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Highlights |
International Accordion Competition Klingenthal, Rules - Germany
'Willard Palmer Legacy', February, World of Accordions Museum - USA
Accordion-YellowPages.com Free Listing of Accordion Events - Cyberspace
Mika Väyrynen Performs in ‘Prophecy’, Hanover – Germany
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: XV International Accordion Festival Vilnius 2012 - Lithuania
‘The sound of happiness – an accordion’, Valetta – Malta
Video: Paris Moscou Duo at Smolny Cathedral, St Petersburg - Russia
Walter Kasprzyk’s New CD ‘Mixed Bag’, Florida - USA
Video: Volodymyr Runchak - Portraits of Composers, Suite №1 for Accordion - Russia
Video: The World of Accordion, Castelfidardo - Italy
Video: Krist Novoselic's Accordion Obsession Interview - USA
‘14 Years Ago’ – Jimmy Shand Knighted in New Year’s Honours List!
Future events |
Milos Miliojevic Concerts, England – UK
Accordion Concerts, Istanbul – Turkey
Stas Venglevski and Misha Litvin Concert, Florida - USA
Tony Kearney Gigs, London – UK
Marko Kassl and the Ballet ‘Russ’, Gelsenkirchen – Germany
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina, Rome - Italy
Festival Preview Concert, Vienna – Austria
Gjovalin Nonaj Concert, Brussels – Belgium
Video: Mendi Kantan project, Basque Country - Spain
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CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Editor’s Noteby Rob Howard |
 Well, here we are – 2013. Christmas came and went, and now the stage is set for another wonderful year of accordion activities around the world. Accordions Worldwide aims to publicize as many events, new recordings, items of interest, etc, as we can – and a mention in our Weekly News is free! Please inform us of your activities. As we start the year, its timely to thank our volunteer team of translators who translate our news into Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. Thank you very much to Yulia Amerikova, Yvon Body, Annalisa Martelli, Alejandro Martinez Ares, Holda Paoletti-Kampl and Guo Xingming for their greatly appreciated assistance in keeping the Weekly News a free service for the accordion world. On behalf of all at Accordions Worldwide, I wish you all a Happy New Year. Rob Howard, News Editor |
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International Accordion Competition Klingenthal, Rules - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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 The rules booklet in 5 languages (German, English, Russian, French and Spanish) is released for the 50th Anniversary International Accordion Competition Klingenthal. Download the rules booklet at: 2013KlingThe competitions will take place in Klingenthal from 6 to 12 May 2013 and contestants from all countries are invited to participate. The categories are: Category I Soloists up to the age of 12 Category II Soloists up to the age of 15 Category III Soloists up to the age of 18 Category IV Soloists of any age Category V Chamber music ensemble with up to six musicians including one accordion Category VI Soloists of any age performing virtuosic light music Category VII Bandoneon soloists of any age Category VIII Instrumental groups with up to six musicians including at least one but no more than two bandoneons. Entries close 31 January 2013. Some special events to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the International Accordion Competition Klingenthal will be announced in the coming months. Download the rules booklet at: 2013Kling |
'Willard Palmer Legacy', February, World of Accordions Museum - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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 A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin announces with pride and great pleasure the February 2nd and 3rd the opening of their new display: ‘The Willard Palmer Legacy’. Located in the Duane Sellman Special Exhibits Area of the Hanni Strahl Concert Hall, this exhibit spotlights a man whose accomplishments are unequaled in the accordion world and whose influence touches virtually every American accordionist. The focal center of the Palmer display is his last accordion, the Titano Emperor Super V. Instrumental in the acquisition is Willard Palmer, III, who plans to attend this 96th anniversary of his father’s birthday. During this weekend, the following musicians will offer presentations/concerts: Bernard Mateo of Paris, Pauline Olivera, Claudee Schmitt, and Bill Palmer III. More great performers and details will be announced in the February USA news. Dr. Willard Palmer (1917-96) wrote 789 published works, including an accordion method that is probably the largest selling accordion tutor ever. He made many concerts with Bill Hughes across America and was an early pioneer when he established an accordion department within the University of Houston. Also published are several piano methods, a method for Hammond Chord Organ, a guitar method, hundreds of solo pieces and many choral works, many of which have been translated into German, Japanese, French, Dutch and Spanish. He is also a co-author of Alfred's Basic Piano Library with Morton Manus and Amanda Vick Lethco. A meticulous scholar, Dr. Palmer's later years were dedicated to research in Classical and Baroque music and teaching methods. Willard Palmer, who passed away on April 30th 1996, was beloved by many in the music field. A World of Accordions, which opened in 2004, has about 1,700 accordions and chronicles the world history of the instrument. The building also houses the nation's only technical college program for accordion and concertina repair. The museum is open Mon-Tues-Wed, 10am to 2pm, most weeks of the year. If traveling from a distance, calling in advance is recommended: tel: 715-395-2787 [ARTS] For further information: accordion@sprynet.com |
Accordion-YellowPages.com Free Listing of Accordion Events - Cyberspaceby Harley Jones |
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| All concert, competition and festival organizers are reminded to list their Future Events for 2013 in the Accordion-YellowPages.com website. Its free to list and you can do it yourself. You can also change and update your listing yourself as further information becomes available. The Accordion-YellowPages.com Future Events calendar displays at the top right hand side of this Weekly News of accordions.com in all 7 languages and also on the USA News, Diatonic News and Russia News. Huge numbers of readers, about 5,000 visitors per day, view also the Future Events calendar display, so all accordion event organizers are reminded to take full advantage of this free service to keep the accordion community informed. Any internet challenged organizers may email their event details: harleyaccordion@yahoo.com |
Mika Väyrynen Performs in ‘Prophecy’, Hanover – Germanyby Rob Howard |
 Performances of ‘Prophecy’ – a concerto for accordion and symphony orchestra (2007) by Erkki-Sven Tüür - take place at Hannover Opera, Opernplatz 1, 30159 Hanover. Concerts are on Sunday January 13th, 5pm, and Monday January 14th, 7pm, with the Niedersächsisches Staatsorchester Hannover, conducted by Olari Elts. Finland’s Mika Väyrynen is the accordion soloist. CD's by Mika Väyrynen from the Finnish Accordeon Institute. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Interpol Recovers Stolen Bandoneons, Buenos Aires - Argentinaby Harley Jones |
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 Picture of press conference above. Argentinian newspapers and TV reported the recovery of two valuable stolen bandoneons. Marcelo El Haibe, Deputy of the Centre for Cultural Heritage Interpol section of the Argentina Federal Police (PFA) announced on the 27th December that an investigation started in August last year had now recovered two instruments of signficiant artistic and economic value. The investigation established that the instruments were held by a group dedicated to stealing bandoneones and then selling them on the black market at high prices. This group are accused of least nine robberies, their modus operandi being to use firearms to violently enter the homes of the victims and steal their bandoneon/s and other items of value such as jewelry. One victim was the musician Néstor Marconi (picture left) on 25th June. The group would then attempt to sell the bandoneons on the black market at high prices. Haibe said "that these instruments usually go abroad because they are highly sought after" and "may be worth USD$20-30,000 depending upon the quality and age of the instrument". |
Video: XV International Accordion Festival Vilnius 2012 - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
Expressia Duo, Excerpts
Klaudiusz Baran - Poland, Excerpts
BSM Trio playing Henry Mancini. Raimondas Sviackevicius (accordion) Vytautas Mikeliunas (violin), Mindaugas Backus (cello)
BSM Trio playing Three Preludes by George Gershwin
Nerijus Bakula Jazz Trio
‘The sound of happiness – an accordion’, Valetta – Maltaby Rob Howard |
 An article from the Times of Malta.com:She fell in love with the musical instrument 50 years ago and has since set up her own accordion band, now the only one in Malta. Today, Marthese Busuttil Cassar believes she would lose her identity if the instrument suddenly vanished from her life. And her passion for it has also drawn husband Joe Busuttil into her musical world. The couple were the first to have an accordion accompaniment during their wedding and had to request special permission from the Archbishop to allow the 25 member accordion band into the church. Since they married in 1979, Mr Busuttil, now 58, has been repairing accordions, whose mechanism fascinates him. The accordion is versatile and can be carried anywhere. It does not need the accompaniment of another instrument, because the right hand plays the melody and the left accompanies with different chords. Above all it is a “happy instrument”, Mrs Busuttil Cassar says. She fell in love with it on a school outing to the Catholic Institute in Floriana, where the Santa Monica Accordion band, which has since been disbanded, was performing. She started learning the instrument at seven under the supervision of Sister Carmela Eastwood, furthered her studies under Sr Benjamina Portelli and eventually earned a Performer Diploma from the British College of Accordionists. She has been teaching the instrument for 32 years and set up her own 18-member Santa Maria Accordion Band 20 years ago. One of her students, Cleve Zammit, last year received the Sir James Anderton Award, which is presented to the student who obtains the highest mark in the British College of Accordionists’ Grade six practical examination. Mrs Busuttil Cassar comes from a family of musicians. Her brother teaches the piano and her father used to play the violin, while her grandfather Charles Cutajar played the clarinet until he was 80 years old. She speaks of her own chosen instrument endearingly: “I cannot imagine the world without music... I carry the accordion everywhere I go and cannot live without it”. The 56-year-old adds that the accordion also plays an important part in the traditional Christmas procession organised for the first time in the 1920s by Dun Gorg Preca. Although the tambourine and triangle joined the procession in some villages, some choirs were also accompanied by up to three accordionists. For more information email to Mrs Busuttil Cassar on mtbusuttil@yahoo.com |
Video: Paris Moscou Duo at Smolny Cathedral, St Petersburg - Russiaby Harley Jones |
| Paris Moscou Duo of Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov performing in St Petersburg at the Smolny Cathedral, October 29th, 2012. |
Walter Kasprzyk’s New CD ‘Mixed Bag’, Florida - USAby Rob Howard |
 ‘Mixed Bag’ is a new CD release by US accordionist Walter Kasprzyk. As the title suggests, the music is varied, including such well known pieces as Over the Rainbow, Perfidia/Amour/Besame Mucho, Peter Gunn, Once in a While, Espana, Dark Eyes, Take Five, Meditation, Estudiantina, Serenata, and MacArthur Park.Walter Kasprzyk, well-known as a member of the ‘K’ Trio, is an accordionist, teacher and repairer, and ‘Mixed Bag’ is his second solo CD, the other being ‘Egress’. For further information email: ibqueen1957@yahoo.com |
Video: Volodymyr Runchak - Portraits of Composers, Suite №1 for Accordion - Russiaby Harley Jones |
| For lovers of original accordion music. Volodymyr Runchak - Portraits of Composers, Suite ?1 for accordion in 4 mov. 1. Bachiana - Meditation uber B-A-C-H 2. Imitation to D.Shostakovich 3. Near the portrait of N.Paganini 4. Devoted to I.Stravinsky Oleh Kuntyi (accordion, Ukraine-Lviv) |
Video: The World of Accordion, Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
| Promotional Video about the 'The World of Accordion' inviting you to this new Festival in Castelfidardo, 29th June to 7th July, 2013. |
Video: Krist Novoselic's Accordion Obsession Interview - USAby Harley Jones |
| Backstage at "12-12-12," The Concert for Sandy Relief. Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic reveals his current obsession: The accordion. Published 12th December 2012 |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Jimmy Shand Knighted in New Year’s Honours List!by Rob Howard |
 The first Accordions Worldwide news of 1998, published on January 15th, included the announcement that the legendary Scottish bandleader Jimmy Shand had received a Knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List – the first accordionist to receive this honour. Sir Jimmy Shand (1908-2000), one of the most famous Scotsmen of the 20th century, had a recording career that began in 1933 and lasted 60 years, and in his heyday of the post-war years, was known around the world. He was for many the embodiment of Scottish culture, and even had a pub and a train named after him! Accordionist Honoured – UK Contributed by Heather Smith In the Queen's New Year's Honours List, Jimmy Shand (accordionist and Scottish Country Band Leader) was awarded the Knights Bachelor for "Service to Scottish Culture". His title is now Sir Jimmy Shand, M.B.E. |
Future events |
Mazaika Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 The duo Mazaika perform Russian songs, Gypsy fiddle music, Tango, and more on Friday January 11th, 9pm - 11pm, at Green Note, 106 Parkway, London NW1 7AN. Green Note is just 3 minutes walk from Camden Town tube station. Doors open 7pm, and tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door.Mazaika are Igor Outkine (accordion and vocals) and Elizabeth Harrison (violin). For further information email: igor.outkine@yahoo.com |
Milos Miliojevic Concerts, England – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Milos Miliojevic performs as follows in January:January 11th, 7.30pm - with cellist Matthew Sharp, ‘The Seasons of Buenos Aires’, Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6NU January 18th, 1pm – ‘Symphony No.4 in G major, Gustav Mahler, ensemble conducted by German Clavijo, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London January 18th, 7pm - performance with Tillingbourne Accordion Orchestra Guildford Accordion Club, Surrey January 19th – ‘In Accord’, Harriet Mackenzie & Milos Milivojevic, Town & Country Concerts, Little Casterton, Stamford, Lincolnshire January 23rd, 7.30pm - Kosmos Ensemble, Westminster Theatre, Chancellor’s Building, Keele University, Keele, Staffs ST5 5BG January 27th - Kosmos Ensemble@ the Ritzy Café, Brixton, London For further information email: milosmusic@hotmail.com |
Accordion Concerts, Istanbul – Turkeyby Rob Howard |
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| This weekend and the next sees concerts involving accordionists taking place at the GÜRCÜ SANAT EVI (Georgian Arts Hall), Istanbul. January 12th, 7.30pm – ‘World Music’ duo accordionist Esra Ovali and saxopohonost Günay Ekren perform a repertoire of instrumentals and songs in different languages. January 13th, 6pm - ‘Accordion Meeting’, a playing session open to all accordionists. January 20th, 6pm – ‘Caucasion Orchestra’, workshop open to all instruments. For further information email: ibeka@mynet.com |
Stas Venglevski and Misha Litvin Concert, Florida - USAby Rob Howard |
 Bayanist Stas Venglevski and domra player Misha Litvin will perform together in concert on Sunday January 13th, 4pm, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1850 Sixth Ave, Vero Beach, Florida. |
Tony Kearney Gigs, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 London-based Irish diatonic button accordionist Tony Kearney’s gigs for January include:January 12th - Irish Centre, Reading January 13th Holy Ghost Club, Luton January 19th – Katie’s, Neasdon January 20th - Ceili, Irish Centre, Camden Town, London January 23rd – Tea Dance, Irish Centre, Camden Town, London January 26th – Iona Club, Hornchurch, Essex For further information email: starr63@gmail.com |
