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Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USAby Heather Masefield |
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![]() ![]() Paul Betken & Jerry Cigler are newly added to a great line up of stars (list below) with lots of great seats still available! Want to hop a plane to come and enjoy this exciting festival? Newsletter (picture right) with full information: 2018LVACnews.pdf Picture left: Event organizer Paul Pasquali The lineup starts with visionary accordionist Cory Pesaturo and bookends with a grand finale starring Grayson Masefield and the International Accordion Orchestra under the direction of the legendary Prof. Joan Sommers. You can register online at www.AccordionStars.com or contact Paul Pasquali, event organizer, by phone at 1-800-472-1695 or (801) 485-5840, email: paul@accordioninfo.com |
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Outstanding Alexander Tolmachev Authors New Book in Russian/English - Russiaby Alexander Selivanov |
![]() ![]() You can see the books, records and CDs of Alexander Tolmachev at: https://vk.com/tolmachevbayan Newly published by Alexander Tolmachev, is his book titled "Russian Bayan School and its Prominent Representatives" / outstanding performers. The book tells not only about the achievements of Alexander Ivanovich, the best Russian performers, composers and masters-creators of musical instruments, but also about the history of the instrument, the history of formation and development of professional training playing the accordion. The author writes: "Memoirs are usually written by the people who have already completed the major part of their life’s journey, and they are meant to be read by following generations. Many good old friends of mine, who know me well, have been urging me for a long time to write my memoirs. When I was thinking over how to approach this work, I decided that it should focus on the topic of the RUSSIAN BAYAN SCHOOL, which I have been consistently advocating for a couple of decades." Thanks to the greatly appreciated generosity of the author, Alexander Tolmachev, you can download this new book FREE, 316 pages of pictures and text, (298 MB) at: RussianBayanByTolmachev.pdf The accordion world sincerely thanks the venerated Alexander Tolmachev for this important gift to the history of our beloved instrument. |
Classic Kyiv Duo @ Midland Accordion Festival, Dudley – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The Classic Kyiv Duo, Igor Sayenko and Oleksiy Kolomoiets from the Ukraine, return to the UK next month to star at the Midland Accordion Festival, held at The Quality Hotel, Dudley, West Midlands, from November 2nd to 5th. This classical accordion duo, both graduates of the National Music Academy of the Ukraine in Kiev, have become popular and respected in the UK through their many tours and recordings. The guest list also includes Harry Hussey, Nigel Pasby & Helen Newton, Roy Hendrie & Dave Morrice, Jovan Rnjak, Rosemary Wright, Helen Rich, Amaryllis, Alan Young, Malachy Cairns, The Kennett Accordion Orchestra, The Black Country Accordion Band, The Master Butchers Band, and Anne & Stewart Towe. Workshops include: Elementary Orchestra - Jean Hanger, Scottish Orchestra – Angie Lukins, Folk Orchestra – Tracey Middleton, Vintage Orchestra – Jean Hanger, Busking for Beginners – Alan Hess, One to One Lessons - Sue Bennett and Harry Hussey. The trade show includes the Birmingham Accordion Centre, Robaccord Publications, Alan Shute – accordions, accordinas, and extras, Harry Kipling’s Accordion Treasures, and Roy Hendrie – MIDI. Day passes are available. The organiser is Barry Smith. For further information email: accordions2010@hotmail.co.uk |
Petar Maric Concert, Shanghai Music School – Chinaby Rob Howard |
![]() Serbian accordionist Petar Maric performs in concert on Friday October 12th, 7.30pm, at the Shanghai Music School. Download poster (picture right): 2018MaricShanghai.pdf Petar Maric was born in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1990. He encountered the accordion for the first time at the age of 5 and his music education began at the ‘Dr.Vojislav Vuckovic’ music school Belgrade, under Professor Aleksandar Nikolic with whom he still often shares concert podiums around the world. After having finished elementary and secondary music education, Petar went to Paris, France, where he continued his professional improvement in the area of variété music with Frederic Deschamps and Franck Angelis. In 2010 he won the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Varazdin, Croatia, one of many competition successes. Petar Maric performs throughout the world, and is currently on tour in China. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Coupe Mondiale Category Winners, Round I - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() 1st Radu Ratoi (Moldova) 2nd Nikita Vlasov (Russia) 3rd Augustinas Rakauskas (Lithuania) This competition was in three rounds. Above is video of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed players Round I program. You can view all the Coupe Mondiale contestants videos at: Round I: 2018CoupeRI Round II: 2018CoupeRII Round III: 2018CoupeRIII The Scandalli Accordion Factory is the sponsor of the 2018 Video Archive and Education Project. Picture below: Coupe Mondiale 3rd place Augustinas Rakauskas, also winner of the Coupe Mondiale International Competition for Chamber Music with wife Greta Staponkute-Rakauskiene (viola). |
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Jimmy Shand Collection Goes On Display, Scotland - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() Newly-restored rare musical manuscripts collected by Sir Jimmy Shand (1908-2000) – the first accordionist to be knighted - are to go on display in Dundee. The books and sheet music were donated to the Wighton Centre at Central Library in 2013 after they were acquired at auction by the Friends of Wighton. Following a lengthy restoration process, which led to some books having to be conserved page by page, the volumes are now ready to be enjoyed by the public. A launch ceremony was held at the Wighton Centre, which was attended by Sir Jimmy’s son Jimmy Jr and his wife Margaret. Jimmy Jr and his family also contributed additional material to the rare collection of classical Scottish scripts. Members of the Friends of Wighton’s instrumental classes played a selection of tunes from the collection. Sheena Wellington, of the Friends of Wighton, said Sir Jimmy, had been a discerning collector of books and manuscripts, some of which are hundreds of years old. Sheena – who like Sir Jimmy - is an inductee of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame – said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have them on display and we have some real rarities. There is a collection of 19th Century books bound into one volume that we believe could be a first edition.” Jimmy Jr said his dad – who died in 2000 at the age of 92 – would be “overwhelmed” to know his collection was being shared with the city. “I’m delighted about it all – my father would have been delighted too, that it is now something the public can enjoy,” he said. “We wish the Wighton Centre every success with the collection and hope a lot of folk come to see it.” In total, the collection comprises 23 volumes, some of which will be on public display. The rest can be viewed on request, under the supervision of a librarian. Funding for the conservation was provided through fundraising efforts and a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The careful work was carried out by hand, by local professional book expert Emma Fraser. Sheena said that Emma, who runs The Book and Paper Studio on Union Street, had done a “beautiful job”. While the legendary accordion player is often linked with Auchtermuchty, Sir Jimmy spent many years in Dundee and lived in Lochee for 20 years. The City of Discovery had a unique part to play in his story. He was already an accomplished player of the melodeon – similar to an accordion – when he discovered the instrument that would make him famous. Sheena said: “He walked by Forbes’s music shop on the Nethergate and saw an accordion in the window. “I believe a pal said to him to go in and have a wee go. He started to play and the owner realised he was a bit special and gave him a job selling accordions. The rest, as they say, is history.” |
Video: Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment Winners - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
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The 2018 Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment category results were: 1st Radu Ratoi (Moldova) 2nd Egle Bartkeviciute (Lithuania) 3rd Artem Tretiakov (Russia) This competition was in two rounds. Above is video of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed players Round I performance. You can view all the Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment contestants videos at: Round I: 2018VirtuosoRI Round II: 2018VirtuosoRII The Scandalli Accordion Factory is the sponsor of the 2017 Video Archive and Education Project. |
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Future events |
MacLagan Squeezebox Festival, Queensland - Australiaby Rob Howard |
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![]() This annual festival is a major community event in the MacLagan district. This day of music brings together people of all ages for a full day of entertainment by volunteer accordionists, followed by dancing in the evening. For further information email: maclagansqueezeboxfest@gmail.com |
Super Orchestra Day 2018, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() 'Mini orchestra' will once again be led by Julie Luck on the same day. This is a free workshop aimed at under-16s who would like to try playing the accordion in a band. It's a free workshop but please email to reserve a place. Instruments suitable for children to borrow for the day are available. For further information email: mail@londonao.co.uk |
International Accordeon Festival Hoogezand-Sappemeer - Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: info@accordeonfestivalhs.nl |
Radio Puisaleine 2nd Festival D’Accordeon, Ham – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Radio Puisaleine, 100.9FM, is based in Amiens in northern France. This radio station regularly features accordion music. |
Akkordeon Orchester Lauffen Concerts, Lauffen, Neckarwestheim – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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The Akkordeon Orchester Lauffen (MD Klaus Berger) performs concerts in two churches, on Sunday October 14th at Regiswindiskirche, Lauffen, and on Sunday October 21st at Gregoriuskirche, Neckarwestheim. Both concerts begin at 7.30pm. The Akkordeon Orchester Lauffen is an accordion club that offers lessons in playing accordion, keyboard and melodica. |
Zoltan Orosz and Mihaly Borbely Concert, Budapest – Hungaryby Raimo Vertainen |
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On Wednesday October 17th, 7pm, accordionist Zoltan Orosz and clarinet player Mihaly Borbely perform together in concert at Marczibányi Téri Muvelodési Központ (Cultural Centre), Marczi –Színházterem, 1022 Budapest, Hungary. Zoltan Orosz studied the accordion and the organ at the Bela Bartok Conservatory in Budapest and at the Franz Liszt College, Budapest. He performs internationally, and has made several recordings. |
Rosemary Wright @ Harlow Accordion Club, Essex - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Rosemary Wright is a former All Britain Champion, and also a former Principal of the British College of Accordionists. Her many accomplishments include adjudicating at NAO competitions, examining for the BCA, composing, teaching various instruments, performing at many accordion festivals and clubs, and recording two solo CDs ‘Accordion Divertimento’ and ‘Accordion Safari’. For further information email: jeanhanger@icloud.com |
Christine Schmid and Gaetano Siino Concert, Basel – Switzerlandby Rob Howard |
![]() Christine Schmid, based in Berlin, studied music at the Conservatory of Basel, in Trossingen, Germany, and at the “Jazz School” in Paris. She has several TV appearance and recordings to her credit, and as a soprano has sung in operettas. |
Courses for Accordion This Month - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
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![]() Being held later this month: Five days 100% accordion in full board in the family and casual atmosphere of the CNIMA; Five days of work / intensive pleasure, each one at his level, based on the unique pedagogy developed by Jacques Mornet; this is the means of sensible, technical and musical progress on your favorite instrument. There are still places for the accordion internship from October 22nd to 27th. 2 X 1 hour course co (articulations, phrasings, bellows, balance, ...) 2 X 1/2 hour of individual course on one or two rooms of your choice. Open to all ages and ALL LEVELS. Formula "discovery" 2 1/2 days possible. Rates and registration online: Full information at: CNIMA |
Accordion Repairs Courses, London – UKby Rob Howard |
A two day accordion repairs course, led by Paul Flannery, takes place on Thursday/Friday October 25th and 26th; the course will also run on Thursday/Friday November 1st and 2nd, 9.45am to 4pm each day. The venue is The Adelaide, 57 Park Road, Teddington, London TW11 0AU. The course covers the working parts of the accordion and how the treble and bass switches work and common problems. Also reed block configurations, voices, how to undertake minor repairs, including valve replacement, sticky keys and switches, changing bellows gasket and general fault finding. If anyone wishes to bring along an instrument which is need of some attention and can be used as an example then this will be ok providing it is not requiring major work. During the course some practical work will be possible. Materials are provided. Participants should bring a note pad for their own reference notes. The course will also cover tuning. Cost for the 2 days - £115 + current VAT = Total £138 (based on min 10 attending). The organiser is Peter Le Geyt. For further information email: plg@plgmarketing.com |
Orchestre d’Accordéon du Sundgau Concert, Cavan – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
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The Orchestre d’Accordéon du Sundgau from France performs in concert on Saturday October 27th, 8-11pm, at the Virginia Group Church of Ireland, Cavan Rd, Virginia, County Cavan, Irish Republic. This is a free concert with donations at the door going to Virginia Cancer Care. The organiser is Yvonne Chilton. The Orchestre d’Accordéon du Sundgau (MD Phillippe Rey), founded in 1967, is based in Altkirch, Alsace in north-eastern France. Its repertoire includes classics, jazz, entertainment music and well-known French songs. The orchestra has performed in Russia, Croatia, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. |
Nikita Vlasov Recital, Minsk – Belarusby Rob Howard |
![]() Nikita Vlasov is the winner of the Russian and many international competitions, most notably the 2nd at the 2018 CIA Coupe Mondiale in Kaunas, Lithuania. He is the soloist of the State Chamber Orchestra "Virtuosos of Moscow", under the direction of Vladimir Spivakov. With the orchestra he has toured the USA, performing in Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Washington. As a soloist he has performed in Moscow, St Petersburg, London, Paris and New York. Nikita Vlasov will be a guest performer at the 68th CMA Trophee Mondial, held in Victoria, Canada, November 10th to 16th 2018. |
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