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Highlights |
Paolo Soprani Centenery Event, Castelfidardo – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() The program includes a talk by Beniamino Bugiolacchi, an exhibition, and a concert featuring accordionists Luigi Presta and Manuel Marchegiani. Paolo Soprani began making accordions in 1863, which grew into a large business and inspired others to do likewise, beginning a system and tradition of accordion manufacturing in Castelfidardo that continues to the present day. According to legend, in 1863 an Austrian pilgrim returning home from the Catholic religious shrine at Loreto asked for hospitality for the night at the farmhouse owned by Antonio and Lucia Soprani near Castelfidardo. As a thank you the pilgrim gave the Sopranis an accordion, which was of great interest to their son Paolo. The next day Paolo dissembled the accordion to see how it worked, and immediately thought that he could build similar instruments. Paolo, who worked on the family farm, opened a workshop in his home. In 1872, with his sons Luigi and Achille, he opened a factory for his expanding business in the centre of Castelfidardo. Apart from making accordions, Paolo Soprani was also a skilled and popular player, and became a well-known personality, often seen at fairs and markets of local towns, playing and selling his instruments. The accordion industry was born in Castelfidardo with the establishment of the Paolo Soprani factory, with other businesses setting up in competition as demand for the accordion steadily increased, including one set up by his brother Settimio Soprani. Paolo Soprani’s accordions were exported to France, then further afield, and by the end of the 19th Century had reached America. In 1900 the company had a big success in a fair in Paris; Paolo became a member of the academy of inventors of Bruxelles and Paris and met the President of France. He continued to work in his factory until he was 70 years old, when his two sons took over. He died in his house on February 20th 1918, when he was 73 years old. For further information email Beniamino Bugiolacchi at: info@italcinte.it |
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12th Accordion Art Festival, Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE) - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() ![]() The Accordion Art Festival features: - Italia Award 2018 International Contest - Orpheus Award 2018 (Italians only) - Italian Selections CMA 2018 President: Claudio Azzaro and Artistic Director: Renzo Ruggieri. The Orpheus Award 2018 is a critics prize, similar to Academy Award (OSCAR), dedicated to productions by Italian accordionists only. Orpheus Artistic Director is famous jazz critic Gerlando Gatto of Rome. There are international solo competition categories for all ages and types of music, as well as categories for concert performers and for group or accordion soloist with new original project. Rules and entry applications for all awards and competitions at: 2018ArtFestival.pdf |
Bayan Mix to Perform in Ontario and BC in February - Canadaby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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Bayan Mix will perform on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 6 - 8 PM at Bayview Yards on Bayview Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2C5. They will also perform on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 6:PM in BC. For this show call: 778-355-7377 Multicultural Russian Speaking Association of BC presents “Bayan-Mix” featuring Sergey Voytenko and Sergey Kotkov. Bayan-Mix is a unique duo of popular innovative accordion music. Their music makes the audience want to dance; its energizing, cheerful and jolly. The duo is well-known in Europe and Russia for their breathtaking live performance style. This is the first time, that award winning Bayan-Mix, direct from Russia, has come to Ottawa! Famous in Russia for Kremlin concerts, TV shows and concerts all over Russia, and tour to other countries such as Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Germany, Israel, Estonia, the famous duo is sure to be a hit in Canada. For further information, phone: (613) 867-7939 |
ESMD Training Course for Accordion, Lille – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() The École Supérieure Musique et Danse Hauts-de-France (ESMD) – Lille is a publicly funded institution for higher education, which provides undergraduate and professional training (Bachelor-Master-Doctorate) in the fields of music and dance. It is modeled after the European system of diplomas that are standardized across Europe (Bachelor-Master-Doctorate). We offer a three-year double-degree program where students graduate from both the ESMD and the Université de Lille 3 (DNSPM + Licence ARTS Parcours Formation du musicien interprète). Download application form: 2018ESMD.pdf or for further information email accordion tutor Vincent Lhermet at: lhermet.vincent@gmail.com CD available online at: Vincent Lhermet |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: SaxAkkord Duo Concert, Moscow, Part 1 - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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Video: Part 1 of the January 17, 2018 concert by SaxAkkord Duo of Arseniy Strokovskiy, accordion, laureate of international competitions and Ivan Dimma saxophones, performed at the Jazz Club A. Kozlov in Moscow. The program from Gershwin, through avant-garde, to avant-garde jazz to Galliano and Astor Piazzolla. Part 1 of concert: 02:27-08:25 G. Gershwin - Three Preludes 10:45-18:02 S. Berinskiy - Sempre majore 19:38-38:56 A. Piazzolla - History of tango: "Bordel 1900", "Cafe 1930", "Nightclub 1960", "Modern concert" The duo released a CD/download album last year, available online at: SaxAkkord |
John Torcello performs with the LA Philharmonicby Kevin Friedrich |
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![]() Brazilian composer Marcos Balter and Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki took part in a pre-Concert discussion, talking about the piece itself as well as Susanna Mälkki's work in preparing the orchestra's performance. No stranger to working with some of the world's top orchestras and conductors, John's career includes appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, Pasadena Pops/Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Long Beach Opera, Jacaranda Music and Idyllwild Arts Orchestra under conductors including Michael Tilson Thomas, Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta, Andreas Mitisek, Rachel Worby, Carl St. Clair, John Williams, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Gustavo Dudamel in works by composers including DelTredici, Berg, Ades, Weill, Piaf, Kagel, Ortiz, Golijov, Bernstein, Piazzolla, Shostakovitch, Dean, Eo¨tvo¨s, Romer and Zappa. The Concert was presented by members of the LA Philharmonic (Susanna Mälkki, Conductor) as part of their Green Umbrella series which showcases new commssions and other contemporary compositions. |
‘World's Greatest Virtuosos Play 100 Accordion Masterpieces’, 5 CD Box Set – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The box set includes music by Scarlatti, JS Bach, Mozart, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Piazzolla, Frosini, V. Monti, JP Sousa, Richard Rodgers, Johann Strauss, to name but a few, and the genres include classical, accordion classics, standards, and Latin American music. Titles include Acquarelli Cubani, Migliavacca, Dark Eyes, Czardas, Jolly Caballero, Granada, Jealousy, Olive Blossoms, Libertango, Espana, Autumn Leaves, El Relicario, Lara’s Theme, La Vie en Rose, Arriverderci Roma, Tico Tico, and many, many more. The box set is available via various internet sources. |
Just Released: New Friedrich Lips Book - Germanyby Harley Jones |
![]() Subscription Offer 15 % price advantage on pre-orders from 17th January to 31st January 2018 33.50 euros instead of 39.50 euros later Books Posted by 15 February 2018 For pupils, students, teachers, stage musicians, composers and performers, amateur players and professional musicians. Edited by: Prof. Ulrich Schmülling, translated by Willoughby Ann Walshe, expert advice by Dr. Nikolas Fehr and Vitali Neifert. 220 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 Other books by Friedrich Lips: kslips00 The Art of Bayan Playing & Playing the Accordion Artistically (English) kslips01 Die Kunst des Bajanspiels (German) kslips02 Die Kunst der Bearbeitung klassischer Musik für Akkordeon (German) kslips03 The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion (English) |
NZAA Masterclass For Harbin & South Pacific International Competitions - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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The New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) hosted a Masterclass by Grayson Masefield from the 22 to 26 January in Auckland at Sunnybrae School. Students could decide if they wished to listen to the public lessons or practise and at the end of each day, every student performed a concert with parents and other people attending. Students are preparing for the NZAA South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival in June and the Harbin International Accordion Competitions in August, China. Harbin competition rules and entry form in Chinese and English at: 2018Harbin Harbin entries close: 30th June 2018 |
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Perth Strathspey and Reel Society, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Perth Strathspey and Reel Society was formed in 1989 with the aim of promoting Scottish music in the community. They regularly play at concerts, ceilidhs and other events around Perthshire. For further information email: accordion2u@gmail.com |
Future events |
Finbarr Dennehy Dance Dates, County Cork – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
![]() Friday January 27th – Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, County Cork Saturday January 28th – Hazeltree, Mallow, County Cork Sunday January 29th – Kades Kounty, Glenville, County Cork Tuesday January 31st - Old Walls, Liscarroll, County Cork Finbarr Dennehy is often joined on stage now by daughter Chloe, especially during school holidays. Finbarr plays a Shand Morino button accordion, while Chloe is proficient on the stringed instruments - violin, mandolin and banjo. Finbarr Dennehy is mainly a solo musician, playing for adult dancing, weddings and all social occasions. He has released a number of very popular albums. His accordion influences are Will Starr, Jimmy Shand, and Dermot O'Brien. |
Accordion Concert by Accordion Ensemble Opus 2 - Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
![]() Details of the concert are on the poster. |
‘An Irish Evening’, Massachusetts – USAby Rob Howard |
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On Saturday January 28th, 3pm, the highly accomplished Irish duo accordionist Declan Aungier and guitarist Tom Comerford perform an ‘An Irish Evening’ concert at The Irish Cultural Centre of New England, Canton, Massachusetts. Tickets $25. Declan Aungier is one of Ireland’s busiest and most versatile accordionists. For further information email: anirishevening@gmail.com |
Accordion Gala Evening, Milan – Italyby Rob Howard |
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Jim Cleland @ Crieff Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Jim Cleland played second accordion for many years in the highly popular Jim McLeod Scottish Dance Band. |
Jacques Brel Tribute Concert, Vorey – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Jerome Richard, one of France’s busiest accordion entertainers, in 1999 won both the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Trossingen, Germany, and the CMA Trophee Mondial, held in Ourense, Spain, before embarking on a professional career. Jacques Brel (1929 – 1978) was a Begian singer, songwriter, actor and director who composed and performed songs that generated a large following in Belgium and France, and also throughout the world. He was an influence on other songwriters and his songs were performed by the likes of the Kingston Trio, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, Nina Simone, John Denver and Andy Williams. Brel was also a successful actor, appearing in ten films. |
Mirco Patarini performs in ‘A Variety Concert’, Drogheda - Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
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![]() Mirco Patarini is one of the leading figures in the worldwide accordion movement. He won the CMA Trophee Mondiale in 1985 held in Switzerland, and has long been an internationally renowned concert performer. He has also been involved in accordion production with Scandalli, music publishing, and accordion competitions as an adjudicator, administrator and in 2017, was elected President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA). For further information email: royalmeathao16@gmail.com |
‘Folk n’ Irish Cruise’ - Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexicoby Rob Howard |
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![]() The entertainers include Cherish the Ladies, singers Mary Black, TR Dallas and Susan McCann, accordionists Billy McComiskey, John Nolan and Seamus O’Sullivan, concertina player Ann Kirrane, the Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band, and many more. For further information email: info@joaniemaddencruise.com |
Grand Bal Groffliers, Pas-de-Calais – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Accordzeam are a versatile dance band who play for all sorts of events, and also perform in classical and jazz concerts. The band features two accordionists, Lucas Thébaut and Michaël Bideault. The evening is organized by Le comité des fêtes de la ville de Groffliers and Les Dancers Rangers (Club Country de Groffliers). For further information email: contact@accordzeam.org |
CNIMA J. Mornet February Accordion Workshops - Franceby Harley Jones |
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![]() From February 19th to 23rd and from February 26th to March 2nd, 2018: - Accordion all levels on one or two pieces of your choice. - From February 19th to 23rd: Playing with an orchestra by Nathalie Boucheix Jazz accordion by Yves Busato - From February 26th to March 2nd: accordion accordions by Pascal Meurgé The melody by Jacques Mornet. Information and registration: call Anne on +33 (0) 4 73 22 27 45 or cnima@wanadoo.fr New: online registration on www.cnima.com (internships) |
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Accordion Repair Course, London – UKby Rob Howard |
Peter Le Geyt has been organising Accordion Repair Courses over the past couple of years and has now finalised the first course for this year which will be held in Teddington (TW11), south-west London, on Thursday/Friday April 26th and 27th. Cost for the 2018 courses will be £110 + Vat for the 2 days. A programme is available and also details of accommodation should anyone need to stay overnight. Teddington is 35 minutes from London Waterloo station. On the Thursday evening there is an optional dinner at a local Italian restaurant for those interested, which has a reasonably priced menu, and will allow course participants to play accordions after dinner. The tutor is Paul Flannery who is a piano tuner by trade and over the years started repairing and tuning melodeons and accordions. Repairers/tuners all have their own way of working and therefore Paul imparts his knowledge and how he approaches repairs. Previous attendees have been pleased with Paul’s explanations and advice. The course is limited to 12 persons. Once the organiser has the required number, participants will be notified and places confirmed. After payment has been made on the course the organisers will be unable to refund if any participants cancel, unless replacements can be found. For further information email: plg@plgmarketing.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Mika Väyrynen 2018 Celebrity Interview, Helsinki - Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
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![]() The first World Premiere was of a new work by Aulis Sallinen 'Dance Music Suite Op. 107' for accordion, violin, cello and piano. Dedicated to Mika Väyrynen, the Premiere took place at The Porvoo Church as part of the Loviisa Sibelius Festival on 8th September 2017 with the composer in attendance. On the 11th October 2017 at Mika´s 50th birthday concert "Suomi 100 - Väyrynen 50" held at the Camerata Hall of the Helsinki Music Center, Mika (picture right) performed an all Finnish program which included six World Premieres as well as launching his latest CD, the accordion works of the late Jouni Kaipainen (1956-2015). My sincerest thanks to Mika for sharing some of his thoughts and insights, as well updating us on his work with some of Finland's most outstanding composers. Read the Mika Väyrynen Celebrity Interview at: VäyrynenInterview |
Updated: 2018 China Harbin Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() http://www.accordions.com/china/default.aspx?nid=99 Updated: English competition rules and entry form in Chinese and English and poster download at: 2018Harbin Entries close: 30th June 2018 Note : The Organising Committee offer full accommodation and food during the competition for foreign candidates. The 2018 China Harbin Summer International Accordion Art Week is hosted by the Peoples Republic of China Culture Ministry and the Harbin Municipal People's Government, undertaken by Harbin Normal College, Harbin, China. The event is part of the 34th China Harbin Summer Music Festival. Harbin was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2010. Harbin becomes "the capital of music" from August 7th to 11th 2018, with some of the finest accordionists around the world competing and performing at the Concert Hall of Harbin Normal University. There will be concerts, workshops and a major international accordion competition. |
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UKby Harley Jones |
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![]() DW944 - Bananas for Two DW945 - Countryside March DW946 - Emergency Tango DW947 - Chasing Rabbits DW948 - Mosaic Waltz DW949 - Forest Waltz |
Renzo Ruggieri Updated: Accordion Kids (ten pieces) eBook - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() Renzo Ruggieri writes: "Accordion Kids features progressive songs for young accordion students. From first notes, to small imitations of animals, to singular genres such as Disco, Baroque and Blues. The use of the left hand loses regularity in the accompaniment (march / waltz / tango) to bring the young player closer to the new rhythms of the present times." Price is only 10 Euro (or USD$ equivalent) for these exciting young childrens compositions that are a "must have", for every teacher of young children. Available online at Catalog: rrenzo512 |
CD Reviews |
Mini Review of Two Frank Marocco CD'sby Gerlando Gatto |
![]() Review by Gerlando Gatto |
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