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Highlights |
Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival, Ikaalinen – Finlandby Rob Howard |
The annual Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival takes place in Ikaalinen, Finland, from June 29th to July 4th. Beginning June 29th, there will be daily coverage found at Sata-Häme Soi. This major festival includes national and fully televised Primus Ikaalinen international accordion competitions, diatonic competitions, Roland V Accordion contest, a full programme of daily concerts and other events, and even an accordion cruise on the lake. Many styles can be heard at this festival – everything from classical and jazz to folk and Tex Mex. Guest artistes at this year’s festival include Richard Galliano & Tangaria Quartet (France), the famous Beltango group (Serbia), Carlos Buono (Argentina), Alain Musichini Quartet (France), Renato Borghetti Quartet (Brazil), Ludovic Beier (France), Mika Väyrynen, Eila Pienimäki and her Orchestra, Merja Larivaara and Päivi Nisula, Veli-Matti Järvenpää Tex Mex Band, the Myrskytuuli Orchestra, and the Hollolan Harmonikat Accordion Group. Full Daily Reports at Sata-Häme Soi from 29 June. For further information email: kimmo.mattila@satahamesoi.fi |
Texas Folklife Crowns Keyun Dickson 2010 Big Squeeze Winner, Houston - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
On June 5th, at Texas Folklife’s 21st annual Accordion Kings & Queens Festival at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston, Keyun Dickson was crowned winner of The Big Squeeze accordion contest. The other finalists were Ignacio Isai Morales, (14 years from Dallas), Ruben Paul Moreno (20 years from Houston) and Jesus Zamora, Jr., (19 years from San Antonio). This 2010 Festival also featured - Albert Zamora - Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners - Eva Ybarra and the Texas Legacy Czech Band - Avizo. 2010 Big Squeeze winner Keyun Dickson was introduced to the accordion by his mother and grandmother. His favorite music was Zydeco, and he started playing it aged three, teaching himself by listening to recordings by his accordion hero, Houston player Step Rideau. At 12, he started a band called Keyun and the Zydeco Masters that now performs regularly at jazz cafes and Cajun restaurants. Though he loves the music, playing the accordion has other benefits for an 18-year-old - "I like all the girls that come out to listen to the music" he said. Keyun Dickson will receive a prize package valued at $3,000, including a $1,000 cash prize, a brand new Hohner diatonic, recording session at the historic SugarHill Recording Studios in Houston plus promotional support from Hohner, Inc., SugarHill, and Texas Folklife. One of the prizes is performing at the Accordion Kings & Queens Festival in front of accordion legends, music industry professionals, and a large crowd of enthusiastic music lovers. Last year’s festival drew a record crowd of 6,000. Texas Folklife is a state wide non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and preserving the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010. For further information email: info@texasfolklife.org or sheree.scarborough@gmail.com |
AATA International Accordion Championships Gala Concert, Sydney – Australiaby John Macdonald |
The Australian Accordion Teachers’ Association (AATA) held their annual Championships last weekend in Sydney. I was very honoured to be asked to be part of the Gala Concert, which was held at the Marconi Club on Sunday June 13th. Daily Reports of the AATA Australian International Accordion Championships including photos and full results are online at: report_2010_june_12th and report_2010_june_13th. All performers worked to a most appreciative audience, and there were some great performances from many talented International and Australian solo accordionists and groups, including The Sydney Balalaika Orchestra (MD Victor Serghie), Tracey Collins (NZ) John MacDonald (picture left), John Cave and Nerida Farmer, Edin Kocic (Under 15 Champion), the Accordigles (MD Steve Marx), Bin Lu (China) Open International Accordion Champion, and the Sydney based ‘Funkordion’ Accordion Ensemble (MD Steve Marx). The Concert was compered by AATA Vice-President Ivan Liashenko, and AATA committee member Milojka Garovic. A nice part of the Gala Concert was when world renowned accordionist Enzo Toppano was introduced as an honored guest to the audience. Congratulations must go to AATA President Tania Lukic-Marx and her Committee for a great show. View the Daily Reports at: report_2010_june_12th and report_2010_june_13th. |
Accordionist Yuri Medianik conducts the “Pluri Art” Chamber Orchestra – Russiaby Harley Jones |
