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Accordions International
2005, Caister - UK
Contributed
by Rob
Howard
 After
an absence of several years, an accordion festival - 'Accordions International
2005' - is set to take place at Caister Holiday Center, November 10th to 14th.
The international guest artistes are Oivind Farmen (Norway), Murl Allen Sanders
(USA) and Giancarlo Caporilli (Italy). