Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Register for “World Accordion Orchestra V” in Shanghai - Chinaby Joan C. Sommers |
The CIA is delighted to announce the CIA "World Accordion Orchestra V" which will be performing during the 64th Coupe Mondiale in Shanghai. We welcome you to this exciting International accordion event and encourage your participation in the historic 'World Accordion Orchestra V'! The WAO V will perform at the Closing Ceremony of the 64th Coupe Mondiale on the stunning Shanghai Star Stage - Theater of the Shanghai Mass Art Center (picture above). The members of the CIA "World Accordion Orchestra V" will again include musicians from many different countries – including the President Raymond Bodell (Concert Master) and many officers of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes and delegates attending the 126th CIA Congress. Registration for the CIA "World Accordion Orchestra V" is available online. Accordion enthusiasts from around the world are invited to join the "World Accordion Orchestra V" and enjoy participating in a fun, high quality musical event. Register now as numbers are limited. View the "World Accordion Orchestra V" internet page to see information about the conductors Joan Sommers (Founder - CIA World Accordion Orchestra) and Chen Weiliang (China), plus program notes about the works being performed and other instructions and information. Works: Spring Festival Overture by Li Huanzhi, arranged by Li Rui and Chen Weiliang Jasmine - Trad. Chinese Folk Song, arranged by Li Rui and Chen Weiliang Gershwin! (A Medley) - George Gershwin, arranged by Joan Cochran Sommers |
IV Strumenti & Musica Festival Opens, Spoleto - Italyby Ilaria Bellini |
Daily Reports of the 2011 Strumenti & Musica Festival are online. The IV Strumenti & Musica Festival opened on the 21st August in Spoleto. From 10 am to midnight, the three main squares and streets were part of a multitude of events. In every street, corner and Piazza of Spoleto were musical groups performing. A number of historical displays of cars, ambulances, motorcycles, clothing, farm machinary including a photo exhibition and old accordion display were also featured for the opening of the event. Artistic Director Mirco Patarini (picture right) has announced that the two best Italian competitors are being sponsored by IAC (Italian Accordion Culture – Italian member of the CIA) for the travel and hotel for the CIA Coupe Mondiale in 2011, held in Shanghai, China. Daily Reports of the 2011 Strumenti & Musica Festival are online. |
Kimmo Pohjonen, Taistelu / Battle Stadium Spectacular - Finlandby Harley Jones |
Kimmo Pohjonen and K Cube consisting of Kimmo Pohjonen, Sami Kuoppamäki (percussion) and Timo Kämäräinen (guitar) and the Proton String Quartet will perform at the Turku European Cultural Capital 2011 events at Paavo Nurmi Stadium. Written and directed by Kari Heiskanen, Taistelu / Battle is a stadium spectacle that combines a dramatic story with visual and musical scenery. The mesmerising music that surrounds the audience is created by accordion artist Kimmo Pohjonen and the performers and artistic team comprises composer Kimmo Pohjonen with the above performers plus a sixty voice male choir, coordinated by choreographer and assistant director Ari Numminen and visual designer Ilkka Paloniemi. The performance combines theatre, dancing and actors, such as Sami Saikkonen and Karoliina Blackburn. The visual and sound effects will be produced by the Archipelago Sea Naval Command. Battle questions the categories on which our society is based. The work examines what power and powerlessness mean in a time when it is increasingly difficult to control the surrounding circumstances. Accommodating an audience of about 4,000 for each performance, the Paavo Nurmi Stadium in the Turku Sports Park is a perfect venue for massive productions like Battle. Performance dates are Wednesday 31st August Friday 2nd September Saturday 3rd September all starting at 9.00 p.m., Paavo Nurmi Stadium, Turku. |
Frederic Deschamps Channel, Cyberspace - Franceby Harley Jones |
