Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Editor's Note:by Christine Johnstone |
Happy New Year to all accordionists around the world from your new 2019 News Editor. I am based in New Zealand and previously was the first news collator and editor for Accordions Worldwide from 1996 to November 2003 when Rob Howard took over. I wish Rob Howard all the best for the future and I am sure you will enjoy reading future news items of his accordion performances during 2019. It is great to be back, bringing you news of accordion concerts, festivals, workshops, seminars, masterclasses and CD/DVD releases etc., and I am looking forward to hearing from you over the next few weeks and months. My email address is: cjmusic@outlook.co.nz Christine Johnstone Editor |
20. Internationales Akkordeon Festival Wien - Austriaby Harley Jones |
The 20th Internationales Akkordeon Festival 2019 will be held from February 23rd to March 24th in Vienna. The festival Director since its inception in 2000, is Friedl Preisl. Music genres include Viennese music, world music, folk, global pop, jazz, improvisation and chamber music. The month long festival will include performances by many well known and highly regarded accordionists. Download further information on all 39 festival concerts in German at: 2019Vienna.pdf |
International Competition and Festival Ivan Malanin 2019 - Russiaby Roman Jbanov |
The International Competition and Festival Ivan Malanin (1897–1969) will be held in Novosibirsk from January 10th to 15th with musicians from Italy, Spain, Canada, Colombia and France. The event will include delegations from Castelfidardo – Mayor Roberto Ascani who will make a presentation from the Museum Castelfidardo to the Sibérien Museum of Harmonika. Director of PIF Castelfidardo, Italian accordionist Renzo Ruggieri will perform a concert in Novosibirsk on January 14th. Also attending the Novosibirsk event is the Mayor of Montceau-les-Mines in France - Marie-Claude Jarrot and Pascale Martinez who is the Director of the Montceau-les-Mines music school and cultural center. They will present information regarding the upcoming French Competition which will be held in Montceau-les-Mines, France from July 11th to 14th, 2019. |
What Are You Doing For World Accordion Day? - Internationalby Harley Jones |
What are you doing for World Accordion Day to promote the accordion in your country? World Accordion day is on May 6th, which is the day the accordion was patented in 1829. World Accordion Day was started in 2009 by the CIA and has been very successful, generating a lot of positive publicity for the accordion. A key part of this event is the World Accordion Day website. Every association, group, orchestra, performer and teacher, is asked to actively support this event by encouraging national and local accordion activities to happen in their country on this day or the weekend either side of Accordion Day if that should be more convenient. Everyone can register their World Accordion Day activity on the website and send a report of their event after, for that website. No event is too big or too small. ALL accordion events celebrating World Accordion Day are welcome. This is a CIA promotion for the accordion in which every accordion enthusiast can participate and help bring our accordion world together as well as strongly promote the accordion. |
Future events of Friedrich Lips for 2019 - Russia, England, Portugal, Bosnia and Norwayby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
Future events of Friedrich Lips for 2019 as follows: February 3rd Competition of Russian Music Middle schools in Moscow, Russia February 16th to 19th Master class and concert at Bashmet competition in Sotshi, Russia February 20th to 23rd Master class at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England March 16th All Russian Day of bayan, accordion and harmonica in Moscow, Russia March 24th to 27th Master class in Evora, Portugal May 13th to 18th Competition in Sarayevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina June 9th Concert with Piazzolla-Studio in Smolensk, Russia August 13th Master class and concert in Voss, Norway The Bayan and Bayanists Festival dedicated to Friedrich Lips was held in the concert hall of the Russian Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow from December 12th to 16th, 2018. Videos of all 5 major concerts and a report written by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif is at: 2018Moscow An updated biography for the 70th birthday by Herbert Scheibenreif is online at: Lips Biography This updated biography details the lifetime of achievements by Lips and the home page of the site at: Friedrich Lips lists his 29 CD's - an incredible musical history. Below: graphic of 29 CD covers |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Joey Miskulin AAA Lifetime Achievement Award - USAby Harley Jones |
