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Highlights |
20th Anniversary of the Great Accordion Cruise - Finlandby Minna Plihtari |
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![]() The Great Accordion Cruise features accordion music day and night for the whole 24 hour cruise with all the ship one big accordion family. The cruise also includes the semifinals of the Golden and Silver Accordion competitions. The Golden Accordion finalists for 2011 are: Timo Hautamäki, Elina Joensuu, Juuso-Aarne Kontiainen, Marko Kotilainen, Ella Laiho and Emilia Mäkelä. The 2011 Silver Accordion finalists for children up to 10 years are: Pilvi Huhta, Jonna Hytönen, Sonja Lampinen, Sara Niittyviita, Viola Ojanen, Isla Rekola and Linda Ullgrén. The Golden and Silver Accordion competition finals will be held at the Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival in Ikaalinen on 29th June 2011 with live broadcast on national TV and internationally on the internet. TheGreat Accordion Cruise also had concerts, dance music, community singing, accordion players all over the ship… and all had a wonderful 24 hours of music and fun! |
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CIA Winter Congress, Ikaalinen – Finlandby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() Attending the meeting were representatives from Austria, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, Slovakia and United Kingdom under the helm of CIA President Raymond Bodell. Amongst the important business discussed was an excellent presentation from Prof Li Cong and Crystal Wang (picture right) on behalf of the Chinese Accordion Association who are hosting the 2011 Coupe Mondiale to be held in Shanghai 2nd - 6th October. Full information on the Coupe Mondiale website. Application for new association members from Belarus, Canada and Italy were accepted. Details of events and other ideas for World Accordion Day 2011 to be celebrated on May 6th were also discussed. |
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New Pigini Model Being Introduced, The Hague - Netherlandsby Francesca Pigini, Pigini Accordion Factory |
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![]() Director Massimo Pigini (picture right) and a master technician of Pigini Italy will give a presentation about the Nova and 'The secrets of accordion construction and perfect sound'. During the afternoon, teachers and students of the Conservatory will perform. In the evening, the famous accordionist Geir Draugsvoll of the Royal Danish Music Conservatory of Copenhagen will give a lecture and concert, including music of Gubaidulina. For further information or to book, phone Casper Burkhardt: +31 571 272790 |
2nd Akordeon Art 2011, Sarajevo - Bosnia and Herzegovinaby Zoran Rakic (Ph.D, Professor of the Music Academy of Eastern Sarajevo) |
![]() ![]() Information for contestants may be downloaded: Sarajevo2011. The festival features concerts and lectures, and the presentation of instruments and musical accessories. Guests of the festival this year include the outstanding performers of Russia and former Soviet Union - Alexander Skliarov, Vladimir Zubitsky (picture right), and Vladislav Pligovka. The Academy of Music issues certificates of Professional Development for all accordion teachers present at festival events. |
Sergio Scappini World Premiere of Roland & Dallapé Sounds - Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() Sergio Scappini demonstrated for this world premiere, the Dallapé sounds that had been created using powerful digital modelling technology to reproduce various models of traditional accordions including their different tuning characteristics. His program was designed to demonstrate the production Dallapé from the beginning in 1876 to the current times. Music included: "Danza Fantastica" by Ettore Pozzoli "Corale in strofe variate" by Guido Farina "La fisarmonica di Stradella" by Paolo Conte "Mosaico Español" by Felice Fugazza "Capriccio Veneziano" by Sergio Scappini "Fantasia di Canzoni Napoletane" Operas by Puccini and Leoncavallo with vocals of tenor Rodolfo Maria Gordini The official release of the Roland Dallapé sounds takes place at the Frankfurt Musikmesse where they will be available to the world. They will be marketed in a box with a USB memory stick, a booklet about the history of Dallapé and the 6 digitally reproduced models. Read Roland & Dallapé Report for full information. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Stefan Andrusyschyn and Denise Leigh Concert, Stockport – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Ann performed ‘We All Stand Together’ in tribute to the late John Nixon, Stockport AC Vice President, for whom a minute’s silence was held earlier in the evening. John played concertina on Paul McCartney’s number one chart hit of this song in the 1980s. Stefan Andrusyschyn (accordion) and Denise Leigh (soprano) made their debut as guests at Stockport Accordion Club on March 9th, and what a fabulous performance they gave! Stefan began with a most authoritative performance of JS Bach’s ‘Toccata in D minor’, which set the bar for a riveting set that included music by Scarlatti, Albenez, ‘Misty’, by Errol Garner, and Rossini’s ‘Barber of Seville’. Opera singer Denise Leigh then took centre stage, and accompanied by Stefan, sang arias by Vivaldi, Faurre, and Rossini. Stefan then performed solo, ‘Flick Flack’, ‘Elvira’, a Piazzolla tango, and a full orchestral arrangement of ‘The Blue Danube’, after which he was joined again by Denise who sang an aria by Mozart, Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’, Verdi’s ‘Violetta’, from ‘La Traviata’, and – as an encore – ‘My Funny Valentine’. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
6th Annual Training Course by ‘Paris-Moscou’ Duo, Gruyère - Switzerlandby Chantal Genilloud |
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13 accordionists from the French-speaking part of Switzerland and from France attended individual and collective lessons given by Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov from March 8th to 12th 2011. They are both famous all around the world for their abilities as accordion soloists, Paris Moscou duo, as well as teachers. While half of the students are studying at the music academy or preparing exams, the others were playing for their own pleasure. We spent a wonderful week in a very friendly atmosphere, sharing the same passion for the accordion. What’s more, this training course has helped us build new relationships. At the end of the course, the course participants performed a final concert. Every player had the opportunity to present to the audience the results of their common work. They left the training course happier and more motivated than ever thanks to Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov. For further information email: Chantal Genilloud, Swiss organizer: chantal65@bluewin.ch |
Joe Burke CD: ‘Happy To Meet & Sorry To Part’, Galway – Irelandby Rob Howard |
![]() Joe Burke (born 1939) is a legendary figure in Irish traditional music. He is based in Galway, on the west coast of Ireland, where he performs and teaches the diatonic accordion. At the time of recording ‘Happy To Meet & Sorry To Part’ Joe Burke lived in Boston, USA. The tracks include: Reels: ‘Dowd's No.9’/‘The Galway Rambler’, Jigs: ‘Daleystown Hunt’/ ‘The Carraroe’, Set Dance: ‘Bonaparte's Retreat’, Reels: ‘Captain Kelly's’/ ‘Jennie's Wedding’, Song: ‘The Maid On the Mountain’, Reels: ‘The Bells of Tipperary’/ ‘Miss Galvin's’, Jigs: ‘Father O'Flynn’/ ‘Haste To the Wedding’, Reels: ‘Kitty Gone a' Milking’/ ‘Lucky In Love’/ ‘Corney Is Coming’, Jigs: ‘Rogaire Dubh’/ ‘Split the Whisker’, Reels: ‘The Boyne Hunt’/ ‘Come West Along the Road’, Medley: ‘Brian Boru's March’/ ‘Sporting Paddy’/ ‘The Traveller’, Jigs: ‘I Buried My Wife & Danced On Top of Her’/ ‘Will You Come Home With Me?’, Reels: ‘The High Reel’/ ‘Geoghegan's’, Jig: ‘Cherish the Ladies’, Song: ‘Dunlavin Green’, Reels: ‘The Star of Munster’/ ‘The Blackberry Blossom’, ‘Happy To Meet & Sorry To Part’/ ‘Paddy In London’, Reels: ‘Aggie Whyte's’/ ‘Miss Thornton’. For further information email: support@allcelticmusic.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Where is she now?by Rob Howard |
On March 21st 1997 the Accordions Worldwide news included the following short report of a Wang Zue, then just 6 years of age, making her broadcasting debut on a Chinese radio station. She will now be 20 years old, and we wonder if she is still playing the accordion? Does anyone know? SIX YEAR OLD GIRL ON RADIO IN CHINA Contributed by Wu Jie On Sunday the 16th March, a Wuhan City radio station broadcast the performance of six year old Wang Xue (student of Mr Ye Xinyuan) playing the "Doll and Bear" on her accordion. She was very excited because this was the first time she had played in a radio station. She began her studies just two years ago, and is one of the youngest students of Mr Ye Xinyuan who believes that this performance will encourage her to study harder. |
Future events |
Davide Vendramin in concert with italian premiere / Milano - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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With: Italian premiere of "Under the Sign of Scorpio" by Sofia Gubaidulina Orchestra Sinfonica Giuseppe Verdi (Davide Vendramin, accordion) (Wayne Marshall, Conductor) On the 24/25/27 March 2011 |
AFNA to Host 55th Annual Music Festival, California – USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() This music festival and competition is open to accordion and piano students from the age of four to adult and offers categories for the beginner, intermediate and advanced musician. The famous AFNA Royal Banquet offers students and parents a chance to enjoy an evening together watching their children compete for the coveted King and Queen Awards! Over 2000 trophies are awarded each year to students who compete in the 54 categories offered to accordion and piano students. AFNA, Inc. gave away over $5000 in cash awards at their 2010 festival in honor of their founding member, Sylvia Prior (picture right). These winners won cash, trophies, and a chance to perform solo in front of an excellent AFNA Festival Concerto Orchestra. Hotel rates, when reserved through AFNA, Inc. are $125 per night for double occupancy. These discounted rates are good for three days before and after the AFNA Festival. There is free shuttle service from John Wayne Orange County Airport and the hotel is close to the South Coast and Fashion Island Malls. Music Studio owners or Accordion Club presidents interested in bringing their groups to the festival should contact AFNA Coordinator, Sandra Martin at (714) 381-9536 for information. For further information email: AFNAMUSIC@gmail.com |
Paulo Jorge Ferreira Performs With Symphony Orchestra, Porto - Portugalby Rob Howard |
![]() The conductor is Carl St. Clair. The program includes ‘Neharo't Neharo't’, composed by Betty Olivero, for viola, accordion and orchestra. Paulo Jorge Ferreira lectures in the Applied Arts Superior School in Castelo Branco, in Castelo Branco Regional Conservatory and in National Conservatory in Lisbon. A review of the Paulo Jorge Ferreira CD Percursos is on his website and you can buy the CD via secure bank server from that site. |
Karen Street’s Diary Dates, Bracknell, Exeter, Londonby Rob Howard |
![]() March 19th, 8pm - ‘Piaf: Celebrating a legend’, starring actress/singer Tina May, South Hill Park, Bracknell, Berkshire March 24th, 8pm - Mike Westwood, South West Big Band, Vibraphonic Festival, Exeter March 27th, 8pm – ‘Piaf: Celebrating a legend’, Greenwich Theatre, London April 2nd - Mike Westbrook marks his 75th birthday year. This concert focuses on works for small ensembles performed by different permutations of a six-piece ensemble, Serpent Hit King’s Place, London. For further information email: info@bigshedmusic.co.uk |
Yuri Medianik Concert, New DVD, Moscow – Russiaby Harley Jones |
![]() Yuri Medianik has also just released a new DVD titled 'Constellation of Temptations' where he is playing accordion, bandoneon and violin with the Central Military Orchestra of the Russian Ministry of Defence. The DVD is base upon a TV version show and will be available on the internet soon. For further information email: ninel_simoni@mail.ru |
Tango Blues Quartet Concert, Connecticut – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The venue is the University of New Haven, Dodds Hall Theater, 300 Boston Post Rd, West Haven, Connecticut. Tickets are by donation at the door, and proceeds are for the homeless in New Haven, Connecticut. The many accomplishments of Mary Tokarski include twice representing the USA in the CIA Coupe Mondiale (World Accordion Championships). She currently teaches piano and accordion in Connecticut.? For further information email: mary.tokarski@comcast.net |
Estela & Marcelo Caldi in Concert, Rio de Janeiro – Brazilby Rob Howard |
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Brazilian accordionist Marcelo Caldi and his mother, pianist Estela Caldi, perform as a duo in concert on Tuesday March 29th, 9pm, at Lapinha, Rua Mem de Sá, 82 - sobrado, Lapa, Rio de Janeiro. The concert will include music by Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Piazzolla, and others. For further information email: marcelocaldi@gmail.com |
Victor Prieto Trio Concert, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
The Victor Prieto Trio perform at The Bar next door, La lanterna, 129 MacDougal St, New York, on March 24th, 8.30pm. For further information email: vpcruz@gmail.com |
Ken Astin & Harry Hussey @ Chester AC, Ellesmere Port – UKby Rob Howard |
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On Tuesday March 29th, 8pm, accordion duo Ken Astin and Harry Hussey are the guests of Chester Accordion Club, at the Groves Club, Whitby, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 2NZ. For further information email: limccallum@dsl.pipex.com |
New and Updated Sites |
NZAA Website Updates for 2011 Championships & Festival and 40th Anniversaryby Heather Masefield |
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Updated Website for Yulia Amerikovaby Yulia Amerikova |
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Updated 2011 International Australian Accordion Championships - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
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CD Reviews |
Tango CD by “Lo Que Vendrà” Ensembleby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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