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Highlights |
William Schimmel at 2020 AAA Master Class & Concert Series in New York - USAby Harley Jones |
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The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) will present a 2020 Master Class & Concert Series with Dr William Schimmel, moderator and curator from July 31st to August 2nd, 2020. This event will be held at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York. Entitled "Time Travel" the festival will feature daily masterclasses from 3 pm and evening concerts from 7 pm. Download the AAA Masterclass flier for a full list of participants and reservation information: 2020AAAMasterClass.pdf Online reservations at: http://www.ameraccord.com/annualmasterclass.php |
International Meeting for Women Accordionists - Colombiaby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() As part of this event, the First International Meeting of Accordion Women will be held. Accordionists from Japan, USA, Mexico, Chile and Argentina will participate. An ensemble of 10 accordionists will perform two Colombian folklore pieces directed by Maestro Lácides Romero Meza. This concert will take place on Friday, November 22 at 7pm at the Alfonso Lopez square in Valledupar. |
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Brandon McPhee Christmas Concerts – Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
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Popular accordion entertainer Brandon McPhee will give Christmas concerts at the British Legion Club, Thurso on December 9th at 7.30pm, the Nova Suite in Brechin on December 11th at 8pm and at the National Hotel Dingwall on December 12th at 7.30pm. Brandon will perform traditional Scottish and country music with guest musicians Manson Grant, Geordie Jack and Willie Gamble. Brandon has just completed a tour of the UK during October entitled “The Jimmy Shand Story” with live narrator, actor Dave Anderson. The show concluded in Scotland on November 3rd. For concert details email: robertcameron29@hotmail.com |
Video: Alex Meixner Band Performs Train Medley in a Model Train Display - USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Alex Meixner Band: When an opportunity popped up to play the Alex Meixner Band's well-known train medley inside an actual model train display, you know we were definitely going to go "off the rails!!" Thanks go out to John Lockwood for allowing us to record inside the 1907 Depot Museum in Tomball, Texas, USA The song features Alex Meixner on accordion, Tom Haller on washboard, Chris Heslop on saxophone, Jim Meyer on banjo, and Paddy King on fiddle. Videographer: Lori Young Video Editor: Tom Haller |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Results: International Competition and Festival “Eurasia III” - Russiaby Elisa Lanari, Scandalli Accordions |
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The International Competition and Festival “Eurasia III” was held from October 24th to 30th in Ekaterinburg, Ural region, Russia. The Competition organizers were the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation, Ministry of Culture of the Ekaterinburg region, “Mikhail Ulyashkin Charity Foundation”, Ekaterinburg College of Music named after P. Tchaikovsky, Ural College of Music and Ekaterinburg Conservatory of Music named after M. Mussorgsky. The Artistic director of the festival is Mikhail Ulyashkin, professor head of the folk strings instrument department of Ekaterinburg Conservatory, Merited Artist of Russia, and one of the most well-known Russian domra players and teachers. The competition is held every four years and this year, over 100 participants competed in a number of instrument categories including piano accordion and button accordion. Mirco Patarini, CIA President (pictured below) represented the Confederation International des Accordionistes and spoke during the opening ceremony and the prize giving concert and took part as concert artist at the opening concert. Members of the accordion jury were Mirco Patarini (Italy - chairman of all jury panels), Friedrich Lips, Alexander Selivanov, Oleg Sharov, Radzhap Shaihutdinov, Mikhail Ovchinnikov, Igor Gerber, Victor Romanko (Russia), Zoran Rakic (Serbia), Tatiana Marx (Australia), Damir Sultanov (Kazakhstan) and Nikolai Sevrukov (Belorussia) - pictured above. The competition program included 3 rounds: Third round with orchestra; 1 and 2 rounds included polyphony, lyrical and virtuoso pieces, European music of 17th to 18th century, cyclic works and arrangements of folk/popular melodies. The 3rd round music was: “Opale – concerto” by R. Galliano for Piano accordion category. “Volga pictures” by G. Shenderiov for Button accordion category. The Festival program included concerts by previous Eurasia competition winners, a concert by the Ekaterinburg Russian folk instruments orchestra, a concert by Jury members (accordion Jury represented by Mirco Patarini and Victor Romanko) and a final Gala concert by Eurasia III winners with a symphony orchestra and Russian Folk instruments orchestra. Winners of accordion categories: Piano accordion: 1st: Danil Sharaviev (Ekaterinburg) 2nd: Arslan Aliev (Moscow) 3rd: Nikita Sirchin (Krasnoyarsk) Button accordion: 1st: Olzhas Nurlanov (Moscow) 2nd: Vladimir Stupnikov (Moscow) 3rd: Artur Adrshin (Saint Peterburg) |
