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2017 China Shenzhen Bao'an International Accordion Art Festivalby Harley Jones |
2017 China Shenzhen Bao'an International Accordion Art Festival will be the 2nd biannual international accordion competition and festival to be held in Shenzhen City, 23 - 27 July. Prof. Li Cong President of the China Accordion Association warmly welcomes accordion enthusiasts from many countries of the world to Shenzhen. The Guiness World Record Attempt for Largest Accordion Ensemble is being held on the 24th July. Past records are 2014 with 1,361 accordionists was set in Shenzhen and in 2016 with 1,517 accordionists in Tacheng, China. Joining many important Chinese teachers as jury for the international competitions are (alphabetical order): Raymond Bodell (CIA President - UK), Jeff De Haes (Belgium), Kevin Friedrich (USA), De Brito Hermenegildo (Portugal), Grayson Masefield (Switzerland), Heather Masefield (New Zealand), Mirco Patarini (Italy), Zoran Rakic (Bosnia), Herbert Scheibenreif (Austria), Viatcheslav Semionov (Russia), Alexander Selivanov (Russia), Antonio Spaccarotella (Italy), Kazys Stonkus (Lithuania), Jörgen Sundeqvist (Sweden) and Samgar Tolkynkhan (Kazakhstan). The Concert Schedule listed below includes Chinese performers, both classical and entertainment and Alexander Poeluev, Yuri Sidorov and Anna Kryshtaleva from Russia. 2017 concert and competition schedule at: 2017ShenzhenSchedule Organisers and Sponsors are: - Publicity Department of Communist Party of China of Shenzhen - China Accordion Association of Chinese Musicians Association - Bao'an District People's Government - Shenzhen Literary and Art Association There will be major internet Daily Reports, pictures and video of the competitions and festival at: 2017 Shenzhen |
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention 2017 - USAby Paul Pasquali Event Organizer |
The lineup for the 18th annual Las Vegas Int. Accordion Convention (LVAC) starts with visionary accordionist and friend to all, Cory Pesaturo, and bookends with a grand finale starring Grayson Masefield and the International Accordion Orchestra under the direction of Professor Joan Sommers. Event organiser Paul Pasquali writes: "By popular demand we are back to the fall – a great time of the year to come to Las Vegas to hear a superb list of star performers. Now is the time to register for the 18th Annual Las Vegas Int. Accordion Convention and save with early registration. Details at: 2017LVAC-Reg.pdf Read the latest newsletter: 2017LV-News.pdf Oh what a fun time we will have come October 23-26, 2017 – we have lots of great music so please accept my invitation to come join the best accordion FUN & entertainment event ever in Las Vegas!" Website: LVAC |
22nd World Organetto and Diatonic Accordion Championships - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The 22° Campionato del Mondo di Organetto e di Fisarmonica Diatonica (22nd World Organetto and Diatonic Accordion Championships) is being held in Montorio nei Frentani (CB), Italy 25-27 August 2017. The event is run by the "l’Associazione Musicale Italiana Strumenti ad Ancia, Diatonici" (A.M.I.SA.D.) in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Montorio nei Frentani (CB) and the support of: - "Friends of Music" San Benedetto del Tronto (AP), - MIURUSR Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Molise. Candidates of any nationality may participate. Download the full information, 11 categories, rules and regulations at: 2017AMISAD.pdf |
New CD by Tian Jianan, De Profundis Release, Beijing - Chinaby Harley Jones |
On 24th June, the new CD, catalog tjianan05 De Profundis was released at the Central conservatory of Music in Beijing. Poster above. Picture left of Tian Jianan performing at the CD release. This new CD by winner of international competitions, Tian Jianan, will be her 5th album release. The track list of De Profundis is: 1. Prelude and Fugue in F# minor BWV 883, J. S. Bach 7:08 2. Sequenza XIII "Chanson" L. Berio 8:58 3. De Profundis, S. Gubaidulina 11:26 4. Jeux D'anches, M. Lindberg 7:16 5. Sonata for Piano, (III) S. Barber 3:11 6. Sonata for Piano, (I, III) I. Stravinsky 5:19 7. High way for one, I. Hölszky 8:52 8. Sonata No. 6, A. Kusyakov 11:46 Some words by Tian Jianan about the new CD. "This is an album regardless of the cost." "This is a challenging performance album" "This is a high artistic taste positioning album" Further details and sound samples of each track at: tjianan05 |
Ignacio Hernández, Paula Hernández Maturana, Translation for Spanish Language News - Chileby Harley Jones |
Accordions Worldwide is pleased to announce that Ignacio Hernández, Director of the Conservatorio Nacional de Acordeón, Santiago, Chile and his sister Paula Hernández Maturana are the Spanish translators for the accordions.com Weekly News. Ignacio Hernández has a new personal website outlining his accordion education and career performing with important artists and orchestras in Chile, notably the Chilean Folkloric Orchestra, the Chilean Symphony Chamber Orchestra and the Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra. Internationally, his participation with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra of the Czech Republic and in the Soundtrack of the Film "Salty", of Antonio Banderas. New website at: Ignacio Hernández |
