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Highlights |
Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports in English and Chinese from September 30th - Chinaby Harley Jones |
The 64th Coupe Mondiale is ready to start in Shanghai (October 1st to 6th 2011) and the Daily Reports will be in English and Chinese languages on the Coupe Mondiale website. CIA President Raymond Bodell (picture left) offers “a special welcome to each of our 170 plus contestants which undoubtedly is a new record”, hosted by the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), the Shanghai Federation of Literacy and Art Circles (SFLAC) and the China Accordion Association (CAA). CAA President Li Cong (picture right) said that “more than 170 contestants from 25 countries is sure to be a fantastic and fierce competition. Nine marvelous concerts featuring such artists (in alphabetical order) as Richard Galliano, Grayson Masefield, Modern Pop Accordion of Shanghai, Alexander Poeluev, Alexander Selivanov, Renzo Ruggieri and Sergey Voytenko of Bayan Mix, who will show us wonderful accordion music from around the world. More than 1,300 performers from the 29 accordion teams, appearing in squares, parks and business centers in Shanghai will ignite the torch of the accordion music carnival.” Other highlights of the 2011 Coupe Mondiale in Shanghai: - A major boost is the Mayor of Shanghai Han Zheng, who is also an accordionist, is taking time from managing a 12 million people city to attend the Opening Ceremony on October 1st at the Shanghai Star Stage. - The Opening Ceremony will feature the World Premiere of the ‘Accordion Concerto’, by You Feng Lai Yi, composed especially for the Opening Ceremony. - The Coupe Mondiale Video Archive and Education Project being a free video download of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed competitor of each Coupe Mondiale category is planned to be available online the day after the Coupe Mondiale (October 7th). Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports in English and Chinese on the Coupe Mondiale website. |
Results Online for 36th Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The results of the 36th Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition are online at 2011 Concorso. Category H, ‘Light Music’, no age limit, was a really excellent listening music category with the jury and the audience favorites not being the same. 1st was Sarah Vonau (France), 2nd Pietro Adragna (Italy), and 3rd Vitaly Pugachev (Russia). Classical category D soloists, no age limit, was popular and won by Aleksander Kolovski (Macedonia), 2nd Giuseppe Grosso and 3rd Mladen Vukmir (Serbia). Continuing strong results by Serbia was Nenad Ivanovic (Serbia) who won the Category Premio, Xu Xiaonan (China) was 2nd, and Ivan Sverko (Croatia was 3rd. Full results of all the categories is online as are Daily Report photos at 2011 Concorso |
Alexander Selivanov’s Accordion Masterclass, Cetraro – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The master class of Russian virtuoso Alexander Selivanov took place in the beautiful surroundings of Trono di Cetraro, Calabria. The participants, students of Antonio Spaccarotella, were guided through aspects of playing, preparation for international competitions, and choice of program. The students were enthusiastic, and worked diligently through their individual and group exercises. At the end of the successfulday there was a press conference with Alexander Selivanov and Antonio Spaccarotella, with several newspapers and TV attending and reporting. For further information email: antonio.accordion@alice.it |
‘Accordéon Guinguettes’ DVD, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
‘Accordéon Guinguettes’ is a DVD featuring superb performances by some well known French accordionists, all playing in musette style. Although the DVD title suggests music recorded at dances (ginguettes), the tracks are all specially recorded performances, and all with excellent sound and picture quality. The tracks include: André Verchuren – ‘Mon Amant de Saint-Jean’, Zinzin – ‘Un gamin de Paris’, Harry Williams – ‘Le Denicheur’, Louis Corchia – ‘La roulotte’, Bruno Lorenzoni – ‘Le bal de la marine’, Maurice Larcange – ‘Generation Musette’, Zinzin – ‘Y’a d’la joie’, Harry williams’ – ‘Les annees ginguettes’, Andre Brocoletti – ‘Quand Paris chante’, Zinzin – ‘Coin de rue’, Louis Corchia – ‘Sur le chemin de la maison’, Andre Brocoletti – ‘Sous le ciel de Paris’, Maurice Larcange – ‘La roulee’, Alexandra Paris – ‘Aubade d’oiseaux’, Maurice Larcange – ‘Tiens voila l’accordeon’, André Verchuren – ‘Plaisance fox’. Available via the Amazon France website. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordion Workshop, Canterbury - New Zealandby Lynette Kelcher |
The Canterbury Accordion Association of New Zealand hosted a one day workshop in Christchurch on Saturday September 17th. Tutor Heather Masefield flew down from Auckland to take the informative workshop. Christchurch has been in the international news because of the number of large earthquakes that have crippled the city so the Canterbury Accordion Association was delighted that four teenagers and 14 adults plus their accordions attended. A great turn out. |
Celebration of World Tourism Day 2011 - Maltaby Joseph P. Grima |
World Tourism Day is organised on September 27th every year around the world by the United Nations. This year’s WTD was organised in Malta's capital city of Valletta, in this city's historic Palace Main Guard square, and many activities were held. One of the performers was Joseph P. Grima, a Maltese accordionist who played popular music from around the world to the many spectators, including many tourists from all over the world on holiday in Malta. Joseph, for this event used his versatile MIDI equipped accordion. Joseph was invited to perform to the public by the Malta Tourist Authority as accordion soloist with other instruments. For further information email: josephpgrima@gmail.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – News from China in 1997by Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for September 26th 1997 reported that Professor Li Wei Ming had been officially honoured in China for his outstanding work as an accordion teacher. It is very interesting, and an amazing co-incidence, that 14 years later, this very weekend, Li Wei Ming is receiving another award. Li Wei Ming is one of 14 Chinese teachers receiving the Chinese Accordion Life Achievement Award, which will be presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Coupe Mondiale, to be opened by the Mayor of Shanghai, Han Zheng. PROFESSOR LI WEI MING RECEIVES HIGHEST HONOR - CHINA Contributed by Shein Joe China recently celebrated an annual holiday honoring its teachers. On this day some teachers with significant contributions were specially honored. In the city of Fuzhou (where there are 6 million residents), ten teachers from just under 3000 candidates were selected to receive this special award. Professor Li Wei Ming was one of these teachers. He is one of the foremost accordion teachers in the province of Fujian, and has recently triumphantly led five of his students who competed in the South Pacific Championships and Australian Championships held in Auckland and Sydney respectively. In the world of music, we are indeed privileged to have such a dedicated and talented teacher like Professor Li Wei Ming who is a great ambassador for the accordion |
Future events |
International Accordion Festival, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
Held every year at La Villita, along downtown San Antonio's Riverwalk, the International Accordion Festival takes place on October 7th to 9th, at La Villita, 736 South St Marys, San Antonio, Texas. The times are Friday - 6pm to 11pm, Saturday - 12pm to10pm, and Sunday - 12pm to10pm. This Zydeco event presents concerts, dances, workshops by accordionists, dance instructors and accordion makers, Open-mike sessions, food booths, and plenty of dancing space. The guest list includes Alamo Angels Accordion Orchestra (variety), Albert Zamora (Tex-Mex), Bluesqueezebox (cabaret), Bohemian Dutchmen (German/Czech/Polka), Buille (Celtic/Folk/Jazz), Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole (Zydeco), Dwight Lamb (Old Time), Lammam Group (Arabic/Lebanon), Hector del Curto Tango Quartet, Ivan Milev Band (Bulgarian Wedding Music), Joao Cerilo (Cape Verdean Funana), La Santa Cecilia (Latin Fusion), Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), Retono (Norteno), Riyaaz Qawwali (Qawwali), and Socalled Klezmer Hip Hop (from Montreal, Canada). For further information email: staff@internationalaccordionfestival.org |
CT Tango Ensemble Concert, Leipzig – Germanyby Rob Howard |
The CT Tango Ensemble, from South Africa, perform their first Milonga dance in Germany on Sunday October 2nd, 9pm, at Alma en vuelo, Holbeinstr, 29 04229 Leipzig. The CT Tango Ensemble for this gig are Stanislav Angelov (bandoneon and accordion), Albert Combrink (piano) and Simon Klingner (double bass). For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
Alphen Opus 2 Concert, The Hague – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
The classical accordion ensemble Alphen Opus 2 will perform in concert in the Paleiskerk, Paleisstraat 8, 2514 JA Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands, on October 2nd, 3.30pm. For further information email: alphen_opus2@yahoo.com |
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival 2011, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
The Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival 2011 takes place from October 6th to 10th at 13 venues on Shetland. The festival features accordionists and bands such as the Alan Gardiner Trio, Craig Paton, Graeme Mackay, George Balfour, Iain Cathcart Scottish Dance Band, Martin Tourish, Neil Galloway, Neil Hardie SDB, Paul Capaldi, Pentland Ceilidh Band, Robert Whitehead and the Danelaw Dance Band, Alan Nicolson Band, Da Fustra, Colin Dewar, James Leask Dance Band, Jimmy Burgess Dance Band, Jim and David Halcrow, Graeme Garrick, Ness Accordion and Fiddle Club, Northmavine Fiddle and Accordion Club, Peter Wood, Rachel Anne Williamson, Sandy Legget, Westside Fiddle and Accordion Club, Wis Twartree, and many more. For further information email: info@shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com |
‘Jock Walton’s Accordion Crimes’, Dunedin - New Zealandby Rob Howard |
‘Jock Walton’s Accordion Crimes’ is a variety show of musicians, singers, etc, hosted by Dunedin accordionist and Scottish personality, Jock Walton. This annual concert takes place on October 2nd, 7.30pm, at The Church, 50 Dundas St, Dunedin, NZ. This concert is an event that is part of the Dunedin Celtic Art Festival. For further information email: info@nefc.org.nz |
