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Highlights |
AAA Master Class and Concert Series, New York City - USA
Pigini s.r.l. 70 Year Anniversary Promotion, Castelfidardo - Italy
II. International Accordion Days In Prague - Czech Republic
Video: Arseniy Strokovskiy (Russia), Klingenthal Solo Concert Winner - Germany
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Dirk Powell Plays On Eric Clapton Album – USA
Video: 2015 Coupe Mondiale Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Winners - Finland
Leonard Brown CD ‘Requested by You’, Newcastle - UK
Video: Nürnberger Akkordeonorchester - Austria
Accordion Arranger James P. O'Brien Publishes Second Non Music Book - USA
2016 Int. Akkordeonwettbewerb Klingenthal Preisträgerkonzert
Brixton Buskers Include Accordion, London - UK
Video: Sergio Scappini Demonstrating the Bugari Evo - UK
14 Years Ago: Recital at Free Reed Instruments Conference, June 4th 2002
Future events |
Stanislav Angelov Concert, Magaliesburg - South Africa
Gjovalin Nonaj Concert, Brussels – Belgium
Klaus Paier and Asja Valcic Concerts, Wolfsberg, Villach – Austria
Natasha Enquist Performance, Debut Album Teaser, Berlin - Germany
Christine Schmid & Florian Metz Cabaret, Baden-Württemberg - Germany
Kennet Accordion Orchestra Concert, Dorset - UK
Mary Mancini & Mario Tacca Entertain, New York – USA
Gorka Hermosa Master Classes – Spain
Jon Hammond Funk Unit Featured, Summer NAMM, Nashville, Tennessee - USA
Castletown Accordion Orchestra Concert, Cavan – Irish Republic
New and Updated Sites |
New: Auckland March Solo Released for Online Sale by Gary Daverne
Updated Site: Sonatina for Accordion Now Available by Don Grzanna - USA
Updated Site: CD by Jörgen Sundeqvist 'In Concert Behind Accordion' Available Again
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Coba Concerts Celebrate 150th Anniversary of Japan, Italy Relations - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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  The charming traditional Japanese art world will highlight the fusion of Japanese and Western music for the commemorative event celebrating the 150th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy.Famous Japanese accordionist Coba is in TFC 55, a group of Japanese musicians. They perform in Italy: Saturday 11 June, Astra Theatre, Castelfidardo (AN) Sunday 12 June, Teatro Giuseppe Verdi, Busseto (PR) and Coba is performing solo at: Wednesday 15 June, Istituto Giapponese di Cultura, Rome. In 2014, Hideki Togi, Iwao Furusawa, and Coba, who are the same age, formed a band called "TFC 55" and have made performances throughout Japan. The instrument ensemble of gagaku, violin and accordion, that nobody had imagined possible, produces a variety of fascinating sounds created solely by these three musicians and brings to the audience the magic of music. Sponsors include the Commune of Castelfidardo and Association Cultural Gervasio Marcosignori. For further information, contact Pro Loco President Aldo Belmonti, Castelfidardo. |
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AAA Master Class and Concert Series, New York City - USAby Rob Howard |
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 This year’s annual American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) Master Class and Concert series takes place over the weekend July 29th-31st. Dr William Schimmel (picture right) is again the Moderator-Curator and this year’s event will be the 22nd consecutive year he has been the Moderator-Curator. The theme is "No Place Like Home". Celebrating his 70th birthday in 2016, William Schimmel has received the AAA Distinguished Service Award in commemoration of over fifty years of accordion endeavors. A lifetime of concerts, recordings, compositions and accordion seminars and for some years, also a distinguished AAA Lecturer in Residence. The Master Classes begin at 3 pm, and concerts at 7 pm. The venue is the Tenri Cultural Center, 43A W 13th St, between 5th and 6th Avenues, New York. Download the AAA registration form at: 2016AAAmc.pdf |
Pigini s.r.l. 70 Year Anniversary Promotion, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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  Pigini Accordions, well known for their innovative advertising themes and promotions, have created a new idea to celebrate their 70th Year Anniversary. A video competition to "Celebrate 70 years in 70 seconds with a Pigini". Pigini has invited accordionists to join the competition with easy to follow rules: 1. Display your Pigini accordion whenever, whatever, wherever. 2. Say out loud at any point the wish "Auguri Pigini" (in the best Italian you can). 3. Enjoy doing it. Entries close 31st May 2016! The winner will receive a free trip of one week to spend at the Pigini factory in Italy and during that week, attend a workshop on "The Artisanship of Accordions". The winners will be selected on June 21st and Accordions Worldwide will show you the winning videos. |
II. International Accordion Days In Prague - Czech Republicby Harley Jones |
| The II. International Accordion Days In Prague, Czech Republic is organised by the Prague Conservatory Accordion Department, the Czech Accordion Association and the CTA Agency. Entry closing date is 20th September and the competitions and festival will be held 4th - 6th November. |
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Video: Arseniy Strokovskiy (Russia), Klingenthal Solo Concert Winner - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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| Arseniy Strokovskiy (Russia) won the Klingenthal Category IV solo concert competition which is in three rounds, with four finalists performing with symphony orchestra for Round 3. Video of Arseniy Strokovskiy, Round 3, was published in last weeks news. This week we have video excerpts from his Round 1 program: Video 1: Toccata No. 2 by Ole Shmidt Video 2: Tango Prism by Maki Ishi (test piece) Excerpt from Round 2 program: Video 3: Metamorphoses by Torbjörn Lundquist Arseniy Strokovskiy is a student at Schnittke's State Music Institute, Moscow, teacher Sergey Osokin, international competitions winner including this competition in 2002. Video of a recent concert by Sergey Osokin is online at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=06-May-2016&lang=en#art11693 2015 competition successes by Arseniy Strokovskiy include: 1st - The XIII National Competition "Vivat, Bayan!" in Samara, Russia, May 2015. 2nd - 2015 Castelfidardo Premio category. 3rd - 2015 XXIII International Competition "Arrasate Hiria" |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Video Herbert Pixner Projekt, 12th World Music Festival - Austriaby Harley Jones |
| The 12th World Music Festival featured the Herbert Pixner Projekt in concert. Performers are: Herbert Pixner (accordion and trumpet), Werner Unterlechner (bass), Heidi Pixner (harp) and Manuel Randi (guitar). The 12th World Music Festival is the biggest competition for accordion orchestras/ensembles and a full report, results, pictures and some videos are online at: 2016InsbrReport |
Dirk Powell Plays On Eric Clapton Album – USAby Rob Howard |
 The legendary singer/guitarist Eric Clapton's new album ‘I Still Do’ features Cajun musician Dirk Powell on the diatonic accordion on the track ‘Stones in my Passway’. The CD, released on May 20th, is being played on Sirius Radio on the blues stations. Dir Powell is carrying on the traditions of his late father-in-law Dewey Balfa as the accordion player in the Cajun group Balfa Toujours. It was at a 1989 festival in West Virginia that he first met and played with Dewey Balfa, a musician whose performance left Powell "captivated." When Balfa passed away in 1992, Powell joined Balfa's daughters, Nelda and Christine (Powell would later marry Christine) and formed Balfa Toujours. The band would go on to record five albums for labels like Swallow and Rounder. Dirk Powell has also released the "Learn To Play Cajun Accordion" tutor DVD. |
Video: 2015 Coupe Mondiale Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Winners - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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2nd Carabetta, Daniele (Italy)
3rd Shirokov, Rodion (Russia)
 This category of the 2015 Coupe Mondiale was broadcast live by ALFA TV and they have now kindly released the video for the CIA Video Archive Education Project sponsored by Scandalli Accordions.2015 Coupe Mondiale Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Results: 1st Russo, Valerio (Italy) 2nd Carabetta, Daniele (Italy) 3rd Shirokov, Rodion (Russia) Program: Own choice program consisting of at least two (2) pieces of different styles and moods. Playing time: maximum 12 minutes. Videos of all the contestants in this category are online at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2015/video08jnv.htm Full results at: 2015CoupeResults. 44 page color program at: 2015Program.pdf |
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Leonard Brown CD ‘Requested by You’, Newcastle - UKby Rob Howard |
 ‘Requested by You’ is the title of Leonard Brown’s latest CD, which as the title suggests, comprises music that is often requested at his concerts and ceilidhs. The 20 tracks include Willie and Bertha’s Boston, Valse Parisienne, The Craic at Clashmore Hall/Kiwi Pipers, Bayerisch Kraut Polka (composed by Christa Behnke), Canadian Jigs, Draggin the Bow, Leonard Brown’s Reel, The Rose, Bel Fiore (Frosini), Quickstep Cellection, Kate Martin’s Waltz, The More I see You, Ukrainian Polka, The Blue Danube (Strauss), John Macdonald of Glencoe/Crossing The Minch, Cape Verdean Blues, Jigs Selection, A Fond La Caisse, Danny Boy, Iain MacPhail Reels. On this recording Leonard is ably supported by Davie Stewart (accordion), Maggie Adamson (fiddle), Liam Stewart (piano), John Sinton (double bass), and Malcolm Ross (drums/percussion). Leonard Brown, from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NW England, is one of the UK’s brightest young accordion talents. Also a fine pianist and a band leader, he is much in demand, especially in Scotland, for concerts, ceilidhs, and recording sessions. In 2012 he became only the second Englishman to become an All Scotland Accordion Champion (Robert Whitehead being the first). Leonard’s biography is to be found in Rob Howard’s recently published book ‘Accordion Anthology’. For further information email: leonardbrownaccordion@gmail.com |
Video: Nürnberger Akkordeonorchester - Austriaby Harley Jones |
| Video excerpt from the recent 12th World Music Festival, where the Nürnberger Akkordeonorchester, conductor, Stefan Hippe with Heleen Joor (vocals) and Barbara Shofer (narration) was featured in the Gala Concert. The Nuremberg Accordion Orchestra was established as a quintet in 1946 by Willi Münch and his wife Paula. Since 1998, Stefan Hippe has been the permanent conductor of the orchestra. They have been one of the most successful accordion ensembles in Europe for many decades and today, consist of 27 musicians. The orchestra has taken excellent rankings in many national and international competitions including the first prize at the German Orchestra Competition 2008 in Wuppertal and two consecutive wins 1st prize at the World Music Festival in Innsbruck 2004 and of 2010. The Nürnberger Akkordeonorchester was awarded in 1993 the Culture Prize of the City of Nürnberg and has received any other awards. They have released three CD's Edition dedicated to contemporary accordion orchestra composers and in 2016 celebrate their 70th anniversary. |
Accordion Arranger James P. O'Brien Publishes Second Non Music Book - USAby Harley Jones |
 Well known accordion arranger Dr James P. O'Brien has published a second book on 24th December 2015 titled "Realities of Retirement" available on Amazon. Its advertising line is: It's Monday Morning: "There Are People in My Office Working . . .And I'm Not One of Them". This book addresses many issues associated with retirement and is available in Kindle and paperback. Also published is: Somewhere the Train Goes: A Life Journey also available in Kindle and paperback. Various music related books are also available online at Amazon. James O'Brien has been a Professor of Music at The University of Arizona School of Music faculty since 1975 and has authored 8 published music textbooks and several music articles in national journals. He has been the recipient of numerous grants dedicated to the improvement of classroom music teaching through technology. His performance specialty is the keyboard and he is an avid accordionist as well as an arranger/composer of accordion music including over 150 original compositions and arrangements. Many of these are available at: James P. O'Brien Since his retirement, he holds the academic rank of Professor Emeritus. |
2016 Int. Akkordeonwettbewerb Klingenthal Preisträgerkonzertby Harley Jones |
| Video from the 2016 Klingenthal Prize Giving concert. Published on May 13, 2016 http://www.klingenthal-magazin.de |
Brixton Buskers Include Accordion, London - UKby Harley Jones |
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| The Brixton Buzz online news wrote: As Brixton continues to turn into a tourist-luring, south-London version of Camden, more and more buskers can be seen on the streets around the centre of town. The Brixton Buzz then included pictures of the buskers including "This lady with the ENORMOUS St Bernard dog who can regularly be seen busking around Brixton" |
Video: Sergio Scappini Demonstrating the Bugari Evo - UKby Harley Jones |
| Video by Gary Blair of Sergio Scappini (Italy) demonstrating the Bugari Evo digital accordion in the UK. |
14 Years Ago: Recital at Free Reed Instruments Conference, June 4th 2002by Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide News for May 24th 2002 included an item about a forthcoming recital at a conference about the history of free reed instruments. In recent years there has been much research into the evolution of free reed instruments, with books written on this subject.Hilton Hotel Recital and Conference – USA American accordionist Henry Doktorski will give a recital on June 4th at the 143rd bi-annual meeting of the ‘Acoustical Society of America’ at the downtown Hilton Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The theme of the conference will be ‘Free Reed Instruments: Historical Perspective and Recent Research’. Doktorski will perform pieces intended to expose the conference participants to a wide range of historical repertoire for the accordion - ranging from early 20th Century compositions by Hugo Herrmann and Guido Deiro to more recent works by Astor Piazzolla - to showcase the varied acoustical properties of the instrument. The recital will conclude with a duet by Doktorski and Howard Levy (harmonica) - Bach's ‘Polka’ from ‘Cantata 78’. |
Future events |
Steve Normandin Concert, Quebec City – Canadaby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday May 28th, 8pm, accordionist Steve Normandin performs in concert at Crapo de Lanaudière, Saint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec City, Canada. |
Stanislav Angelov Concert, Magaliesburg - South Africaby Rob Howard |
| Accordionist Stanislav Angelov will entertain during lunchtimes with French music at the Black Horse Brewery & Restaurant, Pizza Place, Magaliesburg, South Africa, on Saturday May 28th and Sunday May 29th. For further information email: information@blackhorse.co.za |
Gjovalin Nonaj Concert, Brussels – Belgiumby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The Brussels-based Albanian accordionist Gjovalin Nonaj performs a solo concert on Sunday May 29th, 3pm, at the Salle de reunion, Centre Européen de Médiations (asbl), 119 rue Hôtel des Monnaies, 1060 Bruxelles. Admission is 10€.For further information email: Gjovalin_nonaj@hotmail.com |
Klaus Paier and Asja Valcic Concerts, Wolfsberg, Villach – Austriaby Rob Howard |
 Klaus Paier (accordion) and Asja Valcic (cello) perform in concert, as follows:Thursday June 2nd, 8pm, at Benedikt, Haus St., Wolfsberg, Austria. Friday June 3rd, 8pm, Kulturhofkeller, Villach, Austria |
Natasha Enquist Performance, Debut Album Teaser, Berlin - Germanyby Harley Jones |
 Natasha Enquist - Electro-Accordion Chanteuse, will perform a debut album teaser set of original songs from her upcoming debut album, "MNE", for the audience with her drummer, Maurizio Vitale.2nd June, Chantals House of Shame, The Bassy Cowboy Club, Schönhauser Allee 176a, Berlin, 10€ at the door. Doors at 23:00 Showtime 02:00 |
Christine Schmid & Florian Metz Cabaret, Baden-Württemberg - Germanyby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday June 4th, 8.15pm, accordionist and vocalist Christine Schmid performs a cabaret concert with vocalist Florian Metz at the Kurhaus Badenweiler, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.Christine Schmid studied at the Hohner Conservatory Trossingen and at the Opera Workshop at Basel Conservatory. Later she attended the Jazz School Basel and Paris in music theory, accordion and vocals. After her studies she had various engagements such as the title role in ‘Marlene Dietrich’ at the Musical Theater in Basel and regular appearances as a guest soprano with the Spa Orchestra Badenweiler, followed by appearances on radio and television. Christine Schmid is also vocal and speech trainer and also as a successful model and mannequin. For further information email: christ.schmid@web.de |
Kennet Accordion Orchestra Concert, Dorset - UKby Rob Howard |
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| On Sunday June 5th, 2.30pm, the Kennet Accordion Orchestra (MD Nigel Pasby) perform in concert at St Ives Village Hall, Braeside Road, Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2PH. Formed in 1984, the Kennet Accordion Orchestra’s members come from Marlborough, Hungerford, Newbury and Swindon. The concert is organized by the recently formed Bournemouth-based Dorset Accordion Orchestra (MD Sammie Peckover LBCA). For further information email: dorsetaccordionorchestra@gmail.com |
Mary Mancini & Mario Tacca Entertain, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
| Accordionist Mario Tacca and vocalist Mary Mancini entertain at the Bean Runner Cafe, 201 S. Division St., Peekskill, New York, on Friday June 10th at 8pm. Mario says: “Come and enjoy Bean Runner's light fare menu and our musical presentations of all styles of music. We are happy to have with us Randy Smith on drums, Mike Caruso on guitar and mandolin, and David Winograd on bass. Don't miss this fun and intimate evening! Be sure to call and reserve as reservations are a must - 914-737-1701”. For further information email: mariobtacca@hotmail.com |
Gorka Hermosa Master Classes – Spainby Rob Howard |
 Spanish accordionist, composer, writer, and teacher Gorka Hermosa leads master classes on Friday June 10th and Saturday 11th at the Conservatory of Lugo, Spain.For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
Jon Hammond Funk Unit Featured, Summer NAMM, Nashville, Tennessee - USAby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 Jon Hammonds Hammond Funk Unit quintet is performing a 40 minute set of his original compositions as part of the Summer NAMM Showcase at the famous Music City Center, Nashville.The concert is on Friday June 24th, 2pm to 2.40pm. California-based Jon Hammond is a jazz musician and radio presenter, best-known nowadays as an organist who regularly uses accordion in his group and for hospital and old folks concerts (picture below). Jon Hammond wrote: "Three of the musicians are Nashville based: R Barber (trombone), Louis ‘Flip’ Winfield (drums), Cord Martin (tenor saxophone) plus my long-time guitarist Joe Berger and myself on Hamond organ - both Joe and myself are officially from New York City, although I am also in California a lot - I’m still a New Yorker! There is a very strong chance that Lee Oskar will be joining us as Special Guest. I can’t guarantee that Lee will be onstage with us. We recently talked about doing it when we met at the ASCAP Pop Awards in Hollywood last month. He told me that he will be there and is going to try to make it, so we are going to have the stage set up for that, we have played together several times over the years. Lee was an award recipient at the ASCAP Pop Awards and besides being the original member of the legendary band WAR, he manufactures his own line of Lee Oskar Harmonicas that have been very popular with Blues and Rock performers for years. Here we are in Hollywood a couple of weeks ago, with Lee wearing the medal he was awarded." |
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Castletown Accordion Orchestra Concert, Cavan – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
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| The Castletown Accordion Orchestra performs in concert on Saturday June 18th, 8.30pm, at the Ramor Theatre, Main St, Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland. Under the musical direction of John Chilton, Castletown Accordion Orchestra has represented Ireland at both European and World level winning multiple awards. They have performed concerts in both in Ireland and Europe, including the acclaimed concert tour of The Dolomites in Italy. They will perform in London in July and the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August. For further information email: ramortheatre@cavancoco.ie |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: 2016 Harbin China Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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 Updated Site: Harbin 2016 Art Director Prof. Wang Hongyu (picture left), Vice-President of Harbin Normal University, has added Maciej Frackiewicz (Poland) and Marko Kassl (Gemany) to the list of invited international Guests/Jury members. Along with famous Chinese accordion teachers, they will form the juries for the international competitions which are part of the Harbin 2016 China Summer International Accordion Art Week. The list of international guests / jury include many famous musicians and teachers from many different countries (alphabetical order): Ondassyn Abdullahayev (Kazakhstan), Franck Angelis (France), Patricia Bartell (USA), Miljan Bjeletic (Serbia), Raymond Bodell (UK), Harley Jones (New Zealand), Eddy Jozef Flecijn (Belgium), Alexander Kapitan (Russia), Aleksandar Kolovski (Macedonia), Tatjana Marx (Australia), Yves Moulin (Switzerland), Mirco Patarini (Italy), Primoz Parovel (Slovenia), Zoran Rakic (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Volodymyr Runchak (Ukraine), Samgar (Kazakhstan), Viatcheslav Semenenko (Russia), Yuri Shishkin (Russia), Ivan Šverko (Croatia), Raimondas Sviackevicius (Lithuania). Download the competition rules and entry form in Chinese and English at: 2016Harbin Entries close: 25th July |
New: Auckland March Solo Released for Online Sale by Gary Daverneby Gary Daverne |
  Composer, conductor, arranger Gary Daverne OMNZ has released his solo composition Auckland March for sale online. This work is for standard bass. View sample page. Purchase with credit card online. Catalog No: ED0275_D Updated Site: Gary Daverne Homepage and eTracks (mp3) Page |
Updated Site: Sonatina for Accordion Now Available by Don Grzanna - USAby Harley Jones |
 Updated Site: Don Grzanna has made available the work:grza184 - Sonatina For Accordion Don Grzanna has over 100 original works available online for viewing. This work is an eSheet format (pdf file), able to be emailed to the client. Sample pages for each movement available for viewing. Purchase online with Paypal secure credit card capture. |
Updated Site: CD by Jörgen Sundeqvist 'In Concert Behind Accordion' Available Againby Harley Jones |
 CD by Jörgen Sundeqvist 'In Concert Behind Accordion' is available again. Performers Jörgen Sundeqvist (solo) and some tracks in duet with Anthony Galla-Rini. Catalog: ks515 |
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