For the past month Frédéric Deschamps has been broadcasting his masterclasses as live video at Frédéric Deschamps to internet viewers around the world. Picture left, recent seminar participants. The Frédéric Deschamps Video Channel has become quite popular and viewers from all around the world (including Canada, China, USA, Chile, Mexico, Brasil, Scandinavia, Lithuania, etc) have watched a total of 87,000 minutes of video in the last month. Viewers are able to watch and also participate with the live chat, asking questions and commenting with other viewers. The seminars contain all levels of students from beginners to international competitors. This week lessons are of Evin Kelly (Ireland), Christel Sautaux (Switzerland), Jose Dias and Natanael Teixeira (Portugal), Guilliame Fric (France), Alexander Kolovski (Macedonia), Grayson Masefield (New Zealand), and also some international Skype Lessons with Pavel Zyabko (Russia), Mathias Matzke (Germany), etc. Lessons are online at live from 6.30pm (gmt +1 – the current Paris time shows on the webpage) each Monday to Saturday, with all the lessons saved online and able to be viewed at any time on the Deschamps Channel – Video Library. For further information click Frédéric Deschamps. |
Yuri Shishkin Performing at the Hector Berlioz Festival - Franceby Harley Jones |
Yuri Shishkin (picture top left) is performing this week at the Hector Berlioz Festival in La Côte-Saint-André, about 40km from Lyon City. 24th August, 7pm, Hector Berlioz Museum. 25th August, 7 pm Hector Berlioz Museum. 26th August, 7pm Hector Berlioz Museum. 27th August, 7pm Hector Berlioz Museum. These concerts are part of a series of concerts for the festival. Also performing are: Elodie Soulard (picture right - accordion), Paris Conservatory graduate, Pierre Cussac (picture lower left - accordion), Paris Conservatory student and Ainhoa ??Zuazu, (soprano). For further information, Berlioz Festival Tickets, Tel. : 04 74 20 20 79 6 CD's by Yuri Shishkin available online. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Marina Kazakov Passed Away away – Russiaby Harley Jones |
Marina Kazakov, wife of pioneering accordionist Yuri Kazakov passed away on 5th July. She was born 1914 and travelled with Yuri on many of his concert tours. In her work life, Marina was a Doctor of Medicine, specialising in children. Yuri Kazakov describes Marina as a best friend and love of his life and “the sun” which gave him inspiration, energy, stimulation and life. Our thoughts are with Yuri at this sad time. |
Accordion-like 'Privacy Shell' is a Papercraft Cone of Silence - USAby Harley Jones |
This is a new idea that may be a boon for accordion bellows manufacturers. Want to escape from the crazy world for a few minutes? OR share a few private moments with someone special? Then maybe the “Veasyble” privacy shell is for you. This accordion like folding head covering enables two of you to cover your heads and enjoy some privacy. Are bellows manufacturers going to be enjoying a boom in business? OR would we rather donate this new invention to politicians and their promises? We might enjoy the silence!!!! |
Stephanie Poole Performs with Bach Musica, Auckland – New Zealandby Harley Jones |
Prominent New Zealand accordionist and teacher Stephanie Poole who has taught many New Zealand Accordion Champions in recent years, was performing at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell on 14 August with the Bach Musica NZ musicians. Founded in 1977, Bach Musica is a choir and orchestra specialising in music of the Baroque and Classical periods. Now widely recognized as one of New Zealand's premier Baroque ensembles, this concert featuring accordionist Stephanie Poole who according to the major NZ newspaper music critic William Dart. “offered some neatly played Piazzolla”. This concert was part of a six concert series in 2011 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland. Stephanie is pictured above with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra performing at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale event. |
Popular Duo Pack Out Tait Hall, Kelso - Scotlandby Harley Jones |
Phil Cunnigham (accordion) and Aly Bain (violin) packed Tait Hall on the 25th August for the duo's 25th Anniversary Tour. Phil and Aly return to the Borders region each year and the date is a popular one with both, who have been coming to the Borders on an annual basis for several years now. |
Lorenzo Morales Dies At 97 - Columbiaby Harley Jones |
Legendary Vallenato singer, composer, and musician Lorenzo Morales has died at the age of 97 early Friday morning, 26th August. Morales, known as “Moralito,” died in hospital surrounded by his wife and 37 children in the early hours of Friday morning. Having first achieved recognition for his accordion playing at the age of 17, Morales would go on to become famous for such songs as “La Gota Fria,” “El Errante,” “La Primavera,” and “La Carta y La Mala Situacion.” |
Future events |
2011 Las Vegas Accordion Convention, Nevada - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
The 12th Annual Las Vegas Accordion Convention will be held from October 31st to November 3rd. This year's event opens with a Masquerade Party on Halloween, October, 31st. Returning again will be the Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra under the esteemed direction of Joan Cochran Sommers who received the AAA 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award in July at the AAA Festival in Charleston. You are welcome to join the orchestra which will perform in the grand finale. There will be rehearsals every day. Music is available as of September 7th. Email for further instructions. The Las Vegas Accordion Convention features Frank Marocco, Alexander Sevastian, Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini, Mary Tokarski, and Angelo Di Pippo with the Accordion Kings. Other featured artists include: Peter and Mady Soave, The Soundscape Trio, Bruce Gassman, Gina Brannelli, Gordon Kohl, and Pete Barbutti. There are many benefits to attending the convention. You will make new friends from all over the world. You will see the latest in new accordions with factory exhibits. Hotel accommodations are very inexpensive. You will be inspired by hearing the finest accordionists and you will learn so much from them. Seven meals, seven concerts, all special events and classes are included. The Special Room Rate is $34 per night! For further information: paul@accordioninfo.com |
2011 Trophée Mondial International Competition Now Includes Diatonic Categories - Italyby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
The 61st Trophée Mondial organised by the Confédération Mondiale de l'Accordéon (CMA) is being held from 13th to 18th September in Pineto, Italy. For the first time, the CMA Trophée Mondial now includes two new categories for diatonic accordion. Junior Variety - Diatonic. (Maximum Age 18 years) 1 Round: Own Choice Program with maximum time limit of 8 mins to include at least two pieces of different style and character. The pieces chosen should be mainly original works for Diatonic accordion. Senior Variety - Diatonic. (Maximum Age 35 years) 1st Round: Own Choice Program with maximum time limit of 9 mins. 2nd Round:Own Choice Program with maximum time limit of 9 mins. Music performed in the second round must be different from those performed in the first round. The pieces chosen should be mainly original works for Diatonic accordion. Other categories included in the CMA Trophée Mondial are: Senior Classical, Junior Classical, National Trophy, Junior Variety, Senior Variety. All the rules, information about hotels, how to travel to Pineto are on the newly updated CMA Website. CMA President Frédéric Deschamps (picture right) wrote that: "The new diatonic categories are an exciting addition to the 2011 Trophée Mondial International Competition and I am looking forward very much to this new category." For all information about the event, visit the CMA website. |
New and Updated Sites |
Sammy Pizzata and Nunzio Mondia releasing their new CDby Sammy Pizzata and Nunzio Mondia |
Sammy Pizzata and Nunzio Mondia selling their CD titled 'World Accordion Project', catalog: waccproject601 with sound samples. Music performed by World Accordion. Purchase online. |
Jon Faukstad selling 3 CD'sby Jon Faukstad |
Jon Faukstad selling his 3 CDs titled 'Kondert Pa Kleppe', catalog: faukstad201, 'Classic Accordion', catalog: faukstad202.htm" target="_blank">faukstad202 and 'Norske Drag', catalog: faukstad203.htm" target="_blank">faukstad203 with sound samples. Music performed by Jon Faukstad. Purchase online. |
Paolo Gandolfi selling his CDby Paolo Gandolfi |
Paolo Gandolfi selling his CD titled 'Paesaggi Sudamericani', catalog: gandolfi401 with sound samples. Music performed by Paolo Gandolfi. Purchase online. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |