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Highlights |
Daily Reports, 2021 Coupe Mondiale, Ends Sunday, Munich - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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![]() The Daily Reports of video and pictures started on Wednesday 13th October with the Opening Concert. There will be video of every Coupe Mondiale contestants performances and the concerts, provided by the CIA Video Archive and Education Project. Results online with the prize giving finish on 17th October 2021. Video Homepage & Video Timetable at: 2021CM-Video Daily Reports, pictures, results at: 2021CM-Report |
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Popular Accordion Busker Gifted New Accordion by Giansandro Breccia of Pasco Italia - Italy/Irelandby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() In a nice touch, the company personalised the instrument with Tom’s name. Limerick Leader Newspaper reporter Nick Rabbitts, in Limerick, Ireland, included an online item recently about popular local busker Tom McNamara playing the accordion in one of his regular spots in the city centre. “For decades, Tom McNamara, who is 84, has played music across the city. But inevitably, his squeeze-box has suffered a bit of wear and tear in that time. One of his neighbours highlighted to the Limerick Leader last month that the musician needs a new instrument. Giansandro Breccia, President of Pasco Italia (picture left), which is based in Castelfidardo in central-eastern Italy, said he wanted to donate a brand new instrument to Tom.” Speaking to the Limerick newspaper, he said: “I read your story about Tom on the internet. Some Irish friends of mine confirmed to me that he is very popular not only in Limerick, but all across Ireland. My idea came immediately, why not [donate]?" “I’m 60 years old, and I have passed my life in the music business. I know for any musician, his instrument is like a child. So I understand Tom is looking for a new baby after a long time,” added the company’s President. The accordion, a brand new Paolo Soprani elite model, the most popular in Ireland, has now found its way from Italy to Limerick, and Tom said he is “delighted”. |
New Chamber Opera to be Performed at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Tallinn - Estoniaby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() “Minnie” was written by Tze Yeung Ho as part of his Doctoral Concert, held in collaboration with Opera Veto, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and AccordionFest Estonia. The opera is generously supported by Norsk kulturråd (Arts Council of Norway), Nordic Culture Point, Nordic Culture Fund, Estonian Cultural Endowment, Norwegian Society of Composers, Music Norway / The Foreign Ministry of Norway, and The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tallinn. Performers include accordionists Kristel Laas (Estonia), Mikk Langeproon (Estonia), Momir Novakovic (Estonia), Sini Ström (Finland), Sonja Vertainen (Finland) and Theodore Parker (electric guitarist/improviser - Estonia) who will be accompanied by soloists from Norway, Finland and Estonia. The opera is based in Nanking, which was the capital of China between 1927 and 1937. Nanking was devastated by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War and was the home to Ginling College, the school in which Wilhelmina “Minnie” Vautrin spent her time as a teacher for young girls. Minnie, a missionary and devout Christian, wrote many war memories in her diary which are depicted in the opera. Tze Yeung Ho (born 1992) is a Helsinki-based Norwegian-Canadian composer, festival manager, art researcher and language enthusiast of Cantonese descent. As a doctoral candidate at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, his artistic research revolves around the topic of ‘Phonetic Features as a Compo-sitional Tool’, in which he sees this as an attempt to bond the process of music composition with his fascination for speech sounds. Covid-19 regulations will be in place at this event. For details email: info@eamt.ee |
23rd Accordion Days Rheinsberg, February 2022 – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The German Harmonica Association (DHV Brandenburg) invites young and adult accordionists throughout Germany – pupils, students, teachers, orchestra players and conductors – to make music together over three days and to learn from each other. The event will include workshops by: • Lars Holm - solo and chamber music course • Hans-Günther Kölz - orchestra course • Sabine Kölz – “Ran an die Tasten und Knöpfe” workshop Registrations are now open. Download rules and entry information here: 2022RheinsbergRules.pdf |
1st International Istanbul Accordion Festival – Turkeyby Christine Johnstone |
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The 1st International Istanbul Accordion Festival will take place from October 28th to November 1st, 2021, at the Mustafa Saffet Cultural Center, in collaboration with Akorder Accordion Association, the Istanbul Okan University, and Atasehir District Municipality in Istanbul, Turkey. The event will include a workshop and concerts. For details email: info@akorder.com |
Ratoi Radu Recital in Chișinău - Moldovaby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionist Ratoi Radu will give a recital at the Sala cu Orga (Organ Hall) in Chisinau, Moldova on October 19th at 6pm as part of the Festivalul ”Zilele Muzicii Noi” ("New Music Days" Festival). His program will include S.Gubaidulina - De profundis, Gh.Ciobanu - Expanding Spaces (premier), L.Berio - Sequenza XIII, M.Lindberg - Jeux d'Anches, S.Haapamaki – Power, A.Kusyakiv - Sonata nr.6, B.Lorentzen – Tears and T.Hosokawa – Melodia. For details phone: 022 22 25 28 |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Piero & Horacio Entertain at Palacio Legislativo - Uruguayby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Popular accordion and violin duo “Piero & Horacio” entertained at the Palacio Legislativo in Montevideo this week on October 14th. The Palacio Legislativo was built between 1908 and 1925 in Montevideo and was inaugurated on August 25th, 1925 as a tribute to the 100 years of the Declaration of Independence. The duo also have a busy weekend with wedding and 80th birthday performances on October 15th and 16th. “Piero & Horacio” were popular finalists in the 2020 grand Final of Got Talent Uruguay and gained a third placing from hundreds of artists. For details phone: +598 98 975 384 |
VIII International Festival Competition of Keyboard Accordion Performers "Accordionissimo" - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
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![]() This year’s event is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Ufa College of Arts in Russia and will include the competition, concerts, master classes, scientific and practical conference, courses of professional development of teachers, excursions and round table. Due to Covid-19, the competition will be held in two stages: Stage one – online video competition with applicants performing 50% of their program Stage two – live performance of finalists at the Ufa School of Arts. Competitors will perform their entire program. Time line of events as follows: • November 1st: Applications close • November 10th: Round 1 results announced • November 10th to 15th: Invitations for Stage 2 will be sent • December 1st: Stage 2 begins with participant registrations and press conference from 12 midday and participant auditions from 2pm. • December 1st: Opening ceremony concert "The Magic of the Accordion" at 7pm • December 2nd: Competitive auditions begin at 10am • December 2nd: Scientific and Practical Conference "Accordion and Modernity" at 3pm • December 2nd: Evening concert by laureate of international competitions Radu Ratoi at 7pm. • December 3rd: Competitive auditions of participants at 10am. • December 3rd: Master classes. Round table. Sightseeing tour of the city of Ufa (for those who wish) at midday • December 3rd: Closing ceremony of the festival-competition, announcement of results, awarding, concert of laureates at 4pm. Download competition rules here: 2021AccordionissimoRules.pdf |
Gorka Hermosa Entertains at Chillida Museum – Spainby Christine Johnstone |
![]() ![]() Gorka Hermosa entertained last weekend at a "Witches and Witchcrafts" event at the Chillida Museum in Hernani, Spain. He was accompanied by Toti Mtnez de Lezea and Edurne Zabalo. |
Video: Castelfidardo Between History, Music & Nature - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() ![]() The video in Italian language, includes information on accordion artisan manufacturing in Castelfidardo including Fratelli Alessandrini and featuring Tonino Alessandrini and sister Daniela Alessandrini, showing a little of how accordions are made and some music. |
2021 Trophée Mondial Results to be Announced Online - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The online category judging began in September and winners of each category will have the privilege of participating in the creation of an original recording in duo with Richard Galliano (a new World Premiere composition by Richard Galliano for each category). Due to the current Covid-19 situation in Ukraine, further details regarding the Trophée Mondial Premium, due to be held at the end of November, 2021 will be announced as soon as possible. |
Video: “Ghost Riders in the Sky” – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Accordionist Annie Gong performs “Ghost Riders in the Sky” with New Zealand based international guitarist, Gray Bartlett. Annie Gong plays drum, bass & rhythm guitar as a backing band on a digital accordion. Filmed and recorded in their home studio. |
2021 Fortissimissimo Firenze Festival - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() The festival featured 14 concerts dedicated to young Italian musicians and opens the concert season of the Amici della Musica di Firenze. Accordion performances were given by students of the Scuola di Musica Sesto Fiorentino (picture below) which included Irene Squizzato (picture above left), Anna Bodnar (picture above right) and Antonio Saule on October 5th at the Conservatorio "L. Cherubini". |
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Future events |
Klaus Paier Duo "Vision for Two" Concerts - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Klaus Paier (accordion and bandoneon) & Asja Valcic (cello) will perform three concerts entitled “Vision for Two, 10 Years” (after their latest album) this weekend in Germany. “The pair have been making music as a duo for over ten years. Their journey together began in 2009 with their debut album “À Deux”, and since then Paier and Valcic have proceeded to make their unique accordion & cello sound into a thing of wonder.” Performance dates as follows: • October 15th: St Agathe Church in Schopfheim, Baden-Württemberg • October 16th: Forum Merzhausen in Merzhausen, Baden-Württemberg • October 17th: Heubacher Hauskonzerte, Weilheim For details email: klaus.paier@aon.at |
Øivind Farmen and Håvard Svendsrud 2021 “Trekkspillcafe” Accordion Tour - Norwayby Rob Howard |
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Accordionists Øivind Farmen and Håvard Svendsrud will begin a “Trekkspillcafe” (Accordion Café) tour of Southern Norway this month. The tour will begin on October 19th at the Tydal Museum in Trondheim, Trøndelag County. The duo will perform a program of pieces by Pietro Frosini followed by a mixed repertoire with impromptu interaction and audience requests. The concert tour will finish with a performance at the Systra Café in Ørskog on October 31st. The duo hope to meet many accordion and music enthusiasts on their way around southern Norway. See poster for performance schedule. |
Accordionists Entertain at 10th Annual Fairfax Irish Festival, California - USAby Rob Howard |
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The 10th Annual Fairfax Irish Festival will be held in Fairfax, Marin County, California on October 23rd, 2021. The event is free for all ages and will include a variety of musicians and dancers performing jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, waltzes and more. Performers include “The Gas Men” with Barry O'Connell (accordion & vocals), accordionist Renee de la Prade with “Culann's Hounds”, Erica & Friends (Charlie Hancock - accordion), The Ring Of Truth Trio (Roxanne Oliva accordion & vocals), The Pure Drops (Daniel Schoenfeld on accordion – picture below) plus soloists Felim Egan and Riggy Rackin (concertina). See poster for venue details. For further information email: fairfaxirishfestival@gmail.com |
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"Sinfonisches Akkordeon Orchester Hessen" Concert Weekend - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Performance and information about the Sinfonisches Akkordeon Orchester Hessen (SAkkOH), produced by H-Da Studenten (Sound and Music Production, Motion Pictures). The Sinfonisches Akkordeon Orchester Hessen (SAkkOH) conducted by Thomas Bauer, will perform two concerts this month in Germany. “Under the title “Back in Concert”, the audience can look forward to an outstanding program packed with musical highlights and music that will quickly make you forget the break caused by the coronavirus.” Guest performers include pianist Erik Reischl, soprano Nora Friedrichs and American tenor Michael Porter. Concert dates are: • October 23rd, 2021 at 8pm at Congressforum in Frankenthal • October 24th, 2021 at 5pm at Kurhaus Wiesbaden, Hesse Their program will include works by Franz Liszt (First concert for piano and orchestra), Charles Gounod (from “Roméo and Juliette”), Gaetano Donizetti (from "L’elisir d’amore"), Giacomo Puccini (from “La Bohème”) and Franz Léhar (from “The Land of Smiles”). For details email: info@sakkoh.de |
Accordion Dancing Gala - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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A Gala d’accordeon Exceptionnel (Accordion Dancing Gala) will be held at the Salle Limorin in Replonges, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France on October 24th, 2021 at 2pm. Performers include Stéphanie Rodriguez and her band, Jerome Baudoui, Frederic Buch and Myriam Thiebaut. The event will also include a special raffle with a prize of a “Dance Trip” for 2 people to win, offered by “Miléade”. Event proceeds will go to the Pauline Stepping Association. For details phone: 06 28 30 82 38 |
Online: “Squeeze This!: A Cultural History of the Accordion in America” with Dr. Marion Jacobson – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
![]() ![]() She will be interviewed by Dean Olshur, podcaster and BAC member. Dr. Marion Jacobson brings attention to the accordion with her book, "Squeeze This, A Cultural History of the Accordion in America". The University of Illinois Press calls it: "Everything you wanted to know about piano accordions in America--but were afraid to ask.” She is an ethnomusicologist, educator, and author who has written hundreds of reviews and features of live concerts and events of all the major world music traditions. Dr. Jacobson began digging for the fossilized remains of lost American accordion cultures in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Squeeze This! A Cultural History of the Accordion (University of Illinois Press, 2012/2015) is the first comprehensive scholarly book on the piano accordion, and winner of the Society for Ethnomusicology’s Klaus P. Wachsmann Prize for Outstanding Monographs in Organology (the historical study of musical instruments). Marion has sparked great interest in and brought much attention to the accordion with her book. Whether you agree or disagree with her thoughts or are reading it to learn about the accordion, it makes us all think about the accordion, how it has influenced our culture, our lives, and how it is part of a new generation of musicians who realize and greatly appreciate its value in the world of music. For further information: jerseyfolkarts@gmail.com |
Childrens Corner |
10 Year Old Colin Kennedy Wins Scholarship at Cotati Accordion Festival - USAby Christine Johnstone |
Video: 10 Year Old Colin Kennedy plays his first ever accordion show at the Cotati Accordion Festival and was awarded a scholarship. This video shows clips of some of the festival performers including Colin playing "Echoes of Vienna" (waltz by Joseph Zampiceni). |
New and Updated Sites |
Daily Reports, Pictures and Competition Results, PIF Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
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Daily Reports, pictures, results, jury, concerts and information online at: 2021Castelfidardo about the PIF Castelfidardo 46th edition which ran from the 27th September to 2nd October. |
Updated Site: London Accordion Orchestra Charity Concert, England - UKby Christine Johnstone |
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The London Accordion Orchestra will present their first concert in 2 years at St. Gabriel's Church in Pimlico, Central London, England on October 23rd, 2021, along with their 2nd orchestra “London Accordion Players”. All profits from the concert will be donated to “The Friends of St. Gabriel's”. The audience capacity will be capped at 150 (50%) to make sure everyone has plenty of room to enjoy the music. With over 50 musicians in the 2 ensembles, attendees will be treated to a wide variety of music including pieces by Astor Piazzolla, Stefan Hippe, Hans-Gunther Kolz, Adolf Gotz, Rudolf Wurthner and a world premiere from LAO's principal conductor, Ian Watson. The orchestra will also be joined by guest violin soloist, Sarah Crisp for a performance of Fritz Kreisler's 'Liebeslied'. For details email: mail@londonao.co.uk |
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Updated Site: Accordion Russia Newsby Christine Johnstone |
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The Accordion Russia News has been updated with information on upcoming events. |
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