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Degree Closing Dates for "Accordion" at the Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Andreas Nebl represents the accordion through his long time international solo and chamber music activity as well as his pedagogic work as head of the accordion classes of the University of Osnabrück and the conservatory in Trossingen. After studying at the State Music Academy in Trossingen with Prof. Hugo Noth and at the "Luigi Cherubini" Conservatory in Florence with Ivano Battiston as well as achieving 1st prize at the International Chamber Music Competition "Val Tidone" (Italy), Andreas Nebl shifted his musical focus to concert activity of early music and contemporary music. Since then, Nebl's artistic achievements lie especially in the field of chamber music. Numerous CD recordings and concerts at international music festivals and well known music conservatories to many countries of the world. The closing date for the next entrance exam for all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs at the Nuremberg University of Music is April 15th, 2020. For details email: AndiNebl@gmx.de |
Ludovic Beier Performs at 20th Anniversary of Django Reinhardt Festival in NYC - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
![]() The 20th Anniversary of the Django Reinhardt New York Festival at Birdland Jazz Club, produced by Pat Philips-Stratta and her late partner, conductor Ettore Stratta was held on November 13th. The festival, which began in 1999, has featured many talented musicians over the years who embody the gypsy jazz style of music by the great Django Reinhardt. The Django Festival brings the music of the great gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt, into the 21st Century. The high energy performances pay tribute to Reinhardt who is considered one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time. Reinhardt’s driving, swinging style became known as ‘HOT JAZZ’. It was amazing to witness the technical virtuosity and sensitive interpretations in all the selections accordionist Ludovic Beier performed at the festival with Dorado, Samson & Amati Schmitt, Francko Mehrstein, Gino Roman and Pierre Blanchard. Born in 1978, Ludovic Beier learned the accordion from his father and benefited from being part of a musical family. He was brought up in the French tradition of the instrument and developed his jazz accordion skills. He has a spirited, adventurous style which strays into all kinds of byways. He performs on the French and European scene with some of the top players of the Django/Swing Jazz style including Angelo Debarre, Dorado Schmitt, Florin Niculescu. Along with his virtuoso playing, Ludovic composes and arranges, and has his own band, Ludovic Beier Quartet, to perform his "cool and latin" French jazz. |
“This Shining Night” Concert in Auckland – New Zealandby Sonja Palinich President, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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![]() Stephanie joined resident organist, Stephen Vincent in a duet performance of Daquin’s Noël-Grand Jeu et Duo arranged by Stephen, to the delight of the audience. Both Stephanie and Stephen are accordionists with Stephanie being a prominent New Zealand accordion teacher and performer and Stephen being a well known organist. Their well received program also included excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohns “Hear my Prayer”. |
Future events |
Black Pencil Perform at “Musica Antiqua Nova” - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
Video: John Dowland (1563-1626): Come Again (1597). Arranged and performed by Black Pencil, general rehearsal before the CD recording La Volta (no cuts, no edits!), Jorge Isaac: recorder, artistic director, Matthijs Koene: panflute, Esra Pehlivanli: viola, Marko Kassl: accordion, Enric Monfort: percussion. “Black Pencil” which includes accordionist Marko Kassl will perform at Musica Antiqua Nova in Groningen on December 1st, 2019. Their program, which is entitled “Black Pencil’s Best” will include works by Bach, Dowland, Morley, Byrd, Vivaldi, Baldwine, Pergolesi and Padding. For details email: info@musicaantiquanova.nl |
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Gorka Hermosa December Concerts – Spainby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionist Gorka Hermosa has just completed successful concerts to present his new CD “Atlantia Ë Ria” together with flamenco guitarist José Luis Montón and Guinean singer Piruchi Apo. These concerts were followed by a special performance, where Gorka played while Raquel Martín recited rhyming love poems “Paso a Dos” in Centro Cultural Madrazo, Santander on November 21st. December concerts as follows: December 1st: Lezo, Gipuzkoa, “ELE Lauaxeta-Lorca (obra teatral)” December 3rd: Getxo, Bizkaia, “Hezurbeltzak” December 8th: Elizondo, Nafarroa, “Hezurbeltzak”, 7pm For details email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
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Accordionist Milos Milivojevic Performs for Bideford Music Society - Englandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Milos and fellow Kosmos musicians have each travelled extensively, performing with and learning from musicians from all over the world and each of them are soloists in their own right. For further information email: admin@milosmilivojevic.com |
Hudson Valley Accordion Ensemble Perform in New York - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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The Hudson Valley Accordion Ensemble will perform at the Taormina Restaurant, Peekskill, New York on December 5th at 6.30pm. The ensemble, which includes accordionist Mario Tacca and vocalist Mary Mancini play a variety of music aimed to bring joy to everyone. For reservations, phone: 914-739-4007 |
Accordion Orchestra Performs for Charity – UKby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The orchestra will provide music to amaze and delight from popular seasonal classics to movie themes and more! All profits will be donated to the Lambourne Riding for the Disabled Association. For details email: nigelpasby@gmail.com |
Stas Venglevski & Cory Pesaturo Concert & Masterclasses - Ukraineby Christine Johnstone |
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USA accordionists Stas Venglevski & Cory Pesaturo will perform a jazz improvisation concert and hold masterclasses in Kharkiv, Ukraine next month. On December 8th, the duo will entertain at the Organ Hall of Kharkiv Philharmonia in Kharkiv City at 6.30pm with a program of classical to pop to jazz. The following day, they will give two masterclasses at the National University of Kharkiv, which will feature jazz and improvisation techniques. For further details email: Cory.Pesaturo@gmail.com |
Concert and Dance Party in Christchurch – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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Tango Quartet "Milonga De Cuatro" will entertain at a concert and dance party at the Library at Te Hapua, Halswell Centre in Christchurch on December 8th at 6pm, organised by the Russian Cultural Centre Trust of Christchurch. The quartet which includes accordionist Lian Jones will play music dedicated to Astor Piazzolla as well as other Argentinian tangoes along with "A Evaristo Carriego" and "Taplala" by Eduardo Rovira. See poster for further information. |
Romano Viazzani Performs at "Ladies Only" Fundraiser – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() ![]() The event will be held at the Henrietta Barnett School in London on December 15th at 8pm and is for Ladies Only. Performers also include Jacqueline Curzon (piano) and Debbie Diamond (violin) who, along with accordionist Romano Viazzani will entertain the audience in an evening of song, music and humour. See poster for details. |
Accordionist Performs with Popular Greek Singer - Cyprusby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Accordionist Niki Grana (picture left) will accompany him, along with Paris Perissinakis (lyre & mandolin), Thymios Papadopoulos (woodwind), Elias Doumanis (drums) and Dimitris Moutafis (bass). For reservations phone: 99614100 |
“The Calling Music & Culture Tour” - Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The tour will include a variety of events such as live music every night, cultural & scenic guided tours as well as concerts in the TradFest Temple Bar, city center pubs and a variety of unique heritage venues throughout Dublin City. Performers include “The Henry Girls” which comprises of three sisters from Co.Donegal, Ireland: Lorna (accordion, vocals & piano – picture left), Karen (vocals, fiddle, piano & ukulele) and Joleen (vocals, harp & piano). For details email: info@isaireland.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Franck Angelis New Composition "valse du clown" - Franceby Harley Jones |
![]() This concert was quite unique and historical with composer Franck Angelis (picture left) attending and also speaking at the concert, including introducing two new compositions world premieres. View video of all the concert at: http://www.accordions.com/pifcastelfidardo/2019/21.htm The pdf music of "valse du clown" which is dedicated: "For my friend Jacques Mornet", catalog ang570 is now available online, also page sample online, only €9.00 Franck Angelis and Jacques Mornet of the famous music school CNIMA J.Mornet have a long history of musical collaboration and many students successfully performing Angelis compositions in international competition. Catalog ang571 Romance No. 2 by Franck Angelis is also now available, only €8.00 |
Updated AAA Site: Historical Articles about the AAA by Joan Grauman, AAA Historianby Harley Jones |
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![]() http://www.ameraccord.com/archival.php 1. What Events Led to the Formation of the American Accordionists’ Association? 2. Documenting the Fascinating History of the AAA 3. 80 Years of AAA Logos and Promotional Materials 4. Joseph Biviano and Charles Magnante – A Lifetime Commitment to the American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) 5. Growing up in the accordion schools: The 1950s through the 1970s 6. Women in the AAA Through the Decades, Beverly Roberts Curnow – Accordion Queen and World Accordion Champion still bringing joy with her beloved instrument! |
New Music by Gary Daverne - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() Gary Daverne after several requests, has also composed the accordion solo with piano accompaniment for his 2nd Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra. Catalog ED0082d The 2nd Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra is composed for accordion solo with accordion orchestra or accordion solo with symphony orchestra. Full details at: Gary Daverne These new works can also be used for the "Teachers - Win a trip to New Zealand" competition. Full information at: http://www.accordion.co.nz/2020/VideoDaverneCompetition.htm Other Margarita duets are: ED0051 - Margarita - accordion duet ED0052 - Margarita - accordion & flute ED0053 - Margarita Revisited - accordion solo & piano accompaniment ED0054 - Margarita - accordion & soprano saxophone Bb ED0055 - Margarita - accordion & viola ED0056 - Margarita - accordion & violin |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |