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Highlights |
The Grand Unveiling, "China Accordion Arts Research Center & Li Cong Expert Studio" at Shanghai Normal University - China
The 53rd International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2016 - Germany
Concert to Honor Viatcheslav Semionov 70th Birthday, Moscow - Russia
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: VII International Festival "Accordion Plus", Rostov-on-Don - Russia
‘Striking Up the Band For Merv Conn Way’, Washington DC – USA
Video: El Terrible Tarantismo Street Concert, Bogotá - Colombia
14 Years Ago: 2002 - Concerto for Accordion and String Quartet – Poland
Future events |
Karen Tweed Gigs, Shrewsbury, Somerset, York, Croydon – UK, Sweden
Erika’s Dancing Afternoon, Sault-les-Rethel – Belgium
Victor Aryutkin World Accordion Day Concert, Beersheba – Israel
World Accordion Day Events, Sakarya, Istanbul – Turkey
World Accordion Day Gala Concert, Sarajevo - Bosnia & Herzegovina
"Accordion - the Soulmate", Shanghai Spring International Music Festival - China
Martin Lubenov’s Jazzta Prasta Trio Concerts – Germany, Romania
‘Accordions at the Castle’ Festival, Blackpool – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site, New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) - New Zealand
Updated Site, Milwaukee Accordion Club, Copper Box Featured - USA
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Editor’s Note - World Accordion Day, Accordion Anthologyby Rob Howard |
  May 6th once again, is World Accordion Day and Accordions Worldwide is keen to promote events that celebrate the official advent of our favorite instrument. It was on May 6th 1829 that Cyrillius Demien (Cyril Damian) patented his first accordion design in Vienna, Austria, sparking off what became a global craze for this instrument. If you are organising an accordion event, large or small, on or near May 6th please let us know on robaccord5@hotmail.com. My personal contribution this year will be the publication on May 6th of a book, ‘Accordion Anthology’, a celebration of the accordion in the UK. There will be more about this in the news for the week ending May 6th. It is amazing to see how the accordion has developed over the years in appearance and design since the early years, adapting perfectly to many musical genres and sub-genres throughout the world. It is played by young and old alike everywhere, and its repertoire and usage continue to develop and to delight audiences everywhere. Long may this continue. Rob Howard |
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The Grand Unveiling, "China Accordion Arts Research Center & Li Cong Expert Studio" at Shanghai Normal University - Chinaby Jessica Shi Xuan |
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 Accordion expert picture, left to right: Li Jianlin, Chen Jianyi, Wang Chaogang, Guo Qianghui, Li Cong, Yang Guoli, Zhang Xinhua, Zhang Guoping, Ding Peng. More pictures at: 2016ArtsResearchOn April 11th, The Grand Unveiling Ceremony of the "China Accordion Arts Research Center & Li Cong Expert Studio" was held in the Concert Hall of the Music College of Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). Zhu Ziqiang, President of Shanghai Normal University, Guo Qianghui, Vice Chairman & Secretary-General of the Shanghai Musicians’ Association, Yang Guoli, Vice Director of the Accordion Association of the China Musicians’ Association as well as accordion experts and leaders from other areas of China attended the ceremony. Initiating the concept of "Diversified Development of Accordion Arts", Prof. Li Cong has opened up a new chapter for accordion arts in Shanghai, and gradually taken the lead in the new round of accordion reform and development nationwide. Meanwhile, Li Cong proactively promotes the international cooperation and exchange in the field of accordion, by regularly inviting international accordion masters to China for teaching, and sending excellent students to major competitions home and abroad and many of them return with important awards. Li Cong is a founding member of the Shanghai Normal University Pop Accordion Ensemble which pioneers in pop accordion performance in China. Picture below. His guidance led to the huge success of many major professional events jointly organized by the Shanghai Normal University and Shanghai Musicians’ Association, among them (graphics below) being: - 2006 Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival; - 2009 Shanghai Spring National Accordion Festival; - 2011 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships in Shanghai; - 2014 National Symposium on the Accordion of Higher Education. As a result, the very important position of the Shanghai Normal University accordion program has been cemented within the national higher institutions of music education. The founding of the "China Accordion Arts Research Center & Li Cong Expert Studio" at the Shanghai Normal University, will further drive the innovative development of accordion performance in China, build a better platform for academic exchange and uplift the influence of Chinese accordion arts to the whole world. More pictures at: 2016ArtsResearch |
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The 53rd International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2016 - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 The 53rd International Accordion Competition Klingenthal will be held from the 3rd to 8th May 2016. Full competition rules and category information at: 2016Kling.pdf The Schedule has been released. There are competitions each day. Tuesday, May 3, 20:00, Opening Concert featuring Gliersaal Vocational School and the Duo "Buttons & Bellows" of Aleksandar Nikolic (bandoneon) and Petar Maric (accordion). CD available: beltango5 Wednesday, May 4, 19:30, Studio Concert, Klemen Leben (Slovenia), 2009 1st prize winner. Thursday, May 5, 19.00, Competition in concert format, Category VI Entertainment. Friday, May 6, 20:00, "Irish Bastards" Irish folk music Saturday, May 7th, 19:30, Aula am Amtsberg Sunday, May 8th, 13:30 Aula am Amtsberg, Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra Greiz / Reichenbach, conductor David Marlow and the finalists of Category IV Further information available at: Klingenthal |
Concert to Honor Viatcheslav Semionov 70th Birthday, Moscow - Russiaby Alexander Selivanov |
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| There was a concert by some of the current students of Viatcheslav Semionov on 8th April 2016 in Moscow at the Gnesin Academy of Music. The title of the concert was "Musical Offering to Teacher". Performing were: Lev Lavrov, solo and in trio. Alexey Mikitenko Kirill Rusinov Rostislav Mudritsky Lion trio of Lev Lavrov, Alexey Mikitenko and Simon Golishev. Picture of performers with Semionov above. Video above: Pupil of Semionov in Gnesin School, Rostislav Mudritsky who is 11 years old. There was a video in last weeks news of Mudritsky performing Tchaikovsky "Little Overture" from The Nutcracker and the video above is Flight of the Bumble Bee, arranged by Viatcheslav Semionov. Apologies that the video is cut short. Students presented a special anniversary cake "Semionov 70" in the shape of an accordion which you can see in both pictures. |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Stolen Accordions!, Karlssons Musik AB – Swedenby Rob Howard |
 On Monday April 18th, during the night, there was a break-in at Karlssons Musik AB, Äskebacka, SE-430 33 Fjärås, Sweden. The thieves entered the shop by making a hole in one of the walls, and stole 10 high quality and valuable button accordions. The total value is around 75,000 Euro.Karlssons would be grateful for any kind of information concerning the whereabouts of these instruments. For further information email: info@karlssonsmusik.se |
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Video: VII International Festival "Accordion Plus", Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Video 2 excerpt: Libertango by Astor Piazzolla.
Video 3 excerpt: Al Bano "Felicita"
 The 2016 International Competition and Festival "Accordion Plus" took place from 26th to 30th March 2016 in Rostov-on-Don, organised by the International Music Centre "Harmony"."Harmony" wrote: 27th March - "Beyond the Edge of Accordion" is "one of the most unique and biggest concerts we have ever organized." IMC "Harmony" has for 10 years presented "the bright, non-standard and memorable" of concerts and this time, the organizers of the festival "Accordion Plus" have gone even further! Video 1: "Beyond the Edge of Accordion" concert of 78 mins. Alexander Poeluev (accordion), the Jazz-quartet "New Centropezn" and the the circus performance group "Rian" plus all the other performers as listed on the poster left. Video 2 and 3 are short excerpts from the concert. Video 2: Libertango by Astor Piazzolla. Performers are: Alexander Poeluev (accordion) , M. Poluektova and I. Logachev (dancing), D. Rybkin (bike). Video 3: Al Bano "Felicita" performed by Alexander Poeluev (accordion) and Anna Kryshtalyova (accordion). Concert artist Alexander Poeluev lives in Rostov-on-Don and is a former Coupe Mondiale winner, who has performed extensively in many different countries of Asia, South Pacific, North America and Europe. CD at: apoeluev01 Anna Kryshtalyova also lives in Rostov-on-Don and has won several international competitions including the 2015 Castelfidardo Category D Open Classical age group. The International Music Centre "Harmony" are hosting the 2016 Coupe Mondiale in Rostov-on-Don from 11th to 17th September 2016. Thank you to "Harmony" and Vladimir Bershov for providing the videos. |
‘Striking Up the Band For Merv Conn Way’, Washington DC – USAby Rob Howard |
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 Picture above: Members of the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society, on Merv Conn Way, a pedestrian path in Silver Spring honoring famed D.C. accordionist Merv Conn, who died in 2011.‘Washington Post’ columnist John Kelly wrote the following article: Merv Conn died in 2011, but he’s unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon. On April 10th a pedestrian path in Silver Spring was dedicated in honor of Merv, probably the most famous accordionist our town has ever seen. I went to the little ceremony, held on a crisp Sunday afternoon. The path was originally going to be dedicated in October, but the threat of bad weather canceled the event. It was hoped that the delay might give the local squeezebox community time to organize to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest accordion ensemble ever assembled: 1,361, held by the China Accordion Association. Ten members of the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society performed, leaving things 1,352 accordions short. But a little accordion goes a long way. They played a couple of Merv’s favorite tunes - ‘You Made Me Love You’ and ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ - as his daughter, Maria Cohen, led the crowd in song. His son, Robert, was there, too. Picture right: A cake topped by an accordion is part of the celebration April 10, 2016. Merv was the undisputed accordion king of Washington, toting his instrument all over town and operating a busy accordion school on 14th Street NW. Rock-and-roll - the electric guitar, especially - nearly killed the accordion, but Merv soldiered on. It was my honor to meet him and to hire him to play ‘The Washington Post’ march in the newsroom. Merv Conn Way links Cameron Street with South Noyes Drive in the Woodside Park neighborhood where Merv used to live. The existing pathway, a 225-foot shortcut used by residents, was crumbling. United Therapeutics, the biotechnology company, owns the office building next door. Avi Halpert, United Therapeutics’ head of real estate, worked to get the path rebuilt, trading some land to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission to release an easement the water company had under the strip of pavement. Avi, it turned out, remembered Merv from the countless bar mitzvahs he attended in the late 1970s. Merv, of course, had played there. Picture below: Maria Cohen, daughter of Merv Conn, raises the ceremonial scissors after cutting the ribbon on Merv Conn Way. On the left is Avi Halpert of United Therapeutics, which owns the land and funded the work. |
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Video: El Terrible Tarantismo Street Concert, Bogotá - Colombiaby Harley Jones |
| The group El Terrible Tarantismo performing "Música Callejera" made a promotional street concert for Bogotá Social TV that was published on Sep 1, 2015. |
14 Years Ago: 2002 - Concerto for Accordion and String Quartet – Polandby Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide News for April 19th 2002 included an item about the performance in Poland of an accordion concerto, by its composer Olexiy Suslow. Concertos written involving the accordion as a solo instrument are still relatively uncommon, so this performance in 2002 was quite newsworthy. Concerto for Accordion and String Quartet – Poland Accordionist and composer Olexiy Suslow performed his own composition ‘Concerto Dieptych No 2’ and Haydn's ‘Concerto in D Major’ (arranged for accordion and string quartet) in the Pope's Theological Study Hall in Wroclaw recently. In addition the children's orchestra ‘Harmonica’, conducted by Galina Suslow, performed works by Tchaikovsky, Strauss and Bizet. This concert was held in conjunction with the opening of the Music School S-Art in Wroclaw. |
Future events |
Ferran Martinez Duo Concert, Madrid – Spainby Rob Howard |
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| On Saturday April 23rd, 7pm, Spanish accordionist Ferran Martinez and clarinet player Nigel Haywood perform together in concert as the Duo Kavanna at the Plaza de los irlandeses, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. They will perform a Jewish music repertoire commemorating the 4th centenary of Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), widely regarded as the greatest writer and novelist in the Spanish language. Ferran Martinez, born in 1971, is a graduate of the Barcelona Conservatory. He plays solo classical concerts on the Bayan button accordion and is a member of the Cavall Bernat group, performing Catalan popular music. He is also both an accordion and computer teacher. For further information email: ferranbayan@gmail.com |
Karen Tweed Gigs, Shrewsbury, Somerset, York, Croydon – UK, Swedenby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Karen Tweed performs during April and May, as follows:Saturday April 23rd, 10am - 4.30pm – music from Scotland and Ireland, Glebe Hall, The Trinity Centre, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury SY3 9HF Friday April 29th - Roxy Cinema, 36 High Street, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2AF Sunday May 1st, 10am - 4.30pm - music from Scotland, Ireland and France, Priddy Village Hall, Somerset BA5 3BE Saturday May 7th – private solo concert, Karlstad, Sweden Tuesday May 17th and Thursday May 19th - Karen Street teaching at Worcester Saturday May 21st – solo concert, The Wolfe Room, The Black Swan Inn, 23 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PR Sunday May 22nd, 10am - 5pm – mixed ensemble day, The Wolfe Room, The Black Swan Inn, 23 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PR Monday May 23rd - Croydon Folk Club, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon CR0 1BD Friday May 27th - Karen Tweed & Friends Birthday - Concert-Party, free event; To commemorate my 27th year as a professional musician, I’m having a bit of a do. Guests include Roger Wilson, Karen Street, Richard Hughes, Kirsten Hellier, Ivan Miletitch, Johnny Coppin, and Andy Tweed. The venue is The Hen & Chicken, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1JF. Donations on the night welcomed towards Alzheimers UK and The Samaritans. Monday May 30th, 12 noon – 4pm - Karen Tweed: Solo (& with Karen Street) The New Horrington Fair, Wells Cricket Club, New Horrington, Wells, Someset BS26 2AF. Free event. Residents of South Horrington are resurrecting the Family Fun Day that took place every summer on the old Mendip Hospital site. Throughout the 1960s to 80s the Mendip Hospital Summer Fete, run by the League of Friends, evolved to become one of the biggest events of the summer, opened by a local celebrity and with attractions such as The Red Devils, police display teams, the Somerset Light Infantry, maypole dancing, an antiques market, a donkey derby, skittles, children's fancy dress and a pig roast. The new Horrington Fair will take place at South Horrington at Wells Cricket Club on Mayday Bank Holiday Monday, May 30, from noon to 4pm. There is music all day with L’esprit du jazz and Karen Tweed and others tbc. There will also be a dog training demonstration and games for children, and various stalls including a plant sale. Refreshments will include BBQ, a licensed bar, tea and cakes and Mendip Moments ice cream. Karen Tweed, born in England but now living in Ireland, is steeped in Irish traditional music and has recorded and performed in this genre for many years. She also performs in other genres, and has featured on over 30 CDs. She won 5 All Ireland titles on piano accordion and melodica in the late 1970s/early 80s, performed with the Poozies, and is the main piano accordion tutor at the World Music Centre, University of Limerick, and a regular tutor for the Bmus Degree in folk and traditional music at Newcastle University and at The Sage, Gateshead. For further information email: info@karentweed.com |
Erika’s Dancing Afternoon, Sault-les-Rethel – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
 Erika, known as ‘The Princess of the Accordion’, plays for a tea dance on Sunday April 24th, 3pm, at Le Club ‘Les Galopins’, La Salle Des Fetes, Sault-les-Rethel, Belgium. |
Victor Aryutkin World Accordion Day Concert, Beersheba – Israelby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Victor Aryutkin and featured guests perform in a morning concert on Friday May 6th, 10am until 11.30am, at the School of Arts, Be'er Sheva, Beersheba, Israel. This is a World Accordion Day event. A live webcast and video link will be available.The concert will take feature the winner of International competitions Dr. Victor Aryutkin - teacher at the Afik School, accordionist Ilya Zhornitskii, the duo ‘Sababa’, and student ensembles from the Afik School of the Arts. For further information email: victor.aryutkin@gmail.com |
World Accordion Day Events, Sakarya, Istanbul – Turkeyby Aziz Ali Elyağutu |
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| The Turkish Accordion Association celebrates World Accordion Day with meetings involving leading accordionists on May 6th: 1. Meeting at 1pm – Sakarya, Sakarya University State Conservatory Organization: Aziz Ali Elyagutu 2. Meeting in Istanbul at 7pm - Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. Organization: Aziz Ali Elyagutu, Iberya Özkan For further information email: alielya@gmail.com |
World Accordion Day Gala Concert, Sarajevo - Bosnia & Herzegovinaby Rob Howard |
 On Friday May 6th, 8pm, accordion students from the Sarajevo Music Academy will perform solo and chamber pieces in the Concert Hall of the Bosniak Institute, Sarajevo. The repertoire will include pieces from Baroque through to contemporary music (from Bach to Kusjakov, Aho and Tiensuu). In addition, the concert will include two world premieres for accordion quintet and percussion: ‘Rhyme’ by Bosnian composer Drazan Kosoric (picture right), and ‘Elpis’ by Marios Joannou Elia. For further information email: belmasarancicnahodovic@gmail.com |
"Accordion - the Soulmate", Shanghai Spring International Music Festival - Chinaby Jessica Shi Xuan |
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| For World Accordion Day |
Martin Lubenov’s Jazzta Prasta Trio Concerts – Germany, Romaniaby Rob Howard |
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| Martin Lubenov’s Jazzta Prasta Trio performs concerts in May and June, as follows: May 7th – Fabrikle im Donautal, Beuron-Hausen, Germany May 8th – Schloss Mochental, Eheningen, Germany May 9th – Stadthaus, Elm, Germany June 25th – Dobro Jazz Festival, Tulcea, Romania The current repertoire of ‘Jazzta Prasta’ is entirely made up of Bulgarian accordionist Martin Lubenov’s compositions, creating a sparkling kaleidoscope of styles: Bulgarian, Turkish, Serbian and Roma traditions, innovative harmonies and scales of jazz, musette and Manouche (Gypsy Swing). |
‘Accordions at the Castle’ Festival, Blackpool – UKby Rob Howard |
 The festival ‘Accordions at the Castle’, organised by Heather Smith, is set for May 8th to 13th, at the Norbreck Castle, Blackpool. Included are concerts, ‘meet the guest’ sessions, workshops, Scottish dancing, a trade show, and the book launch of Rob Howard’s ‘Accordion Anthology’. The guest artists include virtuoso Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, David Vernon (Scotland), Denise Leigh (operatic soprano) & Stefan Andrusyschyn (accordion), Harry Hussey, Rosemary Wright, and Alan Young. There is a trade show plus Caroline Hunt’s large and fascinating antique accordions and memorabilia display, which is always well worth seeing. There is also an organ/keyboard festival taking place in the hotel, which has its own trade show is and is open to all. For booking, telephone Sceptre Productions on 01780 782 093 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Arrangement: La Vie En Rose Arranged by Gary Dahl - USAby Gary Dahl |
 Updated Arrangement: La Vie En Rose arranged by well known teacher, performer and arranger Gary Dahl. Catalog: DH0181Any clients who have already purchased this music may email for the updated arrangement which will be provided by email to you without charge. |
Updated Site, New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 Updated Site. The New Zealand Accordion Association site has added a page http://www.accordion.co.nz/museum.htm about the Accordion Gems 'Master Collection of Accordions through Time' display at the Dargaville Museum. The Accordion Gems display is strongly recommended as a "must see" attraction for all accordion interested visitors to New Zealand and Northland. At the instigation of NZAA Life Member Kevin Friedrich, The Dargaville Museum agreed to host a major collection of accordions and memorbilia that he had collected over many years for the purpose of starting an accordion museum. The new page has information about the display and how to get there. |
Updated Site, Milwaukee Accordion Club, Copper Box Featured - USAby Sherry Huiras, Milwaukee Accordion Club |
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| Updated Site: Milwaukee Accordion Club is featuring Copper Box, a 'New Age Polka Group' with a very lively Party Band style. They last played for the MAC in November 2009, and the club looks forward to their return on April 25th. |
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