Editors Note

It is sad to note that this is the last edition of international news that Christine Adams is producing. Christine has been with Accordions Worldwide since the beginning and has done only what can be described as an outstanding job. On behalf of the team at Accordions Worldwide, I would like to publicly thank Christine for the many hours of tireless work and contribution to the accordion world.

Her efforts have not gone unrecognized; just last week Christine was a recipient of the CIA Merit Award for her tremendous work.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

Russian accordionist Nikolay Sivchuk took the top honors of the 56th Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships held in both Slovakia and Hungary this week. A student of Viatcheslav Semionov at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow, the 23 year old edged out fellow Gnessin student and duet partner Alex Peresidly also of Russia to win the competition. Another Semionov student - Pavel Mangasaryan from Russia took top honors in the International Competition for Piano Accordion. This makes two years running that Semionov students have won both categories.

Tibor Racz, Artistic Director of the Teaching Center of Accordion "Marta Szokeova" in Bratislava, Slovakia and Panna Grigoncza, President of the Hungarian Accordion Association based in Budapest, Hungary jointly hosted the 56th Coupe Mondiale from October 20th to 27th, 2003. Held under the auspicies of the Confédération International des Accordéonistes (CIA) founded 1935 in Paris, this years Coupe Mondiale marked the first time it had been held with categories being split between two countries. The opening session was held in Stúrovo, Slovakia and the closing section across the Danube in Esztergom, Hungary with a final Gala Concert held in Budapest.

Contestants came from as far afield as Vietnam, China, New Zealand, USA, Ukraine and throughout Europe to compete during the six days of competitions which featured solo competitions in classical and entertainment music in both junior and senior categories as well as the new International Competition for Chamber Music. In addition to the competitions and concerts, the CIA held its 110th General Assembly of Delegates. During the General Assembly several nominations were accepted for the CIA Merit Award honoring Outstanding Contribution to the International Accordion Movement as well as the recipients for the newly established award "Honored Friend of the Accordion."

Recipients of the CIA Merit Award:
Christine Adams, New Zealand - for her development of the Accordions Worldwide International News
Dr. William Schimmel, USA - in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the annual Masterclass and Concert series held in New York
Jacques Mornet, France - in recognition of his development of internationally recognized teaching standards and pedagogy classes

Honored Friend of the Accordion:
Gary Blair, Scotland - in recognition of his promotion of the traditional Scottish Music
Marie Jones, New Zealand - in recognition of her many years of work coordinating the New Zealand Accordion Association activities
Vivan and Steve Stolaruk - in recognition of their support of numerous accordion activities in the United States

To conclude the festival, the Hungarian Accordion Association organized a Gala Closing Ceremony Concert in the famed Pesti Vigado Hall in Budapest featuring the CIA Winners as well as famous Hungarian accordionists and the 2002 CIA Coupe Mondiale Champion Alexander Poeluev who performed a solo program as well as presenting the world premiere of the new work 'Osbemutato' by Hungarian composer Mate Hollos.

For full details including daily reports and results, please visit http://www.accordions.com/cia

Winners from the 56th Coupe Mondiale are:

Coupe Mondiale:
1st: Nikolay Sivchuk (Russia), 2nd: Alex Peresidly (Russia), 3rd: Milan Lazic (Serbia & Montenegro)

Junior Coupe Mondiale:
1st: Anton Torbeev (Russia), 2nd: Nemanja Drzic (Serbia and Montenegro), 3rd: Ivan Saric (Serbia and Montenegro)

International Competition for Piano Accordion:
1st: Pavel Mangasaryan (Russia), 2nd: Nenad Ercogovcevic (Serbia and Montenegro), 3rd: Nadejda Gouseva (Russia)

Virtuoso Entertainment Music:
1st: Amelie Castel (France), 2nd: Philip Bouvier (France), 3rd: Jeremy La Fon (France)

Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Music:
1st: Maria Convertino (Italy), 2nd: Camille Privat (France), 3rd: Simon Gachet-Mauroz (France)

International Chamber Music Competition:
1st: Bayan Trio Meisl (Czech Republic), 2nd: Duo Krzyzanowksi (Poland), 3rd: Duet Cadence (Ukraine)

Contributed by Jon Hammond

The 2003 Music China event in Shanghai was considerably bigger this year. Organizers added an extra building and actually had 2 fairs running simultaneously: "Music China" and Pro Light + Sound for the sound reinforcement and lighting gear. Over 21,000 people attended the event which included 419 exhibitors from 16 countries.

Italian accordion manufacturers from Castelfidardo (Italy) invited USA accordionist Jon Hammond as their guest at the concert of the Italian National Orchestra (conducted by Antonio Cipriani) in the Shanghai Grand Theatre, which featured outstanding accordion and bandoneon performers. The concert entitled "Marche Region In Concert" included performances by Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, Mirko Patarini and Jean Marc Fabiano. The Italian National Orchestra (Orchestra Internazionale d'Italiana) has made 47 CD recordings.

While staying at the Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel in Shanghai, Jon performed in a quintet with Danny Woody (drums), Alex Layne (bass), Dwight Dickerson (piano) and La Dee Streeter (vocals). They also filmed and recorded a promotional DVD for Superlux microphones. Their program included pieces such as "Makin' Whoopie", "Body and Soul", "Easy Living" and "Lover Man". Their performances were well attended with over 250 people in the beautiful jazz bar of the Hotel. Special guest San Francisco (USA) Mayor Willie Brown attended on one evening. Shanghai is the official "Sister City" of San Francisco.

The next Music China event will be held from October 20th to 23rd, 2004.

Accordionist Inaki Alberdi premiered a new work by Ramon Lazkano entitled "Itaun" in the Hermitage Theatre and in the Philarmonic Shostakovich Hall of St Petersburg on October 21st and 23rd. Itaun is the first piece for accordion and orchestra written by Lazkano and on this occasion was directed by Alexis Soriano and performed by the Stage Hermitage Orchestra.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

During the recent City of Castelfidardo International Accordion Festival the front doors and gates of the famous Palazzo Paolo Soprani were opened for the first time to the public. The Palazzo - a listed building of historical significance to Italy was originally built for the pioneer of modern accordion production Paolo Soprani. It was finished in 1908 and has recently been extensively restored and converted into apartments and offices.

The Menghini Company held an exhibition of its products: Paolo Soprani, SEM and Scandalli. Many accordionists and local residents took the time to visit the exhibition to see the palazzo, the accordions and be entertained by artists Mirco Patarini and Renzo Ruggieri.

New Accordion/Vocal Duo Performance - Colombia

The new accordion/vocal duo of Colombian-German soprano Willma Rueda and Colombian accordionist Lácides Romero performed a concert on October 14th, at the Cultural Center of Universidad Pedagógica Nacional in Bogotá. The duo performed Arias by Handel, as well as Japanese, Catalan, Colombian, Mexican and Spanish songs.

The enthusiastic audience gave loud applause for the performance by this duo, who are currently planning a concert tour to Germany in 2004. For concert information email: lacidesromero@yahoo.com

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

After the successful world premier Sofia Gubaidulina's concert for bayan and symphony orchestra (Under the Sign of Scorpio - Variations on six hexachords) in Stockholm (Sweden) recently Friedrich Lips will play the second performance of this piece with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Vladimir Jurowski).

The concert will take place in Rotterdam's world-famous Concert Hall "De Doelen" on November 6th. On November 10th there will be a chamber music concert in the Eduard Flipse Hall. Works include Sofia Gubaidulina's "Tatarian dance" and "Galgenlieder". For concert information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri will be teaching Jazz Music (for all instruments) at the Musical Institute G. Braga in Teramo during the 2003/04 year. The course is free and includes a "Starter to Jazz Music" class. For details email: renrug@tiscalinet.it

Accordionist Dr William Schimmel will perform at the Our Savior's Atonement Luthern Church in New York on November 9th. This concert is part of a series entitled "Mosa", which includes prestigious solo and chamber music musicians. The title of the concert is: Tango/Fado/Reality and includes classic tangos played by Dr. Schimmel and "Fados" (which features vocalist and melodica player Allyssa Lamb). Fados are sad songs from Portugal. The concert will also include "realities" by Dr. Schimmel - a Rossini reality, civil war tangos, Bizet's Carmen Fantasy and Piazzoll/Getz - these are works that use pre-existing music but are re-composed in performance dimension by Dr. Schimmel.

The program will also include a symphony for accordion, voice and melodica (Love Pharmacy) 2003 by William Schimmel. This work incorporates the fado, rai (a Moroccan melisma) and singing in tongues (a spontaneous language usually associated with Pentecostalism). The concert will end with Schimmel & Allyssa Lamb performing Kurt Weill's "Three Penny", a reality-adaptation of the entire opera in eight minutes by Schimmel, and "Autumn Leaves" sung both in French and English with the original long introduction.

For further concert information email: osa@unidial.com

New "Embassy for the Accordion" - Argentina

A new "Embassy for the Accordion" has been formed in Paraná, Entre Ríos Province. Embassy members include Raul Varelli, Ildo Patriarca, Francisco Musso, Aldo Taborda and Florencia Herrera. The embassy was formed with the aim of providing the opportunity for students to study the accordion and the different genres this instrument is capable of playing. The Embassy will also promote national and international contacts as well as the exchange of information with music and accordion enthusiasts. For further details email: fiobergi@infovia.com.ar

Contributed by Jutta Menn

Accordionist Viktor Romanko will tour Germany in November beginning with a concert in Bretten on the 2nd. Further concerts will be held in Neunkirchen, Hamm, Altena, Pfinztal-Berghausen. Backnang and Nikolaikirche Brilon. For concert details email: Jutta.Menn@t-online.de

Tango Ensemble Performance - Namibia

The Cape Town Tango Ensemble (South Africa) performed at the Windhoek Festival in Namibia on October 29th and 30th. This was their first performance outside South Africa. Their program included music for a Tango Salon (Cape Town style).

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

After his successful first album "Les Couleurs d'ici", accordionist Marc Berthoumieux (nominated for the "Django d'Or" music award and strongly acclaimed by the public) will perform with Jean Marie Ecay (guitar), Alfio Origlio (piano), Thierry Fanfant (bass) and Frédéric Jacquemin (drums) in Paris on November 5th. The group will play pieces from their next album, which is due for release in March/April 2004. Marc often has special guests on stage. This concert is no exception and will be full of surprises!!

Accordionist Bernadette Conlon will perform at the 6th Annual Accordion Concert of the Bentleigh Organ Club in East Bentleigh, Melbourne on November 3rd. Her program will comprise of a variety of classical pieces followed by requests. This popular concert is held on the eve of the well known annual Melbourne Cup and has become the accordion showpiece of Melbourne. For concert details email: accordionbernadette@bigpond.com

"Anoush" which includes Bill Cope (accordion & laouto), Michele Simon (vocals & tupan), Ken McCormick (vocals & violin), Michael Matthews (clarinet) and percussionists Tom Ferris and Dan Auvil have returned to the Bay Area Balkan scene with a performance in Aptos on October 24th.

Future performances will be held at Ashkenaz on November 4th, the Kolo Festival on November 28th and New Year's Eve entertainment at Ashkenaz on December 31st. For further information email: mmatthewslmft@yahoo.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Eugenia Marini will perform at the Church of S. Lorenzo in Redona, Bergamo on November 1st at an event entitled "Highlights in the shadow of the great Russian spiritualist".

The program will include a lecture by Giovanni Locatelli, accompanied by Eugenia playing works by Semionov, Panitzki, Minka, Solotaryev and Derbenko. For details email: eumarini@tiscalinet.it

The BusinessWeek (October 13th) magazine stated that there is a "huge wave of Internet commerce, which is expected to soar from US$78 billion in 2002 to US$149 billion in 2005" according to Forrester Research Inc. Lower internet connection prices over much of the world are propelling this dynamic growth. Accordion manufacturers are reporting substantially increased internet inquiry and businesses selling used accordions are having strong internet sales. The Accordion Yellow Pages Buy and Sell section is also showing strong turnover of accordions online.

Contributed by Gertjan Jorissen

A folkdance afternoon will be held at the Stedelijke Muziekvereniging in Harlingen on November 2nd. The event is a "Bal Populaire" which is very popular amongst folk music fans. The event will include three folk groups playing French-inspired music on accordion, French bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, violin etc. The dancing will also be French inspired (bourree, mazurka, scottish, an dro, cercle etc). Some dance instruction will be available. For further details email: gj.jorissen@hccnet.nl

Multi-talented musician Tim Laycock (concertina, vocals, melodeon, harmonica & percussion) entertained at "Folk at The Royal Oak" in Lewes, East Sussex on October 23rd. Tim is also a member of the New Scorpion Band which includes Brian Gulland (vocals, harmonium, bassoon, whistles, flute, oboe & tuba), Robin Jeffrey (vocals, banjo, guitar & percussion), Sharon Lindo (vocals, violin, viola, rebec, guitar, saxophone, trombone, recorder & shawms) and Robert White (vocals, bagpipes, whistles & flutes, brass and percussion).

On November 13th, Bryan Peters (melodeon and concertina) will perform a variety of traditional songs.

3rd Annual Cape Olive Fair - South Africa

The 3rd annual Cape Olive Fair was held at the Cape Castle (Castle of Good Hope) on October 25th and 26th. In addition to delicious food and wine, visitors were entertained by accordionist Stanislav Anguelov performing Italian, French and other Mediterranean styles of music. Anguelov was accompanied by Violina Anguelov (mezzo soprano), Nicola Chenckerle (tenor) and the Cape Town Tango Ensemble.

Contributed by Peter Di Bono

The accordion (by official city ordinance) has been the official instrument of the City of San Francisco since 1990. The accordion enjoys a rich history here dating back to the late 1800's. It seems natural that the two should be linked. So, the Bay Area Accordion Club (BAAC), has voted overwhelmingly to change its name to The San Francisco Accordion Club.

It is thought that 1913 was the year The San Francisco Accordion Club was founded. It was the first such club in the United States, and possibly the entire world. Early members included such noteables as: Pietro Deiro, Guido Deiro, Pietro Frosini, Anthony Galla Rini, the Pezzolo brothers, John Molinari, and many other virtuoso players.

The Bay Area Accordion Club was the first accordion club in Northern California, and four new clubs have grown out of it.

At the October meeting, founding members of the Club, Dominic Palmisano, Jim Holliday, Lou Soper, Rusty Bartoli, and Walter Traverso, all spoke to the audience.

www.pigini-accordions.com Updated contact information on Pigini Accordion distributors

www.accordions.com/pica Updated information on concert accordionist Gianluca Pica