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Highlights |
40th PIF International "Città di Castelfidardo", Ancona – Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() A special feature is no application fee - it is completely free to celebrate the 40th Anniversary. The new Artistic Director Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, pictured left with Castelfidardo Mayor Mirco Soprani, released the new 40th edition PIF logo, and the 2015 competition regulations in Italian, English and Chinese at: 2015PIF The competition includes solo, group and orchestra sections for different ages, for classical, chamber music, light music (varieté, folk, jazz, Latin American repertoire), and World Music categories. Included are sections intended for diatonic accordions, bandoneons and digital accordions. Entries closing date is: 25th August 2015 The 2014 program, Reports since 2004 are online at: 2014Concorso |
International Accordion Competition Vilnius 2015 - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() There are competition categories for various ages for solo concert music and light music, accordion ensembles and chamber ensembles including at least one accordion. Download the general rules at: 2015Vilnius.pdf Entry closing date is: 24 February, 2015 Artistic Director and LAA President Raimondas Sviackevicius (picture right) writes: "Lithuania has now adopted the Euro as its official currency. Vilnius contains one of the largest surviving medieval quarters in Europe with almost 2,000 historic buildings. Looking forward to seeing you in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius. WELCOME!" |
Accordion Degree Courses, Strasbourg – Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Entrance auditions for the 2015/16 academic year take place from April 13th to 29th at the Academie Superieure de Strasbourg. The deadline for applications is February 14th. General Information pdf in English and French: 2015Strasbourg.pdf For further information email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr |
All style accordion, Roland and Jazz Courses @ CNIMA J. Mornet, Auvergne – Franceby Rob Howard |
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CNIMA J.Mornet announces a range of courses for accordionists in the first few months of 2015: Alexandre Laborde leads courses on using the Roland digital accordions, from basic to expert use. Monday February 16th, 2pm, until Wednesday 18th, 12 midday : FR-1X and FR-3X Wednesday February 18th, 2pm, until Friday 20th, 6pm : FR-7X and FR-8X All styles, ages and levels accordion training: 5 days : February 16th to 21st and 23rd to 28th 2 ½ days: February 16th to 18th and 23rd to 25th February 16th to 20th – writing music, orchestrating, improvising, etc, with Pascal Meurgé (for all instruments) February 23rd to 27th – dance rhythms on accordion with Yves Busato March 23rd to 27th and June 2nd to 4th - Gypsy jazz swing music courses with Ludovic Beier CNIMA J.Mornet is based at 63950 Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne, France. All training with full accommodation. Direct access by major highways. Or CNIMA J.Mornet employees will pick you up at the nearby train station (5 mins) For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr – Visit www.cnima.com (and chose your language). |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Vince Abbracciante Performs Pango at Memorial Concert - Italyby Harley Jones |
Vince Abbracciante performing at the 1st memorial concert for Gervasio Marcosignori - March 23, 2014, Auditorium Fondazione Carisap, Ascoli Piceno. Published on Nov 25, 2014 by the Associazione Gervasiana |
Peter McQuade in the New Year’s Honours List, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() 78-year-old Peter McQuade, who also performs comedy, says he’s just happy to have been able to entertain people for such a long period of time. |
Video: Accordion Rock Quartet Performs Highway Star - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Published on Jan 10, 2015. Accordion Rock quartet from Saint Petersburg plays the famous Deep Purple composition Highway Star. |
Suspicious Package Turns Out to be an Accordion!, Maryland - USAby Harley Jones |
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For over two hours, more than 30 police, fire and rescue workers investigated a suspicious package that turned out to be ... an accordion. At 9 am on Friday morning, Howard County authorities were alerted to what appeared to be an abandoned suitcase in front of the Owen Brown Interfaith Center in Columbia, Maryland, according to local fire officials. The area around the building was cordoned off with yellow police tape. Just outside the perimeter were police cars, an emergency services command truck, and fire and rescue trucks. "We send out equipment based on a worst-case scenario," said Assistant Fire Chief Joe Dixon. The day care center temporarily relocated to a room in Giant Foods nearby. The experts went to work gingerly opening the package. After lightly, carefully and very slowly removing the lid, the team peeked inside and spied a musical instrument – an accordion. Panic over. “The owner was unknown”, said police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn. "I'm sure the police took it into custody," she said. The children, who watched ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked’ during what turned out to be a false alarm, were paraded back into the Interfaith Center shortly before 11.30 am, as the swarm of equipment and emergency personnel left. |