Joey Miskulin has been selected to receive the AAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 for his many musical contributions. The date and location of the event will be announced soon. Joseph M. Miskulin is a hall of fame accordionist and producer of Grammy Award-winning music albums. In a music career spanning more than four decades, Joey Miskulin has collaborated with a range of artists including Paul McCartney, John Denver, Ricky Skaggs, Andy Williams, Ricky Van Shelton, Emmylo. By age 13 he was traveling with Frank Yankovic, who was a Columbia recording artist at the time. After playing on a syndicated TV polka show based in Cleveland, Miskulin made the move to Nashville. There he befriended Jack Clement who helped him get session work. Over the years Miskulin has played with Townes Van Sandt, Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs and U2 among others. |
Hogmany Live 2018 - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
Video above: At New Year the Graham Geddes Band took part in a Hogmany Live 2018 global stream from Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre which reached about 49 countries around the world. Accordion starts at 2:30. The band members are: Graham Geddes (lead accordion), Esperto Nicola (fiddle), Colin Sutherland (second accordion from Shetland), Stuart Armstrong (drums) and David Little (keyboards). Following this performance Graham had just returned from Manila playing at St Andrews In Iloilo using a Roland electric accordion that was so small it was stored on board as hand luggage - no more damaged accordions in the luggage hold! |
Amy Jo Sawyer Compositions Performed by CIA World Accordion Orchestra X - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
Video above of the CIA World Accordion Orchestra X performance in Lithuania. Original music by ATG former President and current executive board member, Amy Jo Sawyer, was performed at the “Coupe Mondiale” World Championships and Festival in Kaunas, Lithuania, Sept. 29, 2018 by sixty accordionists and percussionists from around the world. The World Accordion Orchestra X was directed by Prof. Joan Sommers who had selected the Amy Jo composition “Recuerdos” (Memories) as one of three compositions by American composers for this international event. Other compositions by Amy Jo Sawyer are available online: sawyer01 - Diggin' Dorian sawyer02 - Elida sawyer03 - Juntos ("Together") sawyer04 - La Fiesta sawyer05 - Opus 5-6-4 sawyer06 - Recuerdos (Memories) Amy Jo Sawyer has released two CD's: catalog amy01 According to Amy CD catalog amy02 Classically Amy CD The other two compositions performed were “Serenata” by Leroy Anderson, and music from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein. Amy Jo performed with the orchestra as well as ATG members Kevin Friedrich, Liz Finch, and Beverley Fess. For further information: AmyJo@apci.net |
Video: Yolanda Lelijveld plays Meditango by Astor Piazzolla - Netherlandsby Harley Jones |
MMT Talent competition finalist Yolanda Lelijveld plays Meditango composed by Astor Piazzolla. |
Jon Hammond Performs in the USA and Japanby Christine Johnstone |
US accordionist Jon Hammond was busy prior to Christmas with concerts in San Mateo, California and Bernal Heights, San Francisco. He also played at the Tokyo, Japan Big Sight Convention Centre bi-annual Musical Instruments Fair for Suzuki Musical Instruments. While there he couldn’t resist playing with a young Japanese accordionist and demonstrator Hajime Anzai who was entertaining in the booth opposite. Great to see accordionists having so much fun together. |
Christmas Accordion Weekend 2018 – UKby Rob Howard |
A Traditional Christmas Music Weekend was held at the Village Hall in Ettrickbridge in the Scottish Borders as part of Ian Lowthian’s music weekends. Ian holds regular music weekends throughout the year that specialise in accordion tuition and give accordionists the opportunity to play with other musicians and have fun. The Christmas event included “The Merry Christmas Polka”, Christmas Carols and lots of singing. The first weekend for 2019 will be held on January 26th and 27th and is entitled “Robert Burns Weekend”. For further details email: ianlowthian@yahoo.co.uk |
Future events |
Be Quick for VAMÖ Competition Closing Date - Vienna, Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Registrations for the 2019 VAMÖ competition for accordion soloists close on January 12th, 2019. The Competition which will be held on February 24th, is only open to soloists from EU-countries and foreigners living in Austria. Picture left: Honorary Chairman Hermi Kaleta being presented the CIA Honored Friend of the Accordion Award in Russia, September 2016. The whole programme must be performed from memory and competitors may use button or piano accordion. Programs must include differing styles and at least one original composition. Download entry form, competition categories and rules in German at: 2019Vamoe.pdf |
