and almost getting the golden buzzer! They progressed through to the finals and came a very popular 3rd place. |
VI International Accordion Meeting, Rio de Janeiro - Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
The VI International Accordion Meeting was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 28th and 29th, 2020. Accordionists from Colombia, Brazil and Argentina performed at the event. Video: Session 3 online performances |
New Video: Alexander Poeluev with Folk Ensemble "Pravoslavniy Don" - Russiaby Christine Johnstone |
Alexander Poeluev has just released a new video with the Folk Ensemble "Pravoslavniy Don”, which is their original version of Don Rhapsody composed by Viatcheslav Semionov and arranged for accordion and folk ensemble. Don Rhapsody was based on folk songs and in this work they tried to combine the original songs and Semionov’s Don Rhapsody. The video was produced within the framework of the Discover Russia: 5 geniuses of the world born in the Don Region project, supported by the President's Grants Fund. Project operator: All-Russian Association of Honored Citizens, Mentors and Talented Youth. Inspired by the creative work of Russian and Soviet veteran-writer Mikhail A. Sholokhov - Russian and Soviet writer, journalist and scriptwriter, the Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, Stalin Prize, Lenin Prize laureate, twice the Hero of the Socialist Labour. Artistic Director: Gennady Vecherkin Young Cossack: V. Poeluev Executive Producers: Elizaveta Poelueva and Larisa Lutsenko The shooting was held in the Bokovsky and Sholokhov regions of the Rostov region, M.A.Sholokhov's State Museum-Reserve and Memorial Historic Complex in Karginskaya. |
Elsie M. Bennett Composition Winners and Information Online - USAby Harley Jones |
Elsie M. Bennett (picture right) Composition Competition winners since 2009 are now online on the AAA site. http://www.ameraccord.com/bennett.php From 2017, the AAA has added a sample page and sample sound file of the winning music. Also, the contact email of the composer to contact to purchase these new compositions. |
Mimmo Mirabelli Performs on PrimAntenna TV - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
Mimmo Mirabelli entertained with the popular dance piece from Brazil, “Lambada” on PrimAntenna TV Italy this week. See video above. PrimAntenna is a television network in Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy and Valle d’Agosta, Italy that features entertainment and local information programs. |
Jeanne Velonis Releases New CD “New York Dronescape - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
Jeanne Velonis will release her new CD “New York Dronescape” at the online meeting of the Brooklyn Accordion Club on December 13th, 2020. The digital release date is set for December 12th, 2020. The CD includes three pieces: 1. Music of Chants" by Guy Klucevsek 2. "Vegetative States" by Peter Flint 3. "Brooklyn Dronescape" by Bob Goldberg--three 21st-century drone-based accordion pieces by New York City composers. Jeanne Velonis, is a classical recording engineer and the newest member of Bachtopus. Initially self-taught, she has studied accordion with Leah Barkan and Mary Tokarski. For more information: sinolev@yahoo.com |
Wiesław Ochwat Releases his First Solo Album - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
Promotional Video: Information on the new CD, list of composers, recording and sound information etc. Wieslaw Ochwat (Kraków, Poland) has just released his first solo album entitled “Between Paths” on the DUX label. The album includes contemporary accordion music and Polish works for solo accordion that shows the versatility of the accordion, by composers Wojciech Blecharz, Maciej Zimka, Artur Zagajewski, Chris Olczak, Przemyslaw Scheller and Peter Peszat. The CD release was financed by the "Creative Scholarship of the City of Krakow" and is available at major music stores. It will also soon be available in digital form. |
Aydar Gaynullin New Video: “Shape of My Heart” - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
Aydar Gaynullin has just released his new video “Shape of My Heart” written by Dominic Miller and Sting. Aydar recorded the piece because of the Covid-19 lockdowns with the help of his wife and daughter. Enjoy. |
Future events |