Marko Kassl and the Ballet ‘Russ’, Gelsenkirchen – Germanyby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Marko Kassl accompanies the ballet ‘Russ’ at the Musiktheater im Revier, Kennedyplatz, D-45881, Gelsenkirchen, during January, February, and March.The dates are January 19th, 26th, 31st, February 1st, 8th, 16th, 19th, 24th, March 1st and 3rd, and all performances begin at 7.30pm. The performance on February 19th is the official premiere. The story is based on the Grimm-fairytale ‘Cinderella’; choreographer Bridget Breiner doesn't use the famous ballet music by Sergey Prokovief but the much less known adaption by Johann Strauss 11 as a point of departure. Additionally there are American coal mining songs of the 1930s and live performed accordion music. In addition to Strauss-arrangements, Marko Kassl will perform original music by Franck Angelis, Fumio Yasuda, Arash Safaian, Klaus Paier, and his own compositions. For further information email: info@marko-kassl.de |
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina, Rome - Italyby Rob Howard |
 Italian accordionist Marco Lo Russo performs this month, as follows: January 20th, 5pm – Church of San Michele Arcangelo, Sermoneta, Latina January 27th, 5.30pm - Sala Pio XII della Cappella Musicale, Pontificia Sistina via Monte della Farina, 64, Rome Marco Lo Russo recently performed at a festival in Cuba, then between Christmas and New Year performed in the Ukraine, finishing off a most successful year that included performing before His Holiness Pope Benedict XV1, in Rome. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Festival Preview Concert, Vienna – Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The 14th Vienna International Accordion Festival place from January 23rd to February 24th, featuring a host of accordion artists and many venues.A pre-festival preview concert takes place on January 16th, 8pm, at Hadikgasse 62, 1140 Vienna, titled DANIEL KAHN & THE PAINTED BIRD meet THE BROTHERS NAZAROFF’. Berlin based US citizen Daniel Kahn has made himself quite a name as a prolific artist envisioning Klezmer as contemporary protest music. With his band The Painted Bird he is also emotional touching and very, very entertaining, conquering stages wherever they play. Following 2010´s acclaimed ‘Lost Causes’ with new CD ‘Bad Old Songs’, they are joined on this tour by mysterious Klezmer legends The Brothers Nazaroff who recorded ‘Jewish Freilach Songs’ in 1954 (!!!). Daniel Kahn: “In the desolate borderlands between Berlin, Detroit, New York, and Yiddishland, these Bad Old Songs are the midnight reveries of a lost time that is yet to come”. For further information email: friedl.preisl@aon.at |
Gjovalin Nonaj Concert, Brussels – Belgiumby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The Brussels-based Albanian accordionist Gjovalin Nonaj performs a programme of Balkan music in concert on Sunday January 27th, 3pm, at the Centre Européen de Médiation (CEM), 119 rue de l’Hôtel des Monnaies, Brussels. For further information email: Gjovalin_nonaj@hotmail.com |
Video: Mendi Kantan project, Basque Country - Spainby Harley Jones |
| Mendi Kantan project. Among the commemorative activities during the 50th anniversary of the Mendiko Lagunak mountain group (Amurrio, Basque Country), we planned publishing a songbook. Along with the booklet, which includes songs and various contents related to the region, the Gorobel/Sálvada mountains and the club's history, we recorded five songs with the partnership of several musicians and amateurs. These images reflect the recording of the song "Bautista Basterretxe", performed by: Argibel Euba: Drums / Victor Gómez: Double Bass / Amaia Larrinaga: Voice / Andere Larrinaga: Voice / Pottoki : Voice / David Nanclares: Mandolin, guitar / Ruben Isasi: Trikitixa (Basque diatonic accordion)/ Eneko Aldai: Tarota (Catalan traditional hautbois)/ Xabier Valle: Tarota / Iraide Ortiz: Clarinet |
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Antonio Spaccarotella and Alberto La Neve New CD Siteby Antonio Spaccarotella & Alberto La Neve |
 Antonio Spaccarotella and Alberto La Neve New CD Site titled'Non ce Tempo CD', catalog: albertoantonio101 with sound samples. Music performed by Antonio Spaccarotella and Alberto La Neve. Purchase online. |
CD Reviews |
Stas & Sam - Two Step CD by Stas Venglevskiby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Stas & Sam - Two Step CD by Stas Venglevski, in English language, reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers. |
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