“Magic National” Talent Show – Romaniaby Christine Johnstone |
The first 2019 “Magic National” Talent Show will take place at the “I.L. Caragiale” theatre in Bucharest, Romania on January 12th with a performance by jazz accordionist Emy Dragoi. Emy (General Manager at Opera Tango) also performed a concert entitled “The Heavenly Face” on January 5th at the Romanian Althenaeum in Bucharest. |
Fine Arts Theater Concert – Colombiaby Christine Johnstone |
Colombian accordionist Lácides Romero Mesa will perform at the Teatro de bellas artes (Fine Arts Theatre) on January 12th. The concert is entitled "Musicas del Mundo" (world music) and will feature a program of pieces by Astor Piazzolla (tangos Lo que vendrá and Contrabajeando), Suite in G (Handel) and Alla Brazileira (Darius Milhaud). For further concert details and reservations phone: 3105743174 or 3008865963 |
Accordion Orchestra Retreat 2019 – USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Accordion Orchestra Retreat 2019 will be held from January 17th to 20th in Houston, Texas, directed by Stas Venglevski. Special guests include Mischa Litvin, Houston Accordion Orchestra and the Houston Balalaika Society Orchestra. Two accordion concerts are scheduled starring Stas Venglevski. He will be performing with the Houston Accordion Orchestra and the Houston Balalaika Society Orchestra on January 19th,6:30pm, at the Performing Art Center Theatre, Houston Community College, Spring Branch Campus. Stas will give a second concert on Sunday January 20th, 6.30pm at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Houston with an accordion ensemble and domra guest performers Misha Litvin and Olga Douglas. Ensemble includes: Beverley Fess, Gail Campanella, Heidi Spendlove, John Neu, John Simkus, Judy Ridenour, Lynn Ewing, Madalynn Neu. Two new Stas Venglevski compositions are now available. Catalog: vstas055 Octobler Rondo (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas056 Summer Sunshine (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Recent Stas Venglevski compositions released. Catalog: vstas051 Meg Tango (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas052 Maurisa (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas053 A Song (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas054 Stas' Tune (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. The retreat is designed for serious ensemble accordionists. For further details email: meghada33@gmail.com |
Victor Prieto Quartet Masterclasses - Spainby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The Victor Prieto Quartet will hold a series of 2019 Master classes, the first at Jimmy Glass - Auditorio Xoan Montes Lugo, Valencia on January 23rd. The quartet includes Victor Prieto (accordion), Javier Vercher (saxophone), Javi Moreno (bass) and Naima Acuña (drums). Victor is a performer, teacher and composer with experience in jazz melody, harmony and rhythm. Further Masterclasses will be held at Ourense Conservatory on January 28 and 29, Lugo Conservatory on February 7th. For further details email: info@victorprieto.net |
CNIMA Workshops - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
CNIMA J.Mornet will run a series of workshops beginning with an Improvisation workshop by Ludovic Beier in Pontoise on 19th and 20th January. Aurélien Noël will then hold an “Accordion Accompaniment” workshop from 12th to 14th February. The following workshops will be available for all ages and levels as follows: The body, musical instrument workshop by Pascal Meurgé, from 18th to 22nd February; Method of Jacques Mornet (picture right), by the author, from February 25th to March 1st. This will be followed by a Gypsy Jazz workshop by Ludovic Beier in Pontoise on 9th and 10th March. For further information and registrations contact: Nathalie Boucheix (picture right), Director, CNIMA J.Mornet. Phone: 04 73 22 27 45 Email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Sibelius Academy Applications Begin - Helsinki, Finlandby Mika Väyrynen |
Applications to The Sibelius Academy in Helsinki for studies beginning in the autumn of 2019 will be open from 9th to 23rd January 2019. Applications will close at 3 pm Finnish time on the last day. All interested accordionists are welcome to apply. The Sibelius Adademy´s accordion class is world famous with the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki) recently ranked the 6th best university by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018 in the category of performing arts. Further details are available at: http://www.uniarts.fi/en/apply-to-sibelius-academy?fbclid=IwAR0YNq3B_NiZ_bYtYutu87tEhZ4rWi2PaMgCKS4qVQhaWVZR_najkuFv8uc |