Russian accordionist and violinist Yuri Medianik has begun performing frequently on stage as a conductor. The public accepts it with enthusiasm and always Yuri tries not to disappoint. The June 3 concert took place with Yuri Medianik and the chamber orchestra "Pluri_Art," which he has directed for some 3 years and is also the manager. The concert also included soloists of the Bolshoi Theatre, Maxim Paster (tenor) and Aleksandr Zaharov (tenor). The hall with a capacity of 600 seats was filled. The concert included Neapolitan songs and Russian classical music. In the second half of the concert Yuri has performed some solos with the violin accompanied by Pluri_Art Chamber Orchestra and the famous Libertango with bandoneon. A DVD recording of this concert is going to be produced. For further information email: art@pluriart.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
‘Accordion High School’ Concert, Urbino – Italyby Claudio Jacomucci |
On June 12th the final concert of the ‘Accordion High School’ students was presented at the Italian Accordion Academy in Urbino, which had a ‘theatre in the nature’ theme: sunset, night-fall, fireflies, wind, crickets and music, dance, video performances (and tasty homemade food and wine!!) David Sarnelli, Luca Pignata, Christian Riganelli, Jutta Winter, Ezio Ghibaudo performed works by John Cage, Toshio Hosokawa, Erik Satie, Domenico Scarlatti, Astor Piazzolla, J.S.Bach, and traditional music from Bulgaria together with a video projection and dance. The event included the participation of the tutors Claudio Jacomucci and Kathleen Delaney, who held an accordion and Alexander Technique course. They presented their evocative performance ‘Eurydice in the Earth’, inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice (for accordion, dance and electronics), and the acrobatic work by the Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti, ‘Baiao Malandro’, danced (on a roof) by Kathleen in Capoeira style. Next year’s course, 2010-2011, will be based on: the study of advanced techniques, the Alexander Technique, master classes in solo interpretation, contemporary chamber music, plus multimedia performance (dance, electronics, video, voice, music, interaction). During the year, the students will present new works in public concerts, collaborating with composers, festivals and other instrument classes of music academies and conservatories in Italy and in the Netherlands. For further applications and information email: info@accademiafisarmonicistica.com |
Dwayne Verheyden at the Tejano Conjunto Festival, Texas - USAby Horst Fausel, Hohner, Product Manager, Accordion |
The young artist Dwayne Verheyden, already a well known Hohner Corona diatonic button player from Holland, delighted the audience at the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio, Texas, with his band the TexMeXplosion. His hero, the 5 time Grammy Award winner Flaco Jimenez, was very taken by Dwayne’s talent and performance. One of the highlights at the TCF was Dwayne’s performance on stage with Flaco Jimenez. Dwayne also had the opportunity to visit the legendary Steve Jordan and ‘The Dancing Cowboy’ Mingo Saldivar, who are also Hohner endorsees. These prestigious performance opportunities in the USA made a strong impression on Dwayne as well as on the appreciative audience at the festival. Link for Video http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=138 For further information email: HFausel@hohner.de |
Olexiy Suslov with S-ART group Concerts, Brzeg, Oborniki, Wroclaw – Polandby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
This month, in Poland, four very successful concerts took place in Brzeg, Oborniki, and Wroclaw, featuring Swietlana Ermolenko of Moscow (vocals, guitar, accordion), Olexiy Suslov (accordion), with the S-ART group, from Wroclaw. S-ART’s members are Paulina Wróblewska (piano), Piotr Wróblewski (drums) and Monika Gorzelana (violin). The final concert took place in this week in the Club of the Music and Literature in Wroclaw. For further information email: suslov@wp.pl |
13th International Music Competitions, Val Tidone – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The 13th edition of the accordion section at the International Music Competition Val Tidone was held over the past weekend. The International Music Competitions of Val Tidone started in 1998 in Pianello Val Tidone with the objective to contribute to the development of young artists in the complex world of performing and is supported by the Foundation of Piacenza and Vigevano, as part of a program of historic, natural, artistic and gastronomic enhancement of Val Tidone, also named “pearl of the province of Piacenza”. In the Young Talents section, the accordionist Tommaso Arena, student of tutor Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, was acclaimed winner of the competition. For further information email: tommyfisa@hotmail.it |
Future events |
Ksenija Sidorova Concerts, London, Wetherby – UKby Romano Viazzani |
Ksenija Sidorova performs next week, as follows: June 19th, 12.45pm – free lunchtime recital at St Jude’s Church, North London, as part of the ‘Proms at St. Jude`s Festival’ June 21st, 11am - Northern Aldborough Festival concert, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, Yorkshire; programme includes Nordheim, Bach, Berio, Scarlatti and Moszkowski Ksenija Sidorova, born in Latvia in 1988, has been studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Professor Owen Murray since 2005. In February 2009, Ksenija won the Friends of the Royal Academy of Music Wigmore Award, which led to her acclaimed Wigmore Hall debut. She has also won the Worshipful Company of Musicians Maisie Lewis Award, the Philharmonia Orchestra Martin Musical Scholarship Fund Award, and has been selected to appear in Park Lane Group’s Young Artists’ New Year Series 2010. |
Frank Marocco at Chicago AC, Illinois – USAby Rob Howard |
Frank Marocco is the guest at Chicago Accordion Club on June 21st, 8pm. The doors open 6pm and pre-meeting music begins at 6.30pm. The venue is the American Legion Hall, 310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126. Non-members are welcome. Member admission is $10 with pizza. Non-members pay $13 including pizza. Dress is casual. Pizza is served shortly after 9pm. |
Vancouver International Jazz Festival, BC – Canadaby Rob Howard |
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 25th to July 4th, includes some concerts featuring accordionists: June 25th, 10pm - Natasha Enquist - accordion, Guilt & Company, 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver June 26th, 1.45pm - Italian vocalist Anna Maria Castelli with Stefano Caniato, accordion - Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Steam Clock, Gastown, free June 26th, 9pm - Saul Berson Trio featuring Kim Darwin on accordion - O'Doul's, 1300 Robson, Vancouver For further information email: cjbs@coastaljazz.ca |
Romano Viazzani Concerts, London – UKby Rob Howard |
Well known accordionist Romano Viazzani (picture lower right) has three concerts scheduled for this weekend, all at St. John's Church, Smith Square, London. He will be playing with the HYM (Harrow Young Musicians), a very talented group of young musicians divided up into various ensembles and orchestras, spanning various age groups and abilities. The Romano Viazzani concerts will feature the following programmes: Saturday June 19th, 7pm Kurt Weill: ‘September Song’, with the HYM Senior Band Piazzolla: ‘La Muerte Del Angel’, with the Symphony Orchestra Pat Metheney: ‘Follow Me’, with Concert Band Don Mayer: ‘Daughters’, with Soul Band Lionel Ritchie: ‘Say You Say Me’, with the Combined Forces of the above Offenbach: ‘Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld’, with the Combined Forces of the above Sunday June 20th, 3pm Kurt Weill: ‘Mack the knife’, with Junior Band Piazzolla: ‘Tanguedia’, with Academy Strings Murena/Colombo: ‘Indifference’, Solo Handel: ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’, with The Symphonia Piazzolla: ‘Milonga del Angel’, with The Symphonia Stevie Wonder: ‘My Cherie Amour’, Junior Steel Band Lionel Ritchie: ‘Say You Say Me’, with the Combined Forces of the above Offenbach: ‘Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld’, with the Combined Forces of the above Sunday June 20th, 7.30pm The Bee Gees: ‘How Deep is your love’, with Steel Stevie Wonder: ‘Send one your love’, with the Symphonic Winds Irakere (C. Valdes): ‘Lo Que Va a Pasar’, with the Combined Forces of the above Piazzolla: ‘Oblivion’, with the Philharmonic Orchestra For further information email: romanoviazzani@btconnect.com |
Accordion Concert in Harmona, Klingenthal – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
An accordion concert will be held at the Harmona Accordion Factory, Klingenthal by the Akkordeon-Orchester Cuxhaven on the 26th June. Tickets available: 037467 50221 Entrance: 8,00 € For further information email: info@musiker-laden.de |
Tony Lovello’s Summer Concert Schedule, Wisconsin, NH -by Donna Maria Regis |
Tony Lovello, one of America’s most popular and experienced accordion entertainers - often referred to as ‘The Liberace of the Accordion’, will perform as follows in the next few weeks: Saturday June 26th, 10am - North East Wisconsin Accordion Club, Brown County Aging & Disability Resource Center, 300 South Adams Street, Green Bay, WI 54301 Sunday June 27th, 1pm - Harrington ARTS Center/A World of Accordions Museum, 1401 Belknap Street, Superior, WI 54880 Monday June 28th, 8pm - Milwaukee Accordion Club, Root River Center, 7220 W. Rawson Avenue, Franklin, WI 53132 August 6th and 7th - 3rd Annual Music Festival - ‘Accordions Now! 2010’, Co-sponsored by New Hampshire Accordion Association & Accordion Connection LLC, Highlander Inn & Conference Center, 2 Highlander Way, Manchester, NH 03103 For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
Jewish Culture Festival 2010, Krakow - Polandby Rob Howard |
The 20th Jewish Culture Festival takes place at the Galicia Jewish Museum, June 26th to July 4th. This festival covers many aspects of historical and contemporary Jewish art, music, drama and literature, and includes personal appearances by Israeli composer, pianist and accordionist Boris Malkovsky, and the Klezmer band Nazzar. Dates include June 26th, 6.30pm - Klezmer music concert with the acclaimed group Nazzar, whose members are Aleksander Tyrala – violin, Kamil Bloniarz – accordion, and Mateusz Grzybek – double-bass June 28th, 8.30pm (also on July 1st, 8.30pm) - ‘The Mysteries of My Grandma’, by Midrash Theatre. Drama based on true stories, featuring the music of Boris Malkovsky. July 4th, 6.30pm – closing concert with Nazzar For further information email: info@galiciajewishmuseum.org |
Lindesnes Accordion Club Concerts, Oslo – Norwayby Rob Howard |
The Lindesnes Accordion Club performs two concerts on July 3rd, 3pm and 6.30pm, at the prestigious Den Norske Opera & Ballett, Kirsten Flagstads plass 1, 0105 Oslo. Lindesnes AC has 55 accordionists, and have visited most of Norway's largest concert halls and have also given concerts in 31 US states, 2 Canadian provinces and in several European countries. Much admired in the Scandinavian countries, the critic Nordjydske Stiftstidende wrote after a concert in Hjørring, Denmark, "The atmosphere rose to the height of the Norwegian mountains". For further information email: post@operaen.no |
New and Updated Sites |
Franck Angelis releasing new musicby Franck Angelis |
Franck Angelis release 1 new piece, 'Moscou-Paris Duet', catalog:angelis563. Sample of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni releases new pieces of her new workby Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni |
Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni releases 4 new pieces. 'Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Chorale from Cantata 147)', catalog:etc201, 'Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus from “The Messiah”)', catalog:etc202, 'Hallelujah Chorus (from “The Messiah”)', catalog:etc203 and 'Pastoral Symphony (from “The Messiah”)', catalog:etc204. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Harbin 2010 China Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Wang Hongyu |
New site for the Harbin 2010 China Summer International Accordion Art Week to be held in China, 7-10 August 2010. |
Donald E. Grzanna releases 3 news piecesby |
Donald E. Grzanna releases 3 new pieces, 'Accordion Twist - Solo', catalog:grza117, 'Parisienne Waltz', catalog:grza118 and 'Accordion Twist -Duet' , catalog:grza120. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
2010 South Pacific Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
The New Zealand Accordion Association website has been updated with the 2010 South Pacific Daily Reports including results and photographs that are online. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby National Accordion Association |
NAA Publications release 1 new piece, 'Paratroops Parade', catalog:naa140, 'Ever Forward', catalog:naa141 and 'Gold And Silver Waltz', catalog:naa144. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
MusicForAccordion.com releases new musicby MusicForAccordion.com |
MusicForAccordion.com site release 1 new music 'Carnival of Venice', catalog:mfa8025. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Dan and Kim Christian 4 new CDsby Dan and Kim Christian |
Dan and Kim Christian selling 4 new CD titled 'USA Tour', catalog:dkchristian01, 'World Tour', catalog:dkchristian02, 'Polka Power', catalog:dkchristian03 and 'Squeeze Play', catalog:dkchristian04 with sound samples. Music performed by Dan and Kim Christian. Purchase online. |
CD Reviews |
"Conversation of the Muses"by Alessandro Mugnoz |
CD Reviews Index for the Review of "Conversation of the Muses" by Alessandro Mugnoz. Performers are Andreas Borregaard (accordion -fisarmonica classica) and Asbjorn Norgaard (viola-track7). |
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