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Highlights |
Historic Announcement, Gnessin Digital Accordion Course - Russiaby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() Alexander Bazikov made the announcement at the recent Roland V-Accordion Festival Russia National Final. Announcement letter and translation: 2013Gnessin The letter by Gnessin Rector GV Mayarovskaya includes: "We are confident that the use of electronic accordion and acoustic accordion expands the skills of modern accordionists, accordion players and has a positive impact on the popularity as well as on the demand for this profession, which consequently means an increase in the number of students in music schools, colleges and institutes of higher education." The Gnessin Academy will buy some Roland V-Accordions to facilitate the course with price assistance, informational and servicing support, additional teachers training and other help provided by Roland Music LLC (Russia). The Accordion Department of the Gnessin Academy of Music will be the first such institution to have a course for digital accordion and an important tutor will be Alexander Selivanov (picture lower right), who started a collaboration with Roland Russia and coordinates a lot of V-Accordion activities in Moscow. The announcement in Russia was repeated last week at the VII International Roland V-Accordion Festival in Rome. Daily Reports, Results and Video at: 2013 Rome Festival |
Italian & Slovenian Post Offices Issue Stamps for 150 Years of Paolo Soprani – Italy, Sloveniaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() The Italian Post Office has now issued a commemorative stamp in celebration of Soprani’s monumental achievement. At the recent festival in Castelfidardo, accordionists and philatelists alike flocked to a special temporary Post Office, which was set up in the town square especially to handle the event. At the same time the Slovenian Post Office issued a commemorative set of stamps In red, blue or green which are valid for posting a letter Europewide (from Slovenia). A few of both items are still available from Pasco Italia – for further information contact: paolosoprani@pascoita.com |
CIA Winter Congress in Eastern Sarajevo - Bosnia & Herzegovinaby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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![]() East Sarajevo (Istocno Sarajevo) is located adjacent to Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital Sarajevo to its northeast and is one of the biggest cities in the Balkans in terms of territory, because it consists of all the villages, towns, hills and some of the pre-war Sarajevan suburbs in that area. The CIA Winter Congress will be organized by Dr. Zoran Rakic (picture left), with the event featuring important meetings of the CIA Executive Committee, CIA Music Committee as well as the General Assembly of Delegates, where members decide the business and future plans of the CIA. These upcoming events include the upcoming World Accordion Day in May, 2014 and the 67th Coupe Mondiale to be held in Salzburg, Austria from 27 October - 2 November 2014 hosted by the Harmonikaverband Österreichs (HVÖ). For more information and online registration for the Winter Congress, please visit the website: Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) |
Midlands Accordion Festival, Birmingham – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The festival includes accordion workshops led by Rosemary Wright, Jean Hanger and Angie Lukins, talent competitions, and concerts with guests Pearl Fawcett-Adriano (picture right), Alan Young (lower left), Roy Hendrie (lower right), Malachy Cairns, Steve Roxton (picture right), and surprise artists. The trade show includes The Birmingham Accordion Centre, Limex Midi Systems, Rob Howard Robaccord Publications, Alan Shute – Accordina, M.A.P. Editions, and the magazine Accordion World. The cost is £210 – bed, breakfast, evening meal, 3 nights including entrance to all concerts and activities; deposit £80 per person, sent to Barry Smith, 41 Siviters Lane, Rowley Regis, West Midlands B65 8DP. The balance is to be paid to the hotel during the festival. Day passes available: £15 per day, £40 for three days (non-residential). Day passes include access to workshops, concerts, trade stands plus the afternoon cup of tea. Day passes will be sent on receipt of payment. For further information email: accordions2010@hotmail.co.uk |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Klavdia Tarabrina, Guest Performer at Roland Festival, Rome - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() Daily Reports, Results and Video at: 2013 Rome Festival In 2008 she graduated with honors from College of Music Moscow and completed her studies at the Gnessin Academy of Music under the guidance of Prof. Viatcheslav Semionov. During her studies, she participated in numerous competitions nearly always achieving laureate including: - 1st, 34th International Accordion Competition Pula; - 3rd in the 65th Coupe Mondiale Masters category in Italy; - 4th All-Russian Open Accordion Competition "Yugoriya"; - 1st place, 2013 Coupe Mondiale digital category, Canada; - 1st place, 2012 Roland International V-Accordion Festival in Rome, Italy. Daily Reports, Results and Video at: 2013 Rome Festival |
CNIMA J.Mornet Accordion Course, Auvergne – Franceby Harley Jones |
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The CNIMA J.Mornet offers a cycle of accordion and musicianship lessons, 7 X 2 1/2 days, spread over the year, from November to May, including full board. For amateurs or professionals, the training includes techniques such as improvisation, harmony, orchestration, and composition. Some knowledge of music and harmony is advisable. The teachers are Christian et André Mornet. The CNIMA J.Mornet is located in the Parc des Volcans d' Auvergne in the south of France, easy accessed from the A71 or A75, A89 and SNCF. Feel free to request any additional information. For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Video: The Royal Squeeze Box, Performers at VII Roland Festival - Romeby Harley Jones |
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The duo 'The Royal Squeeze Box' wowed the audience last week at the VII Roland International V-Accordion Festival in Rome. This video is one of their performances. You can see a further video of The Royal Squeeze Box at: 2013 Rome Festival Program notes about the duo 'The Royal Squeeze Box' said: An accordion replaces an entire rock band, including the orchestra. Two voices and an accordion revive icon of rock music Queen/ Freddy Mercury, the orchestra and the choir less than three meters away from the public. The duo "The Royal Squeeze Box" is specialized in the songs of Queen and Freddy Mercury. With proven musical ability, a lot of energy and love for music - and even with a certain amount audacity - Roman D. Metzner (vocals and accordion) and Aaron Perry (vocals) bring to the fore the great emotions of songs like "We are the Champions", "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Living on My Own". Listeners have the impression immediately to be confronted with the real artists who, while fun, make entertainment very seriously. The stadium rock music becomes the road, in a thin balance between delusions of grandeur and comedy. Daily Reports, Results and Video of the VII Roland International V-Accordion Festival at: 2013 Rome Festival |
Video: TOEAC Performs Passacaglia in Cm by J.S. Bach - Netherlandsby Harley Jones |
The classical accordion duo TOEAC consists of Renée Bekkers and Pieternel Berkers. They have just been on tour in South Africa and recently released their second CD titled 'TOEAC pictures...'. In November duo TOEAC are performing in Montreal, Canada at 'Air Sensible'. For further information email: info@toeac.nl |
‘Balkan Accordion’ e-Book - Macedoniaby Rob Howard |
![]() The pieces, which all have suggested fingering for the piano accordion to aid learning, include: Tanino oro (Bata Kanda), Ibrovo oro (Caslav Ljubenovic), Batin vez (Miroljub Arandjelovic Kemiš), Suze radosnice (Siniša Tufegdzic), Grand kolo, Ramino kolo, Geamparalele din barlad (Slavko Mitrovic Cale), Hora dinspre ziua (Slavko Mitrovic Cale), Severnjacko kolo (Ibro Lolov), Suhodolsko horo (Traicho Sinapov), Majdanska vlajna (Slobodan Bozinovic), and Opasac kolo (Slobodan Božinovic). For further information email: muzikaharmonike@gmail.com |
Video: Etnogram Istanbul for Accordion and Garmon - Turkeyby Harley Jones |
Etnogram Istanbul - Meeting Of Ethnic Music And Dance. Ethnic music with accordion, garmon and drums organized by Director Aziz Ali Elyagutu (accordion, garmon). |
Video: Bjørn Ravnestad with his Gold Medal Winning Band "Lunds Tivoli" - Norwayby Harley Jones |
Published on Oct 20, 2013, Norwegian diatonic accordionist Bjørn Ravnestad with his gold medal winning band "Lunds Tivoli" and as a solist: Oktoberfestivalen i toradarspel, Myrkdalen, Norway, 2013. Some of the video quality is not good but the music is excellent. |
Marco Lo Russo conquers the USA and Canadaby Rob Howard |
![]() He flew to the USA in mid-October, and on October 16th was the special guest of the Somethin' Jazz Club in New York, performing with Argentinean saxophonist Julio Botti, who was recently awarded a Latin Grammy Award in Las Vegas for his latest recording. The concert was the first of a series, which has seen Marco Lo Russo perform in various locations in the USA, then in Toronto and Montreal, and is also a journey through the compositions of Marco, mixed with jazz and electronic equipment to produce modern interpretations of sensual dance. Performances have been solo and with artists of international calibre, including Saturday October 19th at the Jazz Foundation of America, where he met the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Quincy Jones, Ron Carter, and many internationally renowned artists. On October 21st and 22nd, in New York, Marco Lo Russo performed in a show where tango, jazz, blues and even gospel were supported by the soul singer of African origin, Diane Elam Cameroon. The last weekend of October will see Marco Lo Russo in Canada, performing in Montreal and Toronto on Friday 25th, Saturday 26th, Sunday 27th, and Tuesday 29th, in concerts that are all, already sold out. For further information email: dina.tomezzoli@alice.it |
Video: "King of the Road" TV Show Features Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun - USAby Harley Jones |
Grammy Award-Winning Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun at the Texas Rice Festival in Winnie, Texas. This magnificent Segment 1 and Segment 2, appeared on the "King of the Road Show HD" on Saturday, October 12, 2013 - on Fox 4 KBTV!! http://www.jimkingoftheroad.com Wayne Toups is one of the most successful and popular Cajun performers throughout his extensive career. |
Video: Wullie Scott at the 2013 Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival - UKby Harley Jones |
Published on Oct 20, 2013, Wullie Scott, Friday night at the Bressay concert and dance, 2013 Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival. |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Abdiel Angulo wins Gelo Cordova Competition, Panama, in October 1999by Rob Howard |
![]() Gelo Cordova Competition – Panama Contributed by Marcela Alfaro The ‘Gelo Cordova’ competition for amateur accordionists was celebrated in Panama on September 23rd 1999 by performers from all over the country (as part of the Mejorana National Festival). Winner Abdiel Angulo received a Gabbanelli accordion, model Club 90, which was donated by Distribuidora Musical S.A. (Alfaro Company). The photo shows Abdiel receiving his award with Marcela Alfaro, Manager of the Alfaro Company, dressed in traditional Panamanian costume. |
Future events |
‘Concertino’ Baltic Tour – Lithuania, Russia, Estonia, Finlandby Harley Jones |
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The highly accomplished accordion ensemble ‘Concertino’ are about to embark on a short concert tour of states in the Baltic region. The dates are: October 30th – concert, Vilnius, Lithuania October 31st – concert, Kaunas, Lithuania November 2nd to 4th - special guests at International Accordion Festival, St Petersburg, Russia November 5th – concert, Tallin, Estonia November 8th – concert, Ikaalinen, Finland November 10th - concert live, Loppi, Finland The accordion ensemble ‘Concertino’ was formed on October 18th 2003 Moldova, and set out to demonstrate that the accordion was perceived is much more than a folk instrument, capable of interpreting popular music, classical, jazz, world, light music, etc. The ensemble is made up of seven accordionists, one bass player, a pianist and drummer - students and graduates of the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts of Moldova. ‘Concertino’ has since toured internationally, made several CDs and DVDs, worked with orchestras, and with such accordion maestros as Richard Galliano (France) and Frank Marocco (USA). For further information email: info@concertino.md |
Alex Meixner Band Gigs – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() October 21st to 27th – Helen Oktoberfest, Georgia October 31st – private party, Canyon Lake, Texas November 1st to 7th – Wurfest, New Braunfels, Texas November 10th and 11th - Christmas music, also with Mollie B, Ted Lange, Tuba Dan, Lenny Gomulka, and Al Piatokowski, RFD Theatre, Branson, Missouri December 3rd – Wolff’s Biergarten, Albany New York |
Super Orchestra Workshop, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
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On Sunday October 27th a Super Orchestra Workshop takes place in Ripley Village Hall, Guildford, Surrey. In the in the evening there will be a concert featuring performances from the Watford Accordion Band, Tillingbourne Accordion Orchestra, Morley Accordion Orchestra and the Duo Esprit (Ian Watson and Julie North). The grand finale will be the Super Orchestra, joined by West End percussionists, playing the pieces rehearsed during the workshop. Admission to the evening concert is only £5. |
Celebrating 150 Years, Travelling Exhibition “Artigiani del Suono”- Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Tuesday 29th October 2013 Comune Castelfidardo - Salone degli Stemmi at 18:00 hrs Presentation of the exhibition by the curators and Prof. Marco Moroni Art Work: Francesca Merloni (peosie) Renzo Ruggieri (accordion) Roberto Lucanero (picture left, organetto) At 19:00 hrs at the Auditorium San Francesco is the touring exhibition “Artigiani del Suono”. Further dates are: CASTELFIDARDO (Audit. San Francesco) 29 October to 16 November LORETO (Bastione Sangallo) 30 November to 11 December RECANATI (Palazzo Comunale) 2014 dates to be set KLINGENTHAL (Museo Comunale) May 2014 150 years ago, the first of mass production of accordions was initiated in Castelfidardo by Paolo Soprani. Impossible to think at that time, that this "spark" would have resulted in a history of ingenuity, resourcefulness, a passion that led to the emergence of a highly specialized manufacturing district in this territory. The City of Castelfidardo, through the Museum Castelfidardo has decided to organise a traveling exhibition that illustrates, through images, the historical journey / production of this musical instrument. The project also includes a publication and a series of conferences. Each show will be "personalized" with respect to the host city and the role which it played in the district. The events are organised by Beniamino Bugiolacchi (Director of the Museum Castelfidardo), Fabio Buschi (photographer) and Roberto Carlorosi (graphics) with support from local government and the cities where the exhibitions will be held. The prestigious photographic book "Craftsmen of Sound" (“Artigiani del Suono”) published by Tecnostampa and processed by the curators of the exhibition will also be promoted. Museum Castelfidardo Via Mordini, 1 I 60022 CASTELFIDARDO Tel. 071 7808288 Fax 071 780091 INTERNET www.accordions.com/museum e-mail: info@museodellafisarmonica.it direttore : www.museodellafisarmonica.it |
Klub Musette Accordion Festival, Dilsen Stokkem – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: info@accordiola-davidts.com |
Lower East Side Accordion Arkestra Concert, New York - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() This joyous concert features accordion virtuosi Lou Fanucchi, Cory Pesaturo, Peter Stan, and Lower East Sider Walter Kuhr, with accompaniment by violin and bass, as well as two original accordion compositions by Yale Strom. Held at the Museum at Eldridge Street, the mission of the Museum is to strengthen, support, protect and promote the 1887 landmark Eldridge Street Synagogue as a dynamic cultural and educational center that tells the story of Jewish immigrant life at the turn of the last century, explores architecture and historic preservation, inspires reflection and cultural continuity, and fosters inter-group exchange. |
Orquestra de Accordeoes Concert, Cadaval – Portugalby Rob Howard |
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The Orquestra de Accordeoes, from Cartaxo, perform in concert on Sunday October 27th, 8.30pm, at the 12th Festival Nacional do Vinho Leve (National Wine Festival), Câmara Municipal, Cadaval, Portugal. |
Stockport Accordion Club Charity Concert, Cheshire - UKby Rob Howard |
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Stockport Accordion Club present a charity concert in aid of The Christie Mobile Scanner Appeal on Wednesday October 30th, 7.30pm, at Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel St, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 1NF. The program includes numerous solo accordionists, duets and quartets, the Stockport AC Band (MD Derek Stubbs) and Orchestra (MD Brian Jenkins), the Tameside Junior Accordion Orchestra (MD Rachel White), plus a special spot from SAC President Pearl Fawcett-Adriano. Rob Howard’s new book, ‘Accordion: A Pictorial History’, will be available at this concert. The Christie is the UK’s leading specialist cancer hospital, and all proceeds from this concert will go to The Christie Mobile Scanner Appeal. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Karen Tweed Gigs, England – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() October 31st, 8pm - guesting with Maria Kalniemi and Timo Alakolita at The Kings Place, London. as part of the Finnish Music Festival November 5th, 7.30pm – Karen Tweed and Sturla Eide, Dursley Town Hall, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 4BS November 8th, doors open 7pm – ‘Beauty or the Beast’, Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson, Edgton Village Hall, Edgton, near Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 8HN November 9th, 7.30pm – Karen Tweed plays with The No 1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra, Colwall Village Hall, Mill Lane, Colwall, Malvern WR13 6EQ. This concert is to fundraise for Colwall Orchard Group. November 12th, 7.30pm - ‘Beauty or the Beast’, Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson, East Dene, Bonchurch Village Road, Bonchurch, Isle of Wight PO38 1RQ November 13th, 8.30pm - ‘Beauty or the Beast’, Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson, Dorking Folk Club, Regency Room, Friends Life Social Club, Pixham Lane, Dorking RH4 1QA November 15th, doors open 7pm - ‘Beauty or the Beast’, Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson, Tarrant Gunville Village Hall, Dorset DT11 8JL (An Artsreach presentation) November 16th, doors open 7pm - ‘Beauty or the Beast’, Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson, Burton Bradstock Village Hall, Dorset DT6 4PY (An Artsreach presentation) November 17th, doors open 7pm - ‘Beauty or the Beast’, Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson, Studland Village Hall, Dorset BH19 3AJ (An Artsreach presentation) November 29th, 7.30pm – solo gig, The Hog in Armour, 16 Charing Cross, Norwich, NR2 4AL December 15th - The first expressionist course led by Karen Tweed which encompasses music (any instrument/voice), creative writing, painting and dance. Held in the beautiful home of Algernon Swinburne (which is in the delightful old village of Bonchurch, near Ventnor, Isle of Wight) this taster day is planned to inspire all your creative senses and gently guide you to develop artistically in any form you wish to follow or dabble in everything! Tutors include Karen Tweed (accordion/talks/cartooning), Jehanne Mehta (poetry and creative writing); East Dene, Bonchurch Village Road, near Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1RQ. For further information email: bernie@naturalvoice.net |
Tony Lovello @ Spokane Accordion Club, Washington – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: griffbz@gmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Don Grzanna releases new musicby Donald E Grzanna |
![]() 'Argentine Tango For Accordion', catalog: grza180, 'Argentine Tango Advanced Accordion', catalog: grza181, 'French Tango Advanced Accordion Solo', catalog: grza182 The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Klaus Paier releasing musicby Klaus Paier |
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CD Reviews |
Logos Futura CD by N. Antonio Peruchby Joan C. Sommers |
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