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Highlights |
by Paolo Picchio, Bugari Armando
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![]() ![]() Born in the Mantua region of Italy in 1793, Greggiati was a religious man with a great passion for music who left us some 'diagrams' for the creation of an accordion, or rather, 'a bellows harmonica' that has been reconstructed in our days by Corrado Rojac, completely faithful to the original. Greggiati also left us a Method of music for “armonica a mantice/Handharmonika” dateable to the years before 1850 (with an attached collection of original and transcribed compositions), and Rojac himself also transcribed several manuscripts with arias composed by Greggiati. The texts of the romances are by Metastasio, Jacopo Vittorelli, Felice Romani and other well-known poets set to music at the time by the most famous composers. The work of transcribing these arias has resulted in a record for the Limen label and a concert format featuring Rojac joined by soprano Stelia Doz, a duo that gives many concerts in Italy and abroad. This project was also presented on March 18th at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and this recent concert at the Museo del Teatro alla Scala in Milan was also particularly prestigious. |
by Christine Johnstone
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The 2024 International Agora Festival will be held in Adelboden, Switzerland from July 21st to 26th, 2024 organised by the Académie Internationale Agora team. Tutors for this 15th edition of the festival are: • Anne Maria Hölscher (Music Hochschule Luzern, CH) • Christine Kohler (Mulhouse Conservatoire, FR, Bern Conservatoire, CH) • Vincent Lhermet (Paris Conservatoire CNSMDP, Boulogne-Billancourt Conservatoire, FR) • Mikko Luoma (Turku Music Academy, FI) • Sylvain Tissot (Conservatoire de Fribourg, HEMU Lausanne, CH) Recitals will be given at the Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche (Evangelical Reformed Church) in Adelboden as follows: • July 21st at 5pm: Mikko Luoma • July 23rd at 8pm: Anne-Maria Hölscher • July 24th at 8pm: Sylvain Tissot (accordion) with Laurie Hamiche (soprano), Örs Kisfaludy (narrator) and Brigitte Ravenel (mezzo-soprano). The Agora Association was created by Marie-Andrée Joerger, Vincent Lhermet and Sylvain Tissot, and aims to promote the accordion. |
by Christine Johnstone
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Duo Croatico, which features Martina Jembrišak (accordion) and Valentin Šeremet (clarinet and saxophone), will perform at the opening of the new Croatian Embassy building in Algiers. Algeria on July 11th, 2024. Their 45 minute program will feature chamber music by Croatian composers for clarinet, accordion including The Threepenny Opera (B. Brecht / K. Weill). For further information email: duocroatico@gmail.com |
by Dr. Robert Young McMahan Chair of AAA Composers Commissioning Committee
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![]() Virgil Thomson’s Lamentations, and Paul Creston’s Second of Four AAA Commissions, Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra This is one of longest and most historical and analytical ventures of this series, owing to the great accomplishment of Elsie Bennett to have persuaded three of America’s most famous and celebrated composers of the early and mid-twentieth century to contribute to the accordion’s growing classical repertoire. The three works are as diverse and unique as were their disparate styles of composition. Creston was in his usual virtuosic, syncopated, modal, jazzy, and somewhat Debussyian element in his creation of perhaps the most frequently performed and highly virtuosic concerto for accordion and orchestra. Riegger, one of America’s earliest exponents of atonal composition, and pegged as one of the “American Five” of ultra-modern music stemming from the 1920s (the other four controversial luminaries of the group being Charles Ives, Carl Ruggles, John Becker, and Henry Cowell, the last fated to become a two-time contributor to the AAA Commissioned Composers repertoire decades later), chose to write a rather curious, abstract kind of tango named after New York’s Cooper Square where many musicians of note hung out during the mid-20th century. Thomson, normally a more tonal, less dissonant composer than either of the above, opted to write a short but extremely dissonant, rather terrifying and highly virtuosic set of variations on a chilling, crashing processional that comprises the opening theme. As is the purpose of the series, this article offers thoroughly researched historical and theoretical information on the compositions and their creators, along with interesting historical photos from Elsie Bennett’s large photo collection. https://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions22.php |
by AWW
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![]() ![]() Concerts will be held as follows: • July 5th at 3pm: Songposium will perform at the Stadthaus Theatre with songs from the Beatles, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Kloppo and George Martin. • July 5th at 10pm: Deitsch & Thüringer Symphoniker (Germany – picture above left) concert at the Big Stage Heidecksburg - folk music and classical symphony orchestra. • July 6th at 5pm: Divanhana (Bosnia – picture above right) concert at City Park. They define their sound as an inventive fusion of jazz, folk, modern classical and pop. Fionia Folk Brothers (Denmark – picture below) will provide music for workshops and dance evenings as follows: • July 5th at 4.30pm – dance workshop at the Löwensaal (Lion Hall) and a dance evening at11pm. • July 6th at 5pm – dance workshop at the Tanzzelt (Dance Tent) and a dance evening at 10pm. The band’s line-up is Jes Kroman and Michael Graubæk (violins), Jesper Vinther (accordion), Theis Langlands (piano) and Peter Sejersen (double bass). For further details email: info@rudolstadt-festival.de |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() Photo: Leon Oosthuizen, Louis Verwey and Andrew Hodgson Photography Free Wild World (Chris Wait). Cape Town dancers formed part of the line up for the event. RSCDS Cape Town Secretary and teacher Heather Hodgson was approached by Leon Oosthuizen to collaborate and celebrate World Accordion Day. Leon Oosthuizen, president of the South African Free Reed Association (SAFRA) organized an event that brought together 12 accordionists, singers, dancers and other musicians to showcase the versatility of the accordion or trekklavier as the instrument is known in Afrikaans. Tickets included a light lunch where traditional South African cuisine like bobotie, pumpkin fritters and koeksisters were served. Between the lunch and the concert, there was a mini expo where attendees had the opportunity to view a display of accordions or participate in a ceilidh to get a feel for Scottish Country dancing. During the concert that followed Piper Caireen Alston piped the performers onto the stage to the sounds of ‘Scotland the Brave’ and the local tune ‘Sarie Marais’ which would be later played on the accordion. Dancers were Andrew and Heather Hodgson, Jon and Hilary Kerr, Mary Lister and Michelle Parker, who danced to the playing of Leon Albert Oosthuizen and Louis Verwey on accordion and Harold Schenk on piano. They danced three dances: a reel ‘Catch the wind’, a strathspey ‘Byron Strathspey’ and a jig ‘First Rain of Spring’. Other genres or styles of music on the line up included French café, classical, Tango dancing, Boeremusiek and Sesotho Famo songs. The concert ended with a performance of the song "Mama Tembu's Wedding" and the national anthem of South Africa. Perhaps other RSCDS branches and the Society would like to mark their calendars for 6th May 2025 to showcase the many talented accordionists who contribute massively to our enjoyment on the dance floor. |
Future events |
by Christine Johnstone
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The St Audries Bay Accordion Week will be held at the St Audries Bay Holiday Club in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England from July 5th to 12th, 2024. The event features a friendly, welcoming group of like minded people, that share the love and passion for the accordion and is packed to the brim with workshops, classes, entertainment and socialising. There is also a trade area to peruse, selling accordions, music and accessories. “The setting is out of this world! Over-looking the beautiful West Somerset coastline, and right on the edge of the stunning Quantock Hills. After a day of Accordion playing, sit back and enjoy the incredible sunset from the Sun-Downer Bar and terrace.” For further information email: Sabaccordionweek@gmail.com Picture below: Group from the 2023 St Audries Bay Accordion Week |
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by Christine Johnstone
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“Honky-Tonk Jump” (picture above) will perform a concert entitled “Jazz with a Cowboy Hat” at the Crooners Supper Club Main Stage in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA on July 7th from 4.30pm. Their program will feature “swingin' Texas dance hall music in the tradition of Bob Wills, Milton Brown, Ernest Tubb and Spade Cooley with a sprinkling of Hank Williams and other early honky-tonk legends.” “Honky-Tonk Jump” includes Dan Newton (accordion & vocals), Richard Kriehn (fiddle &vocals), Joe Savage (pedal steel &vocals), Dan Lowinger (guitar), Vaughn Asselstine (upright bass), Dehl Gallagher(drums) and Tom Schaefer (fiddle). |
by Christine Johnstone
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A new tango group “Tango Borealis” will give their debut performance in Tokyo, Japan on July 10th, 2024. The quartet, which includes Ville Hiltula (bandoneon) have “prepared a really cool and exciting program for everyone, which they can't wait to perform”. See poster for details. |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() The seven member band play a variety of Cajun/Acadian music. For details email: princetonpub@live.ca |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() The festival promises an “unforgettable experience for music lovers, families, culture enthusiasts”. For further details email: cavarejazz@gmail.com |
by Christine Johnstone
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The London Accordion Players (picture below) will perform a “Summer Concert” at St Margaret’s Church in Blackheath, London, England on July 13th, 2024 at 7.30pm. The Conservatoire Ukrainian Choir will also perform at this event. Refreshments will be available. See poster for details. |
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by Christine Johnstone
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Accordionist Milos Milivojevic will perform in concert with and the Ealing Symphony Orchestra (directed by John Gibbons) at the Hull Minster Holy Trinity Church in Hull, Yorkshire, England on July 21st, 2024, at 7pm. The concert, organised by the Ealing Symphony Orchestra will feature Igor Shamo's Accordion Concerto, Bishop Rock Overture (Doreen Carwithen), Ship's Waltz & Rumba (William Alwyn) and Scheherazade (Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov). The Ealing Symphony Orchestra is grateful for the generous support of The William Alwyn Foundation for this performance. |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
by AWW
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2024 Coupe Mondiale Information 2024 Online Entry now open 2023 Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports, Video |
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Information 2024 World Accordion Day Report, 6th May each year |
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Articles Index page |
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2024 Shanghai Festival Daily Reports, Video |
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PIF Castelfidardo 2023 2023 PIF Castelfidardo Daily Reports, Video |
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2024 Malaysia Festival Daily Reports |
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2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports 2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports |
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Interviews Index page |
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2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report 2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report |
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2025 World Music Festival |
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2023 XXXV International Festival, Moscow News and Daily Reports and videos |
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2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
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Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
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Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article Link |
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Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
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Accordion Study Produces Community Benefits Article Link |
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Playing the Accordion Benefits Your Brain News Link |
Childrens Corner |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() Their older brother Jack (11 years old) wanted to try an accordion so the boys gave him a quick lesson! Now he can add learning to play the accordion to his other instruments - flute for 4 years, guitar for 2 years and recorder. All three boys practise daily on their 'instrument of choice' helping each other, playing tunes together and learning different skills. They're all involved also in soccer and love the night training for their Saturday matches. Busy boys! |
New and Updated Sites |
49º Premio Internacional Fisarmonica (PIF) Castelfidardo 2024 – Italiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() El 49º PIF (Premio Internationale Fisarmonica) Castelfidardo 2024 se celebrará del 11 al 15 de septiembre en Castelfidardo, inmediatamente después de la Coupe Mondiale 2024, que también se celebrará en Castelfidardo del 6 al 10 de septiembre de 2024. Estos dos importantes festivales y concursos internacionales de acordeón significan que los competidores, entusiastas y seguidores pueden, con un solo pasaje aéreo, asistir a ambos emocionantes eventos en la sede de la fabricación italiana de acordeón. Los excelentes premios PIF 2024 están diseñados para atraer competidores de muchos países diferentes. El Premio PIF, la categoría más prestigiosa del PIF, cuenta con tres finalistas en la tercera ronda, actuando con una orquesta sinfónica completa en el Teatro Astra. Cada finalista interpretará el estreno mundial de la obra encargada por Veli Kujala (Finlandia). El presidente del jurado internacional es Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (Italia). Más información sobre el festival, categorías a concurso e inscripciones en: 2024Castelfidardo |
by Harley Jones
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![]() ![]() Renzo Ruggieri has just released for sale to the public his special arrangement of cat. rrenzo529 Donna Lee composed by Charlie Parker. This virtuoso arrangement has been successfully used in international competitions by students of Renzo Ruggieri, only €10, the music sent emailed to you. Other recent releases by Renzo Ruggieri are: rrenzo525 - Spain (Solo) rrenzo526 - Birdland (Solo)a new solo arrangement of the famous song from Joe Zawinul (group Wheater Report). rrenzo527 - Tourn e arrangements & compositions (Solo), for only €20,80 for the 40 page pdf book of: - La Czardas (Monti, arr. Ruggieri) - Mazurka Celebre (Migliavacca, arr. Ruggieri) - Figaro (for soloist, Rossini, arr. Ruggieri) - Maple Leaf Rag (Joplin, arr. Ruggieri) - Passione e Fisarmonica (Ruggieri) |
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