North West Area Accordion Festival – UKby Anna Bodell, NAO Secretary |
The North West Area Accordion Festival and competition will be held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool on February 24th organised by Anna Bodell of the National Accordion Organisation, United Kingdom. This Area Festival is a qualifying stage for the important 70th Anniversary Celebration NAO UK Championships 2019, which will again take place at The Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, April 26th to 28th 2019. For further details email: ray.anna@btopenworld.com An article regarding the 70 year history of the NAO can be found at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=09-Nov-2018&lang=en#art14869 |
Eastbourne Accordion Festival - Englandby Rob Howard |
Registrations are now open for the Eastbourne Accordion Festival 2019 which will be held at The Queens Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex from February 8th to 11th. The event will include concerts by a variety of musicians such as Julie Best, Jean Corrigan, Harry Hussey, Rosemary Wright, Gennaro Fiondella and John Romero, masterclasses, displays, accordion traders and orchestra, group and private lessons will be available. Music genres include Folk, Scottish, Jazz, Classical and Electronic. For further information email: sales@cgfmusic.co.uk |
St Kilda Festival – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
The Vardos Trio which includes accordionist Sophia Chapman, will entertain on the Alfred Square stage at the St Kilda Festival in Melbourne on February 10th. The group, who are based in Melbourne, play a variety of Gypsy and folk music. For further information email: vardos@hotmail.com |
Masterclass by Jean-Louis Noton – Franceby Jean Louis Noton |
Jean-louis Noton will hold a Summer Masterclass with Annie Lacour, Julie Blocher and Michel Madeira at the Hotel Les Trees Wellness & Gourmet in Manigod, France from 17th to 24th July 2019. The event will include ensemble music, individual and group workshops on technique and bellows control, computerized music, fingering and basic chord harmonising. For further details email: jl.noton@wanadoo.fr |
New and Updated Sites |
CIA Winter Congress, 1-3 March, Tallin - Estoniaby Aivi Tilk, Eesti Akordioniliit (Estonian Accordion Association) |
Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) member, Eesti Akordioniliit (Estonian Accordion Association) is hosting the next CIA Winter Congress in Tallinn, Friday 01 March to Sunday 03 March 2019. Meetings will take place at the 5 star Radisson Blu Sky Hotel, special price single room €85 and double €95 per night. Full hotel and travel information as well as the meeting schedule is online at: 2019WinterCongress.pdf |
Gary Daverne New Releases of Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestraby Harley Jones |
Gary Daverne New Releases include the Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra I orchestra parts and score fully typeset and the piano accompaniment. This work was commissioned by New Zealand accordionist, Harley Jones, for performance in New York, August 1988, but was premiered in Auckland in 1987 with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer. In the first two years, the work received 36 performances worldwide and was recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra with Harley Jones as soloist. Harley was soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on a C.D. of symphony orchestra works composed by Gary Daverne, recorded in 1992 that was released internationally by EMI. Harley Jones also performed "Rhapsody" at the AAA International Piano Accordion Competition and Festival in New York (August 1988) and at the Prize Giving of the 1990 Coupe Mondiale held in Trossingen Germany. ED00031A_D Rhapsody for Accordion and Symphony Orchestra, Score ED00031B_D Rhapsody for Accordion and Symphony Orchestra, Parts ED00031C_D Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra, Solo Accordion Part ED00031D_D Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra, Piano Accompaniment ED00031E_D Rhapsody for Accordion and Accordion Orchestra, Parts ED00031F_D Rhapsody for Accordion and Accordion Orchestra, Score |
New Stas Venglevski eSheet (pdf) Compositions - USAby Megumi Hada |
