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Highlights |
39th International Citta di Castelfidardo Festival, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() The competitiion rules and regulations in English and Italian can be downloaded at: 2014castelfidardo The competition has sections for all types of accordions (including digital accordions) and bandoneons, for solo, ensemble and orchestras, and in a range of age categories and musical genres, such as Classical, Entertainment, Jazz, and World music. All competition winners will perform in a concert at the Astra Theatre. There will be monetary prizes, scholarships and trophies on offer for highest placed competitors. The closing date for entries is August 24th. This year, for the first time, the Castelfidardo event and CIA Italian member IAC have arranged that Italians may qualify for the 2014 CIA Coupe Mondiale, which will be held in Salzburg, Austria, October 27th to November 2nd. Competition rules and regulations in English and Italian at: 2014castelfidardo |
Accordions Now! 2014, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() Accordion fans will gather for a weekend filled with music-making, warm friendship, and festive meals, enjoying concerts, workshops, open mike night, jam sessions, a just-for-fun play-along, and the ever-popular Accordions Now! Festival Orchestra conducted by festival co-founder and Artistic Director Donna Maria Regis. Tony Lovello (picture right) will headline the artist roster which is to be announced shortly. Early bird discount admission is available through May 31st. Special hotel rates are also offered for festival-goers. Donna Maria Regis says "Come experience first-hand the Accordions Now! motto: lots of accordions, lots of music, lots of fun!" For further information email: AccordionsNow@yahoo.com |
7th International Composition Competition ‘Francisco Escudero’ – Spainby Rob Howard |
![]() Download rules: 2014Escudero The competition is open to composers of any age and nationality. The competition includes a unique category with works composed for solo accordion, and for chamber music with accordion. The length should not exceed 10 minutes. The works of chamber music must be composed for a maximum of four players in which there is at least one accordion. The closing date for entries is 5th September 2014. For further information email: info@hauspoz.org |
‘Awards for Young Musicians’ (AYM), London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() This will be a master class and a public performance led by Ksenija Sidorova. AYM aims to assist young people with exceptional musical potential from lower income families, to overcome the barriers they face and having their potential identified and supported. The plan for the day is as follows: - Ksenija will lead a master class at the Royal Academy of Music, Sunday 30 March 30th, 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. - Afternoon public performance (of approximately 30 minutes) in a central London location, possibly at Kings Cross Railway Station. For further information email: enquiries@a-y-m.org.uk |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Passing of Evan Harlan, 27th February 2014 - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
Video above: Alma Quintet performing 'Deep Breathing' composed by Evan Harlan, who is also the accordionist on this video. Evan Harlan passed away on February 27, 2014 from a long term illness. Evan Harlan (accordian, piano, composer, and music director) has recorded and performed internationally with several jazz and world music ensembles including Dave Douglas, the Klezmer Conservatory Band and the Von Trapp Singers. His own quartet, Andromeda, played original music with the flavors of Americana, tango, gypsy, and other passionate traditions. In addition to concerts in the New England area, they were the house band for the American Repertory Theater's production of Snow in June in 2003. From 1995-2000, Harlan's group Excelsior played unorthodox arrangements of 20th century composers's works. Their CD, Declassified, was featured on WGBH radio's internationally distributed "Art of the States", WGBH/BBC's "The World", WBUR's "The Connection" and "Here and Now". Harlan was the recipient of a 2001 Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant in music composition; he also scored numerous works for film, dance, and theater. In addition, he has played on the soundtracks of Sidney Lumet's A Stranger Among Us, and John Sayles's Lone Star. In 2001, he performed in the orchestra with Luciano Pavarotti at the Fleet Center in Boston, and has been featured in Hovanhess's Rubaiyat and Hindemith's Kammermusik 1. As a conductor of musical theater, he led Snow in June and Shlemeil the First at the American Repertory, and Fiorello at Brandeis University. Funeral arrangements will posted in the USA News when available. |
Video: Ivano Battiston (accordion) and David Bellugi (recorder) - Italyby Harley Jones |
Uploaded on Feb 16, 2014. Ivano Battiston (accordion) and David Bellugi (recorder) performing Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 --1809) recorder music (1772/1793): Vivace, Hob. XIX, 13 Andante, Hob. XIX, 10 Vivace, Hob. XIX, 23 Menuett, Hob. XIX, 9 Allegro moderato, Hob. XIX, 22 Allegro ma non troppo, Hob. XIX, 15 Fuga, Hob. XIX, 16 Allegro, Hob. XIX, 28 (after the Finale of String Quartet in D major, Op.71 No.2, Hob.III:70) Live performance held at the Chiesa di S. Lorenzo a Vicchio, Via Vicchio e Paterno - Bagno a Ripoli (Florence), Italy on Oct. 11, 2013 David and Ivano both teach at the "Luigi Cherubini" Conservatorio di Musica Video recording by Gianluca Marzo [http://www.gianlucamarzo.com] |
NAO Northern Ireland Open Championships, Antrim – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The organizer was Clyde Johnston (picture right), there was a record 215 entries, and the adjudicators were Ivan Black, Audrey Gillian and Sarah McEvoy. This festival is qualifier for the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) Championships, which take place at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, April 25th to 27th. The results and prize giving took place during the evening Gala Dance. Full results download at: 2014N_Ireland |
Video: Zoltán Orosz Tango Improvisation with Pannon Philharmonic - Hungaryby Harley Jones |
Zoltán Orosz and Barnabás Kelemen (violin) perform a tango improvisation of El Choclo at the New Year's Concert, Pannon Philharmonic, Kodaly Centre - Pecs, Hungary, 2nd January 2014. The video was published on Feb 26, 2014. 4 CD's available online at: Zoltan Orosz |
Mickaël Richard CD ‘Top dancing’, Cholet – Franceby Rob Howard |
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Video: Zoe Tiganouria Promo video from the show "The Magic of Tango" - Greeceby Harley Jones |
Promo video from the show "The Magic of Tango" by composer & accordion soloist Zoe Tiganouria with pianist Spyros Moshopoulos. The show involved the dancers "Choroaktis" Costaki-Mavroidi. |
Nikolai Ryskov on TV show ‘Sunday Brunch’, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer's guests included Ashley Walters, who discusses ‘The Musketeers’. Shaun Keaveny talks about ‘6 Music Festival’, Angus Deayton and Sean Verey chatted about their new series of ‘Pramface’, while music is from Paloma Faith, who performs ‘Can't Rely on You’. London-based Nikolai Ryskov, apart from performing, is also well known for his arranging and composing. For further information email: nryskov@gmail.com |
Video: Yoon Jong Shin Song with Accordion - South Koreaby Harley Jones |
Singer Yoon Jong Shin released this video 12 November 2013, in two versions, with string group and with accordion featured with the group. The accordionist is unnamed in this video production by CJENMMUSIC Official youtube channel, a major Asian entertainment business with over 1,740 videos online. |
Video: Plamen Dimitrov on National TV - Romaniaby Harley Jones |
Plamen Dimitrov and his group performing on National TV Romania on 16th December 2012. |
Video: Duo ViA, Harald Oeler and Sinn Yang Recording - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Duo ViA! of Harald Oeler (accordion) and Sinn Yang (violin) recording for a new CD to be released in May 2014. They perform excerpts from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Accordion activities in Argentina in 2000by Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending March 3rd 2000 reported that attempts were being made to organize fortnightly meetings for accordionists. This was being done by AIDA, the International Association of Accordionists. Are these meetings still taking place/ AIDA Plans – Argentina Contributed by Florencia Herrera President of Asociación Internacional de Acordeonistas (AIDA - International Association of Accordionists), Julio Erman (alias Gasparin) plans to organize music club meetings on the second Sunday of each month. Professional and amateur accordionists are invited to attend and perform at these meetings. The AIDA currently publish an informative booklet with news of future concerts and events in South America. Their magazine ‘El Acordeón’ unfortunately stopped publication two years ago because of financial reasons, but the association hopes to resume publication of this magazine in the near future. The association currently has about 500 members. |
Future events |
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() On Friday February 28th, Marco Lo Russo opens the festival ‘Folk a Metà’, at the Teatro Felini, Pontinia, performing original compositions, Italian standards, and international music. The next day, Saturday March 1st, 8.30pm, Marco Lo Russo will perform as part of a show at the Teatro Moderno, Latina. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Dan Newton’s Upcoming Performances, Minneapolis – USAby Rob Howard |
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Accordionist Dan Newton, well-known as a member of the Café Orchestra and various other ensembles, performs as follows this coming weekend: March 1st, 4.30pm–6.30pm – a Mardi Gras party with the Rockin' Pinecones, Harriet Brewing, 3036 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota March 1st, 9pm-10.30pm – with Jumbo Ya Ya @ Famous Dave's Mardi Gras celebration, Calhoun BBQ & Blues Club, 3001 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN March 2nd, 7pm-9pm - Café Orchestra, Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN. Free Cumbia dance lesson at 6pm. For further information email: daddysqueeze@yahoo.com |
Alexian Santino Spinelli Band, Campobasso – Italyby Rob Howard |
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Accordionist Alexian Santino Spinelli and his band play Roma gypsy music on Saturday March 1st, 8pm, at the GIL Auditorium, Via Milano, Campobasso, Italy. |
Dinner/Dance, Limerick – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
![]() Dessie Hynes, well known as MD of the band backing Foster & Allen, is one of Ireland’s leading Irish traditional players. The Indians, who feature a diatonic accordionist, have been one of Ireland’s most popular and accomplished show bands since the 1970s. |
Festival Européen de l‘Accordeon, Chimay – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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The annual Festival Européen de l‘Accordeon takes place on Sunday March 2nd, 12noon until 7pm, at the Salle Sudhaina, Baileux, Chimay, Belgium. Guest accordionists include Michel Pruvot and his orchestra, Laurent Pire, Erika, Pierre Devos, and more. For further information email: gerardmaree5@hotmail.com |
Horvatch Kornel Quartet Concert, Budapest – Hungaryby Rob Howard |
![]() The quartet players are: Kornél Horváth (percussion), Zoltán Lantos (violin), Zoltán Orosz (accordion), and Gábor Dörnyei (drums). 4 CD's available online at: Zoltan Orosz |
Folk Music Session @ Jacksons Boat, Cheshire – UKby Rob Howard |
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There is a monthly session of folk dance music at Jacksons Boat, a historic pub on Rifle Road, Sale, Cheshire M33 2LX – close to the M60. This is suitable for accordions, concertinas, fiddles, banjos, etc, music books are provided, and beer and chips are available. The next session is on Saturday afternoon, March 8th, 12 noon until 4pm. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
New Douglas Ward Site, Charnwood Publishing - UKby Douglas Ward |
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Renzo Ruggieri Publishes Virtuoso Entertainment Composition - Italyby Renzo Ruggieri |
![]() Carnevale by Renzo Ruggieri can now be purchased online. This virtuoso entertainment composition by Renzo Ruggieri is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Renzo Ruggieri Release a New CD and eTracks Album - Italyby Renzo Ruggieri |
![]() catalog: rruggieri10, 'Inni D'Italia' with sound samples. Music performed by Renzo Ruggieri. Purchase online. |
Renzo Ruggieri Releases New Solo Virtuoso Arrangement - Italyby Renzo Ruggieri |
![]() This newly available virtuoso solo arrangement by Renzo Ruggieri can now be purchased online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. Video above is Renzo performing the same work with his group. This is NOT the solo arrangement. |
CD Reviews |
Johann Sebastian Bach - Volume 2 - The French Suites 4 – 6 Prelude and Fugue in A minor Airby Joan C. Sommers |
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