Osimo Surrounded by Sun Flowers and the 2017 Coupe Mondiale and 2017 Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
Osimo is the venue for the 2017 Coupe Mondiale from 5th - 9th September. Holda Paoletti-Kampl lives in Osimo and sent me this picture, surrounded by sunflowers, showing just how beautiful this region of Italy is. Only 6 km from Osimo is Castelfidardo and the Castelfidardo International Competitions and Festival run from 10th to 17th September. Castelfidardo and Osimo cities are working together to promote and attract accordion competitors and enthusiasts. A lot of accordion enthusiasts are taking advantage of the two events in close proximity to attend two great accordion events for one travel cost. See you there? |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: BMFC Tango Quintet - Muerte del Angel by Astor Piazzolla - Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
An excerpt from BMFC Tango Quintet's Piazzolla program in an open air concert in Cully at the Lauvaux Classique Festival June 30 2017 in Switzerland. Performers (left to right) are: Marie Heck (violin), Adrien Praz (piano), Grayson Masefield (accordion), Bastien Monnet (double bass) and Laurent Cherruault (guitar). The BMFC Tango Quintet is a group created in 2013 at the University of Music in Lausanne where they all the members studied. During the course of chamber music, they began to work on Piazzolla's repertoire under the guidance of accordionist and bandoneonist Stéphane Chapuis. In the summer of 2014, they completed their exam with the maximum score performing the Seria del Angel by Astor Piazzolla, followed by a highly acclaimed concert at the Cully Classic Festival. Thanks to these successes, they decided, along with their respective activities, to continue to share the beautiful music of Astor Piazzolla with enthusiasm. |
Mika Väyrynen Records Kaipainen's Accordion Works - Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
World renowned Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen has just completed a recording of Jouni Kaipainen´s (1956-2015) accordion works. A unique and demanding project, this CD documents part of the life's work of this great and Internationally recognized composer. Jouni Kaipainen studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki under Aulis Sallinen and Paavo Heininen. In addition to his accordion works, Kaipainen wrote over 100 works for the Stage, Symphony Orchestra, Concertos for numerous solo instruments, Chamber music, vocal and Choral works as well as a multitude of works for various instrumental soloists. Mika knew Jouni Kaipainen from 1997 until his passing away on 23rd November 2015. During these 18 years of friendship, Mika kept in close contact with him and came to know how he wanted his music to be performed. Mika's goal in this project is to pass on these insights into the performance traditions of his works, create awareness of his accordion compositions and to pay respect to this great composer, man, influencer and friend. In celebration of his upcoming 50th Birthday, Mika is currently preparing a spectacular Gala concert "Finland 100 - Väyrynen 50" to be held at the Helsinki Music Center on October 11th, 2017 at 7:00 PM. The CD of Kaipainen's compositions will be released this autumn by the Finnish Accordion Institute. For more information please visit www.accordions.com/mika. |
Video: Michael Bridge Performs Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" - Canadaby Harley Jones |
Published on May 30, 2017. Michael Bridge is a Class of 2017 graduate of the University of Toronto's Masters in Music Performance program. He performs the beautiful "Hallelujah" composed by Leonard Cohen. |
Accordion Featured, RAM Graduation Ceremony, 5th July 2017 - UKby Harley Jones |
Picture above: Katariina Ahjoniemi, BMus (London) Honours. Inigo Mikeleiz-Berrade, MA (London) DipRAM. Professor Owen Murray, HonRAM. Iosif Purits, MA (London) DipRAM, Advanced Diploma, Ilona Suomalainen, MA (London), DipRAM Iosif Purits was invited to perform at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) Graduation on the 5th July in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, Academy professors, Honorands, graduating students and many distinguished musicians. The invitation was a great honour and also demonstrated just how well, the accordion is integrated into the life and work of the Academy. Congratulations to Iosif Purits and RAM accordion tutor Prof. Owen Murray (picture right) for this success. |
Accordions Around the World in New York, NY - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
