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Highlights |
Online: Results, Orpheus Award 2021 - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() ![]() The XI edition of the Orpheus Award 2021 took place online this year in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy on March 14th. The event is the Critics' Award for accordion productions for the whole family of reeds and is aimed at Italian artists, organised by The Associazione Promozione Arte, Artistic Director Gerlando Gatto (picture above right), Renzo Ruggieri (President - picture above left) and Giuseppe Di Falco (Secretary). The winners of the Orpheus Award 2021 are: - Best Italian Production for Accordion in Classical music - Pietro Roffi: "1999" INRI classic - Best Italian Production for Accordion in Jazz music - Vince Abbracciante: "Terranima" Dodicilune and Simone Zanchini: "Play The Music Of Nino Rota" IN+OUT Records - Best Italian Production for Accordion in World music - Daniele Di Bonaventura: "Ave Terra" Circolo di Ave - Career Orpheus - Art Van Damme |
Sibelius Academy Ranked 9th in Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings - Finlandby Kimmo Mattila |
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![]() ![]() The Sibelius Academy accordion class was founded in 1977 by Matti Rantanen, who passed the baton to Veli Kujala (picture above left) in October 2020. Kujala’s colleagues are Helka Kymäläinen (accordion pedagogics), Mika Väyrynen (main instrument, chamber music, tuning, prima vista), Matti Rantanen (main instrument), Heidi Velamo (junior academy main instrument) and Niko Kumpuvaara (improvisation and accompaniment). During the past 40+ years of its existence, the Academy accordion class has produced many distinguished artists, laureates of international competitions, significant pedagogues, countless Master of Music degrees, and six Doctor of Music degrees in accordion. |
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Online: XI All-Russian Competition "Green City Spring" – Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
The XI All-Russian Competition "Green City Spring" will be held online from April 10th to May 20th, 2021. The annual event is supported by The State Budget Office for Additional Vocational Education and Excellence in The City of Moscow "Direction of Educational Programs in Culture and the Arts", The Center for Professional Excellence of the Moscow DOP for Bayan and Accordion, Dmitri Hvorostovsky State Institute of Arts and Moscow Governor's College of Art. Competitors will be evaluated by the jury which includes Naiko Sergey Fedorovich (Chairman), Artyom Evgenyevich (head of the Center for Professional Excellence in Bayan and Accordion) and Maxim Fedorov (lecturer at the Moscow Governor's College of Art, multi-instrumentalist, winner of international competitions). Applications open on April 10th and close on April 28th, 2021. Entrants will send in their performances via video. Download competition rules here in Russian language: 2021GreenCityCompRules.pdf For details phone: 8-925-285-74-58 |
Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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The 2022 Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat will be held at the Kemah Boardwalk Inn in Kemah, Texas, USA from January 13th to 16th, 2022. The 2022 theme will be an exciting one “A Collage of European Music” and will feature the music of Russia, France, Italy, Moldova, Finland and Azerbaijan in addition to a world premiere of a new orchestral Overture by Stas Venglevski. The successful 2021 4 day event presented by Stas Venglevski and the Houston Accordion Orchestra was a retreat with a Tango Fever theme. Originally 40 individuals had signed up to participate, but because of the Covid crisis the final count was reduced to 14 orchestra members plus their spouses and guests. The event featured an “Original Music Compositions Concert” which was very popular. |
Online: VIII “Les Etoiles Sancyberie” International Music Competition - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The "Sancyberie" association was formed in April 2009 with the aim of introducing Russian culture in all its forms to the beautiful region of Auvergne and exporting French Culture to Russia. The competition offers classes for soloists, ensembles and orchestras to accordionists and players of balalaika, domra and other folk instruments from around the world. Jury members include Konstantin Ischenko, Trofim Antipov, Sergey Teleshev, Tatyana Saratova, Renzo Ruggieri, Sergey Voytenko, Galymzhan Narymbetov, Anibal Freire, Raynald Ouellet, Roman Kozlovsky, Roberto Lucanero, All laureates and their teachers will receive an invitation to participate in a face-to-face competition in France in 2022. The event will include performances by members of the jury, a concert of finalists, videoconferencing and master classes. Download competition rules and entry form in English, French and Russian here: 2021sancyberie.pdf For details email: sancyberie@rambler.ru |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Concert: Astor Piazzolla is 100 years old today! - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Video: Concert to celebrate the birthdays of Astor Piazzolla and Aydar Gaynullin (bayan) with a performance of Happy Birthday and "Libertango" with Artyom Dervoed (guitar), Sergey Shamov (percussion). Vladislav Lavrik (conductor & trumpet) performed with the Russian National Orchestra at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. Aydar Gaynullin says "Astor Piazzolla is 100 years old today! The man who elevated the tango genre to the highest level, giving the world incredibly emotional and passionate music! Unfortunately, our 2021 concert today at the Berlin Philharmonic was cancelled due to the pandemic, but this video from January 2020 is especially important to me, because to celebrate my birthday together with the anniversary of the Great Astor - it's worth a lot!" |
Video: Concert Celebrates Piazzolla, Buenos Aires - Argentinaby Christine Johnstone |
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Video: Allow time for the large video to load. Starts at 4 minutes. Bandoneonist Daniel Binelli and guitarist César Angeleri have been working together for more than two decades. This video is of their concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Piazzolla’s birth at the Colón Teatro in Buenos Aires, Argentina this week. Their program included Piazzolla classics such as "Chiquilín de Bachín" and "Adiós Nonino". |
Cancelled: Vancouver Folk Music Festival – Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Due to the “uncertainty of current conditions, immunization timelines, and what may be possible as vaccines continue to rollout to the public at large, the safety of the community, staff, contractors, artists, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, suppliers, patrons and festival supporters continues to be of utmost importance.” Refunds will be available for 2020 ticket holders. Organisers also wish to give people the opportunity to donate the cost of their ticket and all ticket holders will be contacted via email as soon as possible. |
Online: Brandon McPhee St Patrick's Day Concert - Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
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Popular entertainer Brandon Mcphee held an online concert entitled “St Patrick’s Day Concert – A Tribute to Ireland” on March 17th, 2021, with guest Manson Grant. Manson is a Country Music Veteran from "Manson Grant and the Dynamos" fame. Ticket information above. The concert included a variety of songs and tunes and can be viewed online for 2 weeks until March 31st, 2021. For details email: mcpheemusic@hotmail.com |
Video: St Patrick's Day Celebrations by Lomond Ceilidh Bandby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Allow time for the large video to load. This video is by the Lomond Ceilidh Band with St Patricks Day clips from a variety of artists. It is great to see so many accordionists having fun and performing concerts for St Patrick's Day. |
CNIMA Celebrates Piazzolla - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Piazzolla’s birth with this video of “Oblivion” by Marion Clot, a year-round student at CNIMA. |
Uri Sharlin "Piaf" Concert – Israelby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Uri Sharlin (picture right) performed a concert at the Teo Centre for Art and Culture in Herzliya Pituah, Israel on March 15th, 2021. The live concert featured the “Piaf” show, French singer-songwriter, cabaret performer and film actress Edith Piaf. On March 28th at 2pm (NYC time), Uri will give an online “Forro” workshop for the Brooklyn Accordion Club in USA. Uri is an Israeli-born composer, accordionist and pianist, who has collaborated with prominent musicians including Natalie Merchant, Suzan Vega, Antony and the Johnsons, Avi Avital, and Frank London. "He feels at home across genres, and his two albums to date fuse his jazz and classical background with Balkan rhythms, Arabic modes and Brazilian harmonies." For workshop details email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Video: "Libertango" by Maria Selezneva Trio - Russiaby Christine Johnstone |
Video: "Libertango" by Maria Selezneva Trio from Moscow, Russia which includes Maria Selezneva (accordion), Tatiana Lisichkina (violin) and Andrey Tarasov (double bass). The piece was arranged by Aleksandr Rychkov. |
Future events |
Online: Sharon Shannon Concert at National Concert Hall Dublin - Irelandby Rob Howard |
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One of Ireland's accomplished musicians, Sharon Shannon, will perform a special global online concert from the National Concert Hall Dublin on March 20th, 2021. This event will celebrate music and song on St Patrick's weekend and joins a series of online performances in a partnership with the National Concert Hall and Serious. Sharon will perform music from her new album “The Reckoning”, as well as many old favourites. She will be joined by Irish-Zimbabwean singer Lucia Evans, fellow former Waterboy Trevor Hutchinson (double bass), Niall Murphy (violin), Alan Connor (piano and guitar), Steve Hogan (drums), Luke Dunford (organ), Jack Maher (guitar and vocals) and Jim Murray (guitar). See poster for details. |
Orquesta Sinfónica de Acordeones de Bilbao Annual Event - Spainby Christine Johnstone |
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The Orquesta Sinfónica de Acordeones de Bilbao (directed by Amagoia Lorono) will hold their annual meeting at their headquarters in Hurtado de Amézaga on March 27th at 1.30pm. The event will include the introduction of the 7th edition of their magazine “Bilbao Accordion”. All safety measures will be in place and friends and supporters are invited to attend. For details email: info@bilbaoacordeon.org |
Tracey Collins Performs at Easter Jazz Festival – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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Auckland accordionist Tracey Collins will entertain at the 58th Easter National Jazz Festival which will be held in Tauranga from April 2nd to 4th, 2021. After the disappointment of having to cancel the 2020 Festival due to COVID-19, organisers are especially pleased to be hosting this year’s event, which is supported by the Tauranga City Council and TECT. Tracey will entertain on a scenic Jazz Sunset Cruise on the historic Kewpie boat, which will cruise the harbour of Tauranga Moana. Following this Tracey will perform with the Blue Light Trio (picture above) on April 3rd and 4th. For details email: tracey@traceycollins.co.nz |
Childrens Corner |
Young Accordionist Plays “Despacito” on TV Show - UKby Christine Johnstone |
Dawn French comperes the TV show “Little Big Shots”, which features “loads of amazing kids doing incredible things that they love”. In this video you will see Ciaran playing “Despacito”, then being interviewed by Dawn. |
New and Updated Sites |
New Works For Accordion Ensemble/Orchestra Released by Gary Daverneby Harley Jones |
![]() ED0093a - The German Polka Accordion Ensemble/Orchestra, Score Score provided free for conductors to view. Instruments: Accordion 1, 2, 3, 4, Bass, Drum kit, Electronium 1, 2. ED0093b - The German Polka Accordion Ensemble/Orchestra, all parts Gary Daverne New Arrangement for Accordion Orchestra Released gd104a - Sounds of the South (arrangement) for accordion orchestra Score Score provided free for conductors to view. gd104b - Sounds of the South (arrangement) for accordion orchestra All Parts Well known melodies from the USA Southern States: Oh Suzanna Yellow Rose of Texas For When the Saints Go Marching In Jimmy Crack Corn Steam Boat Bill Deep in the Heart of Texas Dixieland arranged for: Accordion 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 plus bass and drums. |
Updated Site: New Zealand Accordion Associationby Harley Jones |
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The New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) have updated their site with information on the 2021 New Zealand and South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival to be held on June 5th and 6th, 2021. They have also updated the page about the Dargaville Museum and the "Accordion Gems" Collection by Kevin Friedrich at the Museum. The contact and other information about the 2021 additions was added to the page. |
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