Rémi Geffroy Trio Online Concerts - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Rémi Geffroy Trio December concert The Rémi Geffroy Trio performed an online concert at the Studio La Claranbox in Lignareix, France on December 6th, 2020. The trio consists of Rémi Geffroy (diatonic accordionist and composer), accompanied by Christian Martinaud (drums) and Thomas Curtil (guitar). This concert was one in a series organised by the Studio La Claranbox. On December 12th, Rémi will perform with his group “The Booze Brothers” in Langon, South Western France. The group play a mix of Irish music and ultra energetic, joyful and tribal Punk Rock. |
Online Concert: Alexander Poeluev Celebrates Jubilee Year - Russiaby Christine Johnstone |
Alexander Poeluev will give an online concert on December 12th at 6pm Moscow time. The concert is a long-awaited event in the jubilee year of the 160th anniversary of A.P. Chekhov and the 115th anniversary of the birth of M.A. Sholokhov. The concert will be held as part of the educational project “Get to know Russia”. Literary geniuses born on the Don with the support of the Presidential Grants Fund and a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation Leonid Shafirov, All-Russian Association of Honorary Citizens, Mentors and Talented Youth. It will also be part of the Musical Opening Ceremony of the Second International Congress of Cognitive Tourism, Culture and Media Volunteers "Living Heritage of a Small Homeland" and the Literary Festival “Learn Russia”. Special guest at the concert is: laureate of international jazz competitions and festivals, and participant of the New-Centropezn Jazz Quartet saxophonist Andrey Machnev. Alexander Poeluev has been playing with the New-Centropezn Jazz Quartet for over 10 years. At this concert, we want to unite Russians and foreigners, lovers of Russian culture, connoisseurs of the history and traditions of the Don region from different parts of our world. We will all remember 2020 as a year online in which we all have tried new things, looked for new ways to communicate, meet, and implement our creative projects. Although, under the current conditions, we still cannot invite the entire New-Centropezn line-up, Alexander has prepared several interesting performances with Andrey Machnev, so Saturday evening promises to be filled with positive and great music. For concert information email: a_poeluev@mail.ru |
Online Mazaika Duo Concert - UKby Rob Howard |
The Mazaika Duo, which includes Igor Outkine (midi accordion & vocals) and Sarah Harrison (violin & domra) will give an online concert on December 13th, 2020 at 4pm. Their program will include a festive mix of classical favourites, folk, gypsy jazz, tango and Christmas Carols. For details phone: +44 7968 316295 |
Online: Mario Tacca & Mary Mancini 23rd Annual Christmas Concert - USAby Christine Johnstone |
Mario Tacca & Mary Mancini (picture left) will hold their 23rd Annual Christmas Concert online this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. The concert is dedicated to musician Vincent Lionti and will be held on December 19th at 7pm. For details see poster or email: manciniandtacca@gmail.com |
Online Concert with Viviane Chassot - Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
Viviane Chassot will perform an online evening concert from the Aula Cantonal School in Sursee, Switzerland on January 30th, 2021 at 7.30pm. Her program will include works by Bach, Haydn and Piazzolla. Registrations are mandatory as seating at the venue will be limited due to Covid-19 restrictions, so for details please contact: info@accordeon.ch |
Childrens Corner |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Rob Howardby Harley Jones |
Rob Howard, author, has had several new pictures, text site update all books added to his home page; |
Updated Site: AccordionGifts Holiday Sale – 25% off everything in stock! – USAby Dan Grauman |
AccordionGifts Holiday Sale. This year has been difficult with the Coronavirus pandemic affecting everyone, so we thought that we would end the year on a happy note. AccordionGifts is offering everything in stock, including holiday items, clothing, jewellery, stationery, and novelties at 25% off the listed price. The sale is in effect for the entire month of December. |
Updated Obituary Site: Yvette Horner Live on Television 1956 - Franceby Harley Jones |
Historical Video of Yvette Horner Live on Television 1956, France, added to her obituary site. |
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