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Highlights |
38th Fortbildungslehrgang Akkordeon 2012, Remscheid Academy - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() On 29th May to 2nd June 2012 was the 38th Training Course for accordionists of the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband (DHV) Nordrhein-Westfalen at the Academy Remscheid. Over 120 accordionists from all parts of Germany participated in these traditional series of workshops. Tutors included: Wolfgang Russ, Sabine Kölz and Tobias Dalhof, Wolfgang Fachmann, Stefan Hippe (picture left), Hans-Günther Kölz (picture right), Matthias Hennecke, Helmut Quakernack and Tristan Kindel. In the evenings there were performances and workshops with the accordion orchestra ArtAccA (conductor: Tobias Dalhof), Nebl and Nebl (accordion and clarinet), Hans Günther Kölz and his students from the Hohner Conservatory Trossingen: Dorin Grama, Radu Laxgang and Daniel Franz, and Landes Akkordeon-Orchester Hessen (Conductor: Thomas Bauer). |
World Premiere of 'Balkan Milonga Loca' by Aleksandar Nikolic, Stuttgart - Europeby Harley Jones |
![]() Aleksandar Nikolic wrote "It is really crazy and the audience, especially dancers love it very much. We performed this piece, first time last month on the Beltango Germany, Switzerland and Austria tour." This world premiere was recorded in Stuttgart. Following the excellent success of the Beltango Trilogia Triple CD Pack, the Beltango Quintet is now preparing a new CD for release this summer with the same title 'Balkan Milonga Loca' by Beltango. The Trilogia Triple CD Pack is available online at: Beltango |
The Karen Street Big Squeeze, Raising Money for Alzheimers’ Research - UKby Harley Jones |
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![]() Karen says: “My reasons for raising money for Alzheimers’ is a personal one as my dad died of the disease last year and I suppose, because I have seen it up close, I need to do this for my dad. It is something that can potentially affect any one of us.” Some of Karen’s concerts will be solo, others with musicians who have offered to play. Most concerts will be free with money raised by donation. Concerts are: June 13th Cramphorn Theatre Solo accordion Fairfield Rd, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JG Phone: 01245 606505 at 1.00 pm June 13th St Marylebone Parish Church Solo Accordion plus Tina May vocals Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LT, 7.00 pm, nearest tube Baker Street & Regents Pk. nearest bus Harleey Street or Baker Street June 14th Wesley Methodist Church Solo Accordion with guests Queens Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4BW Phone: 0118 958 5030 at 7.30 pm June 15th Nunney Church Accordion Solo, plus duo with Andy Tweed (saxophone) Nunney, Somerset, Phone: 01749 673936 at 7.00 pm June 21 Manvers Street Baptist Church, Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JW Phone: 01225 461600 at 12.30 pm to 1.15 pm June 21 Cheddar Baptist Church Accordion Solo plus duo with Andy Tweed (sax) Lower North Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3HA at 7.30 pm June 29 Batcombe Village Hall Duo with Andy Tweed Batcombe,, Somerset, at 7.00 pm July 6 & 7, Zennor Music Series Two day workshop for accordions and woodwind plus an evening concert, July 7th at 7 pm. Zennor, Cornwall. July 14th French Evening St Mildred's Church, Bingham Road, Croydon July 20th The White Hart Inn Trio with Julie Dunn (vocals) and Andrew Tweed (sax) Hampstead Marshall, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0HW. July 21 St Mary’s Church Trio with Julie Dunn (vocals) and Andrew Tweed (sax) Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3BA at 7.30 pm For further information email: karen@karenstreet.com |
2012 Carrefour Mondial de l’Accordéon, Montmagny - Canadaby Harley Jones |
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Above is a short promotional video of invitation to the Carrefour Mondial de l’Accordéon which is five intense days of festivities and music from August 30th to September 3rd 2012. A large list of performers includes: Accordéon 4, Martin Beaulieu and André Bouchard, Carles Belda and Joan Garriga, Clément Bérubé, Corinne Bideaux and Rocco de Ieso, Marie-Jeanne Brousseau, Alexandre B. Caron, Fabrizio Causio, Club Carrefour, Daniel Colin and Dominique Cravic, Aaron Collis and Daniel Payne, Trio Contrass, Antoine Couturier, Luke Daniels and John Dipper, Kevin Desrosiers, Joaquin Diaz, Bernard Lafargue, Frédéric and Nathanaëlle Langlais, Susie Lemay and Denis Pépin, Saioa Eta Leire, Maréemusique, Gaston Nolet, Steve Normandin, Duo Nuances, Paire & Grin’, Antoine Pigeon Bourque, Portelli, Petar Ralchev, Art Richard, Trio Safar, Alexander Sevastian, Anita & Bob, Enrique Tellaria, Olivier Thibault, Timi Turmel et Christian Nolet, Paolo Vani, Gerry Virone. Download Full Carrefour Program of events at 2012 Carrefour |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
4th International Festival Days of Accordion 2012 - Bosnia and Herzegovinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() The event was run by the Music School Kornelije Stankovic, Director Slaviša Peric. The festival included competitions, masterclass, lectures and concerts. The top solo category of the competitions (VI Kategorija) was won by Irina Serotyuk (Ukraine). Full results are online: 2012Dani.pdf" target="_blank">2012Dani Concerts featured the very esteemed performers of Aleksander Skliarov (Russia, picture left), Vladimir Murza (Ukraine), Alexander Poeluev (Russia, picture right) and Irina Serotyuk (Ukraine). The competition had over 300 competitors from various countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Austria etc. The event was a great success and the 5th International Festival will be held again in May 2013. For further information contact Director Slaviša Peric: msks.festival@gmail.com |
2012 Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival – Australiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Photographs, the program and full information of the guest artists and concerts is available online at: www.aata.org.au Daily Reports including photographs and results is online at. Australian International Championships |
Deschamps Masterclass and Concert by Jacquard Musique, Taninges - Franceby Grayson Masefield |
![]() The audience also had the opportunity to enjoy the great artistic and technical qualities of Team Deschamps through the interpretations of Radu Laxgang, Dorin Grama (Moldavia), Julie Blocher (France), and Grayson Masefield (New Zealand). All the events throughout the Masterclass & Concert were recorded by Mike Rossi to prepare a small clip from the presentation of the event, but also a comprehensive documentary on the event and the region which will be offered July 15 at an upcoming "Web TV Show Documentary Special". ?The next meetings of educational Frederic Deschamps are scheduled from:?? July - 9th to 15th and 16th to 20th - Seminar in La Selle sur le Bied (France)? July 22 - National Qualifications for CMA and CIA competitions at La Selle sur le Bied (France)? July 23 to 28th - Seminar in La Selle sur le Bied (France) ?July 29th to August 18th - Seminars and Master Classes Beijing / Shanghai / Harbin (China)? 27th August to 2nd September - Seminar in La Selle sur le Bied (France) |
Accordion Role in Escape from Alcatraz Prison 50 Years Ago - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() Tale of 3 Inmates Who Vanished From Alcatraz Maintains Intrigue 50 Years Later. Fifty years ago, on the night of June 11, 1962, the three convicts were locked down as usual. By morning, the inmates had vanished. Their breakout has been analyzed in countless articles, four television documentaries, a 1963 book by J. Campbell Bruce, “Escape from Alcatraz” and a 1979 movie of the same name starring Clint Eastwood as Mr. Morris. The noise of digging through thick concrete walls was hidden by Mr Morris playing the accordion each evening. They stole a small concertina from another inmate to serve as bellows to inflate a raft they had made of rubber raincoats. The Eastwood film implied that the escape had been successful. A 2003 “MythBusters” TV program on the Discovery Channel tested the feasibility of an escape on a raincoat raft and judged it possible. Is this the most unusual use of accordion bellows ever? |
A Tribute to 'Our Dad the Accordion Man' - Canadaby John Drakes |
This just published song is a tribute to 'Our Dad The Accordion Man', written and sung by John Drakes and dedicated to his father, Stephen Drakes, originally from Coomb's Cove, Fortune Bay, NL, Canada. |
Future events |
6th Accordion Art Festival & Contests - Italyby Renzo Ruggieri |
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![]() On Saturday are the qualifications for the CMA Trophee Mondial. order: classical, variete, diatonic and at the end composition. Afternoon: Electronic Accordion, Diatonic accordions, Classical Music Group, Classical Piano, Flute (other classical). 17 June (Sunday) h9:00 Modern Singing, Modern Music Group, Classical and Modern Guitar, Electronic Keyboards, Classical Accordion, Virtuoso Accordion, Classic Piano (continue), Jazz, Other instruments Concerts Evening (free entry): 16 June at 21:30 (Teatro Polifunzionale) - JURE TORI TRIO (jazz, world music) of Slovenia 17 June at 21:30 (Teatro Polifunzionale) - CUTERUCCIO-CAMPAGNA DUO (world music, jazz) - DANIELE ROSSI (accordion classical and electronic). Information about the Italian Awards and Competitions Rules is at: www.accordions.com/aaf Artistic Director event: Renzo Ruggier (picture right)i; Artistic Director for Orpheus Award: Fabio Ciminiera; President: Salvatore Cauteruccio (picture right lower); Secretary: Claudio Azzaro. For further information email: info@accordionartfestival.com |
Reyes y Juglares Vallenatos, Valledupar - Columbiaby Harley Jones |
The 4th Meeting of Music Accordion is to be held in Valledupar Cesar, Columbia from 20 to 23 June. Pictured below, left to right are: - Eris Puentes; - Facundo Torresan and his group; - Dúo Nuevo Mundo of Francisco Javier Rivera Montoya (clarinet) and Lácides Romero (accordion); - José Ermes Melo; The Governor of Cesar, Luis Alberto Monsalvo Gnecco, will open the event and start the musical gala. For further information, please email: eldiariovallenato@gmail.com |
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Paolo F. Bragaglia & Roberto Lucanero duo, live @ Historica - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() Roberto Lucanero is a musician and ethnomusicologist and active as an accordionist, diatonic accordion player, medieval portative organ player, traditional singer, songwriter, composer. He was born into a family deeply rooted in the tradition of the accordion with his father, grandfather and great grandfather all Castelfidardo accordion craftsmen and his mother an accordionist. His early musical training took place at the Mugnoz School in Loreto (An) and from his teens he began performing and has released his on CD's. He regularly teaches traditional dance and diatonic button accordion courses, both in Italy and abroad. Since 2000 he has worked with the Sales Office and the Research and Development Department of the historic accordion manufacturer Excelsior, which is now a division of Pigini srl of Castelfidardo. |
Accordicats Concert Features Special Guest Rita Davidson - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() Rita studied accordion with Eugene Ettore, former AAA President and noted accordion composer. She presents workshops and concerts on the “Life and Music of Eugene Ettore” and “The Use of the Accordion in the Teaching of Music in School.” Opening act will be Cody McSherry. For further information, call Lisa & Joshua at 302-993-0374. Seating is limited. Concert $15.00. The New eTracks Rita Davidson Album titled "The Music of Eugene Ettore" has been released and is available online. |
The Trio of St Petersburg, Concert in Cheval-Blanc (Vaucluse) - Franceby Harley Jones |
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![]() Alexandre Belyakov has just completed his studies at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory of St Petersburg, tutor Oleg Sharov. Thom Hardaker is completing his 4th year there and Julia Kornig studies viola at the same conservatory. The concert is titled "Un voyage musical autour du Monde. De Bach au Folklore russe." which in English is: "A musical journey around the world. From Bach to the Russian Folk Music." |
Mazaika at Rich Mix, London - UKby Harley Jones |
![]() 5:30 pm Silent film "The Man With A Movie Camera" with live score by Igor Outkine Matches screened on the 10 x 15 foot screen 7.45pm - Denmark v Germany OR Portugal v Netherlands Followed by Mazaika Duo performing Russian and Gypsy music at 21.45. For further information email: info@mazaika-music.com |
New and Updated Sites |
eTracks MP3 Albums by Alexander Dmitriev Now Online – Internationalby Alexander Dmitriev |
![]() ![]() New Albums this week are: 4 albums by Alexander Dmitriev Pathes Of Centuries Enigmatic Russian Soul Fanfare Divertimento |
Gary Dahl New and Updated Music - USAby Gary Dahl |
![]() 'Largo from Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", Op. 95', catalog:DH0239, 'Anvil Chorus', catalog:DH0240, 'To The Evening Star', catalog:DH0241, 'La Traviata', catalog:DH0242, Updated music titles, ' 12th Street Rag', catalog:DH0105, 'The Blue Danube', catalog:DH0127, 'Les Bicyclettes De Belsize', catalog:DH0170, 'Auld Lang Syne (Intermediate)', catalog:DH0214, 'Auld Lang Syne (Advanced)', catalog:DH0215, 'Funiculi Funicula', catalog:DH0235, Samples for these music are now available at the MusicForAccordion web site. The music is in eSheet format e-mailed directly to your computer. Easy purchase with credit card. |
Updated site: 2012 South Pacific Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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Updated site: 2012 South Pacific Daily Reports including results and many pictures is online. The South Pacific Accordion Championships, which includes the New Zealand Accordion Championships, was held at Epsom, Auckland, on June 2nd and 3rd. South Pacific Daily Reports including results and many pictures is online. |
CD Reviews |
CD REVIEW - Fantasia CD by Alexander Sevastian, Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommersby Joan C. Sommers |
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