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Highlights |
The Accordion Family! 2018 National Accordion Convention Musical Accomplishments - USA
Masterclasses and 22nd International Week of Accordion "Alcobaça 2018" - Portugal
Gorka Hermosa Reflects, Warsaw – Poland
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Paier Valcic Quartet New ‘Cinema Scenes’ CD and Tour Dates - Austria
Video: “Last Tango by Zoe” - Greece
Future events |
Renzo Ruggieri and Antonella Ruggiero Concert, Chioggia (VE) – Italy
Richard Galliano and Sylvain Luc Concert, Leeds - UK
Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini Evening - USA
WDR3 Radio Broadcast, Bonn – Germany
Naoko and Andreas Nebl Concert, Trossingen – Germany
Bob Goldberg Workshop @ Brooklyn Accordion Club, New York – USA
Johnny Duncan Duo @ Alnwick Accordion & Fiddle Club, England – UK
International Accordion Festival, Thessaloniki – Greece
Ken and Mary ‘Turbo Accordions Express` Concert, Tennessee – USA
Victor Prieto Jazz Accordion Master Class, Ourense City – Spain
New and Updated Sites |
2018 AAA Competition Rules Released on New Website - USA
Updated Site: Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ)
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Video: All Russian Day of Bayan, Accordion and Harmonica 2018by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 Upon initiative of Friedrich Lips, chair for bayan and accordion of the Gnessin Music Academy in Moscow, the annual All-Russian Day of bayan, accordion and harmonica was started in 2010. For 2018, a concert was held in the concert hall of the Gnesin Music Academy, 17th March. Video: Program list in English and Russian: 2018AllRussian.pdf |
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The Accordion Family! 2018 National Accordion Convention Musical Accomplishments - USAby Norman Seaton, President National Accordion Association (NAA) |
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 Gary Blair wrote:"This year’s line-up of artistes for the NAA convention was top drawer! Held in the Hyatt regency in Richardson, Texas, it starred Grayson Masefield (New Zealand), Gary Blair (Scotland) and from the USA, Cory Pesaturo, Gabe Hall Rodriguez, Jamie Maschler, Debra Peters and a host of other top accordionists. We had workshops, demonstrations, concerts, jam sessions and even a Friday night dance party. A great turn out of participants, guests and friends, made for a terrific weekend of accordion fun." Post-Convention News Release by NAA President Norman Seaton (picture right): 2018 will be known as a Banner Year for musicality and the accordion. Given the latest technologies in our digital accordion world, the 2018 National Accordion Convention (NAA) was systematically divided into two primary training areas (digitally-enhanced and traditional workshops) where conventioneers freely attended either session based on personal desires, presentation topics, and/or presenter’s expertise. By design, the two training areas were compatible, not competitive. For example, musical expression (bellow actions, keyboard articulation, etc.) has similarities on all accordions. The friendly transparency between the training sessions influenced the atmosphere of the entire convention. We are now “family members” related by our beloved musical instrument also known as “The Accordion!” Situated next to the two primary training areas was a semi-private area assigned for personalized sessions (digital-enhanced and/or traditional training). Coordinators for these areas were Ian Fries and Sharon Seaton; with both coordinators assuring that conventioneers used those areas often. National Accordion Association officials and Convention Team members are proud of the fact that 2018 conventioneers displayed and enjoyed a high level of enjoyment as we continue to move forward. All the 2018 Convention Team members have indicated an interest in serving the same positions for 2018. Picture below of some Board members and/or Coordinators. More pictures: 2018NAA |
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Masterclasses and 22nd International Week of Accordion "Alcobaça 2018" - Portugalby Harley Jones |
  The 22nd International Week of the Accordion takes place in Alcobaça, Portugal, from June 2nd to 10th, 2018. This annual festival incorporates the 23rd National Trophy and the 4th International Accordion Competition and is organised by the Associação de Acordeão de Portugal ASACORD. This large scale festival includes both national and international competitions, concerts, master classes, workshops and conferences. Download competition regulations and entry forms in English and Portuguese: 2018Alcobaca.pdf Entry closing date is: 18 May 2018 The event also features 'Masterclasses of Accordion' directed by (alphabetical order): Franck Angelis, Alexander Dmitriev, Aníbal Freire and Diana Freire, being held 7th and 8th June, at the Teatro de Alcobaça. Masterclass information and application form in English and Portuguese: 2018MasterClassAlcobaca.pdf |
