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28th November 2003 This weeks news | Past News | Send news
Sata-Hame Soi - Accordion Festival


Editors Note

The Stolen Accordions List is a new addition to our Accordions Worldwide site and the services it offers. From time to time, we see accordions reported as stolen and this week we feature an amusing news item about an accordion theft that was recently in the count in the UK.

If your accordion has been stolen, even some years ago, this world wide listing might be the best way to get your instrument back. With the world becoming ever smaller with increased air travel, your beloved accordion may well be recovered from a distant land.

Wayne Knights Webmaster
 

Ranco Accordions


This Weeks News

Fisitalia

Lips Performs with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra - Netherlands

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

After the successful world premiere, Sofia Gubaidulina's Concerto for Bayan and Symphony Orchestra (under the sign of scorpio - variations on six hexachords) in Stockholm, Sweden recently, Friedrich Lips played the second performance with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Jurowski. The concert took place in Rotterdam's world-famous concert hall "De Doelen" on November 6th. On November 10th there was a chamber music concert in the Eduard Flipse Hall and Friedrich Lips played the accordion part in "Tatarian Dance" and "Galgenlieder", two chamber music works by Sofia Gubaidulina.
 

Pigini Important Shareholder of Cemex srl/Excelsior - Italy

Pigini srl has always been interested in quality improvement and has constantly researched modern and better economies of accordion production. Pigini srl have now decided to become an important shareholder of the historic accordion manufacturing company Cemex, manufacturer of the famous brand Excelsior. Cemex will maintain its own production and commercial organization. There will be a close collaboration to coordinate the lowering of production costs and implement quality improvement for both companies to better penetrate the various accordion markets as loyal competitors.
 
Ranco Accordions

Accordion Training Course in Givet - France

Contributed by: A.O.A.G, Colette Cottel.

On 11 November Colette Cottel, Professor of A.P.H of Givet invited Frederic Deschamps to give a Master Class in Givet which was attended by the very young accordionists of the Ardennes area.

Also present were two other professors of the A.O.A.G (Association of the organists and Givet accordionists) Brigitte Billy and Christel Gibout, and of course the indispensable local Jean-Yves Hallais, the area representative "Far North" from Hohner.
 
Fisitalia


Accordion Fun Festival in Glasgow - Scotland

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

Accordionists from around the world gathered in Glasgow for the annual Accordion Fun Festival from November 15 to 17, 2003. Featuring concerts, workshops and competitions, people from Italy, France, Germany, USA and around the United Kingdom gathered for the three day festival.

Concerts featured soloist Mirco Patarini (picture below - executive of Scandalli, SEM, Paolo Soprani), the Orchestre d'Accordeons du Canton de Rouffach under the direction of Pascale Remtschek, the Akkordeonclub Laaber from Germany under the direction of Anna Marie Neumeyer as well as the local Brian Laurie Senior Accordion Showband directed by Brain Laurie
.

The top solo category was won by David Ritchie with other categories being held in many age levels and musical styles, such as classical, duet, traditional, scottish and polka.

The Brian Laurie Schools Project was the recipient of the money raised at the festival. This Trust Project provides accordions and tuition to children through the local school system, providing them with a musical education using accordions. These children might not otherwise have had the opportunity to participate in the activities of the music school which include lessons and performing in the Brian Laurie Renfrewshire Accordion Orchestra.

Patron of the Trust, Iain Mac Phail who is the resident accordionist at Queen Elizabeth II's summer residence the Balmoral Castle, gave an outstanding workshop highlighting many of the different techiniques and styles associated with Scottish music. Two workshops were given, one for the younger players and an advanced workshop for the experienced group.
 

Sata-Hame Soi - Accordion Festival

Irish Musical Riverdance Needs its Music to be "Alive" - Singapore

While the Riverdance dancers sizzle on stage visually with spectacularly swift footwork, it is the show's musicians who capture the audiences imagination. The backbone of the show is its music. What makes it so special is the haunting melody and the unique compositions by Bill Wheelan — each song carries an emotional undercurrent which can move the audience to tears.

An important ingredient to the hugely popular musical sound is Nigel Davey on accordion who travels the world with the show, including an Asian tour in 2003, that saw the show performing in Australia, Beijing, Shanghai and six Japanese cities.
 
Ranco Accordions


New Rabih Abou-Khalil CD titled "Morton's Foot" with Accordionist Luciano Biondini - Italy

Lebanese oud player, flautist and composer Rabih Abou-Khalil released his latest CD which features accordionists Luciano Biondini in a unique ensemble. The sound mixes American swing and Middle Eastern styles, contemporary jazz, cafe-accordion and much more, to be a most unique CD of music. Available from Amazon.com
 

Fisitalia

The Rose City Accordion Camp – USA

Contributed by the Rose City Accordion Club

The Rose City Accordion Camp will be held again at Silver Falls Conference Center in Sublimity Oregon from June 6th to 10th 2004. This is the seventh annual camp and again will be under the musical direction of Joe Morelli from Vancouver BC, assisted by Ilmar Kuljus from Spokane, WA.

Additional workshops will be given by Joe Baccellieri from Portland and Frank Marocco from California. More further details email Glevear@aol.com
 


Jérôme Richard Very Active - France

Jérôme Richard appeared recently on the cover page of the French monthly magazine “Accordeon et Accordéonist". On the the 12 November he appeared on the national television channel “TF1” and on the 16 November he participated in the National Accordion Festival that took place at the Zénith de Paris before 6,000 spectators.

Future concerts include Jérôme and his orchestra performing on the 13 December at the Dancing/Ball of Auvergnats at the Concorde Fayette in Paris. Attending will be the Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoé. From the 26 to 30 December Jerome and Frédéric Deschamps will run a tuition course in Boisset St. Priest. The program includes: Preparation of students for international competitions for 2004 with focus on techniques, music and arrangements; preparation of students for recording of CD's; learning to compose and arrange; preparation for students who plan dancing shows with orchestras

On the 31 December Jérôme will be appearing with his orchestra on the big Dancing/Ball for New Years Eve in Montargis (near Paris) with over 1,000 people expected to celebrate the start of the New Year 2004.
 

Art-Italia


Merger Not Continuing – USA & United Kingdom

It has been announced that the merger between the Accordion Freedom Forum and the Accordion Times & News (UK) will not be proceeding. Both will continue as before. Both organizations welcome their customers to subscribe to the services of the other.
 

Fisitalia


The Crawley Accordion Orchestra – Germany

Contributed by: Ron Bennett

Harry Hussey will be the special guest of "The Crawley Accordion Orchestra " of West Sussex, England when they travel to Wuppertal in Germany for a special concert on 29th November with the German accordion orchestra of Villakkordeon and the French Club De L'Accordeon Orchestra De Flanders.
For further details email: villakkordeon@telebel.de

 

Sata-Hame Soi - Accordion Festival

Accordion Group Perfoms Jazz Tango and Swing – USA

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Victor Prieto, David Patel (piano) and Rabecca Dorsey (voice) “one of the greatest voices in the world” (New York Times) will be performing in dicember a repertoire of jazz tango and swing:
Tuesday 2nd at the Paradou, 8 little west. 12th ST. Manhattam NY. 7:30 to 10pm
Thursday 4th at Caffe Taci. 110th St, at B'WAY. 8:00 to 11:30pm
Friday 5th at Les Deux Gamins, 132 w. houston st. 7pm-11pm
Saturday 6th at Paradou 426A 7th ave. B'klyn. 7:30 to 9:30pm

For further details email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com

Ranco Accordions


Peter Newberry 'Crunchy the Clown' passes away - New Zealand

Contributed by Harley Jones

In NSW, Australia, after a long illness, Peter Newberry slipped away on the 5th November 2003. Known as 'Crunchy the Clown' he entertained New Zealanders for the past 50 years. A recipient of the 'Benny' Award, bestowed by his peers in the entertainment industry and in 1981, awarded the Queens Service Order (QSO - Queen of England) for services to the community, he was one of New Zealand's better known entertainers. He usually combined playing the accordion with the clown act and sitting on a one wheeled bike, playing his accordion, had to be seen to be believed. Peter Newberry often assisted with accordion activities in the Auckland area during the 1960's. His father Bill Newberry was a noted accordionist in New Zealand during the 1940's and 50's. A very respected and honourable man who will be missed.

See the Memorials Page for other accordionists who have passed away recently.

 

Fisitalia

Film featuring Montreal corner store includes accordion and harmonica – Canada

The movie “Roger Toupin, épicier variété” was premiered at the Montreal Documentary Festival to a long ovation. The movie produced by Benoit Pilon follows the end of a corner store in his rapidly changing Montreal neighborhood. Pilon said he was inspired to make the film after watching the owner Roger Toupin minding his humble variety grocers corner store, talking to friends, playing the accordion and harmonica and making an occasional sale. The film follows the final months before the store was sold to become an architect's office.

The film opens on 19 December in Montreal Cinéma Parallèle Ex-Centris in French with English sub-titles
 

Stefan Hiss CD Presentation - Germany

Hiss presented their new CD "Polka For the World" on the 2nd November to the world at the Theatre House in Stuttgart. The musical mixture of Stefan Hiss and a kind of Polk'n'Roll, consisting of many musical styles from all corners of the world is expected to be a great success. The five performers are Stefan Hiss (accordion, singing), Michael Roth (harmonica, singing), Thomas Grollmus (guitars, mandoline, singing), Volker Shoe (bass) and Patch Pacher (schlagzeug, singing).
Fisitalia

Tune challenge for Accordion Thief - UK

Contributed from the BBC News site

A man was ordered to play a tune on an accordion by police to prove he had not stolen it, a court has heard. Richard Browning was stopped in his car with the instrument hidden behind his driver's seat, Lewes Crown Court was told. The £150 price tag was still attached to the accordion although Browning claimed he had been using the instrument to busk on the streets of Seaford, East Sussex. The police officer challenged him to play a tune to prove it was not stolen.

When Browning failed to raise a note on the instrument, the officer arrested him for shoplifting. It was eventually discovered the accordion had been stolen from Music Memorabilia in Alfriston. Browning, who admitted the theft of the accordion and 14 other crimes which included burglary and driving offences, was sentenced to two years in jail.

Moral of the story - You had better learn to play the accordion!
 
Fisitalia


New Sites

www.accordions.com/stolen a site where stolen accordions can be listed
www.accordeon-sud-est.com The large specialist shop for accordion in the Cote D'Azur area of France
www.franck-gergaud.com Franck Gergaud – French singer and accordion playe

Updated Sites

www.accordions.com/cma (CMA) Confédéderation Mondial de l'Accordéon with the winners of their 2003 competition.
www.accordions.com/pica (Gianluca Pica) Information upon students
www.accordions.com/duo2000 (Duo 2000) Concert Dates
www.accordions.com/duo (Duo Paris-Moscou) Concert Dates

 

Fisitalia

Accordion Information Required

Isabella Jaquier would like information about a diatonic accordion Luigi Savoia (San Giovanni in Campo) which she thinks is from 1932, in wood and metal with decoration in motherpearl. If you have information pls mail isajaquierb@freesurf.ch

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