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Highlights |
Duo Balyk Concert Dates – Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
Video 1: A. Schnittke - Suite dans style ancien, Duo Balyk, published 17 February, 2016 (Menuet, Fuga, Pantomima). Video 2: A. Vivaldi - Sinfonie dell Opera "Olimpiade" Duo Balyk. The Duo Balyk, Russian-Ukrainian musicians Nataša Balyk and Vladimir Balyk, play bayan and domra. Their forthcoming concert dates are below, and their current program includes pieces by A. Vivaldi, T. Albinoni, K. Jenkins, A. Schnittke, C. Munier, A. Karas, A. Piazzolla, Z. De Abreu, V. Gridin, V. Monti, R. Galliano, and J. Strauss. October 28th, 7.30pm - Bad Leonfelden, Stadtcafé Kastner, Austria October 29th, 7.30pm - St. Paul, Rathaussaal October 30th, 11am - Schloss Albeck October 30th, 7.30pm - Graz, Harmonikazentrum October 31st, 7pm - Hochegg, Rehab-Zentrum November 3rd, 4pm – Vienna, Waldmüllerzentrum November 4th, 7.30 pm - Neunkirchen, Sparkassensaal der Musikschule For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
Elias Lammam On Tour, Torres Vedras – Portugalby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Accordionist and singer Elias Lammam, from Lebanon, now living in Santa Cruz, California, is currently in Portugal, where he has just performed with his trio at the World Accordion Festival in Torres Vedras, near Lisbon, on October 28th. On Saturday October 29th the trio will make an informal concert/workshop in a local cafe with other accordionists and fans; Concert tickets are 5 Euro. Elias Lammam is a Lebanese master of the microtonal accordion, now a US citizen and resident of California. This will be Elias Lammam's first concert in Europe in almost 20 years. The trio features Elias Lammam (accordion and vocals), Sarah Michael (qanun), Khader Ahmed of Germany (percussion) and Niko Bakulich (percussion). |
Music China Trade Fair, Shanghai - Chinaby Harley Jones |
The Music China Trade Fair is the largest Asian music trade fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and marketing. Accordion factories and suppliers include: Bugari Armando and Bugari Evo, Display E4E26 Mengascini Nello Srl, Display E4B13 MusicTech S.n.c. , Display E4D26 Orla Srl., Display W4C22 Pigini Srl., Display E4F29 Scandalli Accordions Srl., Display E4D28 Zero Sette Accordions Display E4E28 |
How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain by Anita Collins - USAby Harley Jones |
Video by Anita Collins. When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What's going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians' brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout. |
‘The Severn Suite – 10 Years On’, Wales – UKby Rob Howard |
On Saturday October 29th, 7pm, at the Village Hall, Llandinam, Powys, Wales, accordionists Karen Tweed and John Kirkpatrick perform ‘The Severn Suite’, a suite of dance music they composed together in 2006 for the village of Llandinam. Dancers and musicians welcome. The evening includes solo performances by John Kirkpatrick and Karen Tweed, and a short ceilidh. ‘The Severn Suite’ is available as a book and CD combination. The book includes full instructions for the dances, music notation for thirteen brand new tunes, sample arrangements for some of the tunes and an accompanying CD featuring John and Karen’s playing. The event is organised by TASC, who organise folk music events in Mid Wales and the Borders. For further information email: admin@tradartsupport.org.uk |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Concert Review: Austrian Accordionists Thrill Baku Audience - Azerbaijanby Harley Jones |
Video: Duo Dinovski-Schuberth perform "Fatönk" by Paul Schuberth from the album "Improvokation". This performance was at the Final of Austrian World Music Awards, 4th December 2015 in Vienna. Excerpts from Azernews concert review by Laman Ismayilova titled "Austrian Accordionists Thrill Baku Audience". Austrian accordionists Atanas Dinovski and Paul Schuberth performed in Baku on 25th October. The duet, popular in both Austria and abroad, takes part in many music festivals, competitions and are here for the the Baku International Jazz Festival which will run until 30th October. Atanas Dinovski successfully completed both his artistic and pedagogic studies with distinction under Prof. Alfred Melichar at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz (Upper Austria) and Paul Schuberth, performer and composer regularly performs either solo or in various ensembles. |
‘The Music And The Land - The Concert’ CD, Edinburgh – UKby Rob Howard |
‘The Music And The Land - The Concert’ is a new live CD of a recent concert in Edinburgh, organised by and largely featuring the music of accordionist and composer Freeland Barbour. The CD includes contributions from The Occasionals Ceilidh Band (Freeland Barbour - accordion, Mairi Campbell - fiddle, Alison Smith - fiddle, Kevin Macleod - tenor banjo and mandolin, Gus Millar - drums, and Neil MacMillan - piano), and Martin Carthy - songs, Phil Cunningham - accordion, Ross Ainslie - smallpipes and Highland pipes, Simon Thoumire - concertina, Gary West - smallpipes, Jane Gardner - piano, Jane Barbour - piano, Billy Kay - speech, and Cailean Maclean - speech. 21 tracks: The Shanty Set (The Occasionals), Laxdale Cottage/The Pitlochry Highland Games (Ross Ainslie, Freeland Barbour and Gary West), Destiny (Billy Kay), The Craic at Clashmore Hall/The Drampire (Phil Cunningham, Freeland Barbour and Neil MacMillan), Frank McConnell's Three Step/Cape Ann (Cunningham, Barbour & MacMillan), Atholl Braes/The Drunken Piper (Cunningham, Barbour & MacMillan), Oran Badantarbairt/Badentarbet/Northlins (Cailean MacLean, Jane Gardner and Freeland Barbour), Remember Them With Gladness (Freeland Barbour, Jane Gardner, Mairi Campbell and Alison Smith), Kvalnes Reinlender (Freeland Barbour, Jane Gardner, Mairi Campbell, Alison Smith and Kevin Macleod), In The Lamplight (Freeland Barbour and Janet Barbour), High Germany (Martin Carthy), Pasacorredoires de Ponteareas e Vilaba/Aires de Pontevedra (Gary West), The Whittingham Rant (The Occasionals), My Son John (Martin Carthy), Lullaby for Mel/Chris Grace's Jig/Reel of Beer (Ross Ainslie), Chastleton Triple/Black Dog's Hornpipe (Simon Thoumire & Freeland Barbour), Joseph Boseph Set (Simon Thoumire), Jock Brown's 70th/Tain In The Rain/High Drive (Ross Ainslie), With Stinging Eyes and Straining Thighs (Freeland Barbour), Kevin Macleod's Medley (The Occasionals), Sarah’s Reel/Sam's Reel (The Occasionals and Guests). This CD, ‘The Music And The Land - The Concert’, contains some of the compositions from Freeland Barbour’s book of the same name, and also to hear music from the distinguished list of performers. Everyone in the concert had also made a contribution to the book in some way and this made for a wonderful atmosphere and, in the words of author James Robertson, "A book launch like no other". For further information email: jim@musicinscotland.com |
Video: Concerto 'Aconcagua', soloist Grayson Masefield with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Chileby Harley Jones |
Video 1: 2nd and 3rd mvts, Concerto 'Aconcagua' composed by Astor Piazzolla, soloist Grayson Masefield with the highly regarded National Orquesta Sinfónica de Chile. Video 2: Encore: Tango Pour Claude composed by Richard Galliano. Two concerts were in Santiago on 28th and 29th January and one concert in Frutillar on February 1st earler this year. This video, just released, is from the concert in Frutillar. The Orquesta Sinfónica de Chile was conducted by Francois Lopez-Ferrer and these concerts were part of the third January program of their summer festival. The concert theme is scenery and impressions and the Piazzolla Concerto 'Aconcagua' is named after Chile's highest mountain in the Andes. Masefield eTracks mp3 album available at: Grayson Masefield |
Concert Review: Julieta Venegas, The City National Grove of Anaheim - USAby Harley Jones |
Video 1: Ese Camino by Julieta Venegas Video 2: One of Julieta Venegas most popular songs "Me Voy: with millions of views online. Excerpts from a concert review by Gabriel San Roman, OC Weekly: Mexican singer-songwriter and accordionist Julieta Venegas 26th October in Anaheim. The multi-instrumentalist shined at the City National Grove of Anaheim, traversing through the treasure trove of songs that compile her storied career. When Venegas hoisted an accordion over her shoulder for the first time, her loyal fans erupted in joy. She belted the opening melody to "Ese Camino" with such authority. Venegas chose to end with "Andar Conmigo" and "Me Voy," taking a well deserved bow for a flawless, nearly two-hour journey through her creative prowess. Have we been blessed with Venegas' music for almost 20 years now? Last night's performance, breathtaking in its breadth, served as testament to the singer-songwriter's subtle timelessness. |
Future events |
Fadiesis Accordion Festival 2016, Pordenone – Italyby Rob Howard |
The Fadiesis Accordion Festival 2016 takes place in Pordenone, Italy, between October 27th and November 3rd. Artists appearing include the Dissonance Duo, Extemporae Trio, Mantice Sacro, Paris Moscou Duo, and Non Capivamo. This festival presents music that ranges from sacred music to JS Bach, from swing to French and Russian music. For further information email: info@fadiesis.org |
67th All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Festival, Perth – UKby Rob Howard |
The 67th All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Festival takes place at the Salutation Hotel in Perth on Saturday October 29th, 9am until 5pm, followed by competition results and an evening ceilidh with The Craig Paton Band and a concert performance by KODA, an exciting young group who perform Scottish music in their own dynamic contemporary style. The adjudicators for the accordion sections are Duncan Black, Richard Ross, John Bone, and Michael Philip; the fiddle sections adjudicator is Douglas Lawrence. There is a pre-festival ceilidh on the Friday evening, October 28th, 8pm-11.30pm, with the James Coutts Scottish Dance Band. On Saturday afternoon, 1.30pm-4pm, there will be an informal music session in the Salutation Bar with James Coutts and his band, where all musicians are welcome to participate. Also on Saturday, in the Greyfriars Bar (opposite the Salutation Hotel), 2pm to 4pm, there will be background music provided by Allan Small and Gemma Donald. Entry is free to both events. |
Accordion and Clarinet Ensembles Concert, Löhne – Germanyby Rob Howard |
‘Akkordeon trifft Klarinette’ is a concert featuring the Akkordeon Orchester Löhne (MD Petra Finger-Bornemann) and the Klarinetteensemble Caprizzio (MD Johanna Jarquin Reyes). This takes place on Saturday October 29th, 5pm, at the Simeonkirche Gohfeld, Löhne, North Rhine, Westphalia, Germany. |
Youssra El Hawary (Egypt) and Band, Torres Vedras - Portugalby Harley Jones |
Youssra El Hawary (Egypt) is an accordionist, singer, songwriter and actress with a very expressive presence on stage and a unique musical style, which quickly earned her great attention and respect from the public. One of the most outspoken voices of women of Egypt, scathing in their political awareness, and being very influential in her country, especially after the great success of the song "El Soor" ("The Wall"). In Torres Vedras, Youssra El Hawary will be accompanied by her band. Concert date is: Saturday 29 October 2016 at 21:30 hours, Teatro-Cine de Torres Vedras. |
Harmonica Festival Leeuwarden, Friesland – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
This year’s Harmonica Festival Leeuwarden takes place on Saturday October 29th, 11am until 4.30pm, at Wijkcentrum Bilgaard, Hooidollen 17, 8918HV Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands. This festival attracts local and national accordionists of many genres. |
Acordeones del Uruguay meeting, La Plata – Argentinaby Rob Howard |
The accordion group Acordeones del Uruguay meets on Sunday October 30th, 5.30pm, at La Juntada de Plaza Italia, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Acordeones del Uruguay is a non-profit group that meets regularly to perform all kinds of music, especially pieces written by Uruguayan composers, and to promote the accordion. For further information email: silviopre@hotmail.com |
Roland Digital Accordion Demo, Kungsbacka – Swedenby Harley Jones |
There will be a special demonstration of the various Roland digital accordions by Netta Skog, 2015 Coupe Mondiale Digital Accordion winner (video above), on Sunday October 30th at the Kungsbacka Teater, Kungsbacka, Sweden. In September, Roland released the new Roland FR4X at the Paris Eiffel Tower. Technical information: 2016FR4X.pdf |
Gran Festival de Acordeons, Ribadumia - Spainby Rob Howard |
The Gran Festival de Acordeons takes place on Sunday October 30th at the Auditorio de Ribadumia, Spain. This event involves several accordion schools and clubs, and is supported by the town council of Ribadumia. Free entry. Ribadumia is a municipality in Galicia, Spain, in the province of Pontevedra. |
Renato Borghetti Quartet Performing in Torres Vedras - Portugalby Harley Jones |
Video above: Renato Borghetti in partnership with guitarist Arthur Bonilla, released 2015 with 44 minutes of live performance. Their first album "Gaita Point" (1984) sold over a hundred thousand copies and brought him the first Gold Disc of Brazilian Instrumental Music. Renato Borghetti (Brazil) is performing at Teatro-Cine de Torres Vedras, Saturday 5th November 2016, 21:30 hours. Renato Borghetti (diatonic accordion), Pedro Figueiredo (sax and flute), Vítor Peixoto (piano) and Daniel Sá (guitar). |
Dances to Accordion Music during November – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
The following list is of dance gigs in Ireland during November featuring accordionists: November 4th, 9.30pm - Muriel O'Connor & Fran Curry, Lorrha November 4th, 9.30pm - Sam O Doherty, Drombane November 5th, 9.30pm – The Kelly Family, Camross November 8th, 9.30pm - Sam O’Doherty, Cloughjordan November 11th, 9.30pm – Lorrha, Peter Burke November 12th, 9.30pm – Dermot Lyons, Ballingarry November 14th, 15th, 16th, 9.30pm - The Kelly Family and 'Sam O Doherty, Checkers, Ennis November 18th, 9.30pm - Declan Aungier, Lorrha November 18th, 9pm - Peter Burke, Drombane November 23rd, 9pm - Declan Aungier, Aghancon November 19th, 9pm – Michael English, The Rhu Glenn Country Hotel, Kilkenny |
Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Concert, Glasgow – UKby Rob Howard |
The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra (MD Gary Blair) share a concert with the Renfrew Community Gospel Choir on Friday November 4th, 7pm. The venue is Wallneuk Parish Church, Abercorn St, Paisley PA3 4AB, Scotland. Tickets £8, concessions £4. The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, originally formed by Jimmy Blair, as part of his wider music school in the early 1970s, was very successful in NAO All Britain competitions until it was disbanded in the late 1980s. The orchestra was revived in 2009 by Gary Blair, and has since won several competition honours, and performing in many concerts. For further information email: gazzapt@yahoo.co.uk |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Douglas Ward Celebrates 70 Compositions Published - UKby Harley Jones |
Douglas Ward and Charnwood Publishing celebrates 70 compositions published, mostly solo, some duet and some published in print and eSheet (pdf) format. The site has also been updated with a new picture. Full information and view music samples at: Douglas Ward |
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