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Highlights |
Anais Bessières Receives Francis Baxter Award for the 2020 Best Musette CD of the Year - France
Stéphane Chapuis Passes Away - Switzerland
XXII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Anatoli Kusiakov, Rostov-on-Don - Russia
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Inaugural Concert of the XXV Festival of Soloists and Accordion Ensembles Kotlin 2020 - Poland
Video: Alexander Poeluev “From the Life of Musicians" – Russia
Video: Martynas Levickis Performs Scarlatti Sonata - Lithuania
Silke D’Inka Composition for Covid-19 Lockdown - Germany
Video: Alessandro Mugnoz Performs Divertimento n 2, Volpi - Italy
Johnny Coleclough (1933-2020), Blackpool - UK
Orchestra Restarts with Jam Sessions - New Zealand
Brian Jenkins (1934-2020), Manchester – UK
Video: Pat Walter Performs Witch Doctor for Halloween 2020
Future events |
Scythian “QuaranSCREAM” Halloween Online Concert- USA
Mr Accordion Man Entertains at 2020 Italian Car Day, Caversham – Australia
World Café Trio Presents Live and Online Concert, Cape Town – South Africa
Brooklyn Accordion Club Online Workshop: “La Cadence in French Traditional Dance Tunes" – USA
Kevin Friedrich “Sounds of the Season” Concert, Dargaville – New Zealand
Akkordeon-Club Sulzbach e.V. "Fascination Accordion" Concert - Germany
XII International Grand Prix Competition "Golden Talents", Kursk - Russia
CD Reviews |
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Highlights |
Video: Lorenzo Antonelli Awarded 24th Premio Nazionale Gentile da Fabriano - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The Institutional Video made on the occasion of the 24th National Gentile Award Fabriano ceremony by Lorenzo Antonelli, President and CEO of Voci Armoniche, which was presented on October 10th in Fabriano, Italy. Invitation: 2020Fabriano.pdfThe video presents the philosophy of the company and its production, a journey of the origin of quality and sound of the accordion, a "magical" journey between tradition and innovation! |
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Anais Bessières Receives Francis Baxter Award for the 2020 Best Musette CD of the Year - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
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 Video: excerpts of Anais Bessières musette CD "Une pointe d'accent" (montage Alexandra Astorg).Young French accordionist, Anais Bessières, received the 2020 Francis Baxter Award for her musette CD "Une pointe d'accent". This award is presented by the SACEM (French society for music composers and song writers) for the best musette CD of the year, in memory of the great accordionist/composer Francis Baxter (arranger of the famous musette piece "les Fiancés d'Auvergne"). Anaïs Bessières (age 22), has played the accordion since she was 9 years old. Her passion for this instrument was ignited by her grandparents taking her to dance every weekend. Originally from the Southern West region of the Lot, she studied with Christian Llorens, later on pursuing her training at the famous international accordion school, the CNIMA, founded by Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix. In 2017 Anaïs attained her DEM (French national conservatory diploma) with A+ grade and congratulations by the jury. In 2018 she reached 4th place at the Klingenthal competition in Germany and in 2019 received the audience award. Her professors at the CNIMA, Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix, say: "Anais is surely one of the upcoming leading accordionists of this new generation. This first CD will be followed by many others". The CNIMA is known to be a launching pad for the career of many accordionists including Alain Musichini, Domi Emorine, Félicien Brut, Vincent LHermet and Christine Rossi to name a few. The school offers full time training, workshops, a la carte studies and skype classes which are open to all styles, all levels and all ages. Stay tuned for the upcoming release of Anais Bessières’ "Une pointe d'accent" on all digital platforms throughout the world. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
Stéphane Chapuis Passes Away - Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
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 The accordion world is in mourning and tributes are pouring in following the passing of Stéphane Chapuis this week.Christine Savioz (Le Nouvelliste in Valais, Switzerland) wrote the following article: “Stéphane Chapuis, a virtuoso of the accordion and bandoneon, died on Tuesday after a long and cruel illness. The news of his death created much sadness among the artists of Valais and elsewhere and tributes poured in on social media. Musician Rolan Sprenger can't believe it, still remembering his encounter with Stéphane just after last year's Winemakers' Day. Stéphane Chapuis was one of the show's soloists. "He was radiant!" adds Sprenger. "He loved this project," confirms the musician Hervé Forclaz, longtime friend of the virtuoso, who collaborated with him for some thirty years. "He was a master of the accordion and known and respected all over the world. In fact, he had performed concerts in the United States, Paris, Northern