Gorka Hermosa Reflects, Warsaw – Polandby Rob Howard |
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| Spanish accordionist Gorka Hermosa, currently touring Europe, reflects on his visit last week to Poland: “There was a wonderful end to the visit to Poland - the winner of the ‘Poland Got Talent’ on Polish TV Lukas Gogol premiered the version for accordion and wind orchestra of ‘Ekía and Anantango’ with the Orkiestra Parafii sw Józefa Opole. There was 10 minutes of standing ovation from the audience. Awesome! I also played a piece with him (picture above) and I was giving masterclasses in Opole and Nysa (picture below) to complete the visit to Poland that at the Frederic Chopin Conservatory in Warsaw, giving classes and a concert there. Fantastic experience this visit to Poland. Thank you to Professor Dariusz, Tomasz, Orkiestra Parafii sw Józefa Opole and Kownacki and the Gogol families from my heart!” |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
New Site for Music by Arteson - Switzerlandby Christel Sautaux |
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| A newborn in the world of online editions! Arteson www.arteson.ch presents a large catalog of pedagogical works for accordion. Every piece is written in a pedagogical way and every work is classified by level of difficulty and instrument type (standard bass / free bass) to be found easily. The site is in English, French and German languages and the music can be purchased easily from the online shop and you download your chosen music. Have a good visit on www.arteson.ch |
Paier Valcic Quartet New ‘Cinema Scenes’ CD and Tour Dates - Austriaby Rob Howard |
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 The Paier Valcic Quartet’s recently released CD ‘Cinema Scenes’, features music influenced by cinema movies. Most of the 12 pieces are composed by either Klaus Paier or Asja Valcic. They cover everything from nostalgic yearning to triumphant joy, via shocked silience and angry rebellion, features in the four-part title track, which begins with an arrangement of Lennie Niehaus/Clint Eastwood’s ‘Doe Eyes’ from ‘The Bridges of Madison County’ and continues the melodramatic scenery using Paier’s own ideas. The tracks are: Synchronization (Valcic), Safran (Paier), Rush (Valcic), Hesitation (Valcic), Griet´s Theme (Alexandre Desplat), Le Jardin (Paier), Doe Eyes (Lennie Niehaus/Clint Eastwood), Moving Pictures (Paier), Silence (Paier), Exciting (Paier), Inspired Tale (Paier), Ricochet (Valcic). The Paier Valcic Quartet line up is Klaus Paier (accordion and bandoneon), Asja Valcic (cello), Stefan Gfrerrer (double bass), and Roman Werni (drums and percussion). Tour dates: March 23rd, 9pm – Treibhaus, Innsbruck April 7th, 8pm – Kaminzimmer, Ranshofen SchloBtaverne May 28th, 7.30pm – 01, Sendesaal, live broadcast on Radio Kulturhaus Klaus Paier, Austrian accordionist and composer, studied accordion, jazz and composition at Klagenfurt conservatory. He became interested in other genres, from tango to jazz and world music, in order to fuse them into his own personal style. He works with various ensembles, including as a duo with the Croatian cellist Asja Valcic and as the Paier Valcic Quartet. For further information email: klaus.paier@aon.net |
Video: “Last Tango by Zoe” - Greeceby Harley Jones |
 Video of Zoe Tiganouria performing her composition "Last Tango by Zoe" Published on Mar 17, 2018.Music Credits Music composition, Accordion, Piano: Zoe Tiganouria Vocalise: Eleni Voudouraki, mezzo-soprano of the Greek National Opera Violins: Jason Ktenas Orchestration, programing: Stelios Generalis |
Future events |
Trophee National de l’Accordeon, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
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| The Trophee National de l’Accordeon competition on Saturday March 24th headlines a series of accordion events, titled ‘Semaine thematique autour de l’accordeon’, from March 21st to 24th at venues in Paris. Download poster above: 2018Paris.pdf The events include: March 21st – master class with Pascal Contet, Cinema Le Luxy, 77 avenue Georges Gosnat March 22nd – master class with Vincent Carenzi, Auditorium Antonin Artaud March 23rd, 12pm – Barocco Tango with Guillaume Hodeau (bandoneon) & David Louwerse (cello), Hotel de la ville (salle des fetes) March 23rd, 7pm – ‘Vivaldi to Piazzolla’ concert with Vincent Carenzi (accordion) & Mario Forte (violin), Auditorium Antonin Artaud March 24th, 9.30am – Trophee national de l’accordeon, organised by Frederic Deschamps at the Auditorium Antonin Artaud March 24th, 2pm – master class with Frederic Deschamps, Auditorium Antonin Artaud March 24th, 5.30pm – concert with accordion classes students, Auditorium Antonin Artaud |
Renzo Ruggieri and Antonella Ruggiero Concert, Chioggia (VE) – Italyby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday March 24th, 9.15pm to 11pm, jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri and vocalist Antonella Ruggiero perform together in concert at the Auditorium San Nicolò, Calle S. Nicolò, 30015 Chioggia (VE). Tickets cost 15 Euro, 13 Euro concessions.The concert is sponsored by Ass. Lirico Musicale Clodiense and Veneto Jazz. Renzo Ruggieri has performed in many countries to great acclaim, including Russia, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, China, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Iceland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Lithuania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Ukraine, and Belarus. He performs as a soloist and also with various ensembles and orchestras. He is a prolific composer and recording artist, and also the organizer of the Pineto Accordion Jazz Festival. |
Richard Galliano and Sylvain Luc Concert, Leeds - UKby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday March 24th, 7.45pm, accordionist Richard Galliano and guitarist Sylvain Luc perform music associated with Edith Piaf in concert at the Howard Assembly Room, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6NU.On March 28th and 29th Galliano performs concerts as part of the trio Mare Nostrum, with trumpeter Paolo Fresu and pianist Jan Lundgren, in Heidleberg and Stuttgart. French accordion and bandoneon virtuoso Richard Galliano performs internationally in many musical fields, from classical to jazz. He records for the prestigious classical music label ‘Deutsche Grammophon’, and has recorded more than 50 albums, many under his own name and some with many other artists. Sylvain Luc is one of France’s leading jazz guitarists, and he has worked with Michel Legrand, Wynton Marsalis, Bireli Lagrene, Al Jarreau, and many more. He often works with Richard Galliano, and is the bassist with Galliano’s trio. For further information email: solathierry@gmail.com |
Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini Evening - USAby Harley Jones |
 Come and enjoy an intimate evening with Mary, Mario & friends performing at the Ossining Elks (118 Croton Ave., Ossining, NY 10562) this Saturday, March 24 at 7:30pm. Food and drinks will be available. For reservations, call (917) 488-7189.Also, our Feast of St. Joseph performance at the Brownstone was cancelled yesterday due to snow. It has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, March 27. The Brownstone, 351 W Broadway, Paterson, NY 07522. For reservations, call (800) 831-9801. |
WDR3 Radio Broadcast, Bonn – Germanyby Rob Howard |
 On Wednesday March 28th, 8pm, the German radio station WDR3 will broadcast a concert featuring a recording of the Prizewinners Concert II of the DMW accordion competition (from March 17th), with the newly crowned award winners and the Beethoven Orchestra under the direction of Rasmus Baumann.The broadcast includes: WA Mozart – ‘Bassoon Concerto KV 191’ (soloist: Theo Plath), Sofia Gubaidulina – ‘Timber frame for bayan, percussion and string orchestra’ (soloist: Maciej Frackiewicz), and Johannes Brahms – ‘Violin Concerto in D major op. 77’ (soloist: Ioana Cristina Goicea). |
Naoko and Andreas Nebl Concert, Trossingen – Germanyby Rob Howard |
 On Wednesday March 28th, 8pm, Naoko and Andreas Nebl perform a concert of classical chamber music on harmonica and accordion in the new concert hall of the Bundesakademie Trossingen with works by Handel, Telemann, Grieg, Scarlatti, Nevanlinna, Albinoni, and Piazzolla.Naoko Nebl (chromatic harmonica) won first prize at the World Harmonica Festival in 1997, Andreas Nebl (accordion) was awarded first prize at the 2001 International Chamber Music Competition "Val Tidone" in Italy. Both are lecturers at the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen, and Andreas Nebl is also a lecturer for classical accordion at the Musikhochschule Osnabrück. For further information email: info@hohner-konservatorium.de |