Mario Tacca, Board of Director for the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) was one of the many featured artists performing in heart of New York City as part of the annual Accordions Around the World celebration. Performing in the shadows of the New York City skyscrapers, the July 12th celebration included artists on Concertina, Bandoneon, Accordion, and Harmonium performing a variety of styles from Cajun, Tex Mex, Folk and Jazz, to Indian Chant, French Musette and more. Pictured in the collage above are a sampling of the many artists including Rachelle Garniez, Dick LaVine (Concertina), Vitor Goncalves, Laura Vilche (Bandoneon), Eddie Van Tuba, John Sherman, Kenny Margolis, Albert Behar, Melissa Elledge, Mindra Sahadeo, Smörgåsbandet, Gregory Grene and Sadys Rodrigo Espitia. 'Accordions Around the World’, a four-week series of free music involving over 100 accordionists and players of free reed instruments, representing different musical genres culminates on Friday July 21st from 5.00 - 10.00 PM with an ‘Accordion Festival’ hosted by New York-based accordionist Rachelle Garniez, and featuring the Bil Afrah Project, Zlatni Balkan Zvuk, Osnelda (Brazil), Gregorio Uribe (Colombia), and more! The series opened when producer Ariana Hellerman, a New York arts consultant hosted "The Great Accordion Rendezvous, a "Make Music New York Mass Appeal and Celebration of the NYC Accordion Community" on June 21st. Picture below: Internationally acclaimed vocalist Mary Mancini and husband accordionist Mario Tacca are pictured with event coordinator Ariana Hellerman. |
Video: "Carrousel des Tuileries" - composer Jacques Pellarinby Harley Jones |
"Carrousel des Tuileries" composed by Jacques Pellarin, Published on May 9, 2017. Composition for Accordion solo (French cinema style) which is part of an album "My French Cinema vol°3" ( 2017) by Jacques Pellarin available on the internet. |
Remembering Maddalena Belfiore-Greco by Cornelius White - USAby Harley Jones |
Cornelius White published a very nice memory of the famous Maddalena Belfiore ( - 2007), accordion performer, teacher and AAA President. Cornelius White also referred to a very excellent interview by Kevin Friedrich at: Maddalena Belfiore Cornelius White, July 13. Remembering Maddalena Belfiore-Greco. A recent program on television brought back a very poignant memory for me, where at the age of twelve, I was coaxed by my accordion teacher, (Elsie M. Bennett of New York), to enter my first American Accordionists' Association (AAA) competition. It was the first time being challenged to play a piece from memory in front of a judge and Maddalena was that judge. Her reputation preceded her as a "barracuda who could shred you to pieces with a glare!" :) Needless to say, I was scared to death, but I continued on presenting a little ditty entitled "Mammy Roll". As I sat down to play, I started out fine when all of a sudden, my mind went blank! I started again...same thing happened. I told myself, "you know this piece, you can do this", but after the third time, I still couldn't jump that hurdle. I was devastated, for I thought I had surely lost, when all of a sudden, Maddalena got up, grabbed a music stand, and placed the music in front of me. It was only then that I played the piece, noticing the area I had forgotten, and playing the rest from memory. I learned something that day. Maddalena championed me. She wanted me to win, and her heart superseded those rumors. I came in second in my division, and took home what looked like to me my "little accordion man Oscar." This was over 43 years ago, but I never forgot what that moment did for me. 3 years later, I came in 1st in an Open division which I never dreamed possible! So, because of that triggered thought, I'd like to say.... Thank you Maddalena. God Bless you, and rest in paradise. Celebrity Interview at: Obituary at: Maddalena Belfiore http://www.accordions.com/memorials/mem/belfiore-greco_maddalena/index.shtml |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: New Lips Album "Hymn to Aphrodite" Released - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
Friedrich Lips Productions has released the new album, catalog CD028 "Hymn to Aphrodite" which features the revered Friedrich Lips performing with three different chamber and symphony orchestras. The album tracks include: 1. "Hymn to Aphrodite" (2013) by Konstantin Yaskov 2-9. "I'm floating on the waves of love" (8 sonnets) by Michael Bronner 10. Tanguango by Astor Piazzolla 11. La Cumparsita by GM Rodríguez The CD album is also available as eTracks mp3 download files for only € 9.50 Sound samples and full information at Catalog: CD028 "Hymn to Aphrodite" This brings to 28 albums now published by the most remarkable Friedrich Lips and available online at: Friedrich Lips |
Gary Dahl July Promotion, Any 3 or more eBooks @ 50% off - USAby Harley Jones |
July promotion - Any 3 or more Gary Dahl eBooks @ 50% off. Email your order to: MusicForAccordion@yahoo.com and you will receive the invoice by email, payable online with Paypal (worlds largest) secure server system using your credit card. Your eBooks music is emailed to you after payment. Gary Dahl has released 10 great value eBooks in recent years. Click the links below for further information: DH01-eB - Latin Spectacular! - eBook US$35.50 DH02-eB - Favourite French Standards - eBook US$35.50 DH03-eB - The American Songbook - eBook US$35.50 DH04-eB - Favourite Waltzes and Polkas - eBook US$46.50 DH05-eB - Easy Listening Variety - eBook US$35.50 DH06-eB - Easy Listening Variety - eBook US$57.50 DH07-eB - Traditional Polish Carols - eBook US$16.50 DH08-eB - Italian Spectacular - eBook US$35.50 DH09-eB - Traditional Christmas Carols - eBook US$18.50 DH10-eB - Polka - eBook US$18.50 |
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