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Highlights |
‘Accordionsounds’ - The Sino-German Accordion Ensemble, Chongqing - China
Remembering GianFelice Fugazza - Italy
Hofer Symphoniker Muiskschule Annual Accordion Concert, Hof - Germany
Interview with Federica Celesti
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Amours d’Accordéons Festival, Saint Quentin la Poterie - France
Nikolai Ryskov Performs at WW2 Arctic Convoys Commemoration, London – UK
Odeon Conexion on tour – Portugal
Jan Knutsen’s New CDs, Stavenger – Norway
Future events |
National Polka Festival, Texas – USA
Canada Tour with the Erste Kölner Akkordeon-Orchester - Germany
Victor Prieto News, New York - USA
St Audries Bay Accordion Teaching Week & Roland V Weekend, Somerset – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Bernadette Conlon release 1 new CD
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
International Accordion Competition, Klingenthal - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The 45th International Accordion Competition took place this year from May 2nd – 8th. The competition is held for accordion and bandoneon soloists, and competitors perform a musical range that includes classics, original compositions, virtuosic standard modern and light music. After the conclusion of each event details and regulations are available for the next year’s event.During the days of competition are also many events and concerts with stars from the accordion and bandoneon world, including this year: Rock, Pop & Soul with Coco, Bundespolizeiorchester Berlin, Caledonix, Blaskapelle Starovarka. Kirchenkonzert with the Sächsisches Klarinettenensemble of the Robert-Schumann-Konservatoriums Zwickau and Jörg Bräunig Orgel/Organ, La Revancha del Tango and Victor Villena, Bandoneonkonzert: Victor Hugo Villena (Argentinia) Bandoneon, with Anna Villena (Argentina) Piano, the Akkordeonorchester Klingenthal directect by Karl Lipsius, the Vogtland Philharmonic Greiz/Reichenbach directed by Stefan Fraas, and the winners of each category of the 45th International Accordion Competition, Klingenthal. The international Jury included: Jürgen Ganzer, Gudrun Wall, Stefan Fraas, Fritz Dobler, Tobias Morgenstern, Ulf Seifert – Germany; Jeanette Dyremose – Denmark; Anders Grøthe – Norway; Aleksandar Nikolic – Serbia; Tibor Racz – Slovakia; Yu Ping Wang – China; Claudio Jacomucci – Italy; Jacques Mornet – France; Dr. Lech Puchnowski – Poland; Iwan Koval – Czech Republic; Friedrich Lips – Russia; Victor Villena - Argentina. The winner of the top category solo competition was Vitaliy Kositzkiy (Ukraine), 2nd Semjon Schmelkov (Russland), 3rd Wolodymyr Oloynyk (Ukraine). Full Results Download (Acrobat pdf - 420KB). For further Information email: intern.akkordeonwettbewerb@t-online.de Photoreport of the competition: www.accordions.com/klingenthal2008 |
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‘Accordionsounds’ - The Sino-German Accordion Ensemble, Chongqing - Chinaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The name ‘Accordionsounds’ - The Sino-German Accordion Ensemble stands for a music project, sponsored by the Hohner Company. A reason for the project is the first ‘Deutschland Promenade’, which is organized for the programme ‘Germany and China - movement together’, which takes place from May 9th to 18th in Chongqing, China.Over this period, five students of the Hohner Conservatory, Trossingen, and four students of the University of Education in Chongqing give a few concerts. The leader of the ensemble is Ralf Brendle, a graduate of the Hohner Conservatory. The Chinese players are Prof. Sun Wie, Ding Xuelin, Shao Yuebing, Luo Xuan and Gong Lilin. The German players are Mariya Leminskaya, Stephanie Mast, Matthias Bender and Tobias Escher. The project wants to connect different countries in a cultural way. Furthermore the students have the possibility for further experience in their musical education. The Hohner Company finances this project, and also involved are the Goethe-Institute, Munich. Chongqing is the biggest industrial city in the Sichuan region with more than 20 million people. The German project participants will report on their experiences during their trip in China on the websites of the Hohner Company and the Hohner Conservatory. For further information email: hoerenberg@orchesterverbaende.de |
Remembering GianFelice Fugazza - Italyby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 We introduce an interesting article on an important musician (who died some months ago) having contributed considerably to the development of the accordion internationally.We are talking about GianFelice Fugazza, a versatile musician who was a performer, composer, arranger, teacher, publicist, publishing director, and technical advisor to companies that manufacture musical instruments. His two main passions were the accordion and electronic music. The article is about all about the activity and the work dedicated to our instrument, where Fugazza has surely left a meaningful trace – always to be remembered. |
Hofer Symphoniker Muiskschule Annual Accordion Concert, Hof - Germanyby Kevin Friedrich |
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 Accordionists of all ages took part in the annual concert of the accordion program at the Hofer Symphoniker Musikschule in Hof, Germany, where the program is under the direction of Günther Zeilinger.Opening with Mozart's ‘Magic Flute Overture’, the Akkordeon Orchestra Hof began the concert that featured soloists, duos, ensembles and orchestras. The youngest soloist was 5-year-old Silvan Amann, a participant in the mini accordion program, who delighted the audience with his memorized performance. The accordion program features several accordion orchestras and ensembles including the Akkordeonorchester Hof (Günther Zeilinger, director), the Youth Accordion Orchestra (Florian Weichert, director), the Hobby Accordion Orchestra (Bernd Rosenberger, director) and the School Accordion Orchestra (Delia Zeilinger, director) and the Youth Quintet (Eva Walter, director). Featuring a diverse range of repertoire from classics, transcriptions and pop arrangements, orchestra member Adrian Stieglitz's new arrangement of Michael Jackson works titled 'Number Ones' was a tremendous success, complete with a lighting display and power point visual presentation from the orchestra's recent tour to the United States for the 60th CIA Coupe Mondiale. Adrian and fellow orchestra member Julian Feulner arranged 'You Dance' from the popular Polish accordion group, the Motion Trio for the Quintet II, which gave its debut performance of the work during the concert. Part of the Hof Symphony Music School directed by Ingrid Schrader, the accordion program spans all generations and levels of accordion activities, ensuring that not only the top level of accordionists are inspired to strive for musical excellence, but, that even the most junior pre-school students in the Mini-Akkordeon program have the opportunity to embark on a musical adventure. Pictured is the Accordion Orchestra Hof, who was joined by CIA President Kevin Friedrich for the performance of Fritz Dobler's 'Keniade.' |
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Interview with Federica Celestiby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Accordions Worldwide has an exclusive interview with Federica Celesti President of the Italian Accordion Culture and co-organisor of the Strumenti&Musica Spring Festival which will be held from the 18-25 May in Spoleto/Italy. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
‘Accordions International’ Festival, Blackpool – UKby Rob Howard |
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 ‘Accordions International’, a new festival held at the Dunes Conference Complex, Pontins Holiday Centre, Blackpool, from May 9th to 13th, proved to be a great success. Organised by Heather Smith, this festival broke new ground by sharing the campus with an organ and keyboard festival, an arrangement that worked well for all concerned.The evening concerts included many first class performances, with guest artistes Paris-Moscow Duo - Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov – adding much humour to their virtuoso playing. Italy’s Giancarlo Caporilli, whose repertoire seems endless, played flawlessly, and supplemented his stage appearances, which included a demonstration of the MusicTech Digital 50 accordion, with several impromptu sessions at the trade show. The UK guest artistes Stefan Andrusyschyn, Gary Blair, Harry Hussey, Bert Santilly, and Romano Viazzani also turned in excellent performances. Highlights included Stefan Andrusyschyn’s performance of ‘Winter’, from Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, and the duets in which he accompanied his wife, operatic soprano Denise Leigh. Workshops led by Heather Smith, Romano Viazzani, Bert Santilly, Gary Blair, Brian Jenkins and Adrienne Sharpe, and a master class by the Paris-Moscow Duo were all well attended and successful. The final concert featured sets by the workshop weekend orchestras and bands, a highlight of which was the elementary orchestra’s performance of ‘Moonlight Serenade’. Directed by Romano Viazzani, who played a Roland FR7 using its clarinet voice to great effect, and also featuring Marj Howard on trumpet, the ensemble really captured the sound and style of Glenn Miller, complete with all musicians standing up, Miller-style, second time through. People could visit the trade shows of both the accordion and organ/keyboard festivals, which benefited all the retailers. A visitor to the organ/keyboard event from Germany, who had travelled by car, was so delighted to discover the presence of the accordion festival that he treated himself to a brand new accordion from one of the trade displays. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
Amours d’Accordéons Festival, Saint Quentin la Poterie - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The second Amours d’Accordéons Festival was held from May 2nd to 4th in Saint Quentin la Poterie, and was again a great success. This was an occasion for all accordion enthusiasts, amateurs or professionals, to meet and to discover the multiple facets of the instrument: musette, jazz, folk, French traditional and contemporary song... a wide range of music in various places in the village. Master classes conducted by Jérémie Buirette, François Heim and Christophe Rohr, and music from artistes such as François Heim and the Holy Family, Christophe Rohr, the groups Gattaka, Portelli, les Mauvais Garconsthe (Anthony Doux, Frank Gétreau), Crabr' can et enfin, and Tony Calvès and Jérémie Buirette (godfather of the festival). An open air ball closed this magnificent event for the great joy of the audience. At various trade shows one could get acquainted with musical instruments and one could try out all different techniques and sounds of the accordion as well as meeting the various professionals (musicians, professors, specialists in the instrument). Jean-Louis Noton presented the range of Cavagnolo accordions in co-operation with Festival Music Dampierre of Avignon. An event rich with emotion, where one could hear constantly and anywhere accordion music from a wide range of players. |
Nikolai Ryskov Performs at WW2 Arctic Convoys Commemoration, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 London-based Russian accordionist Nikolai Ryskov performed at the Russia-Britain Victory Day Celebration on the Thames, May 9th, to commemorate the Britain-Russia Alliance in the Arctic Convoys 1941-1945.The event took place at the warship HMS Belfast in the presence of and participation from HRH Prince Michael of Kent and His Excellency the Ambassador of Russia, Yury Fedotov. Nikolai played some of the most famous Russian war songs of that time such as 'Katyusha’, 'A Dark Night', 'Smuglyanka', 'Lonely Accordion', 'The Glory Day', and many others during the event. For further information email: nryskov@googlemail.com |
Odeon Conexion on tour – Portugalby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The duo Odeon Conexion - Joao Frade and Guy Giuliano - performed last week, May 2nd, with great success in the Big World Music Festival called ‘Rota dos Bons Ventos’ in the Azores (Portuguese islands), side by side with musicians like Stanley Jordan, Hiromi Uehara and Loyko Trio.On Friday May 9th in Castelo Branco, the duo performed in a festival called Primavera Musical, and on Saturday May 10th in the Cafe Inlges, one of the most well-known cultural spaces in the south of Portugal. In July another tour in Portugal and Spain is planned. For further information contact joão fradeti: fradetijoao@aeiou.pt |
Jan Knutsen’s New CDs, Stavenger – Norwayby Rob Howard |
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| Veteran Norwegian accordionist Jan Knutsen has released two CDs, ‘Skip O'hoi’ and ‘Våre Minner’, featuring Scandinavian traditional dance music and some of Jan’s compositions. Born in 1937, Jan Knutsen has entertained at venues in his part of Norway for over 60 years, including working with several vocalists. He has made recordings, and published four books of his own compositions. For further information email: eykn@online.no |
Future events |
‘Musette and Polka’ Concert at Wazemmes Festival, Lille – Franceby Rob Howard |
| A concert described as ‘le Mariage de Musette et Polka’ – a mixture of French and Polish music - takes place on May 18th, 1pm, at the Teatr KTO, Nord-Pas de Calais. The concert is part of the Wazemmes International Festival. For further information email: communication@wazemmeslaccordeon.com |
National Polka Festival, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
| The annual National Polka Festival in Ennis, Texas, May 23rd to 25th, is the largest Czech heritage festival in the United States. Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, the festival includes a huge parade through downtown Ennis, a horseshoe tournament, authentic Czech food, and plenty of polka dancing. Dances and concerts take place in various Czech halls throughout Ennis. Bands scheduled to perform this year include: Brave Combo, Polka Freak Out, Dujka Bros, Czech and Then Some, Fritz Hodde & The Fabulous Six, Jak Se Do, Ennis Czech Boys, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Red Ravens, Vrazel's Polka Band, and Czechaholics. For further information email: npfsecretary@yahoo.com |
Canada Tour with the Erste Kölner Akkordeon-Orchester - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 The ‘Erste Kölner Akkordeon-Orchester 1935’ will undertake a concert tour to western Canada from the June 3oth to July 16th. This will be the 5th time that the orchestra goes on tour to another continent, and the Cologners will give 7 concerts in the cities to Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Kimberley, Kelowna and Vancouver.Among these are planned two large Gala concerts for UNICEF Canada. The concerts take place during the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships, as well as in German-Canadian clubs. In Calgary there will be a combined concert with Jarosh Accordion Ensemble, the local accordion orchestra. UNICEF ambassador Marie Luise Marjan, from Germany, will accompany the touring party. Marie Luise Marjan, a UNICEF ambassador since 1990, will be responsible for presentation of the concert program, which has a ‘European Thoughts’ theme. She first met with the Kölner Orchester in 1999 in Calgary, during their first Canadian tour. For further information email: Winfried.Haushalter@ekao.de |
Victor Prieto News, New York - USAby Rob Howard |
 New York-based Spanish accordionist Victor Prieto is involved in many projects these days. He recently had the pleasure of recording with Yo-Yo Ma, for the Chinese-American cellist’s new CD, which will be out in December.From May 20th to June 4th, Prieto will be in Barcelona, performing and recording with guitarist Joan Sanmarti. He has interviews scheduled in Spain, with interviews on the national and Galician radio and TV, talking about his music and work in New York. Whilst in Barcelona, Prieto will perform three times: May 29th – to be announced 30th - Sunset Jazz Club 31st – 18th Festival Internacional de jazz de Granollers Plans are also well advanced for a European tour in March 2009. For further information email: vpcruz@gmail.com |
St Audries Bay Accordion Teaching Week & Roland V Weekend, Somerset – UKby Rob Howard |
 A Roland V Accordion Weekend and Accordion Teaching Week takes place at the St Audries Bay holiday centre, Somerset, from September 6th to 13th. The festival includes numerous concerts and a trade show, and the organisers are John and Jackie Romero. The teachers, demonstrators and performers include Gary Blair, Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, George Syrett, Harry Hussey, Gennaro Fiondella, Karen Street, Eddie Jay, Romano Viazzani, Angie Lukins, Trevani, Rosemary Wright and John Romero.For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.co.uk |
New and Updated Sites |
Peter Piccini releases new musicby Peter Piccini |
| Peter Piccini - accordionist, composer, arranger, performer, release 1 new work for accordion available for purchase online. 'Dreamy Days' catalog:pp267. Samples of these music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Bernadette Conlon release 1 new CDby Bernadette Conlon |
| Bernadette Conlon (now Bernadette Zabawa) selling one new CD titled "Accordion Popular Classical Masterpieces Volume 2" catalog:CD010.htm" target="_blank">BCD010.htm" target="_blank">BCD010 with sound samples. Purchase online with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
Almost Homeby Renato Belardinelli |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of "Almost Home" by Renato Belardinelli. Performer is David Lange. |
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