Bob Goldberg Workshop @ Brooklyn Accordion Club, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday April 8th, 2-3.50pm, Brooklyn Accordion Club presents an afternoon workshop with Bob Goldberg. Admission is $5.The workshop looks at the different uses of drones, and ways of playing them. This is a participatory workshop, so please bring your accordions. Bob Goldberg, from Brooklyn, is a composer, mulita-instrumentalist and teacher. He studied the piano and electronic music, and took up the accordion. He currently leads the Famous Accordion Orchestra. Brooklyn Accordion Club now meets at the Great Room at the LuEsther T. Mertz South Oxford Space/A.R.T., 138 South Oxford Street (between Atlantic Avenue and Fulton Street), Brooklyn, NY 11 217. For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Johnny Duncan Duo @ Alnwick Accordion & Fiddle Club, England – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Wednesday April 11th, 7.30pm-10.30pm, the versatile Johnny Duncan Duo performs as guests at the Alnwick Accordion & Fiddle Club. The venue is The Northumberland Hall, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1TN, north-east England. Admission is £7, Musicians £3 - (Members free); admission includes Buffet Supper each month.Johnny Duncan, from Dundee, the 1973 All Scotland Champion, is a very versatile accordionist who uses a midi expander to facilitate his wide repertoire. His duo partner is usually the drummer Malcolm Ross. For further information email: leonardbrownaccordion@gmail.com |
International Accordion Festival, Thessaloniki – Greeceby Rob Howard |
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| The first International Accordion Festival takes place from Friday April 13th to Sunday April 15th in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The organisers - Panagiotis Andreoglou, Stamatis Pasopoulos and Konstantinos Raptis, from Reedblocks - have invited musicians from different musical environments to present some of the facets of the instrument: the accordion in today’s avant-garde music, the accordion in rebetiko through the music of Armonika, a lost instrument, and two accordions in realizing imaginative transcriptions of orchestral works of the classical repertoire. Matti Pulkki, Iraklis Vavatsikas, Ander Tellería and Mateja Zenzerovic will be presented in three concerts, accompanied by four different workshops/seminars: - for adults who play the accordion and want to be introduced to the Music of Armonika in Rebetiko (Iraklis Vavatsikas) - for children who want to know about the accordion (Vasiliki Psyrra) - for composers (Matti Pulkki) - for those who wish to see the accordion from the inside (Panagiotis Zafeiriou) The festival thanks the generous support from Pigini srl, Italy. For further information email: reedblocks.festival@gmail.com |
Ken and Mary ‘Turbo Accordions Express` Concert, Tennessee – USAby Rob Howard |
 The accordion duo Ken and Mary ‘Turbo Accordions Express` perform at the `Windows on the World` Symposium `WOW`, Tennessee Technological University, 1 William L. Jones Dr, Cookeville, TN, on Saturday April 14th, at 12noon.For further information email: kenandmarymusik@yahoo.com |
Victor Prieto Jazz Accordion Master Class, Ourense City – Spainby Rob Howard |
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| Victor Prieto’s International Jazz Accordion and Modern Harmony Master Class takes place in Ourense City, Spain, July 14th and 15th. Places are limited to 8 for each master class, so early applications are advised. The master classes are in Spanish and English. There will be a rhythm section (bass and drums) for both days. The course fee is 210 Euro. The master classes cover the following subjects: Improvisation: in different styles and understanding scales. (Pop, rock, bolero) - not only in jazz. -Comping: how to form chords, close position, open position, upper structures. -Poly-Chords: technique "Chord Approach on both hands." -Styles; how to phrase and comp: Jazz, blues, Brazilian, traditional tango, new Tango, and other styles of modern harmony. -How to work and what to do in a recording studio when you get only chord changes. - watch videos and analyse them. How the accordion interacts with other instruments depending on the instrumentation of the groups. (Duo, Trio, Solo, singer, piano) - A book with material will be given to each student for further studies and review (to take home with you). - Practice and perform with a rhythm section (bass and drums). -How to use the registers and voices of the accordion to orchestrate and have a bigger variety of colours and sounds. Victor Prieto is based in New York, where he performs regularly and also leads master classes. He previously studied classical accordion at the Conservatory in Ourense. For further information email: info@victorprieto.net |
New and Updated Sites |
Coupe Mondiale Site Updated Hotel Information & Schedule - Lithuaniaby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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  The 71st Coupe Mondiale is being held in Kaunas Lithuania, 24 to 30 September.The updated Coupe Mondiale site is online now with hotel information (very reasonable prices) and travel information. Host is the Lithuanian National Accordionist's Union led by President Kazys Stonkus & Vice-President Mindaugas Labanauskas. The rules for all the Coupe Mondiale competition categories are online and the closing date for entries is 31 July 2018. The online entry application software will be made live in June. The updated 2018 schedule now includes on Sunday 30 September, the World Accordion Orchestra X concert. Full details for participation in the World Accordion Orchestra X will be online soon. Picture below is World Accordion Orchestra IX conducted by Joan Cochran Sommers. Full information at: Coupe Mondiale You will find a complete record of the 2017 Coupe Mondiale at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2017/it_rev_04.html with all competitors videos at: 2017CM-Video |
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2018 AAA Competition Rules Released on New Website - USAby Harley Jones |
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 The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) has released the rules for their 2018 AAA Competitions being held during the 2018 AAA Festival, 11-15 July, Alexandria, Virginia (near Washington, DC).There are categories for all ages and types of music for solo, duet, ensembles and bands with the entry closing date being 1st June 2018. Full information is on the newly completed AAA website which features the latest coding standards and responsive designs suitable for all sizes of mobile phones, tablets through to wide screen monitors. The festival flyer, festival registration, competition rules, entry forms can be downloaded at: AAAFestival The outstanding lineup of guest artists is featured on the flyer (picture right) for what will be a great 80th Anniversary AAA Festival this July in Washington. Please make reservations promptly as hotel rooms are going quickly. It's also a great opportunity to combine your love of accordion with a visit to Washington, DC and also enjoy the many sightseeing opportunities. |
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Updated Site: Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ)by Heather Masefield |
 The Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) has updated its website with the 2018 examination dates and 2018 entry fees and entry forms. |
CD Reviews |
Book Review: The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion by Friedrich Lips - Germanyby Willoughby Walshe |
 Currently, music schools and conservatories do not teach how to structure, design or implement arrangements of original compositions for other instruments. Friedrich Lips, bayan-accordion virtuoso and professor at the prominent Gnesin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, fills that gap with what could be used as course material with his book The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion. First published in Russian and then German, it is now available in an updated and expanded form in English.Although the book was written primarily with classical music in mind, the findings, declarations and descriptions are made by the author in generally understandable and simple words. Therefore, they apply or can be transferred to all areas of music, including virtuoso light music, folk music, traditional music, etc. Similarly, while explanations focus on the concert bayan-accordion with converter bass, they are equally applicable to related instruments such as the Bandoneon, Concertina, Diatonic Accordion, Melodeon Player, etc. This is an essential book for composers, professional players, musicologists and active amateurs who want to understand and create arrangements of music as well as interpret and perform them. They will find a discussion of the basic principles of creating arrangements. These are followed by countless tips and numerous examples in musical notations for using the characteristics of the selected instrument to the best advantage. Descriptions include the accordion’s tonal range, use of registers to provide natural dynamics, bellows techniques explained in detail to enhance certain passages, types of articulation to be considered and methods of artistic presentation. One chapter is devoted to arranging organ music, which is written on three staffs (two for the keyboards and one for the foot pedal), where there are certain analogies between organ and accordion tone generation. Another chapter concentrates on arranging piano and cembalo music and explains how to overcome the differences between the percussive and bellows instruments. Extensive and detailed registers with names, terms, literature and titles of music examples included in the text provide the reader with significant source material. The excellent content of the book corresponds to the outward appearance of the book: typographically lavish with finest Italian paper, thread-stitching, laminated softcover with double flap and exclusive design – worthwhile, treasured. 232 pages · 150 sheet music samples · Format: 17 x 24 cm · ISBN 978-3-925572-17-3 Purchase at Catalog No: kslips03 The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion |
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