China, Brazil, Africa, Italy" adds Hervé Forclaz. In addition to his concerts and performances, Stéphane Chapuis, who had obtained an accordion virtuosity with distinction and congratulations from the jury and a teaching diploma with excellence, was a highly respected teacher at the Lausanne High School of Music, the Nion Cantonal Conservatory of Music and the EJMA-VS. From 1983 to 1992, he was a multiple winner of international competitions. He was also awarded the Valais State Incentive Award in 2010. On this occasion, Sprenger had written a text about his friend. "Stephane gives the accordion its ranks of nobility. He said too modestly, "All I did was jump into the pioneers' breach, like my teachers who fought for the recognition of the accordion," Sprenger described at the time. Stéphane Chapuis, a father of five, was a modest man who had fallen in love with the Valais several years ago. "He was a very generous musician, popular and so loved. Here in Valais, all the artists who required accordion music in their recordings, worked with him. Everyone is upset by his death," says Hervé Forclaz. |
XXII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Anatoli Kusiakov, Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
  The XXII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Anatoli Kusiakov (renowned composer - picture left) will be held at the Rostov State Conservatory from April 2nd to 6th, 2021.This competition, which includes categories for bayan and accordion, has been held at the Rostov State Conservatory since 1968. The event will include classes for various age groups who will compete in up to two rounds. Competitors will register on April 2nd in the foyer of the conservatory from 9 am to 4pm, followed by a draw to determine the order of play. The competition itself will begin on April 3rd, 2021. The closing date for entries is March 10th, 2021. For details email: rgkbayan@yandex.ru Download competition Rules here (in Russian language): 2021RostovRules.pdf |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
XIII Francisco Escudero International Composition Competition Results - Spainby Christine Johnstone |
  Video starts: 8:45 minsThe XIII Francisco Escudero International Composition Competition was held on October 23rd in Zarautz, Spain. Hauspoz Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea, in collaboration with the culture department of Zarautz City Council, the Provincial Council of Guipúzcoa and SGAE Foundation, organized the awards ceremony which took place at the Cine Modelo de Zarautz. The competition winner was Japanese composer Tetsuya Yamamoto with his work 'Voix de l'orgue 2' for accordion quartet. The prizewinning work will be featured in the 2021 Arrasate Competition held in Arrasate, Spain. Dates to be confirmed. Jury member Iñaki Alberdi announced a special mention given by the jury to the work 'Heterosis I' for accordion, oboe and bassoon by composer Carlos Núñez Medina. During the gala event, Juan Matías (accordion), Lucia Arzallus (piano), Iker Bilbao (violin) and Fabio Rafael Arias (cello) performed the winning work from the 2019 competition “The Sea of Rains” by Greek composer Lina Tonia (see photo below). Accordionist Garazi Navas performed the work “Omne vivum ex ovo” for accordion solo by Italian composer Antonio Macaretti, winner of a special mention by the jury in 2019. Photo below and video courtesy of “Baier streams”. |
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Inaugural Concert of the XXV Festival of Soloists and Accordion Ensembles Kotlin 2020 - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
| The Inaugural Concert of the XXV Festival of Soloists and Accordion Ensembles Kotlin 2020 included a well received performance by Rafal Grzaka (accordion) and Przemyslaw Skaluba (clarinet). See video for festival concerts. |
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Video: Alexander Poeluev “From the Life of Musicians" – Russiaby Christine Johnstone |
 Alexander Poeluev’s video "From the life of musicians" includes a “little self-irony” in this new fun clip. Accordion: Alexander Poeluev and Vladimir Poeluev Percussion: Elizabeth Poelueva Arranged by Alexander Poeluev & Elizabeth Poelueva Filming: Byeder Bondarev |
Video: Martynas Levickis Performs Scarlatti Sonata - Lithuaniaby Christine Johnstone |
| Video: Martynas Levickis (Lithuania) performing Sonata in D minor, K 1 L 366 by Domenico Scarlatti. |
Silke D’Inka Composition for Covid-19 Lockdown - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
 Silke D’Inka composed “Counting the Days” (until we meet again in person) during the Covid-19 lockdown in Germany. This video shows the performance of this piece by members of the Akkordeongruppe Münstertal e.V. and Handharmonika-Club Sulzburg e.V. from Sulzburg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. |
Video: Alessandro Mugnoz Performs Divertimento n 2, Volpi - Italyby Harley Jones |
