Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Official Opening of ‘Accordeons Viseur’ Shop, Puurs – Belgiumby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The grand opening of ‘Accordeons Viseur’, a small but highly specialised accordion and harmonica shop, is on January 30th. Visitors are welcome between 10am and 6pm to attend the official opening day. Visitors can expect some surprise ‘gigs’, a warm welcome and many fine accordion stories to be told! ‘Accordeons Viseur’ is situated on Sauvegardestraat 17, 2870-Puurs, Ruisbroek, Belgium - near the A12 between Antwerp and Brussels. This shop, founded in May 2003, has ever since been steadily growing and improving. Over the years it has built up a good reputation in Belgium, and also welcomes customers from further afield. The owner, Iwein Jacobs, is an accordion player himself and can service and tune accordions in his workshop or give advice to people about which new accordion is most suitable or them. Players can also find quality straps, gig bags, cases, amplification, midi etc. ‘Accordeons Viseur’ has built up a fine relationship with the vibrant Belgian folk scene, and has a unique expertise (for Belgium) in tuning/modifying and selling diatonic accordions. For harmonica players, ‘Accordeons Viseur’ has since 2003 been representing ‘C.A.Seydel’. Other very special instruments sold include the ‘accordina’, made by Marcel Dreux, and the bandoneon, designed by Harry Geuns. For further information email: info@accordeons-viseur.com |
International Competition and Festival “Città di Castelfidardo” - Italyby Rob Howard |
The 35th annual International Festival of the Accordion takes place from October 5th to 10th in Castelfidardo, Ancona. The formula of the festival includes an Opening Gala event, followed by an international competition for solo, ensembles and orchestras, plus concerts, lectures and master classes. The closing date for entries is August 31st 2010. For further Information: Pro Loco di Castelfidardo (+39 071 7823162 – prolococ@tiscali.it). and office of the city hall Castelfidardo. |
60ème Trophée Mondial de l'Accordéon – Spainby |
The Trophée Mondiale is 60 years old in 2010 and the Confédération Mondiale de l'Accordéon (CMA) website has been updated with all the information for this 60th Trophée Mondiale competition and festival. The host organiser and CMA delegate Daniel Rodriguez (picture right) welcomes everyone to the coastal city of Vigo in Spain for the dates 21st to 25th September 2010. For further information, competition rules and entry forms, view the CMA website. |
Contemporary Accordion Festival, Rome - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The Conservatory of Music of Santa Cecilia organizes the First Edition of The Contemporary Accordion Festival from 24th to 27th May 2010. The Festival, which will include seminars, masterclasses and displays by accordion builders on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The event features a concert by Mika Väyrynen and an International Competition for accordion soloists, on Wednesday and Thursday and plans to promote the “Accordion” in contemporary music. The students taking part in the Festival can also participate in the masterclasses by Mika Väyrynen and Frédéric Deschamps and the International Competition. The lessons of the masterclasses will be individual and the lesson timetable will be based on the participants and the fees are very reasonable. For further information, email Coordinator: Professor Massimiliano Pitocco: m.pitocco@conservatoriosantacecilia.it |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Mika Väyrynen Recordings Available on CD and Online – Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen recently celebrated the release of his newest CD ‘Misterium’ (No FAICD-23), featuring works by Janacek, Kaipainen, Hannikainen, Korpijaakko, Scriabin, and Kusjakov. The CD, titled after final work of Anatoli Kusjakov, features his Sonata No. 7 ‘Misterium’, which was dedicated to Mika and premiered in 2008 when Mika performed in concert at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Some of these same works can be heard in Mika’s solo recital presented in the Great Hall of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland in November 2009. To watch the complete and professionally edited concert, simply visit: MVayrynen/space4u.com In addition, the recent concert featuring Mika’s world premiere performance of Paavo Korpijaakko’s ‘Metamorphoses - Concerto for Accordion and Strings’ was broadcast live by The Estonian National Radio. . To hear the broadcast (the Concerto is the second work on the program, beginning approximately 14 minutes into the concert) visit: MVayrynen/space4u.com For more information about purchasing Mika’s ‘Misterium’ CD, please contact the Finnish Accordion Institute; email: hanuritalo@harmonikkainstituutti.net |
Accordion Enthusiast’s Calendar 2010, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
The Accordion Enthusiast’s Calendar for 2010 is now available. Produced in the Scottish Highlands by Caroline Hunt! The calendar features colour photographs of vintage accordions from Caroline’s large collection, set against beautiful outdoor rural backgrounds. For further information email: accordionbook@huntc.fsbusiness.co.uk |
Massimiliano Pitocco’s New CD ‘De Profundis’, Rome – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Massimiliano Pitocco, well-known artiste and teacher at the conservatory St.Cecilia di Rome, has recently recorded a new CD, ‘De Profundis’. The tracks include: J.S.Bach - ‘Fantasy and Fugue’; C.Franck - ‘Corale no 2’; D.Remigio – ‘Minimal’; S.Gubajdulina - ‘De Profundis’; V.Semionov - ‘Sonata no 1’; V.Tschernikov - ‘Il fisarmonicista solitario’ For information contact: m.pitocco@dotcube.it |
Future events |
Renzo Ruggieri ‘Solo Accordion Project’ Concert, Pescara - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Renzo Ruggieri performs his ‘Solo Accordion Project’ improvisation concert on January 23rd, 6pm, at Maison des Arts, Fondazione Pescarabruzzo, Pescara, Corso Umberto. Admission is free. The Renzo Ruggieri Orchestra is available for performances of their ‘Kramer Project’, based on the compositions of Gorni Kramer. Guest vocalists may include Antonella Ruggiero, Rossana Casale, Linda, Franco Cerri, and Bruno De Filippi. For further information email: pressoffice@renzoruggieri.com |
"2 Harriets" Duo Concert, Wales – UKby Rob Howard |
Harriet Earis - harp and Harriet Bartlett accordion/vocals perform together in concert on January 24th, 7.30pm, at the Talbot Hotel, Tregaron, Ceredigion (Cardiganshire), Wales. For further information email: info@harrietearis.com |
‘Alla Russia’, Wiesbaden – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Accordion Professor Mirjana Petercol and her students from the Kassel Music Academy organize concerts featuring works by composers from the former USSR on Sunday January 24th and Monday January 25th in the neo-Gothic Ringskirche, Wiesbaden. Concert publicity advertises: “A breath of passion, great musical gestures and a lot of virtuoso fingers promise a musical highlight" The concerts will feature compositions for solo accordion and chamber music ensembles by Arro, Sviridov, Zolotarev, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, Shamo, and others. The host, the cantor of the Ringkirche Mr. Kielblock, will also perform Russian compositions on the organ. Admission is free, though donations for the restoration of the Ringskirche organ will be highly appreciated. |
Ksenija Sidorova Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
25th of Januare - Rush Hour Recital Series at 1901 Arts Club, London SE1 The Hattori Foundation’s second series of monthly recitals continues with a performance by award winning classical accordion sensation, KSENIJA The recitals are being held at the 1901 Arts Club in Waterloo, a beautiful and unique venue in which concert-goers can appreciate performances in an intimate environment. Tickets are £15 and include a complimentary pre-concert glass of wine as well as the chance to meet the performers in the private bar upstairs after the concert. 28th Jan. Royal Festival Hall An opportunity to show the powers that be at the Royal Festival Hall that the accordion can draw a crowd ! It is, but now as a serious instrument too, that has the respect of all music lovers through the musical spectrum, the respect all accordionists have always wanted their instrument to have. All this aside, Ksenija is a worthy recipient of the prizes she has won and a marvel to watch and listen to. She came to the UK to study accordion at the Royal Academy of Music. Programm: Johann Sebastian Bach: Overture from Partita (Overture in the French style), BWV.831 Luciano Berio: Sequenza XIII for accordion (Chanson) Domenico Scarlatti: 2 Sonatas Alfred Schnittke: Revis, A Fairy Tale |
Cafe Accordion Orchestra Gigs, Minnesota, Wisconsin – USAby Rob Howard |
The Café Accordion Orchestra, featuring accordionist Dan Newton, performs an eclectic mix of vintage Swing, Latin, American, and French café music, evoking the repertoire of the Bal Musette orchestras of Paris from the 1920s to the 1950s. Their music is equally good for dancing or listening. The CAO’s gig list includes: January 26th, 6pm - Loring Pasta Bar, 327 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN February 2nd, 6pm - Loring Pasta Bar, Minneapolis, MN 5th, 7.30pm – Honey, 205 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis 9th, 6pm - Loring Pasta Bar, Minneapolis, MN 12th, 9pm - Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin 16th, 6pm – Loring Pasta Bar, Minneapolis, MN 23rd, 6pm - Loring Pasta Bar, Minneapolis, MN 26th, 7.30pm - Honky Tonk Café, 1011 County Road M, River Falls, Wisconsin For further information email: daddysqueeze@yahoo.com |
Festival Het Accordeon 2010, Deventer – Netherlandsby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The Festival Het Accordeon 2010 takes place in Deventer, Netherlands, from February 11th to 14th. This festival includes concerts, workshops, trade show and other activities, including some world premieres. Festival highlights include: February 11th, 8pm – Concert at the Bergkerk: ‘Dutch talent, studying abroad’, including Erica Roozendaal, Emina Niksic, Pieternel Berkers and Renée Bekkers - performances of original pieces for accordion, including some special Dutch premieres. February 12th, 12.15pm - Deventer Schouwburg: Lunchtime concert by accordion students of the Artez Conservatory of Enschede. February 12th, 8pm - Deventer schouwburg: Jazz concert by The Millennium Jazz Orchestra (MD Joan Reinders), featuring US accordion legend Frank Marocco (picture right). February 13th, 10am until 5pm - Deventer Schouwburg, Leeuwenkuil: ‘Sparkling Deventer’ - Music Market, a trade show with CDs, instruments, etc; workshops for accordion, bluesharp, harmonica, Steierische Harmonika and bandoneon in different styles; a reading from Wu Wei about the sheng, from China; master classes by Pascal Contet, classical accordionist from France, and The Motion Trio, three accordionists from Poland. There will be a concert at 4pm featuring the NJAO (Dutch Youth Accordion Orchestra, MD Marc Belder), performing a world premiere of ‘Captain Gumbo’, music in the Cajun/Zydeco tradition. February 13th, 7.30pm - Deventer Schouwburg, Leeuwenkuil, Gala Evening conert, featuring The Motion Trio, Petra Berger and Tango Dorado, Wu Wei and Pascal Contet, The Groove Club, Riccardo Tesi & Banditalia (Italy), Fata Morgana, Captain Gumbo, Irena Filippova (Russia), and brother/sister from Amsterdam, Vincent (accordion) and Jeanine (violin). February 14th, 11.30am - Deventer Schouwburg, Family concert by Rood Verlangen: BontePels, featuring music by Astor Piazzolla. February 14th, 11.30am - Etty Hillesum Centrum: Riccardo Tesi and Maurizio Geri sing/play Italian traditional music from Toscane. February 14th, 11.30am - Filmhuis De Keizer: Cineconcert: ‘Sunrise’ - Pascal Contet will improvise on his accordion during this soundless movie about a classical love-drama. February 14th, 12.25pm – Bergkerk, ‘Worlds are melting together’: Wu Wei, sheng, and Ton Zwartkruis, organ, play classical music while two artists (Constance Visser and Henk van der Ven) paint a grand picture in a very special environment. February 14th, 2.30pm – Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon and the symphony orchestra ‘Orkest van het Oosten’ perform music by Astor Piazzolla and other great composers from Argentina, ‘Temperamentvolle Piazzolla’ at Deventer Schouwburg. February 14th, 4pm – Deventer Schouwburg: ‘Bal Folk’, with Cecilia, a folk dance trio from Belgium. Welcome to the last party of this festival! For further information email: info@hetaccordeon.nl |
‘Harry Hussey meets Ken Astin’, Stockport – UKby Rob Howard |
Harry Hussey and Ken Astin are the guests at Stockport Accordion Club on Wednesday February 10th, 8pm. The venue is Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel Street/A560 Hyde Road, Woodley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 1ND (J25/M60). This concert, originally set for January 13th, was postponed and re-arranged due to snow, freezing temperatures and impassable roads. Harry Hussey is a master improviser and jazz accordionist. Ken Astin, after spending many years as an organist entertaining the public in Blackpool, has returned to the accordion, his first love. This is the first time Ken Astin and Harry Hussey have played together as guests at an accordion club, though they did make a CD of jazz standards together in 2005 titled ‘Our Kind of Music’. They will play together and also do solo spots. Stockport AC President Johnny Coleclough will play a supporting spot. For further Information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
January Diatonic News Online 1st Januaryby Werner Weibert |
The January 2010 Diatonic News online 1st January. |
Sergey Petrov, professional musician, St Petersburg - Russiaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Sergey Petrov, professional musician from St Petersburg (Russia), has an updated site about his performing and new CD. Sergey is probably the only professional musician in Russia , promoting such music styles as Zydeco and Cajun and plus cultivating variety-jazz style in playing accordion. |
January USA News Online 1st Januaryby Rita Davidson Barnea |
The January 2010 USA News, online on the 1st January. |
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
MusicForAccordion.com site releases 6 new pieces - 'Reverie, catalog:mfa7096', 'La Sorella, catalog:mfa7097', 'La Cucaracha, catalog:mfa7098', 'Bamba - Samba, catalog:mfa7099', 'Valse Bleue, catalog:mfa8000' and 'Jarabe Tapatio, catalog:mfa8001'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
NAA Publications releases 6 new pieces, 'Beer Barrel Polka (Medium Version), catalog:naa106', 'Beer Barrel Polka (Duet), catalog:naa107', 'Beer Barrel Polka (Solo – Easy Version), catalog:naa108', 'Spritely, catalog:naa109', 'La Scala Waltz, catalog:naa110', 'Joledoans March, catalog:naa111'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
Johann Sebastian Bachby Joan C. Sommers |
CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Johann Sebastian Bach” by Joan C. Sommers. Performer is Claudio Jacomucci. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |