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Citta di Castelfidardo Hosts Very Successful PIF 2014 - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() ![]() Mayor Mirco Soprani proudly enjoyed the success of the 39th International Citta di Castelfidardo Competitions and Festival which ran from 17th to the 21st September. The competitions had increased entries for 2014 and the winners of the main categories were: - PIF Premio Solo: Tian Jianan (China) - Entertainment Open Category I: Vivi Maria Saarenkyla (Finland) - Category L groups and orchestras: Aleks M Trio (Germany) - Classical Open Category E: Ma Qi (China) - World Music Solo Open Category N: Marco Pomanti (Italy) - World Music Group Category O: Orquesta Primavera (Russia) - Entertainment up to 18 years Category H: Andrea di Giacomo (Italy) - Classical up to 18 years, Category D: Cheng Yuahn (China) Full results of all categories at: 2014Concorso There was an outdoor stage set up in the city square where a lot of accordion entertainment was provided and there were a number of excellent indoor concerts by such artists as: Mika Väyrynen sponsored by Bugari Armando, Alexander Selivanov / Denis Chefanov sponsored by Scandalli, Xu Xiaonan sponsored by Pigini srl. Accordion lovers had a chance to hear all types of music featuring accordion at the PIF 2014 which closed on Sunday late afternoon with the Mayor Mirco Soprani thanking all for their support and promising an equally artistic and interesting 40th Anniversary PIF 2015. Daily Reports are online with pictures, videos and results at: 2014Concorso |
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Coupe Mondiale Stunning Entry Numbers, Salzburg - Austriaby Herbert Scheibenreif |
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![]() All concerts and competitions are being held at the world class Salzburg Congress Center. There is a concert schedule of superb artists (view: Coupe Mondiale) as well as the very highest level of international competitions. Attracting great interest is the special price Combi-Pass for ALL Coupe Mondiale competitions and concerts (28th October to 1st November) at only €85 Adult and €50 Students. Superb value. You can order your concert tickets including the Combi-Pass online at: www.harmonikaverband.at/formulare/CM_Salzburg/Kartenbestellformular_en.html Full information, accommodation and concert details are online at: Coupe Mondiale |
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World's First National Accordion Festival for Senior Citizens - Chinaby Prof. Li Cong |
![]() On October 18, the Worlds first National Accordion Festival for Senior Citizens will be held in the beautiful coastal city of Qingdao. There are more than 30 accordion ensembles of senior citizens (60 years and over) registered to participate in this festival which runs from Saturday 18th October to Monday 20th October. The event is organized jointly by: - Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Qingdao, - Qingdao Musicians Association - Qingdao Beihai Art School Due to the amount of interest, it is planned to make the National Accordion Festival for Senior Citizens an annual event. Daily Reports will be on the internet. |
Premio Voce d'Oro (Golden Voice) Award to Mika Väyrynen, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() Renowned as a concert artist and teacher, Mika Väyrynen has had a career distinguished for his many concerts, recordings and new works premiered. After the presentation, Mika performed three 3 beautiful short works based upon Finnish folk melodies, that he had composed. The previous day, the concert by Mika Väyrynen (sponsored by Bugari Armando) in the City Hall had received enthusiastic long applause and several encores. The Premio Voce d'Oro (Golden Voice Award) is sponsored by Cagnoni & C. reed manufacturers and has been awarded annually since 1987. |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Pete Shutler (1945-2014), Dorset – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() A self-taught accordionist, Pete Shutler joined with Bonny Sartin (lead vocals, guitar, percussion), Mac McCullough (guitar, banjo, vocals) and Bob Common (drums, vocals) to form The Yetties in 1964. They turned professional in 1967, had a large following, and went on to perform very successfully in many parts of the world, have their own BBC radio series ‘Cider and Song’, make many TV appearances, and record over 40 albums and six DVDs. A Yetties concert was always about fun and entertainment, and they did much to promote the traditional folk songs and tunes of Dorset. One of the secrets of their success, and way of breaking down language barriers, was their knack of audience participation. The Yetties disbanded in 2011. Pete's accordion can be heard every Sunday morning playing ‘Barwick Green’, the theme tune for the long running BBC Radio 4 series, ‘The Archers’; the Yetties' version has introduced the omnibus edition for almost 40 years. Pete Shutler also played the bowed psaltery, English concertina, and the keyboard. His accordion playing was inspirational to many folk accordionists. He was married to the Scottish folk singer Marion McKenzie, and had two children, Jamie and Sarah. A full obituary was published by the Guardian Newspaper. Also an autobiographical article extracted from 'An A to Z of the Accordion, Volume 4' (by Rob Howard) that was written by Peter Shutler, kindly provided by Rob Howard. Download both at: PeterShutler.pdf |
Video: Tian Jianan (China) Wins 2014 PIF Premio, Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
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Jukka-Pekka Kuusela Concert, Genoa - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The program consisted of the works by: - Heikki Valpola - Vladislav Zolotariev - Timo-Juhani Kyllonen - Vladimir Mendelssohn - Yevgeni Derbenko - Sergei Berinsky - Mihail Bronner - included chamber music with the violinist Olga Murysina. The numerous audience was enthusiastic and met the performers with high acclaim. |
Video: Jazz Accordionists Frank Petrilli & Eddie Monteiro in Concert - USAby Joan Grauman Morse |
Video: Frank Petrilli & Eddie Monteiro perform Watch What Happens. Video released 24 September 2014. The audience at the September meeting of the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society was treated to a very special performance by guest artists Frank Petrilli and surprise guest, jazz great, Eddie Monteiro. This gifted duo dazzled the audience with their beautiful music, which was totally unrehearsed. Los Angeles based jazz accordionist, Frank Petrilli (see article on Frank Petrilli in Accordion USA, September, 2014) performed on his new Petosa accordion and New Jersey’s Eddie Monteiro plays a very special midi accordion with a 3-4 octave bass range. Only eight of these instruments were ever made. Eddie recently played on Broadway in a production of Evita, and in Massachusetts with Chita Rivera. |
Video: Zoltan Orosz and his Friends Perform C'est Magnifique for TV - Hungaryby Harley Jones |
Published on Sep 25, 2014. Hungarian accordionist Zoltan Orosz plays C'est Magnifique with his Friends. Special thanks for Duna Televison! |
Preview of the Documentary “Nell’armonia del tempo“, Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() The people present heard a talk by documentary Director Nicola Nannavecchia and were shown a preview of the documentary which is going to be a super documentary. I was very very impressed by the preview and recommend this documentary very highly for all accordionists and teachers to view, when it is released in the coming months. The documentary about the love of music and the experiences of Richard Galliano (picture below with students), one of the world's most famous accordionists and the story of Paolo Gandolfi (picture left), as these two talented musicians talk about passion for music. The documentary is directed by Nicola Nannavecchia. Travelling through Italy, France, Canada and Brazil, we will discover the history of two great persons, in a film that talks about passion for music, about teaching young people, about determination in achieving goals, about the importance of human relationships. Further information: http://www.docfilm.eu/en/?id=79&idrea=16 Director: Nicola Nannavecchia. |
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New Article: Angel Accordionists Grace Top of National Cathedral - USAby Pamela Tom |
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Accordions can be found everywhere in the world…even gracing the top of the Washington National Cathedral (WNC) located in Washington, D.C. Jay Hall Carpenter who earned his reputation during 20 years as sculptor for the WNC was commissioned to design models for most of west towers including angel musicians ........ Read the full article at: AccordionAngels |
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Video: Performances of Volodymyr Runchak Music - Russia & Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() The day before, Russian accordionist Dmitriy Skudnev performed two works by Volodymyr Runchak at his concert on the 19th September in Krasnodar, Russia. Dmitriy performed Vladislav Passion, Symphony for Accordion and Orchestra (piano version) and Portraits of Composers (II-IV movements). Video 2: Vladislav Passion composed by Runchak (for symphony), this version is for accordion, piano, narrator and video. Performing is Dmitriy Skudnev (accordion) and Zarina Tlehuray (piano). Filmed at the Rostov State Conservatory, published 18 June 2014. Part 1: "Epitaph" Part 2: "Passacaglia" |
Daniel Falasca at 80th Birthday of Gino Paoli - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Daniel Falasca performed his latin-jazz magic which was very appreciated by Gino Paoli and his many famous guests such as Renzo Arbore, Renato Zero, Zucchero Fornaciari, Gianni Morandi, Peppino Di Capri, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Walter Veltroni, Gianni Mina, Enzo Gragnaniello, Danilo Rea, Peppe Vessicchio, Red Ronnie, Tullio De Piscopo, Caterina Caselli, Tony Renis. Only a few days before, Daniel Falasca was performing at the Castelfidardo Festival. The next performance by Daniel Falasca is 27th September at the Musuem Faenza Zauli. |
Video: Irina Serotyuk, Accordion Clarinet Duo Prize Giving Performance - Italyby Harley Jones |
Video: Dance preludes I,III,V by Witold Lutoslawski. Accordion Clarinet Duo (Ukraine) of Irina Serotyuk (accordion) and Vladimir Gitin (clarinet), Category G winners at the Castelfidardo Festival, are performing at the Prizegiving concert. Category G is for Chamber music, accordion and other instruments, no limits of age. |
Elena and Gregory Fainshtein New CD ‘Together’, Texas - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Tracks: ‘Autumn Illusions’ (valse musette), ‘Tico-Tico’ (samba), ‘Light and Shadows’ (valse musette), ‘Flick-Flack’, ‘Moon River’, ‘Festive Waltz’, ‘La Tempete’, ‘Finnish Polka’, ‘Tango Juntos’, ‘Parisian Stage’. Gregory and Elena Fainshtein, originally from Russia via Israel, now live in Texas. Recently they have performed at the Mesa Accordion Event, the National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention, Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival, and the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention. For further information: elena.fainshtein@gmail.com |
Video: Dominique Paats and Paulus Schäfer - Netherlandsby Harley Jones |
Video: Published 27 September 2013. Domonique Paats (accordion) and Paulus Schäfer (guitar) perform Softly As In a Morning Sunrise on the stand of Fred van Beek Muziek at the Maritiem Bosch. |
‘14 Years Ago’: The Accordion within Different European Cultures - Italyby Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending September 29th 2000 included an item about an initiative titled ‘The Accordion within Different European Cultures’, looking at how and why the accordion has become a part of the culture of European countries. The Accordion within Different European Cultures - Italy Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl The ‘Accordion Culture’ musical association based in Castel Ritaldi (in the province of Perugia) is looking for accordionists from within the European Union who would be willing to take part in an initiative named ‘The Accordion within Different European Cultures’. The study is part of the ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ project sponsored by the European Union, and aims to develop our knowledge of the spread of music for the accordion and other diatonic instruments throughout countries that belong to the Union. The ‘Accordion Culture’ association has been active for many years in the promotion of traditional Italian music for the accordion. |
Future events |
Ginny Mac Concerts, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() She has recorded four albums, the most recent being ‘On The Street Where You Live’, a collection of classic tunes and originals, featuring many of her friends and greatest musical heroes, including accordionist Joey Miskulin, Nashville fiddler Buddy Spicher, bassist Bob Moore (of Roy Orbison fame), and several of Nashville’s premier musicians. “It was an unforgettable experience,” she says, “I was fortunate to learn so much and make music with these wonderful people”. Upcoming dates: September 26th – The Live Oak Rooftop, Fort Worth, Texas September 27th – private party, Rockwall, Texas October 1st – with the Jeff Eckles Trio, The Whitehouse, Denton, Texas October 3rd – with Kent Shores, Banter Bistro Concert, Denton, Texas |
Zoltan Orosz Concert, Szent János – Hungaryby Rob Howard |
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Zoltan Orosz performs in concert, fronting a quintet, on Friday September 26th, 7pm, at Bácsalmási Kulturális Központ, 6430 Bácsalmás, Szent János u. 9, Hungary. Zoltan Orosz studied the accordion and the organ in Budapest, and at the age of 13, entered the International Accordion Competition in Klingental, Germany. He has since become a well-known professional accordionist, with an international repertoire and appeal, and with several recordings to his credit. For further information email: info@harmonika.hu |
Vadim Fedorov Band Performance, Baden-Wurttemberg – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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On Saturday September 27th the Vadim Fedorov Band perform at the village market in Wehr, Baden-Wurttemberg. Between 10am and 6pm there is live music (swing, blues, jazz), which also involves the accordion orchestra Herrischried and the harmonica orchestra Öflingen. |
Tony Lovello @ East Tennessee Accordion Club, Tennessee – USAby Rob Howard |
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Tony Lovello is the guest at the East Tennessee Accordion Club on Sunday September 28th, from 3pm until 8pm. The venue is Morning Pointe (Assisted Lving and Alzheimer's Memory Care), 7700 Dannaber Drive, Powell (Knoxville area), Tennessee. Also performing will be Waclaw Konecnzy, Linda Ann Warren, Mike Beckley, and Rick Runningbear Dunifer and Joe Zaleggie. Free admission. For further information email: linda.ann@tds.net |
East Antrim Seniors AC Concert, Northern Ireland - UKby Rob Howard |
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The East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra (MD Clyde Johnston) perform in the Tobermore Boys Brigade Concert on Friday October 3rd, 8pm, at the Mckinney Memorial Hall, Main Street, Tobermore, Maghera, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Formed in 2006, the East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra members are adults and former members of the East Antrim Accordion School. The orchestra play for fun, with a repertoire of light entertainment music. For further information: clyde.johnston@hotmail.co.uk |
40th Anniversary of Akkordeon-Club Langenhagen 74 e.V. - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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On Saturday October 4th, 3pm, a concert to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Akkordeon-Club Langenhagen 74 e.V. (conductor Dietmar Steinhaus) takes place at the Theatersaal RKS, Langenhagen, Germany. The accordion-club Langenhagen 74 e.V. has over 200 members and has made it a mission to get people excited about the accordion with many projects to promote activity and interest in the club activities. The orchestra rehearses at their clubhouse each Wednesday and over the past 40 years, has made concert tours to many countries throughout East and West Europe, the UK and even as far away as the USA, Japan and New Zealand. The concert features the Quintett des Handharmonika-Clubs Ditzingen 1932 e.V., Hobbyakkordeonisten der Musikschule der Hofer Symphoniker (MD Bernd Rosenberger), and the Akkordeonverein Winsen / Aller 1. Orchester. The poster above has ticket information. For further information email: acl74ev@aol.com |
Those Darn Accordions (TDA) Concerts - USAby Rob Howard |
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Those Darn Accordions are taking over the Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN for two days, Oct 10 and 11. Come join the Oktoberfest fun done TDA style. Lots of Oktoberfest games plus great beer and food. Book a room now and make a weekend of it. See you there! Those Darn Accordions are an American accordion band from San Francisco, California, originally formed in 1989. Their original songs cover a variety of musical genres—from rock and funk to polka and even swing. Their repertoire also includes occasional covers of popular songs. The band continues to tour across the United States. The lineup has varied over the years. Former members include Patty Brady, Bill Schwartz, Clyde Forsman (whose tattoos grace the covers of TDA's first two CDs), Big Lou (who founded the band in 1989, intending it as a one-night-only squeezebox stunt), Tom Torriglia, Art Peterson, Ron "The Filipino Elvis" Muriera, Ron "Riff" Borelli, and Chris Howard. San Francisco's accordion-fueled rock 'n' roll band pumps out polkas, rock classics and catchy originals chronicling life in the weird lane. Fronted by singer-songwriter/squeezebox wizards Paul Rogers and Suzanne Garramone -- promises to forever rearrange your understanding of the accordion. TDA's extreme squeezeboxers mix solid keyboard chops with a groundbreaking use of guitar effects pedals and amps to produce a super-cool sound like nothing you've ever heard emanating from an accordion. Behind the amazing wall of wheeze, drummer Michael Messer and bass player Lewis Wallace anchor the band, providing a firm foundation upon which the manic TDA accordionists can layer huge slabs of sonic mayhem.??With a sense of humor that just won't quit, the one-of-a-kind band blazes through a variety of musical genres -- from rock and funk to polka -- and torches timeless classic rock tunes along the way. You won't believe your ears. October 4th, Saturday, October 5th Sunday, Northwood Oktoberfest, Northwood Public House and Brewery, Battleground, WA. Mystic Lake Oktoberfest, Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake, MN, October 10th 5-10:PM, October 11th 2- 10:PM. For further information: tda@thosedarnaccordions.com |
Elena and Gregory Fainshtein Concert and new CD, Texas - USAby Rob Howard |
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Accordionists Elena and Gregory Fainshtein will present their new CD, ‘Together’, in a concert on Saturday October 11th, 7pm, at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive, Allen, Texas. Their program includes: Suite from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ - ‘If I Were a Rich Man’/’Sunrise Sunset’/’To Life’, etc, ‘Tico-Tico’, ‘Moon River’, ‘Czardas’ (V. Monti), and ‘Parisian Stage’ by Eugen Doga from the movie ‘Anna Pavlova’. Elena and Gregory Fainshtein have released a new CD, ‘Together’, reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers. Tracks: ‘Autumn Illusions’ (valse musette), ‘Tico-Tico’, ‘Light and Shadows’ (valse musette), ‘Flick-Flack’, ‘Moon River’, ‘Festive Waltz’, ‘La Tempete’, ‘Finnish Polka’, ‘Tango Juntos’, ‘Parisian Stage’. Gregory and Elena Fainshtein, originally from Russia via Israel, now live in Dallas, Texas. Recently they have performed at the Mesa Accordion Event, the National Accordion Association Convention, The Accordion Teachers Guild Festival, and the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention. For further information: elena.fainshtein@gmail.com |
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