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Highlights |
Harmonika-WM 2017 in Außervillgraten - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Daily Reports are online for the Harmonika WM Ausservillgraten 2017 from the 26th May. These European competitions also include the Austrian State Championships for Styrian harmonica and folk music groups. See Daily Reports, pictures, results and video at: 2017Harmonika |
54th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2017, May - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
"Daily Event" Report with results, pictures and video is online at: 2017 Klingenthal Full results online now. |
Prof. Vladimir Besfamilnov Passed Away, 14th May 2017by Harley Jones |
Video 1: Vladimir Besfamilnov life video Video 2: Vladimir Besfamilnov performs Rondo-Capriccioso by Mendelsson Video 3: Vladimir Besfamilnov performs Italian Polka by Rachmaninoff, arranged by Yashkevich. The accordion world was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Prof. Vladimir Besfamilnov on 14th May. Famous accordionists from all over the world were sending their messages of condolence and praise for this highly admired person, concert artist, university teacher and Honored Musician of Russia. Friedrich Lips wrote (translated): Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich! Huge happiness for all of us, that you were on this earth and that we studied with you, and enjoyed your artistry. Without you, the bayan sky feels empty. Rest in peace. (Lips) Read about the life of this great educator and musician at: Vladimir Besfamilnov He is sadly missed and our deepest condolences to the family. |
Jörgen Sundeqvist with Västerås Symphonietta Perform Accordion Kingby Harley Jones |
Video: The Accordion King Official Promotion Video. The Västerås Symphonietta season's last concert was in Torsdagsserien and featured multimedia symphonic works, Dragspelskungen, the Accordion King - a tribute to the history of accordionists in Swedish cultural history. Full details in the world premiere report: 2015King The Accordion King was again a great success very much enjoyed by the enthusiastic audience. Picture below: Applause by Fredrik Högberg and Christian Lindberg for Jörgen Sundeqvist at rehearsal. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Willoughby Ann Walshe 80th Birthday, Kamen - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Last month we ran an article about the 80th birthday of Willoughby Ann Walshe. Unfortunately, there was an error in the link to a full interview and pictures. English: Full article and interview at: WalsheArticle2017 Deutsch: Vollständiger Artikel und Interview bei: WalsheArticle2017de |
Video: Elegato Trio (Russia) at Klingenthal - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Performance from Category V, International Accordion Competition Klingenthal. Elegato, trio of Aydar Salakhov (accordion), Mikhail Talanov (violin) and Dmitry Tarbeev (double bass) from Russia. Many more videos at: 2017 Klingenthal |
Mayor of Superior declares World Accordion Day - USAby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
Above: A sample video of the weekend’s activities. The Mayor of Superior, Wisconsin, Jim Paine, declared May 6th, as World Accordion Day in his official proclamation. A World of Accordions Museum was the venue for a magnificent World Accordion Day celebration held in honor of the late Dr. Willard A. Palmer. An initiative of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), the event was organized by Museum curator Helmi Harrington, Ph.D. The official opening remarks were presented by CIA Ambassador Kevin Friedrich, and included greetings from the CIA President Raymond Bodell. The event featured a weekend of Concerts, Workshops, Lectures, two Festival Orchestras and visits to the Museum housing more than 3,000 accordions and over a million pieces of accordion sheet music. One hundred years after the birth of Dr. Willard A. Palmer (January 31, 1917), he is still recognized as a leader in pedagogy and performance practice through nearly 800 published books for keyboard instruments. His methodology and meticulous scholarship have been lauded by teachers, artists and students worldwide. 2017 celebrates the fifth anniversary of the receipt of Palmer’s estate into A World of Accordions Museum. His massive output fills our third-floor library and is in use every day. The American musician, composer, scholar and music educator, Willard (Bill) A. Palmer was a child prodigy. At 13, he played the piano on the radio. He studied both piano and accordion which were to form the basis of his musical endeavors. After the war, Willard A. Palmer and his former student, Bill Hughes joined forces. They can be credited with the high point in accordion performance in the USA. Palmer collaborated with Hughes in producing a series of accordion method books which have had world wide impact. Sales ran into the millions making it the cornerstone of the Alfred Publishing Co. As an educator, Willard A. Palmer was ahead of his time - instrumental in carving an indisputable niche for the accordion at the university level. He and Hughes took the accordion beyond mere college acceptance, into the realm of establishing an actual accordion department within the University of Houston, where they were faculty members enabling young accordionists to earn both Bachelor's and Master's degrees with their instrument. Palmer also founded the "Palmer-Hughes Accordion Symphony", a superb orchestra which appeared at Carnegie Hall in New York. During his period as a professional accordionist, Willard A. Palmer sought to perfect his yet-evolving instrument and contributed significantly to the development of the stradella-free bass "convertor" or "quint" accordion. He designed the "Palmer Emperor Convertor", and collaborated with Titano Accordions to achieve the realization of his creative