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Highlights |
Guardia Nueva Tango Orchestra Performs for Finnish President & 100,000 People - Finland
Entries Closing for Coupe Mondiale Competitions and Festival - China
New CD "Non c'è Tempo" by Antonio Spaccarotella and Alberto La Neve - Italy
‘Carnival of the Animals’ at the Bolongaropalast, Frankfurt – Germany
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
YavaBand Accordion Duo at International Festival, Palanga - Lithuania
‘And The Accordions Played - Isles FM’ CD, Edinburgh – UK
‘14 Years Ago’ – James Stewart, Hollywood Legend and Accordionist
Future events |
Milos Miliojevic Concerts, Dorset, Powys - UK
‘Jazz at the Nassau’ with CT Tango Ensemble, Newlands - South Africa
5th International Accordion Festival, Udine – Italy
New Accordion & Fiddle Club Opens, Northern Ireland – UK
Carrefour de L’Accordeon, Quebec – Canada
Cesare Chiacchiaretta ‘Italian Sounds’ Concert, Helsinki – Finland
‘Thinking Outside the Squeezebox’ Symposium, Iowa – USA
New and Updated Sites |
Paolo Gandolfi selling his CD
Don Grzanna selling his CDs
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Highlights |
New Movie ‘Higher Ground’ Features Accordionist, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Matthew Dubas, from the band Svitanok (a.k.a. Liquid Gypsies), has a small part in the film ‘Higher Ground’, playing an accordion salesman, in a minor role flashback scene, who tries to convince an eight-year-old character that the accordion is her instrument. Starring Vera Farmiga, Donna Murphy and John Hawkes, ‘Higher Ground’ is described by one reviewer as a beautiful and stirring tale based on a personal memoir about a woman who, after growing up in a Christian church, starts asking questions about what she's been taught. ‘Higher Ground’, an independent production, directed by Vera Farmiga, and released by Sony Pictures Classics, opens on August 26th in New York and Los Angeles, with nationwide dates to follow. Matthew recalls, “It was a great experience. The accordion used in the film is a Titano Grand pearl white. It was a challenge getting accustomed to the smaller keyboard as I picked up the box for the first time the day of filming the scene”. |
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Guardia Nueva Tango Orchestra Performs for Finnish President & 100,000 People - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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 Popular Finnish tango entertainment orchestra Guardia Nueva played in July at the Seinäjoki Tango Festival. This huge tango festival with an audience of over 100,000 has grown into a magnificent occasion.Guardia Nueva conductor Raimo Vertainen (picture right) was very pleased to perform to this huge crowd which included Finnish President Tanja Halonen. Honorary guest for the concert was composer/singer Horacio Ferrer. Guardia Nueva performed a new Finnish arrangement from the Piazzolla/Ferrer piece Balada para El. The program also included Finnish tangos and techno tango pieces. The Guardia Nueva 10th anniversary concert will be at the Kokkola Ice Hall and will be braodcast on Finnish TV2, September 17th and 24th, 2011. Guardia Nueva is honored that they will be featured on three TV programs in prime time. For further information email: raimo.vertainen@pp.inet.fi |
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Entries Closing for Coupe Mondiale Competitions and Festival - Chinaby Harley Jones |
  Teachers are reminded that the Coupe Mondiale entry closing date is August 20th 2011 and entries can be made online on the Coupe Mondiale website. The 64th CIA Coupe Mondiale Competitions and Festival is being hosted for the first time in China, October 1st to 6th in Shanghai City, organized by the Accordion Association of Chinese Musicians Association (CAA) and the Shanghai Musicians Association, contacts Prof. Li Cong and Assoc. Prof. Crystal Wang (pictures right). The 2011 Coupe Mondiale in Shanghai also features very attractively priced accommodation for competitors and supporters. Accordionists of all ages are also invited to register for the CIA "World Accordion Orchestra V" and enjoy participating in a fun, high quality musical event. Register now as numbers are limited. Full information is on the Coupe Mondiale website. For those attending, hotel information and bookings information is also on the Coupe Mondiale website. |
New CD "Non c'è Tempo" by Antonio Spaccarotella and Alberto La Neve - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| The new CD "Non c'è Tempo" (No Time) is a new engineering design agreement between the two musicians. They have created a diverse development of ideas, a unique and original style with their stamp and a personal sound which blends different musical styles of ethnic, tango and jazz. The duo of Antonio Spaccarotella (accordion) and Alberto La Neve (soprano sax) has been performing at many international events such as Pepper Jazz Festival 2011, Frankfurt Musik Messe 2011, Castelfidardo International Festival 2011, Paola in Jazz 2011, Spoleto Festival 2011, Campus International MIUR AFAM-Santa Severina, Nijcamp Accordion Festival (Holland), Sata-Häme Soi Festival (Finland) 2011. Already well known in Italy and Europe, this new CD is getting high acclaim from international music critics. They are about to begin a new program of concerts, featuring the sophisticated original tracks of the new CD. For further information email: antonio.accordion@alice.it |
‘Carnival of the Animals’ at the Bolongaropalast, Frankfurt – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 ‘The Carnival of the Animals’, written by the French romantic composer Camille Saint-Saens in 1896, is a suite of 14 movements that appeals to audiences of all ages. A new version, led by the actor Michael Quast and arranged by Musical Director Rhodri Britton for a chamber music ensemble of 7 instruments, including accordionist Mirjana Petercol, has been delighting audiences at the Bolongaropalast, Frankfurt, with its catchy melodies and humour. The premiere was on Friday August 12th, and future dates for performances include August 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, and September 3rd, all beginning at 3pm. There are also performances on August 14th, 21st, and September 4th, beginning at 11am. For further information email: mirjanapetercol@gmx.de |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Petar Maric’s International Travels – Finland, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Chinaby Harley Jones |
 Following a recent concert appearance at the Ikaalinen Festival, Finland, Serbian accordionist Petar Maric next traveled to perform a concert tour in Portugal. The dates there included:August 4th - Lourigna August 5th - Praia da Areia Branca August 6th - Sao Pedro do Sul August 7th - Souto da Carpalhosa August 8th - Santa Cruz. The current CIA Coupe Mondiale double champion (classical and virtuoso), Petar Maric impressed his audiences and he will return to Portugal again in October (13th to 17th). Petar is currently preparing for concerts in Spoleto, Italy, to be followed by a performance in Santorini, Greece, and as the winner of the last year’s competition he will perform in a concert of previous Coupe Mondiale winners at the 2011 Coupe Mondiale in Shanghai. For further information email: maestromaric@gmail.com |
YavaBand Accordion Duo at International Festival, Palanga - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
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| In July 2011, the YavaBand Accordion Duo performed at the International Accordion Festival in Palanga, Lithuania, organized by Raimondas Sviackevicius. Their unique music was greeted enthusiastically by their audience. Their program included mainly compositions by Vladimir Popolzin, ‘Prelude and Allegro’, ‘Summer Evening in Palanga’, ‘Côte d'Azur’, and ‘Al and Bobby’, as well as a jazz arrangement of the Italian song ‘Volare’, by Modugno, the Gypsy romance ‘Long is the way’, by Fomin, the classic tango nuevo ‘Vuelvo al sur’, by Piazzolla, and the hit ‘Tequila’, by Rio. The audience shouted enthusiastic bravos to the mix of popular themes and jazz improvisations. Formed in 2009, the YavaBand Accordion Duo are Vladimir Popolzin and Yana Fedoruk from St. Petersburg, Russia. They have a modern and distinctive sound, and released ‘YavaBand - Beyond the Ocean’, their debut CD in 2010, featuring compositions and arrangements for solo and duo by Vladimir Popolzin. Successful at international accordion competitions, the duo have toured Germany in 2009 and 2010. In October 2010, the duo won first prize at the International Festival in Castelfidardo, Italy. In September and October the duo are on tour in Germany again, primarily in the Rhine-Main area. For further information email: a.brandtstaeter@netcologne.de |
‘And The Accordions Played - Isles FM’ CD, Edinburgh – UKby Rob Howard |
 ‘And The Accordions Played - Isles FM’ is a compilation CD featuring accordionists and accordion-led bands who have appeared on the Scottish radio station ‘Isles FM’. Isles FM is the volunteer run community radio station for the Scotland's Western Isles, founded in 1998. It broadcasts 24 hours a day and plays a varied mix of music and chat. The CD includes tracks by Tommy Darky, Blair Douglas, Meantime, Fergie MacDonald, Wolfstone, Face The West, Iain Angus MacLeod, John MacDonald, Donald Black, Lindsay Weir, Lismore Ceilidh Band, Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, Christophoer Robertson, The Occasionals, Skerryvore ,The Vatersay Boys, Donald Black and Malcolm Jones. For further information email: info@footstompin.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – James Stewart, Hollywood Legend and Accordionistby Rob Howard |
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| Picture above, Jimmy Stewart playing in movie Night Passage (1957). The Accordions Worldwide news for August 15th 1997 reported that the Hollywood actor James Stewart (1908-97) had recently died. Stewart was one of most prominent people of his time to play the accordion, not only recreationally, but also semi-professionally and in three of his movies. (James Stewart’s biography is in ‘An A to Z of the Accordion, Volume 2’) JIMMY STEWART REMEMBERED AS AN ACCORDIONIST IN LIFE MAGAZINE Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association When actor Jimmy Stewart passed away last month, Hollywood lost one of its foremost leading men of the golden age of film and the accordion world lost a great exponent of our favourite instrument. Life magazine said it all in a double-page spread photograph of the late star playing his accordion. Some of the actor's biography speaks of the role his accordion played throughout his long and colourful life. "While in college, he went on the road with a magician. It was Jimmy's job to play the accordion during awkward moments." "At Princeton University, his ability to play the accordion helped him win a role in a Dramatic production. After graduating, he accepted an offer from Josh Logan to join the University Players, a summer stock group. It was his job to play the accordion in the tea room next to the theatre and do some small walk-on parts". Alluding to Stewart's lifelong interest in the accordion, "He obviously did much more than just tinker with the instrument." Jimmy was often photographed with his accordion and sometimes played it in his films. |
Future events |
Accordion Documentary to be screened at Cotati Festival, California - USAby Rob Howard |
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| The 21st annual Cotati Accordion Festival will be held on August 20th and 21st, 9.45 am to 8.30 pm both days, in La Plaza Park, Cotati, Northern California. An extra feature of this year’s festival is ‘Behind the Bellows: A Documentary About the Accordion’, which will be screened both days, at 1pm and 5pm at the Lions Club Building, directly across the street from the main event. Admission is free. The hour long movie features commentary and performances by accordion legends such as Anthony Galla-Rini, Dick Contino, Frank Marocco, Art Van Damme, Carmen Carrozza, Stefan Hussong, Guy Klucevsek, and many others. The film traces the history and the variety of the accordion family of instruments and their impact on popular culture. All welcome. The Cotati Accordion Festival has many guest accordionists and bands, including The Golden State Accordion Club Band, Tangonero, Ramon Trujillo & Mariachi Los Caporales, Amber Lee & the Anomalies, Alicia Baker (sponsored by Roland), The Great Morgani, Limpopo, Guy Klucevsek, The Georges Lammam Ensemble, Ginny Mac, Cory Pesaturo, The Mad Maggies, Nada Lewis, Polkacide, Jim Gilman, Chuck Berger, Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band, The Creole Belles, Sweet Penny Royals, Simka, Bella Ciao, Mary Tokarski, Murl Allen Sanders, Culann's Hounds, Those Darn Accordions, and MotorDude Zydeco. Other features of the festival include The Accordion Babes Pagent, Lady of Spain-A-Ring Audience Participation, Cajun/Zydeco Dance Party, and the Polka Dance Party. For further information email: info@cotatifest.com |
Milos Miliojevic Concerts, Dorset, Powys - UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Milos Miliojevic performs in concert, as follows:August 19th, 7pm - Paganini (1782-1840) ‘Caprice no 24, Op. 1’, arranged for accordion and orchestra, Orchestral Gala Concert, St Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock Festival, Dorset August 22nd, 7.30pm - Machynlleth Festival, Powys, Wales. Milos Milivojevic is joined by David Juritz and friends for performance of original music and transcriptions for classical accordion and string quartet: David Juritz, Naomi Thomas – violins, Martin Kegelmann – viola, Rosie Biss – cello; the programme includes: George Frederick Handel: Accordion & String Quartet: Organ Concerto ‘The Cuckoo and the Nightingale’, HW295 Viktor Vlasov – ‘Five Views on Country Gulag’ Morfydd Owen – Accordion, Violin & Cello: ‘Trio’ (first modern performance) (1) ‘The Cathedral at Liege’; (2) ‘The Cathedral at Rheims’ Rhian Samuel - Accordion & String Quartet: ‘Mist on the Hills’ (first performance) i) ‘Settling’; (ii) ‘Lingering’; (iii) ‘Swirling’ Mendelssohn - Chorale and Variations from ‘Organ Sonata No.6 in D minor’ (1809 – 1847) Astor Piazzola: Accordion & String Quartet: ‘Three movements from Five Tango Sensations’ For further information email: milosmusic@hotmail.com |