New Stas Venglevski eSheet (pdf) compositions sent to you by email. 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. Recently released eSheet music by Stas Venglevski: Catalog: vstas051 Meg Tango (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas052 Maurisa (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas053 A Song (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas054 Stas' Tune (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas055 Octobler Rondo (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas056 Summer Sunshine (solo) with music page sample and sound sample CD/albums available: Catalog: vstascd001 Adagio, Romance And Beyond CD Catalog: vstascd002 My Main Squeeze CD Catalog: vstascd003 The Nutcracker Suite CD Catalog: vstascd004 Accordion Illusions CD Catalog: vstascd05 Awakening CD by Stas Venglevski and Joan Sommers |
2019 South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival Prospectus – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
The Prospectus (Rules and Regulations) for the 2019 South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival, to be held in Auckland on Saturday 1st June and Sunday 2nd June 2019, are now available at: 2019 NZ Prospectus The rules for the international categories closely follow the rules of the Coupe Mondiale. The South Pacific international concert music category has exactly the same rules as the Coupe Mondiale Masters category and the South Pacific entertainment category has exactly the same rules as the Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment category. Similarly Junior (under 18 years) South Pacific entertainment category. The South Pacific Junior solo concert category has the same rules as the first round of the Coupe Mondiale Junior category. Entry closing date is 14th April 2019. NZAA President Sonja Palinich writes: “The NZAA will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary since hosting the 2009 Coupe Mondiale in New Zealand and we are delighted to once again have the use of the Raye Freedman Arts Centre (picture below). This outstanding modern venue is ideally suited to our requirements with excellent acoustics, lighting and full facilities all under one roof.” Past events reports at: South Pacific Daily Reports |
Renzo Ruggieri Publishes Acquarelli Italiani for Accordion and Orchestra - Italyby Harley Jones |
The composition Acquarelli Italiani was born in 2003 for accordion and symphonic orchestra, later it was adapted for solo accordion by Renzo Ruggieri. rrenzo509 - Acquarelli Italiani (Solo only) Acquarelli Italiani is a tribute to the composition "Acquarelli Cubani" by the brilliant Luciano Fancelli but basing its development on the rhythm of the "tarantella". The arrangement also contains a “written improvisation” that the soloist can customize. rrenzo520 - This massive musical digital pdf booklet of 110 pages includes the score and all parts for: - Renzo Ruggieri Acquarelli Italiani for Accordion and Orchestra (full score & individual parts) Formation: 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet in Bb, 2 Bassoon, 2 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 1 Trombone, Percussion 1 (2 Timpani,Triangle, Drums) Percussion 2 (Piatti, Triangle, Tambourine, Tamburo con corde - Drum with strings) Strings: (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) AND - Renzo Ruggieri Acquarelli Italiani for Accordion and Strings (full score & individual parts) Formation: (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) rrenzo520 - Renzo Ruggieri Acquarelli Italiani for Accordion and Orchestra (full score & individual parts) only 40 Euro |
Updated Site: Paolo Gandolfi Information and Email - Italyby Harley Jones |
Updated site of Paolo Gandolfi. The site is selling his book: Catalog: gandolfibook101 Romanzo di una fisarmonica selling his CD: Catalog gandolfi401 Paesaggi Sudamericani CD selling his DVD: Catalog gandolfidvd301 Piccola Suite Per Fisarmonica, Arpa E Poesia The new email is: paolo151034@gmail.com |
New Site: Nova Wan Site and New Arrangement (solo) Released, Shanghai - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Nova Wan is a former international competitor who achieved 3rd place in the Virtuoso Entertainment category at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale. His tutor was Crystal Wang of Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). After graduation, Nova Wan has continued composing and arranging, and is now a well known composer and arranger as well as accordion teacher at the Shanghai Childrens Palace and Conductor of the Shanghai Accordion Alliance Orchestra. Nova Wan is going to release his compositions over the coming months. Just released is: Catalog: nova141 Sailing Apart (solo) composed by Toshiko Esaki, arranged by Nova Wan. Sample of music available online, music in pdf format sent to clients by email. Released in November was: Catalog: nova101 Umbrella Waltz composed by Nova Wan for quartet, ensemble or orchestra. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |