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Highlights |
Akordeon Art Plus 2022: 12th International Accordion Festival - Bosnia and Herzegovinaby Christine Johnstone |
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The Akordeon Art Plus 2022: 12th International Accordion Festival and the 4th International Piano Competition will be held from May 31st to June 3rd, 2022. The competition includes categories for accordion solo, variety, accordion orchestra, piano, piano duo, piano practicum and chamber ensembles under the artistic direction of Academy of Music, The University of East Sarajevo (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the Association for Fostering Academic Music "New Sound" East Sarajevo. The Festival will be held in compliance with all measures of protection against the spread of the Covid 19 virus. Entries close on May 20th, 2022. Download competition rules here: 2022ArtRules.pdf |
Martin Šulc Featured at 49th Preludium Aloise Motýla Music Festival – Czech Republicby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() Concert accordionist Martin Šulc was featured at the 49th Preludium Aloise Motýla Music Festival held at the Klášterní Kostel Zvestování Panny Marie (Church - picture above) in Šumperk, Czech Republic on March 8th, 2022. The festival was held with the financial support of the City of Šumperk and the Olomouc Region and included a performance by the Šumperk Children's Choir and two local pianists Pavla Šimová and Karolína Dolecková. Martin’s program included Preludium A flat Major (Bach), Moto Perpetuo (Laburda), Partita Concertante 2 (Zubitsky), Sonata C Major, K. 513 (Scarlatti), Without a Title (Olsen) and Sentido Unico (Piazzolla). Martin will perform almost the same program in Prague on March 23rd, 2022 at the premiere of a new film, where he recorded the music and played the main role. For details email: martinsulc999@gmail.com |
“Music From The Movies” Spring Tour – UKby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() Their program “promises to be an exciting exploration of the power of film music, packed with family favourites made famous by Hollywood. This exceptional program will include dazzling excerpts from Steven Spielberg’s iconic Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List and E.T., along with other cinematic masterpieces such as Raging Bull, Skyfall and The Godfather, to name but a few”. Dates as follows: • Saturday 12th March at 7.30pm - Chichester Cathedral, Chichester with Romano Viazzani • Friday 18th March at 7.30pm - Derby Cathedral, Derby with Edward Hession • Saturday 19th March at 7.30pm - Norwich Cathedral, Norwich with Edward Hession • Saturday 20th March at 7.30pm - St George’s Hall, Liverpool with Edward Hession • Friday 25th March at 8pm - St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh with Ilona Suomalainen • Saturday 26th March at 8pm - St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin with Ilona Suomalainen • Saturday 2nd April at 7.30pm - Newcastle Cathedral, Newcastle with Ilona Suomalainen |
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Guy Klucevsek 75th Birthday Concert – USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The concert will celebrate the music of Guy Klucevsek, performed by accordionists Alan Bern, Will Holshouser, Nathan Koci and Bachtopus along with Jenny Lin (piano) and Todd Reynolds (violin). Their program will feature solos, duos and ensemble pieces written between 1980 and 2021, including five premieres. For details email: gklucevsek@mac.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordionists Perform at St. Casimir's Day Celebrations - Lithuaniaby Christine Johnstone |
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St. Casimir's Day celebrations are held annually in Anykšciai, Utena, Lithuania. This year’s event was held in the lobby of the Anykšciai Culture Center on March 4th in conjunction with the Kaziukas Fair, which features an array of hand made products, local artists, musicians etc. entitled "Made in Anykšciai". Accordion performers included the Feroce Trio, who entertained with a varied program. See picture above for details. |
Three Expanded Historical and Analytical Articles by Dr Robert Young McMahan - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() The original version of each article published annually in the AAA Journal is listed in pdf format for historical purposes at: http://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions2.php Dr McMahan is pleased to announce that three of the twenty-two articles he wrote have been updated and expanded by the author to include additional information, commentary, and musical examples. These are: - AAFJ1998 Prelude and Dance, by Paul Creston; - AAFJ2010 Sonata-Fantasia, by Normand Lockwood; - AAFJ2011 Introduction and Scherzo, by Nicholas Flagello. Future revisions of the remaining articles will be announced as they are completed. |
Styrian Harmonica Orientation Day – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The Styrian Harmonica Orientation Day for Course number: 22_23_ZL_1 will be held at the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen on May 14th, 2022 from 10am to 5pm. The course, with Alexander Maurer (picture left) prepares you for your work in artistic and/or pedagogical fields, to acquire skills to teach different musical styles in different formats, to develop new ways of musical mediation and to present yourself as a stylistically versatile musician soloist or in ensembles. • Solo Repertoire • Improvisation • The Instrument • Basics on the Instrument • The Pedagogy • FAQ – The Craftsmanship Course registrations close on May 1st, 2022. For details email: info@hohner-konservatorium.de |
Video: Global Accordion Music Festival Akkordeon Akut 2021 – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Video: Concert recording at the Global Accordion Music Festival Akkordeon Akut 2021 on October 21st, 2021 at Object 5, Halle (Saale). Bukowski - a musical reading with Rainer Huppenbauer, Thomas Wittenbecher and Patrick Zörner. After a two-year break, the Global Accordion Music Festival Akkordeon Akut returned to Halle's stages from October 10 to 21, 2021. We would like to thank all partners who made this small but sustainable festival edition possible. The next festival awaits you in the fall of 2023. |
Video: Sibelius Academy Accordion Class Concert - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
Video: The Sibelius Academy Accordion Class concert which was held in the Musiikkitalo on March 3rd, 2022 in Helsinki, Finland. View the concert program below. |
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Online: 2022 Not Just Oompah! Workshop and Concert Series – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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The online 2022 Not Just Oompah Workshop and Concert Series will be held on April 23rd and 27th, 2022. The workshops will include: • “Music of Albania” presented by Raif Hyseni on April 23rd, 2022 • “Music of Eugene Ettore” presented by Rita Davidson Barnea on April 27th, 2022 Concerts will be held as follows: • April 23rd at 7pm Central Time: Raif Hyseni • April 27th at 7pm Central Time: Rita Barnea See poster below for details. |
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Video: Alessandro Mugnoz channel - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() "Onde di veli" (Waves of veils) is one of several pieces written for accordion by the distinguished musician Luigi Ferrari Trecate (1884-1964), who with his work was one of the first to feature the accordion. The piece, published in the early fifties by Farfisa (later Bérben), was immediately adapted for accordion ensemble by Felice Fugazza. This is one of the rare recordings of this characteristic piece. Performers: Alessandro Mugnoz, I accordion Miriam Mugnoz, II accordion Andrea Carnevalini, III accordion Fabrizio Sbacco, IV accordion Edgardo Mugnoz, accordion bass. The recording, was made in Potenza Picena (MC) in the summer of 1983, when the quintet recorded an entire concert/discography program in a single sitting, practically live. Subsequently, it was included in the CD "Fisarmoniche in concerto", published and distributed by the Prendinota editions. |
“New Sads Tango Quintet” Perform Piazzolla Concert - Serbiaby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The quintet includes accordionist Dragana Kuzmanovic (picture left), Vladimir Cukovic (violin), Vladimir Jakovljevic (guitar), Fedor Ruskuc (contrabass) and David Klem (piano). Their program included some of the most beautiful works of Piazzolla originally written for his quintet such as Concierto para Quinteto, Escualo, Milonga del Angel and Solitude. |
Donal Ring (1935-2022), Cork - Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
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![]() Having admired the music of Jimmy Shand, Donal (pictured above) purchased a Shand Morino button accordion. In 1956, the price of this accordion was £215 - a fortune in those days. Donal Ring and Jimmy Shand became lifelong friends In 1958, Donal Ring formed his own ceili band, with the original line-up: Noel Crowley, Paddy Carey, Eamon Long, Gary Crowley and Florrie McCarthy. The present line-up is a family affair that includes sons Dermot Ring (5 row button accordion and vocals), Donal Ring junior (5 row accordion), daughters Mary (Ring) Devereux (piano and bass), Breda (Ring) Cashman (drums & vocals), and Pat Riordan (vocals). BBC radio and Radio Luxembourg did regular broadcasts of Scottish dance bands in the late 1940s and 1950s, and these were popular in Ireland. The strict tempo and tight band sound of the Scottish players significantly influenced the style and sound of many of the emerging Irish ceili bands of the time such as Donal Ring, Jackie Hearst, and the Gallowglass Ceili Band. Once established in Ireland through gigs, recordings, radio and television appearances, Donal Ring and his band performed overseas many times in Britain, Canada, Holland, and other places. His ceili band, renowned for its unerring strict tempo, recorded many albums, such as Dance and Sing with Donal Ring; Always Irish with Donal Ring - 30 years on; 40 Years on Stage; An Irish Hooley; Donal Ring Plays On; Unique Irish Dance Music; Echoes of Ireland; Irish Favourite: 70 Years of Music.. Donal Ring was also an expert accordion tuner and repairman. Apart from playing the accordion and Irish music, Donal’s other great passion was Gaelic Football (GAA). Donal Ring, who passed away on March 5th 2022 at the age of 87, was very well liked and respected and his passing is seen by many as the end of an era. |
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Cancelled: "Les Étoiles Sancyberie" Competition - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() They very much hope that peace and understanding will be restored, and music will unite the hearts of people again. Dates of the 2023 event will be announced later this year. For further details email: info@plidacordio.com |
Marcus Matuszewski Passes Away – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() He was well known in the Ruhr area, through his music school in Wuppertal, through conducting the Wuppertal Accordion Orchestra and the AO-Recklinghausen Orchestra. Marcus was also involved in the Villakkordeon e.V. association orchestras and conducted many choirs. He was regularly seen at the continuing education courses for the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. North Rhine-Westphalia in Remscheid. Many of his works are published by Jetelina. |
Future events |
“No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra” Concerts - Englandby Christine Johnstone |
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This week featured International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2022, and what better time for the “No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra” to perform for the first time in over two years in Youlgreave, Derbyshire, England. The orchestra will give two concerts as follows: • March 12th: Youlgreave Village Hall, Youlgreave, Bakewell at 7.30pm • March 13th: Youlgreave Village Hall, Youlgreave, Bakewell at 2pm The orchestra led by Musical Director Jane Ward will perform a variety of “waltzes and tangos, film music and hornpipes, bellows and banter, jollity and jigs!” For details email: no1ladiesaccordion@gmail.com |
“Scythian” Benefit Show - USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Proceeds from the show and casino night will benefit Steubenville's homeless. For details email: scythianmail@gmail.com |
Brandon McPhee Internet Concert - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
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Scottish accordion entertainer Brandon McPhee and the Brandon McPhee Band will perform a live stream internet concert directly from the Pentland Hotel in Thurso, Scotland on March 14th, 2022. The concert, organised by Pan Records, will also feature special guests Manson Grant (from "Manson Grant and the Dynamos"), Addie Harper (accordion, violin & guitar) and Geoffrey McCook (vocals). This show is a variety of Scottish, Folk and country music. See poster for details. |
Accordion Course at Instituto Chileno del Acordeón - Chileby Christine Johnstone |
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The Instituto Chileno del Acordeón is offering a beginners accordion course in Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile starting on March 17th, at 7pm. The course will include 10 sessions with tutor Karla Ponce. See poster for details. |
2022 Winter Alps Tour - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionist Maxime Vauthier will perform his 2022 Winter Alps Tour with Maty Saki (guitar) and Benoît (drummer) from 19th to 26th March, 2022. Tour dates are: • March 19th: La Fabrik Brides Restaurant & Bar in Brides-les-Bains • March 21st: L'Alti 16 restaurant in Meribel • March 23rd: Les Pierres Platesin Saint-Avertin • March 25th: Downtown Bar Meribel in Meribel • March 26th: Auberge Du Boucanier Restaurant in Doussard Their program will include the presentation of and pieces from their debut album. For details email: m.vauthier88@gmail.com |
Richard Galliano New Jazz Musette Quartet Concert - Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
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Richard Galliano and his New Jazz Musette Quartet will perform in concert at the CO2 Room in La Tour-de-Trême, Fribourg, Switzerland on March 26th, 2022 at 8pm. The concert will open with a performance by three accordion orchestras from the Gruyère region - Bulle, La Roche and Marsens (directed by Lionel Chapuis), who will accompany Galliano. The Richard Galliano New Jazz Musette Quartet also has concerts planned in Saumur, France on March 15th and Palermo, Italy on March 21st. See poster for details. |
Stefan Persson Performs Two Solo Concerts - Swedenby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Stefan Persson performing his own composition dedicated to his wife titled Sofia's Party Polka. Stefan Persson will perform two solo concerts at Medborgarhuset, Eslöv, Sweden on April 10th, 2022 at 1pm and 4pm. The duration of each concert is 1 hour 30 minutes. Bookings essential. For details email: dragspelskonsert@live.se |
Childrens Corner |
Video: Klara Prevodnik Fast Fingers - Sloveniaby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Enjoy this performance by young accordionist Klara Prevodnik from Slovenia, showing off her fast fingers. |
New and Updated Sites |
CNIMA April 2022 Accordion Courses – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() • April 11th to 15th, 2022: Accordion Accompaniment Course with Aurélien Noël (picture above left). Aurélien has accompanied variety artists such as Eddy Mitchel, Céline Dion and Roberto Alagan and will teach you how to accompany soloists on the accordion. • April 18th to 22nd, 2022: Diatonic Accordion Course with Alain Pennec (picture above right). A key figure in Celtic music, Alain Pennec offers you technical (fingering & ornamentation), harmonic and rhythmic work. • April 18th to 22nd, 2022: Musette & Swing Accordion Course with Eric Bouvelle. International competition winner, Eric Bouvelle offers an immersion in the musette and swing with work on the repertoire, arrangements and composition. • April 25th to 29th, 2022: Accordion Course with Franck Angelis, composer of today's accordion, Franck leads a workshop around his works. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
AAA Composers’ Commissioning Committee Information - USAby Dr. Robert Young McMahan |
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![]() 1. Information about the 2022 Elsie Bennett Composition Competition for Aspiring Composers is now online. Information, Awards, Regulations and Entry Form at: 2022Bennett.pdf 2. The AAA Composers’ Commissioning History has been updated and expanded. 3. The Composers Guide for Accordion has been updated and is a free download to assist all accordionists to work with composers. Download at: http://www.ameraccord.com/commissions/ComposersGuide.pdf 4. The historical and analytical series of articles about the AAA commissioned works was originally appearing every year from 1997 through 2019 in the AAA Festival Journal. These Journal articles are now all available to download at: http://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions2.php 5. The articles are also being expanded with additional musical examples and historic photographs and then added to the AAA website in html format. |
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