‘Jazz at the Nassau’ with CT Tango Ensemble, Newlands - South Africaby Rob Howard |
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| On Sunday August 28th, 7.30pm, the quartet CT Tango Ensemble perform in a concert in the ‘Jazz at the Nassau’ series at the Nassau Centre Groote Schuur High School, Palmyra Road, Newlands, South Africa. Also appearing will be the jazz quartet Babu. The CT Tango Ensemble perform music by A. Piazzolla, C. Lazar, S. Angelov, and others. Their line-up is Stanislav Angelov - bandoneon and accordion, Willie van Zyl - saxophones and clarinet, Albert Combrink – piano, and Charles Lazar - double bass. CT Tango Ensemble and Kesivan Naidoo, from Babu, shared the sound track of the South African-made film ‘Visa Vie’, released in March 2011. For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
5th International Accordion Festival, Udine – Italyby Rob Howard |
| The 5th International Accordion Festival takes place on Sunday September 4th, with competitions from 3pm to 6pm, followed by an evening concert, at the Casasola di Majano, Udine, Italy. The concert features the Ipavec Accordion Orchestra. For further information email: info@biasin.com |
New Accordion & Fiddle Club Opens, Northern Ireland – UKby Rob Howard |
 A new music club, the Northern Box & Fiddle Club, opens at the Hilton Hotel & Country Club, Templepatrick, County Antrim BT39 0DD, Northern Ireland (Junction 5, M2), on Wednesday September 7th, 8pm. The Grand Opening Night is a concert featuring the popular Irish accordionist Seamus Shannon. The Northern Box & Fiddle Club, organized by accordionist Amanda Robinson, will meet on the first Wednesday of the month, and all musicians are welcome. For further information email: northernboxandfiddle@hotmail.co.uk |
Carrefour de L’Accordeon, Quebec – Canadaby Rob Howard |
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| The 23rd annual Carrefour de L’Accordeon festival, Montmagny, Quebec, takes place from September 1st to 5th. There will include traditional music from England, Brazil, Spain (Catalan and Basque Country), the USA, France, Italy, Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Sweden. Making his debut at this festival will be well known USA accordionist Cory Pesaturo. The list of other performers will be released later. For further information email: accordeon@montmagny.com |
Cesare Chiacchiaretta ‘Italian Sounds’ Concert, Helsinki – Finlandby Harley Jones |
 Italian accordionist Cesare Chiacchiaretta performs in a concert, ‘Italian Sounds’, on September 13th, 6pm, at the Language Centre, Fabianinkatu 26, University of Helsinki. The program includes music by Scarlatti, JS Bach, Rachmaninov, Vivaldi, Fancelli, and others. For further information email: cesaremagnum@hotmail.com |
‘Thinking Outside the Squeezebox’ Symposium, Iowa – USAby Rob Howard |
 An accordion symposium, ‘Thinking Outside the Squeeze Box’, will take place from September 23rd to 25th at venues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The symposium will celebrate the way accordionists have been mixing traditional music with new approaches. There will be jam sessions, dance parties, and workshops on topics ranging from ‘Techniques of Rock Accordion’ to ‘Stretching the Horizons of the Button Box’. Presenters and performers are coming from across the USA, and include Paul Rogers (of ‘Those Darn Accordions’), Maggie Martin, Renee de la Prade, Roxanne Oliva, Ron Borelli, and others. For further information email: new.bohemia@gmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Jon Faukstad selling 3 CD'sby Jon Faukstad |
  Jon Faukstad selling his 3 CDs titled 'Kondert Pa Kleppe', catalog: faukstad201, 'Classic Accordion', catalog: faukstad202.htm" target="_blank">faukstad202 and 'Norske Drag', catalog: faukstad203.htm" target="_blank">faukstad203 with sound samples. Music performed by Jon Faukstad. Purchase online. |
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Paolo Gandolfi selling his CDby Paolo Gandolfi |
 Paolo Gandolfi selling his CD titled 'Paesaggi Sudamericani', catalog: gandolfi401 with sound samples. Music performed by Paolo Gandolfi. Purchase online. |
Don Grzanna selling his CDsby Donald E Grzanna |
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  Don Grzanna selling his 4 CDs titled 'Accordion Music', catalog: dgrzanna201, 'Accordion Variety', catalog: dgrzanna202, 'Plays Around The World', catalog: dgrzanna203 and 'Holiday For Accordion', catalog: dgrzanna204 with sound samples. Music performed by Don Grzanna. Purchase online. |
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