Ian Watson Concert Performances – Macedonia, UKby Rob Howard |
UK accordionist Ian Watson’s schedule for October and November includes: October 7th to 9th - performances and workshops, Skopje Conservatory, Macedonia, with CHROMA October 16th - premiere of new work by Joe Cutler, Little Missenden Festival, Buckinghamshire, England, with CHROMA October 26th – with the Aurora Orchestra, Cardiff, Wales, playing Ian Watson’s arrangements of tangos by Piazzolla and Gardel with Orchestra October 28th - with the Aurora Orchestra, Savoy Hotel, London, playing Ian Watson’s arrangements of tangos by Piazzolla and Gardel with Orchestra October 28th - St Cyprian Church, London, solo and trio performances of works performed in Macedonia November 2nd to 14th – recording sessions for all the pieces that Ian Watson has premiered in the last 15 years, Angel Studios, London November 19th - Ripley, Surrey - conductor of massed Accordion Orchestra Day and performance by Morley Accordion Orchestra. For further information email: i.watson99@googlemail.com |
CJ Chenier Tour Dates – USAby Rob Howard |
Zydeco accordionist CJ Chenier’s forthcoming appearances include: October 8th – Rawa Blues Festival, Spodek, Katowice, Poland November 16th – Montrose Room, Rosemont, Illinois, USA 17th – plus the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Redstone Room, Davenport, Iowa 18th - plus the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, Minneapolis, MN 19th and 20th - CJ Chenier Band, Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, Minneapolis |
Deirdre Adamson @ Soar Valley AC, Leicestershire – UKby Rob Howard |
Scottish accordionist Deirdre Adamson performs in concert at the Soar Valley Accordion Club on Saturday October 8th, 8pm. The Leicester Accordion Orchestra (MD Karolyn Broadhead) will perform a supporting spot. The venue is the Rothley Centre Main Hall, 12, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7PR, and the organizer is David Price. For further information email: dpmusic@hotmail.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
‘Fish Fry and Dance’, Michigan – USAby Rob Howard |
Accordionists Richard Krizan and Ron Budzyn, who both play the Roland FR7 digital accordion, perform at a ‘Fish Fry and Dance’ evening at Benton Harbor, Michigan, on Friday October 7th, 7pm. The following two days, October 8th and 9th, 2pm, Richard Krizan and Ron Budzyn perform at the ‘Pulaski Days Polka Celebration!’, St. Stanislaus Little Hall, 823 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids, MI. |
Roman Pechmann Concert, Essex – UKby Rob Howard |
Slovakian classical accordionist is in concert, ‘Music for an Autumn Evening’, on October 9th, 7pm, at St John's Arts & Recreation Centre, St John's Walk, Market Street, Old Harlow Essex CM17 0AJ. Also performing are the Sawbridgeworth Accordion Band. After graduating in accordion and drums playing at the Slovakian Music conservatory in his hometown of Bratislava, Roman Pechmann moved to Austria and took up further studies with James Crabb and Gier Draugsvoll at the University of Graz, and later the Carinthian Music Conservatory. He won prizes at national and international music competitions, including 1st place in Pula, Croatia, 1st place in Fürstenfeld, Austria, and 2nd place in Zilina, Slovakia. He has performed many successful solo concerts and appeared with other instrumentalists at festivals in many European countries such as Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, England, Norway and Denmark. He is currently accordion teacher at the Carinthian Music Conservatory in Klagenfurt, Austria. For further information email: stella.hughes@classicfm.net |
Womex 2011, Copenhagen – Denmarkby Rob Howard |
Copenhagen will be hosting Womex, with artists coming from Finland, Spain, Russia, France, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Japan, amongst others. As usual, the activities in store include, as well as concerts, meetings between music labels, a fair with products and brands, conferences and round tables, musical ‘clinics’ and the World Music Film Market. The extensive guest list includes Irish diatonic button accordionist Máirtín O'Connor, Mexican accordion player Celso Piña, and Argentina’s tango specialists Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro. Womex takes place at the Koncerthuset Forum, Copenhagen, October 26th to 30th. |
New and Updated Sites |
October Accordion USA News Online 1st Octoberby Rita Davidson Barnea |
October Accordion USA News Online 1st October |
October 2011 Diatonic News Online 1st Octoberby Werner Weibert |
October 2011 Diatonic News Online 1st October |
October 2011 Accordion Russia News Online 1st Octoberby Alexander Selivanov |
October 2011 Accordion Russia News Online 1st October |
Charnwood Publishing New Websiteby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
Charnwood Publishing New Website is now online with updated shopping basket system and multi currency online credit card capture through secure server international Worldpay system. |
CD Reviews |
Petrus B. Spaghetti Sauce CD by BUBE SAPRÀVIEby Alessandro Mugnoz |
CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Petrus B. Spaghetti Sauce" CD, reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers. BUBE SAPRÀVIE. |
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