ideas. Willard W. Palmer eventually became one of the most important editors of keyboard music in the United States. His editions of works of the masters are highly acclaimed and respected in the most elite music circles. Palmer is noted especially for his painstaking detail and care in the scholarly researching of original editions. He became Alfred Publishing Company's Senior Editor in 1964, researching the original manuscripts of the great masters of keyboard literature, with special emphasis on the study of performance practices in the Baroque, Classic and Romantic eras. He achieved recognition as the leading authority on Baroque ornamentation and lectured on the subject at various colleges, universities and music festivals throughout the country. While achieving accolades for his educational works for other instruments, Willard W. Palmer remained a steadfast supporter of his beloved accordion. Willard A. Palmer's revolutionary teaching principles were reflected in 789 of his published works, which included an accordion method, several piano methods, a method for Hammond Chord Organ, a guitar method, hundreds of solo pieces and many choral works. In 2013 his son, Willard Palmer, III, donated his father’s musical estate to the Museum, that includes one of the finest accordions of the museum (Titano Super Emperor V, 1996) and the decorous two-manual, eleven-pedal harpsichord (A. Cecil Taylor, 1979) that graces the Hanni Strahl Concert Hall. The World Accordion Day event featured guests including Kevin Friedrich (NewYork, NY) CIA Ambassador who gave the opening address and made an official presentation of the CIA Honored Friend of the Accordion Award to Helmi Harrington. He also performed in the Festival Orchestras and took part in the panel discussions, Stas Venglevski (Milwaukee, WI), who presented a concert of accordion masterworks by composer Zolotariew in addition to his own original compositions among others. Canadian artist Michael Bridge (Toronto, Canada), gave an informative workshop on Interpretation while demonstrating the rare Cello accordion from the Museum display and also presented a concert of classical and entertainment repertoire. John Scaffeo (Thunder Bay, Canada) presented a seminar and performance utilizing the Digital accordion while Dee Langley (Minneapolis, MN) shared her expertise in Balkan related music and rhythms in her performance and instruction sessions, including leading a workshop with more than a dozen accordionists participating. Dr. Michael Middleton (Belton, TX) shared his experiences growing up with the Palmer and Hughes Accordion method, tracking the progression of the popular pedagogy methods, and then performing some of his entertainment music both as soloist and jamming with Michael Bridge. The festival featured two orchestras, one conducted by Stas Venglevski and the other by retired member of Duluth and Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO), Tracey Gibbens (Duluth, MN). Tracey is a respected performer, teacher, musician and conductor and he currently conducts The Northshore Philharmonic Orchestra, The Duluth Symphonic Winds, and The Proctor Community Band. In addition to Tracey Gibbens, a recently retired violinist from the DSSO, Carolyn Carver (Duluth, MN) performed in the various ensembles. |
Video: Sax Akkord of Ivan Dyma Arseniy Strokovsky (Russia) at Klingenthal - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Performance from Category V, International Accordion Competition Klingenthal. Sax Akkord of Ivan Dyma - 4 different sax and Arseniy Strokovsky - accordion (Russia). Many more videos at: 2017 Klingenthal |
Gala Concert for World Accordion Day, Macedonian National Theatre Skopje – Macedoniaby Anica Karakutovska |
The international project "May 6th World Accordion Day" is supported by the Macedonian Association of Accordionists “Ljubiteli na klasicna muzika” (MAA), Skopje. This year for the ninth time the association organized a major concert making the birthday of the accordion. The World Accordion Day Gala Concert was held at Macedonian National Theatre Skopje on May 6th and was promoted as one of the most prestigious events during May in Skopje. Photo report at: 2017 Macedonia The concert featured renowned artists from Macedonia and accordion students from the class of Prof. Zorica Karakutovska. The program includes works by Mozart, Derbenko, Bete Ilin, Semionov, Piazzolla and others. A special guest on the concert was Grayson Masefield from New Zealand who performed the Macedonian premiere of the composition "The New Tomorrow" by Bete Ilin. The composition was premiered this March in Lausanne, Switzerland. An article with the information about the ninth World Accordion Day, being held on the 188th birthday of the accordion, was published in all important Macedonian media. President of MAA, Professor Zorica Karakutovska, appeared live on the National TV programs. The culmination of the concert were the performances of the composition "The New Tomorrow" by Bete Ilin” performed by Grayson Masefield and the string quintet consisted of Macedonian renowned artists and the mix of Russian songs performed by Ognen Janeski (host of the event, most popular TV presenter in Macedonia) and Zorica Karakutovska. The large auditorium was fully occupied with a very enthusiastic audience. The new building offers a high-quality venue which the artists fully utilized and the prolonged standing ovations were merited and deserving. The project is supported by the national program of the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Macedonia. Photo Report at: 2017 Macedonia |
Video: Duo Wolanska/Gajda, Winners at Klingenthal - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Performance from Category V, International Accordion Competition Klingenthal. Duo Wolanska/Gajda - Julia Wolanska-Gajda (piano) and Michal Gajda (accordion) from Poland were the winners of Category V. Many more videos at: 2017 Klingenthal |
UMKC Ensemble in Conception, Missouri - USAby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
The University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Ensemble performed a well received concert at the Conception Abbey Basilica at The Conception Abbey: A Benedictine Monastery, in Conception, MO on May 6, 2017, as part of World Accordion Day. This acclaimed ensemble, all former students at UMKC, performed a program inclduing: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by George Frideric Handel (arr. Sommers), Concerto Barocco for Soloist and Accordion Orchestra (I. and II) by Gerhard Mohr, Morning Mood from "Peer Gynt Suite, No. 1" by Edward Grieg, (arr. Galla-Rini), Menuet from "Don Giovanni" by W. A. Mozart (arr. Galla-Rini), Autumn Song by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (arr. Sviackevicius), Blue Swan and Fuga by Stas Venglevski, Waltz from 'Sleeping Beauty Ballet' by Peter I. Tchaikovsky (arr. Herold), Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin (arr. Sommers) and A Mighty Fortress is Our God by J. S. Bach (arr. Galla-Rini). The UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble musicians are both alumni of the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and former members of the renowned UMKC Accordion Orchestra. The players make their living in various careers, but each have remained devoted to promoting the accordion and its varied repertoire, which includes transcriptions, commissions and other original works. The UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble under the direction of Joan C. Sommers, has recently performed in Chicago, San Francisco and Kansas City. Members of the group for the Concert were Betty Jo Simon, Ron Barrow, Samantha Wagner, Cathy Sue Weiss, Joyce Davis and Joan Cochran Sommers. The ensemble will next appear on Thursday, July 20th, 2017 at the upcoming ATG Festival in Lisle (Chicago), IL as part of their summer competition and festival. |
Video: Kotz-Brzezina Duo from Poland, 2nd Place Category V at Klingenthal - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Kotz-Brzezina Duo - Celina Kotz (violin) and Lukasz Brzezina (accordion) from Poland won 2nd place in Category V at Klingenthal. Many more videos at: 2017 Klingenthal |
Video: Ksenija Sidorova at Klassik live im Club - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Video of Malaguena from the Suite Andalucia by Ernesto Lecuona at Klassik live im Club, 16th April 2017. This superb musical performance features Ksenija Sidorova (accordion) with Nemanja Radulovic (violin), Andreas Ottensamer (clarinet), and the Les Trilles du Diable ensemble. |
Miloš Milivojević Radio Belgrade Performances - Serbiaby Harley Jones |
Radio Belgrade 3 recently featured solo and chamber music performances by Miloš Milivojevic with the Oldak Quartet, including world premieres by British composers Anthony Gilbert, Patrick Nunn and Ben Foskett. The program was broadcast 30 April 2017. Thank you to Radio Belgrade 3. |
New and Updated Sites |
Fismen Accordions "Know the People" Interview, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
"Know the People" Interview: with: Luciano Guffo (Director) Silvano Palmieri (Director) Francesco Stacchiotti (Director - not present) of Fismen Accordions Editor: Holda Paoletti-Kampl "Know the People" of Castelfidardo who have made this small city so famous around the world for their quality accordion products. Interview at: 2017Fismen Picture below: Luciano Guffo (left) and Silvano Palmieri (right) |
Updated Page: "Know The People" Interviews Since December 2016by Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The Celebrity Interviews home page has been updated to list all the "Know The People" interviews since December 2016. 02 December 2016 English Serenellini Interview at: 2016Serenellini 16 December 2016 English Fisitalia Interview at: 2016Fisitalia 13 January 2017 English Alessandrini Interview at: 2017Alessandrini 27 January 2017 English Giustozzi Interview at: 2017GiustozziAcc 17 February 2017 English Mengascini Interview at: 2017MN-Interview 24 March 2017 English MusicTech Interview at: 2017MusicTech 21 April 2017 English Italcinte Interview at: 2017Italcinte 12 May 2017 English Fismen Interview at: 2017Fismen |
Updated Site, Frank Marocco 3 CD Set & Book - Germanyby Ulrich Schmülling |
There has been a slight price increase for the Frank Marocco 3 CD set and a beautifully presented book titled "Jazz On The Road, Volume 1-3" Catalog: ks550 The book describes Frank Marocco's musical life in extensive texts enriched with many never-before published photos and significant interviews. The author is accordionist, conductor and music historian Thomas Eickhoff. |
My Vanishing African Dreams eBook by Susan M. Hall - Kenyaby Harley Jones |
This book is not about accordion but it is a fascinating read and its written by Susan M. Hall, a superb Kenyan artist. The author writes: "My Vanishing African Dreams describes my unusual and exciting life as a women, both on our cattle ranch where we were traders in beef cattle in Kenya, and my remarkable experiences exploring Kenya's mostly uninhabited Norther Frontier District. My story includes the mountains I've climbed and the dangers of those climbs, as well as treacherous experiences encountering wildlife." Further information about the book and the artist at: Susan M. Hall Buy the eBook pdf edition emailed to you, only US$9 or Euro equivalent, Shopping basket link: Hall101 |
CD Reviews |
Review of The Shortcut to Playing and the Bellows-Technique for The Accordion by Lars Ekby Franco Cambareri |
CD Reviews Index for the Review of the eBook (sent to you by email) written by Lars Ek, reviewed by Franco Cambareri. The Shortcut to Playing and the Bellows-Technique for The Accordion by Lars Ek CD Reviews Index |
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