 Video: Alessandro Mugnoz and pianist Claudia Menghi, perform "Divertimento No. 2" by Adamo Volpi (1911-1980).This work is one of the first Italian pieces in the field of chamber music with accordion. Adam Volpi, great organist, composer and teacher, was one of the reference figures of the first, now historical, literature for accordion; having dedicated to the instrument various concert pieces, recreational/didactic and chamber music, in a rather academic style, but always balanced and refined. Pieces such as "Preludio" op.31, "Fileuse", "Concertino D Minor", etc. have entered the repertoire of many Performers internationally. Recorded in Ancona, Auditorium of the Higher Institute of Musical Studies "G.B. Pergolesi" 4th December 2010. |
Johnny Coleclough (1933-2020), Blackpool - UKby Rob Howard |
 Veteran accordion entertainer Johnny Coleclough (picture left) passed away on October 7th in Blackpool, Lancashire, at the age of 87. Johnny played the accordion from a young age and often joked that during the Blitz in WW2 others would leave the air raid shelters, preferring to listen to the bombs dropping to his accordion playing! He went on to play in bands, and eventually became a solo entertainer using electronic accordions and also singing. In the 1970s Johnny Coleclough was resident at Blackpool Tower, performed in holiday resorts in Spain, and in the 1980s and 90s was resident at the Piccadilly Bierkeller in Manchester. He also played accordion as a dep in concerts with Mantovani and Count Basie, and later played Tyros keyboards in social clubs. A popular and charismatic figure at accordion festivals in England during the 1980s and 1990s, Johnny ran buskers and stage presentation workshops, and also did compering. He performed at several accordion clubs, and was the President of Stockport Accordion Club from 1996 to 2011, after which he and his family moved to Catalonia, Spain. Picture below left to right: Dermot O'Brien, Gary Blair and Johnny Coleclough. |
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Orchestra Restarts with Jam Sessions - New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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| As Covid-19 resulted in lockdowns, the North Shore Accordion Orchestras in Auckland, New Zealand were unable to rehearse for most of this year. So the conductors held a meeting and decided that for the last few weeks of 2020, they would run some fun jam sessions for all orchestra members (young and old) to come along and just have some "good old fun" playing together. The music ranged from light classical to rock & roll and all members sight read while the parents play percussion. On October 28th, the session included a variety of players including New Zealand past champions Kevin Friedrich, Maurice Jones and Campbell Bettridge, New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) Secretary Heather Masefield, Music Education Centre Director Lionel Reekie, NZAA Competitions Secretary Renee Jeffries, AWW Weekly News Editor Christine Johnstone, Lian Jones (member of the tango group Milonga De Cuatro), and Alanah Jones (accordion premiere with composer David Hamilton). The jam sessions also gave younger players the opportunity to play alongside more experienced accordionists, who were only too willing to help the junior players. Maurice Jones offered a few useful tips for handling this kind of gathering so that the players could get the most out of it. |
Brian Jenkins (1934-2020), Manchester – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist, conductor, arranger and brass player Brian Jenkins, from Manchester, passed away from Covid-19 in late October at the age of 86. Brian studied the accordion with Wilfred ‘Pip’ Walker and George Harris, passed all eight British College of Accordionists grades, and played in various bands. In the late 1940s he played accordion for the renowned Irish tenor Josef Locke, and later played in a Bavarian band that was resident in The Wilhelm Tell Bierkeller, Deansgate, Manchester. He also played the tenor horn in the British Aerospace Brass Band and received a long service award from the North West Brass Band Association in 2017, celebrating 70 years as a bandsman. In 1996 Brian became the Musical Director of the Stockport Accordion Orchestra, and soon afterwards also became closely involved with the Tameside Junior Accordion Band and the North West Accordion Orchestra, where he was very well-liked and held in high esteem. The Stockport Accordion Orchestra used many of Brian’s excellent arrangements, which were characterised by his brass band background. He also spent many happy years as a popular and respected MD of the weekend orchestras at the accordion festivals in Blackpool, Pakefield, Caister, Mundesley, and Seacroft. |
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Video: Pat Walter Performs Witch Doctor for Halloween 2020by Christine Johnstone |
| Happy Halloween. Pat Walter performs “Witch Doctor” sing along for Halloween 2020. This is a 1958 American novelty song written and performed by Ross Bagdasarian, under his stage name David Seville. It became a number one hit and rescued Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy. |
Future events |
Ghenadie Rotari Live Stream of World Premiereby Christine Johnstone |
 Ghenadie Rotari will live stream the world premiere of “Fuoribalconi” on October 31st, 2020 at 7pm Central European time. This work was written for accordion and electronics by Pawel Siek, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Poland.For details email: g.rotari@yahoo.com |
Scythian “QuaranSCREAM” Halloween Online Concert- USAby Christine Johnstone |
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| Scythian, which includes accordionist Dan Fedoryka, will put on their spookiest costumes and bring you the online “QuaranSCREAM” Halloween concert on October 31st at 7.30pm. For details email: scythianmail@gmail.com |
Mr Accordion Man Entertains at 2020 Italian Car Day, Caversham – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
 Mr Accordion Man (Frank Miranda) will entertain at the 2020 Rotary Bella Italia featuring the Italian Car Day at the Mulberry Estate in Caversham in Western Australia on November 1st, 2020.The event offers fine Italian food, wine and music, while attendees can admire amazing Italian cars and motorcycles including the best of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, De Tomaso, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Lambretta, Vespa & more. All funds will go to Rotary community projects. |
World Café Trio Presents Live and Online Concert, Cape Town – South Africaby Christine Johnstone |
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| The World café Trio will present “Vivaldi’s Four Seasons” and “Going to the Movies” both live and online this week. The live concert will be held at Christ Church Constantia in Constantia, Cape Town on November 1st at 3pm. Only a small audience of 150 (less that 40% of usual capacity) will be permitted to attend due to Covid-19 regulations. The trio, which includes Stanislav Angelov (accordion), Petrus de Beer (violin), and Schalk Joubert (bass guitar) present a stunning arrangement of Vivaldi’s most enduring work. The second half of their program comprises of popular tunes from the movies, ending with Zorba the Greek. The online recording will be available in one week. Tickets are available through Quicket from R80. |
Brooklyn Accordion Club Online Workshop: “La Cadence in French Traditional Dance Tunes" – USAby Rob Howard |
 The Brooklyn Accordion Club will hold an online Zoom workshop entitled “La Cadence in French Traditional Dance Tunes" on November 1st from 2pm to 3pm. The workshop will be presented by Jeremiah McLane (picture left).'La Cadence' is a term used by French traditional dance musicians that translates loosely to the English word groove. In this workshop you will learn some tunes from Central and Northwest France, and how accordionists supply the groove for different types of tunes including the bourrée, mazurka, schottishe, and gavotte. For details email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Kevin Friedrich “Sounds of the Season” Concert, Dargaville – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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| Kevin Friedrich will hold his 2nd Christmas concert “Sounds of the Season” at the Dargaville Museum Lighthouse Function Centre in Dargaville on November 22nd, 2020. The concert is a fundraising variety show for the Dargaville Museum which houses his Accordion Gems A Master Collection though time exhibition. Kevin organises an annual concert in March of each year, but unfortunately the March 2020 event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand. All tickets purchased for the March show can be transferred to the November concert. Kevin’s new CD “The Journey” which features music by New Zealand composer Gary Daverne, is also available at the Museum reception. For details phone: 09 439 7555 |
Akkordeon-Club Sulzbach e.V. "Fascination Accordion" Concert - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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| The Akkordeon-Club Sulzbach e.V. will hold their annual concert entitled "Faszination Akkordeon" (Fascination Accordion) at the Frankfurter Hof Civic Centre in Sulzbach on November 29th. Due to Covid-19 regulations and restrictions that reduce seating capacity, the concert will be held at 4pm and repeated at 7pm. Admission only with mouth/nose mask and pre purchased tickets. The concert will include performances by the Akkordeon-Club Sulzbach e.V., soloists and the Projektorchester des Bezirks Hessen West. For details email: VVK@akkordeon-club-sulzbach.de |
XII International Grand Prix Competition "Golden Talents", Kursk - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
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| The 12th International Grand Prix Competition "Golden Talents" will be held in Kursk, Russia from December 10th to 13th, 2020. The competition will include categories for accordion and bayan as well as other folk instruments. Competition Awards include a Grand Prize of 200,000 rubles. Entries must be received by November 1st, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, videos are requested to be sent without accompaniment. For details email: info@talentsgrandprix.ru |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Quodlibet CD by Friedrich Lipsby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Quodlibet CD by Friedrich Lips. Review by Joan Cochran Sommers in English and German languages. |
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