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Highlights |
Lorenzo Antonelli Awarded 24th Premio Nazionale Gentile da Fabriano - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() A Video will follow in the next news edition. Lorenzo Antonelli is the President and CEO of Voci Armoniche. The company, founded in 1935 in Osimo by grandfather Luigi, is in the Marche district where companies have been producing accordions for more than a century. Voices are the heart, the sound principle, the essential physical element of accordions. These are highly precise metal assemblies that generate the sound through the flow of air. Markets today require vision, courage to change, energy and expertise. Lorenzo Antonelli, after graduating and mastering in business management, was trained in the most advanced organizational methods. Since 2012 he has started an all-out reorganization to adapt the company to the current challenges and through the choice of 100% made in Italy. He has been able to take the best of their respective specificities from the craftsman and industry, in a synthesis that can be defined as manufacturing of excellence. Lorenzo Antonelli has combined the knowledge of the traditional Marche workman ship with the most advanced organizational and technical - production methods, creating a structured system of skills and creating a beauty of sound that conquers the entire world out of the region Marche. By the President of the Jury / Prof. Vilberto Stocchi |
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Concert for World Accordion Day “6th May in October”, Skopje - Republic of North Macedoniaby Anica Karakutovska |
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In the past 12 years, the Macedonian Association of Accordionists “Ljubiteli na klasichna muzika” (MAA) – Skopje has supported the international project "May 6th World Accordion Day" with various exciting musical events. This year, in the conditions of lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Macedonian Accordionists and friends celebrated this glorious day with a video wishing everyone a very Happy Birthday with an announcement of the postponed WAD concert. This year, for the 12th time the association organized a solemn concert making the celebration of the international event and birthday celebration of the instrument, named “6th May in October”. Photo report at: 2020RN-Macedonia The World Accordion Day Concert was held in the Suli An (built in the mid-15th century in the Old Bazaar of Skopje), on October 3rd, in an intimate atmosphere with a reduced audience following all Covid-19 protocols and recommendations. The WAD Gala Concert in the past years become an important and prestigious cultural and artistic event in the country and also abroad, thanks to the fact that the concert is broadcast worldwide by a National TV station. This year the concert was broadcast on television as a part of the celebration of the National Holiday 11th of October, the Day of Macedonian Uprising. The concert featured renowned artists and accordion students from the class of Prof. Zorica Karakutovska performing works by Anatoli Kusiakov, Viatcheslav Semionov, Bete Ilin, Franck Angelis, Piazzolla, Saint-Saens and others. At this year’s concert, the planned premiere of the composition "Dafino" by Bete Ilin dedicated to the CIA President Mirco Patarini was postponed due to the current virus situation and impossible travel of Mirco Patarini to our country. Host of the event was popular TV presenter Ognen Janeski. The beautiful surrounding in Suli An was occupied with a very enthusiastic audience, but this year in different circumstances, under masks. The artists and audience reacted truly emotionally and rewarded the musicians with well-deserved applause. At the end of the concert, the President of the MAA, Professor Zorica Karakutovska, greeted and thanked all for their presence and great support wishing the next concert to be in normal circumstances without masks to see the smiles and happiness of the people in the audience. The concert traditionally was supported by the national program of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of North Macedonia. Photo report at: 2020RN-Macedonia Picture below: Professor Zorica Karakutovska, PR Manager of MAA Anica Karakutovska and the composer Bete Ilin. |
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Viennese Accordion Chamber Ensemble Performs at Perchtoldsdorf Castle - Austriaby Christine Johnstone |
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Video excerpts from concert at the 2014 Coupe Mondiale in Salzburg: Franz Schubert, Oktett 3rd movement (Arr. Werner Weibert). The Viennese Accordion Ensemble (WAKE - directed by Werner Weibert) will give a concert at the Castle of Perchtoldsdorf in Perchtoldsdorf, Austria on November 15th from 4pm to 6.30pm. Their program will include works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Gershwin, Piazzolla and Johann Strauss. For details email: w.weibert@kabsi.at |
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Cotati Accordion Virtual Winter Festival – USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() ![]() Performances will be given by international accordionists from 8 different countries such as Cory Pesaturo, Guy Klucevsek, Tracey Collins (picture below), Jenny Conlee-Drizos, Matthias Matzke, Pietro Adragna and Erica Mancini. In addition there will be streaming chats, interviews, The Lady-of-Spain-a-Ring, The Grand Finale, raffles and more. There is no fee to view the festival, however, donations are accepted. For further details email: info@cotatifest.com |
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Global Accordion Project Orchestra, New Commission - UKby Alison Worthington |
![]() As we approach the final few months of 2020 when soloists, groups and orchestra would be in preparation for final concerts, we are all instead hoping that 2021 will be a much brighter year. The Global Accordion Project Orchestra (GAPO) started by Ian Watson (picture left - musical director) and Sam Cullen (principal bass player) of the London Accordion Orchestra are ensuring there is one final time in 2020 that we can all come together for the music. GAPO are commissioning Ian Watson to write a new score for this experience. The piece 'The Challenge of Time' which we can agree, does summarise 2020. It is not the challenge of time signature but will feature some challenging rhythms (but not too challenging). Commissions are open to be a member of the orchestra (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond). However as it is a busy time of year, you can be a commissioner without recording yourself, and will be mentioned in the final video, and on the printed score. "It was fantastic to be supported by accordionists from all over the world. I am trying to introduce fresh new music to the accordion orchestra scene and to be supported like that was incredibly humbling!" Ian Watson, October 2020. For more details please email: projectorchestraglobal@gmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Paris Museum Features “Accordion Night” - Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() The Museum of Music is partnering with the city of Tulle, which is preparing the opening of its City of Accordion and Heritage in 2022. The concert will include a variety of accordion music such as musette, jazz, traditional, current and contemporary music. The event will also include a free visit to the Museum's collection, which presents nearly 1,000 rare and unusual instruments and art objects. For details email: production@philharmoniedeparis.fr |
Postponed: 12th International Competition for Diatonic Accordion – Sloveniaby Werner Weibert |
![]() ![]() The event, organised by the HVO - Harmonica Verband Osterreichs (Accordion Association of Austria) was to be held in Terme Olimia, Slovenia in May 2021. Further information will be posted at a later date when organisers can reschedule the event. |
Félicien Brut Performs at 19th Les Lisztomanias Festival, Châteauroux - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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The 19th Les Lisztomanias Festival was held at the Équinoxe - Scène nationale de Châteauroux Performance Art Theatre in Châteauroux this month. This year’s festival was entitled "Beethoven and Liszt, Father and Son" and celebrated the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. On October 18th Félicien Brut (accordion) performed with Edouard Macarez (double bass) and the Hermès Quartet which includes Omer Bouchez and Elise Liu (violins), Yung-Hsin Lou Chang (viola) and Yan Levionnois (cello). Their program featured a tribute to Beethoven or the meeting of Beethoven and the accordion - a meeting through nine creations by nine composers: Corentin Apparailly, Stéphane Delplace, Domi Emorine, Thomas Enhco, Patrice d'Ollone, Cyrille Lehn, Thibault Perrine, Fabien Waksman and Jean-François Zygel. The group will include these works in their new CD NEUF (NINE) which is due to be released on November 13th, 2020. This weekend on October 24th, Félicien will perform in duo with Lucienne Renaudin-Vary at the 2020 Festival Les Musicalies d'Émeraude, in the Stephan Bouttet Auditorium in Dinard, Bretagne (Brittany). See poster below. For details phone: +33 (0) 6 35 48 15 22 |
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Radio FMR “Play On” – Keeping Local Music Alive – South Africaby Christine Johnstone |
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South African Radio Station FMR scheduled a special event entitled “Play On” – Keeping Local Music Alive during Covid-19 lockdown on October 19th. The program included a variety of music and musicians who played jazz and new compositions including a new lockdown track. World Café Trio (pictured above right), which includes Stanislav Angelov (accordion), Petrus de Beer (violin) and Schalk Joubert (bass guitar) entertained on the program. |
Vlasta Krsek Featured in Movie, Passes Away Recently - USAby Pamela Tom |
Accordionist Vlasta Krsek, who features in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" parade scene, passed away at the age of 83 recently. Vlasta Krsek was born in Prague, Czech Republik and resided in Spooner, WI, USA. She was known as the "Shirley Temple of Czechoslavakia", and also as "The International Queen of Polka". Video 1: you will see her on the float playing during the performance of “Danke Schoen" sung by Ferris Bueller in the movie. Video 2: Vlasta on the The Tonight Show in 2008 playing "Twist & Shout" by The Beatles. |
Future events |
Accordionists Perform in Live Online Concert - Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionists Matheus Walter Meira Gaiteiro and Marcelo Pedro Sperandio from Videira, Brazil will perform in an online concert on October 25th at 10am. The event will be broadcast live. See poster for details. |
Victor Prieto Trio Concert in Elmhurst, New York City – USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The trio includes Victor Prieto (accordion), Vince Cherico (drums) and Ricky Rodriguez (bass). They will play a mix of Jazz, Tango, Classical and Celtic Roots music enriched with new rhythms. Covid-19 regulations will be in place including masks and physical distancing. The concert is free, however, donations of $10.00 are suggested. For details email: info@victorprieto.net |
Western Swing Night at Crooners Supper Club, Minneapolis - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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Honky-Tonk Jump with accordionist Dan Newton will perform at Crooners Supper Club in Minneapolis, MN on November 5th from 7pm to 8.30pm. The performance will take place in their Main Stage Tent, set against the romantic backdrop of Moore Lake, and has been reconfigured to ensure that all tables are tent-sheltered and comfortable temperatures will be maintained with a custom heating system. Face masks are mandatory when not at your seat. You can sit at a table with full service meals/drinks or sit in the comfort of your own car for the show - drive-in style! Honky-Tonk Jump will play a tribute to Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys and other great Lone Star State swing bands. Whether you call it Western swing, Hillbilly Jazz, or Gulf Coast Boogie, this music just swings. For details email: daddysqueeze@daddysqueeze.com |
Rudolf Würthner Memorial Concert, Ludwigsburg – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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The Harmonika-Gemeinschaft Ludwigsburg e.V. will host a concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rudolf Würthner on November 8th in the concert hall of the Waldorf School Ludwigsburg in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Organisers advise that Covid-19 regulations such as physical distancing, contact tracing etc will be in place, so tickets must be purchased in advance. See posters above and below for contact details and concert program information. |
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Royal Academy of Music “Brass, Reeds & Wind” Online Concert, London – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The Royal Academy of Music “Brass, Reeds & Wind” Online Concert will be streamed from the Duke’s Hall in London on November 11th at 6.30pm. The event will include 2 world premieres performed by Flávio Albino Rodrigues (picture left). The first is “Gerhard Nonet” for solo accordion by Howard Skempton (English composer, pianist, and accordionist). This will be followed by “She Keeps Walking Over Paper” for solo accordion by Claudia Molitor (composer, artist and performer). For details phone: +44 (0) 20 7873 7373 |
Milonga De Cuatro “Five Tango Sensations” Concert, Auckland - New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The quartet consists of Lian Jones (accordion), Marija Dimitrijevic (double bass), Celina Reyes Badger (viola) and Natalia Meyta (piano). This concert will feature Astor Piazzolla's "Five Tango Sensations", a suite of works written in Tango Nuevo style which is a "work of tragic beauty" . This is the last piece that the composer wrote and recorded in his life. The quartet believe this is the first time this work has been performed in New Zealand. While "Five Tango Sensations" is the central piece of the concert, there will be other Piazzolla's melodies as well as the music of Eduardo Rovira (Argentina) and you will be surprised by his Tango! This concert replaces their August 30th, 2020 concert which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown in Auckland. See poster for details. |
Duo Artina “Little Stories” Concert, Zagreb – Croatiaby Christine Johnstone |
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Duo Artina, which includes Martina Jembrišak (accordion) and Andrea Jelavic (flute) will perform an online concert entitled “Little Stories” from Zagreb, Croatia on November 22nd at 7pm. The concert will include world premiere pieces written by Louis Franz Aguirre, Michalis Andronikou, Moira Lo Bianco, Marianna Filippi, Chris Hung, Takumi Kawamoto, Juan Maria Solare, Kotaro Watahiki and Bernie Walasavage See poster for details or email: duoartina@gmail.com |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Quodlibet CD by Friedrich Lipsby Joan C. Sommers |
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