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Highlights |
Editors Noteby Rob Howard |
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Watch for the 2009 Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports online from 25th to the 30th August. The Coupe Mondiale contestants video is certainly an exciting new idea that I look forward to watching very much as well. Our translators are having a well deserved holiday during August and translations of our news will begin again in September. I hope all our other readers enjoy a safe and happy holiday time. Rob Howard Editor |
Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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![]() Attracting participants from more than 18 countries, the 2009 Coupe Mondiale will feature competitions, concerts and displays as well as the 130 member World Accordion Orchestra III conducted by Joan Sommers and Gary Daverne. The picture above and left show street banners and advertising trailers that are promoting the Coupe Mondiale to the people of North Shore City on some of their busiest streets. The large Daily Reports has full competitor information, photos, music played plus full results when the results are released at the end of the week. Please visit www.coupemondiale.org for Daily Reports and information about the 2009 Coupe Mondiale. |
Video of 2009 Coupe Mondiale Competition - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() We believe this is the first time that a video has been organised with the assistance of the competition organisers. Every performance of every contestant at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale will be available for download. The size and quality of the image is very good. You download the files to your computer and you can watch it at your leisure as often as you want. You can purchase video - four days, all classes - only 55 Euros or you can purchase individual days if you prefer. This is a must for all teachers with students planning to compete internationally. Invaluable for students looking for suitable competition repertoire too. Full details are on the Coupe Mondiale website. |
2009 Roland V-Accordion Festival Finalists, Los Angles - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The finalists selected are listed in alphabetical order. Youth Division 1. Peter Chudolij 2. Micaiah Elliott 3. Kassandra Knoff 4. Wayne Munoz 5. Danielle Renz Adult Division 1. Kenneth Baert 2. Alicia Baker 3. Michael DeSciscio 4. Lou Fanucchi 5. Svetlana Ivanchenko In the unlikely event a finalist cannot attend, an alternative selection will be made, listed in order of preference: Youth Alternates 1. Kassandra Peterson 2. Hannah Jane Robbins 3. Moved to finalist Adult Alternates 1. Jessica Faltot 2. Mark Kenneth 3. Paul Betken For further information email: ron.lankford@yahoo.com |
Concert in Accordion Museum, Melk - Austriaby Herbert Scheibenreif |
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The Accordéon Club Amplepuisien is a French accordion orchestra consisting of 22 accordionists which is not only very active by organizing concerts, master classes, etc. in their country but also by doing cultural exchanges on the international level. After contacts with orchestras from Italy and Rumania they decided to visit Austria, Mozart’s homeland, this year. On their way through the country, they had stops in Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, Graz and Melk, where they gave a well acclaimed concert in the newly opened first ever Austrian accordion museum www.akkordeonmuseum.at Hannes Thanheiser, its founder, organized a memorable evening, with a huge crowd present. For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Clacton Summer Accordion Week, Essex - UKby Rene Mairis |
![]() The ‘Harwich Week’ is led by accordionists Ian Watson and Julie North, who have been responsible for the course since 1995. It is their dedication and hard work that ensures players return year after year. Ian directed the orchestra. He was gentle and patient, always encouraging and subtly passing on many insights into the music as well as helpful points concerning technique. To keep this up for over twenty five hours of rehearsal is beyond belief. Julie is the orchestral leader and manages to play first accordion plus the solos, and at the same time she reads the full score so she can assist with tricky passages in the other sections. I swear she has an extra hand hidden somewhere! As well as this she took sectional rehearsals and organised everything else with calm efficiency. The programme was well chosen and contained a good variety of pieces such as ‘Dovercourt Lights’ (G. Romani) and ‘Passacaglia a Cinque’, and arrangements including Borodin’s ‘Polovetsian Dances’ and Weill’s ‘Threepenny Opera Suite’. My favourite was ‘Tanti Anni Prima’ by Piazzolla. This has a solo violin part and the guest soloist, Sarah Crisp, played beautifully. Sarah also played the solo part in ‘Schindler’s List’ and joined Ian and Julie for ‘Fiddle Faddle’, by Leroy Anderson. Ian and Julie wowed everyone with a duet performance of a ‘Slavonic Dance’ by Dvorák, and the finale was a sparking display of virtuosity from Julie as soloist in ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, by Gershwin. By this time we were well exhausted but found some energy to party afterwards with food, drink and dancing. On Friday morning the orchestra had a relaxed play along followed by a short informal concert. All too soon it was time to bid goodbye to new friends and look forward to meeting again next year. In 2010 the course is moving to the Ariel Centre, Ilfracombe, in North Devon and will be held from May 30th to June 2nd. The area is fabulous so it is worth considering a few extra days to explore and enjoy the coast, Exmoor, the cream teas etc. For further information email: renemairis@btinternet.com |
‘Accordion Stage’, Cetraro – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Within the course covered there were group and individual lessons, including study of the Roland V-Accordion. In addition to the lessons students were treated to excellent cuisine. The event was sponsored by Scandalli Accordions, the Conservatory Tchaikovsky CZ, and Roland V-Accordion. |
Ludovic Beier’s New CD – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() The two styles come together on this CD by Ludovic Beier and his band of two guitars plus percussionist. All but one of the tunes are composed by Reinhardt, but are played in a laid-back fashion like the great bossas, though the accordion ensures that they retain their Gallic charms. The tracks include: ‘Nuages’, ‘Nuits de Saint-Germain-des-Prés’, ‘Montagne Sainte-Geneviève’, ‘Anouman’, ‘Daphné’, ‘Minor Swing’, ‘Manoir de Mes Rêves’, ‘Dinette’, ‘Impromptu’, ‘Little Dreams’, ‘Rythme Futur’, ‘Vamp’, ‘Django's Tiger’, and ‘Brasil’. For further information email: ludovic@ludovicbeier.com |
Future events |
Joxan Goikoetxea’s Gig Diary – Spainby Rob Howard |
![]() August 21st – accompanies singer Dulce Pontes and Flamenco dancer Estrella Morente, Huelva. Monasterio de la Rábida, Spain August 27th, 9pm – with Arkaitz Valle Gorrotxategi at Restaurante Zumardi, Orkolaga kalea 2 bajo, 20120 Hernani Concerts with Dulce Pontes… September 7th – Teatro Romano Mérida 12th – Tondela, Portugal 20th - Herodes Atticus Odeon, Atenas, Greece 24th - D'Avilla Moat, Nicosia, Cyprus 25th - Curium Amphitheatre, Limassol, Cyprus Accompanying poetry recitals by Xabier Lete: September 18th – Iruña, Hernani December 3rd - Theater Arriaga of Bilbao November 12th to 15th - Joxan Goikoetxea performs at the William Kennedy Piping Festival, Armagh, Northern Ireland For further information email: aztarna@aztarna.com |
Michael Rettig Concert, Fetsaal Langsasthof – Austriaby Harley Jones |
World Diatonic Accordion Champion Michael Rettig, winner at ‘Steirischen Harmonika Weltmeister 2009’ in May 2009, is in concert at Fetsaal Langsasthof, Wasserhofen, Austria, on August 23rd, 8pm. For further information email: musiccafe@aon.at |
Boki Quartet, Ohio - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() Formed in 2008, the Boki Quartet’s first CD, ‘Boki Quartet’, was released on June 4th Giorgio's Italian Restaurant, Columbus, where the group has been a regular attraction since the beginning of this year, appearing on the first Thursday of the month. The Boki Quartet is available for any event that requires a professional unique jazz band that plays traditional jazz standards with a unique twist. The Boki Quartet’s forthcoming shows include: September 3rd, 7.30 to 10pm - Giorgio's Italian Restaurant, 2941 N. High St., Columbus, OH September 5th, 9pm - Rumba Café, 2507 Summit St, Columbus, OH) - opening for singer/guitarist Miss Molly October 1st, 7.30 to 10pm - Giorgio's Italian Restaurant, Columbus November 5th, 10pm to 2am - Dick's Den, 2417 N. High St, Columbus For further information email: bokiquartet@gmail.com |
Festival Sancybérie, Auvergne – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() There will be seven major concerts, as follows: September 5th, 8.30pm – Salles des Fetes, Saint Sauves 6th, 5.30pm – Place Pipet, Besse 7th, 8.30pm – Maison De l’Oradou, Clermont Ferrand 8th, 8.30pm - Salles des Fetes, Nezbouzat 9th, 8.30pm – La Galerie, Espl Napoleon 111, Vichy 10th, 8.30pm – Casino Municipale, La Bourboule 11th, 8.30pm – Galerie des Thernies For further information email: duopm@sfr.fr |
Roland US Demo Evening, California – USAby Rob Howard |
Roland US will be having a demonstration evening event on Friday August 21st, 7pm, at Zone Music in Cotati, California. The event will be the evening before the Cotati Accordion Festival. Zone music is almost directly across the street from the Festival. The demonstrator will be Steve Siciliano, who will demo the FR7 for this event. All the Roland V-Accordion models will be on display and available to try out. If you are coming in for the Cotati Festival please do come by. |
Forth Bridges Accordion Band Charity Evening, Scotland - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Before the evening event, at 5pm, there will be a marching bands parade along the High Street to Rose Lane, where it will return back along the same route. 15 bands are likely to take part in this parade. For further information email: accordionband@hotmail.com |
TDA “20 Years, 20 Cities” Tour, Western States – USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() The tour dates are: August 20th, 5.30pm to 7.30pm - Alameda Town Centre, California 22nd - Cotati Accordion Festival, CA 25th - Shank Hall, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 26th - The High Noon Saloon, Madison, Wisc 27th - Those Darn Accordions' Waterfest Oshkosh Accordion Blow Out, Oshkosh, Wisc; free admission for all accordions (and their owners!). Accordion players unite! The more the merrier! All accordion players should come prepared to perform ‘The Beer Barrel Polka’ with us. 28th - Rambo's Bar, Somonauk, Illinois 29th - FitzGerald's - Berwyn, Ill September 11th - Wheeler Theatre, Port Townsend, Washington 12th - Admiral Theater, West Seattle, Wash 17th - Cozmic Pizza, Eugene, Oregon 18th, 6pm to 8pm - Mississippi Pizza, Portland, Ore 19th - Seaside Oktoberfest, Seaside Elks Lodge, Ore 20th, 2pm - Oktoberfest, Bend, Ore October 3rd - Oktoberfest, Mammoth Lakes, CA 9th/10th - Oktoberfest Northwest, Puyallup, Wash 23rd - 142 Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley, CA 24th - The Palms Playhouse, Winters, CA 30th - Don Quixote's, Felton, CA November 5th - Cafe du Nord, San Francisco, CA |
Radio New Zealand Interviews Betty Jo Simon and Kevin Friedrichby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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![]() Eva Radich has a daily show of music news, interviews and concert reviews. Each day a specialist is invited to explore an aspect of their chosen field. On Thursday, August 20, USA accordionist Betty Jo Simon was interviewed on Radio New Zealand. Betty Jo Simon is in New Zealand as part of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships and Festival. Betty Jo will perform the “Concerto No. 1 in G minor for Accordion & Orchestra (1941)” composed by Anthony Galla-Rini (1904 - 2006). Her concert dates are: • August 16 - Auckland Town Hall, soloist with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Auckland, New Zealand (2:30 p.m.) • August 23 - Bruce Mason Center, soloist with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Auckland, New Zealand (2:30 p.m.) • August 25 - Bruce Mason Center, soloist with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, opening concert of the 64th Coupe Mondiale. Kevin Friedrich will be interviewed by Eva Radich on Monday, August 24. The interview may be heard via podcast at about 3 PM that day. Kevin is the President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) IMC-UNESCO, and is now based in New York, after having studied accordion performance in France and the USA. He is completing two terms of Presidency and retires from the position at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale in Auckland, New Zealand. You can hear the interview with Betty Jo Simon now at: http://www.radionz.co.nz/concert/programmes/upbeat/20090820 You may also hear the interview with Kevin Friedrich by clicking on that site on Monday, August 24 at: http://www.radionz.co.nz/concert/programmes/upbeat/20090824 |
New and Updated Sites |
Wallace Liggett New Music Releasesby Wallace Liggett |
Wallace Liggett - accordionist, composer, releases 5 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Forward March, catalog:WL1039', 'Sandy’s Waltz, catalog:WL1040', 'Prelude and Fugue, catalog:WL1042', 'Tremendous Tango, catalog:WL1044', and 'Concert Overture, catalog:WL1045'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
H S Production New Music Releasesby H S Productions |
H S Production releases 2 new pieces, 'Waltz From The Ballet “Sleeping Beauty”, catalog:hs595' and 'Perpetuum Mobile, catalog:hs596'. 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 new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
MusicForAccordion.com site releases 4 new pieces - 'Battle Hymn Of The Republic, catalog:mfa7077', 'Whispering Hope, catalog:mfa7078', 'La Paloma (The Dove), catalog:mfa7081' and 'Humoresque, catalog:mfa7082'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
H S Production New Music Releasesby H S Productions |
H S Production releases 6 new pieces, 'Dance From The Opera “Nikita”, catalog:hs588', 'Scherzo - Humoresque, catalog:hs589', 'On The Highway, catalog:hs591', 'Eastern Rondo, catalog:hs592', 'Variations On The Russian Folk Song, catalog:hs593' and 'Variations On A Finnish Theme, catalog:hs594'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Wallace Liggett New Music Releasesby Wallace Liggett |
Wallace Liggett - accordionist, composer, releases 6 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Partners Waltz, catalog:WL1033', 'Contemplation, catalog:WL1034', 'Contemplation (Duet), catalog:WL1035', 'Prelude, catalog:WL1036', 'Waltz On, catalog:WL1037' and 'Hymn Of Tamaki, catalog:WL1038'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Joe Soprani new music releasesby Joe Soprani |
Joseph Soprani - accordionist, arranger, performer, releases 4 new works for accordion available for purchase online. '"Figaro” Cavatina (Largo Al Factotum), catalog:js504', 'Romeo And Julie, catalog:js505', 'Concerto In E Minor, catalog:js506' and 'Bahama Rumba, catalog:js507'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
Keepin' it Reelby Joan C. Sommers |
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