Video: Ensemble Pasarela at Festival les Musicaves 2014by Harley Jones |
Published: January 15, Extracts of Ensemble Pasarela at Festival les Musicaves 2014. Bruno Maurice, accordéon Jérôme Voisin, clarinette Maud Lovett, violon Frédéric Lagarde, piano Program: Ginastera, Variations concertantes Piazzola, Maria de Buenos Aires Piazzola, Oblivion Villa-Lobos, Choros n°7 Jobim, Suite Maurice, Suite Lumières |
Video: Loreley Performs Back Home - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Published on Jan 7, 2015, Loreley Performs Back Home, recording session. Tanja Lehmann - Vocal Roger Blanchat - Bass/Vocal Adrian Leuenberger - Accordion Markus Dollack - Guitar/Vocal Serenellini Accordions |
Video: Schöner Steward and the KLM Amé Toki & das Orchester - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Published on Dec 19, 2014 Scho¨ner Steward and the KLM Amé Toki & das Orchester - Germany Juri Tarasenok - accordion |
‘14 Years Ago’: Florencia Herrera’s New Appointment in 2001 - Argentinaby Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending January 26th 2001 included an announcement that Florencia Herrera had just been appointed as a representative of Asociacion Friulana, an Argentinean music association. Florencia Herrera is still very much an active accordionist in Argentina, ably representing our favourite instrument to the public. Accordionist Appointed Representative of the Friulana Association – Argentina Accordionist Florencia Herrera was recently appointed a representative of the Asociacion Friulana, located in Paraná, Entre Rios, Argentina. As part of this position, Florencia performs solo concerts regularly playing a repertoire of Italian tunes such as ‘O Sole Mio’, ‘La Traviata’, as well as mazurkas and polkas. On January 1st 2001 Florencia performed at the Paraná Amphitheater. Prior to this she played on a TV cultural program, which was aired on Christmas Eve. |
Future events |
Pascal Contet Concerts, Strasbourg, Paris, Orleans – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() January 12th to 18th – with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Ballet ‘La Strada’ (composed by Nino Rota), Opéra du Rhin, Strasbourg January 19th to 23rd – new Latin project ‘Infleunces’, with the Travelling Quartet (Anne Gravoin, Mathilde Sternat, David Braccini, Vincent Pasquier) and lighting design by Xavier Lazarini; works by Fernando Fiszbein, Tomas Bordalego, Graciela Pueyo, Christophe Julien, Ignacio Anido, Carlos Gardel, Horacio Salgan, at La Villette, Paris; performance on Friday January 23rd at 6.30pm January 24th, 25th and 27th - with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Ballet ‘La Strada’ (Nino Rota), La Filature Scène Nationale, Mulhouse January 28th and 29th – recording for a CD of ‘l'Agité du bocal’, music by Bernard Cavanna, Scène nationale d'Orléans January 29th, 8.30pm – performance of ‘l'Agité du bocal’, Scène nationale d'Orléans February 5th, 8pm – concert with bass player Joëlle Léandre at Arsenal, Metz; their 2014 album ‘3’, published by Ayler Records in April won the Coup de Coeur of the Académie Charles Cros on December 9th. February 17th, 8pm – concert and recording of ‘Cantata No 4’ by Bruno Mantovani with Accentus (Laurence Equilbey) and cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton, Opera, Rouen For further information email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr |
Ksenija Sidorova Concerts, London, Bristol - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() On Saturday January 25th, 6pm, Ksenija performs at the Chelsea Arts Club, London, and on Friday January 30th, 8.30pm, she is in concert at St George's Church, Bristol. Both concerts are with the violinist Thomas Gould, and the programs include music by J S Bach, Bartok, Galliano, and Piazzolla. Video above published on Jan 18, 2015. This video is Nine Million Bicycles performed by Katie Melua and featuring Ksenija Sidorova filmed by KRO at the 2014 Night of the Proms in The Netherlands. |
Natasha Enquist Concerts, Berlin – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() January 25th, 12 until 4pm - Hendrick's Gin Sunday Club at Stagger Lee's Cocktail Bar, Berlin January 29th, 11pm - Chantal's House of Shame at Bassy Club, Berlin Berlin-based Natasha Enquist, originally from Victoria, British Colombia, Canada, is an accordionist, singer, actress and model. She is best known for her cabaret act featuring new and old love songs, but lately has focused on the style she calls "electro-accordion". Mixing electronic music with the accordion and her voice, she draws from her influences within electronic music, and other amazing artists that have inspired her and her love affair with the accordion. Using the accordion in both traditional and non-traditional ways, Natasha implements the accordions bellows, using the sensitivity of the internal pick-ups (microphones) by capturing the sound of the air release, distorting and filtering melody and bass lines to sound like everything from a synthesizer to an electric guitar. This may not be your typical 'accordion' album, but it is using the instrument in many different ways. Her versatile career has included performance contracts with Walt Disney World, Heineken, numerous Canadian theatre companies and music festivals. Now residing in Berlin, Germany, she has recently completed her debut album titled “MNE”, which features 9 original tracks, 8 of which are of the ‘electro-accordion’ compositions. For further information email: info@natashaenquist.com |
Gjovalin Nonaj Concerts, Brussels – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
Albanian accordionist Gjovalin Nonaj performs concerts at the Centre Européen de Médiation (CEM), 119 rue de l’Hôtel des Monnaies, Brussels. Sunday January 25th, 3pm until 4pm Sunday March 1st, 3pm until 4pm Tuesday April 21st, 5.30pm until 6.30pm Video above: Gjovalin Nonaj - Rini E Qeshur (A. Krajka) Published on Oct 15, 2013. video by FILMALEXPROD.be Gjovalin Nonaj, a graduate of the Tirana Conservatory in Albania, is now based in Brussels, where he works as a musician, arranger, composer and teacher of accordion. For further information email: Gjovalin_nonaj@hotmail.com |
Martynas Levickis Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The greatly-traveled Martynas Levickis, graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Music and winner of the ‘Lithiania’s Got Talent’ TV show, has performed with distinction in many countries. His second CD, ‘Martynas’, reached number one in the UK classical charts last year. |
Amanda Robinson performs at Burns Night Event, Northern Ireland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Amanda Robinson is one of Northern Ireland’s most promising accordionists, with numerous NAO competition successes, several CDs and a DVD to her credit. |
Victor Prieto Workshop @ Brooklyn Accordion Club, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Spanish-born accordionist Victor Prieto is well known for his jazz performances in New York, where he now lives. He has been described by the New York Times as “a fiendishly skilled accordionist and composer”. For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
OuTonalidades invitation: An ‘Open call to play in Portugal’ in Autumn 2015by Rob Howard |
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Accordionists or other musicians, from any genre, who wish to participate in the 19th OuTonalidades event, a live music circuit which will take place in the autumn of 2015 in Portugal, are welcome to apply. The closing date for applications is February 16th. OuTonalidades is organized by the d'Orfeu Associação Cultural. For further information email: outonalidades@dorfeu.pt |
Ken and Mary @ Polka Festival, Ohio – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Ken Nicol has over 40 years of music experience, playing the diatonic button accordion and also the tenor banjo, guitar, mandolin, and mandola. He was even bestowed the title ‘Baron of the Banjo’ by Frankie Yankovic. Ken had his own rag/jazz band for many years, playing in and around Ohio as well as performing in the German Pavillon at Disney’s Epcot Center and at the Altstadt Fest in Goslar/Harz, Germany. Mary’s music career has spanned over 30 years, playing both the organ and the piano accordion. She has performed at numerous festivals, banquets, and for parties. For further information email: kenandmarymusik@yahoo.com |
International Accordion Workshop, Campobasso – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() ![]() Venue is the Grand Hotel, Rinascimento, Campobasso, from Friday March 20th to Sunday March 22nd. Full details are now available on request. Ivano Battiston will perform a concert on Saturday March 21st at 8pm. For further information email: info@francescopalazzo.it |
Bester Quartet Upcoming Performances - Poland and UKby Francesca Pigini, Pigini Accordion Factory |
Upcoming Performances: 13th February at Jaworki, Poland 6th of May at the JW3, London, UK. Bester Quartet is enjoying strong popularity and is made up of four highly skilled instrumentalists, classically trained musicians - Jaroslaw Bester (accordion), Jaroslaw Tyrala (violin), Oleg Dyyak (accordion, clarinet, duduk, percussion), Mikolaj Pospieszalski (double bass). Through the development of original , bold artistic repertoire , based mainly on their own compositions or prepared specifically for this instrumental composition , the team continues to win recognition from music critics and audiences around the world. The ensemble is a new edition of the legendary The Cracow Klezmer Band that was formed back in 1997 in Krakow, Poland as an initiative of Jaroslaw Bester – a young musician, composer and accordionist. |
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Eastbourne Accordion Festival, West Sussex – UKby Rob Howard |
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The Eastbourne Accordion Festival, organized by John and Jackie Romero, takes place from February 13th to 16th at The Queens Hotel, Eastbourne, West Sussex BN21 3DY. The guests include Gary Blair, the Kennet Accordion Orchestra, Richard Holmes, Alexa Sage, Alan Young, John Romero, and Harry Hussey. The workshop leaders include Harry Hussey, Sue Bennett, and Angie Lukins. The festival trade show includes The Accordion Shop, Birmingham Accordion Centre, Harry Kipling’s ‘Accordion Treasures’, and Carillon Studios. For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.co.uk |
New and Updated Sites |
Beltango Release Theatre of Soul CD - Serbiaby Aleksandar Nikolic |
![]() The Beltango 3 CD pack continues to be popular as well. View all at Beltango and purchase online with credit card. |
New Work, Whispering Hope Available, Gary Dahl - USAby Gary Dahl |
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CD Reviews |
According to Amy by Amy Jo Sawyerby Accordions Worldwide |
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |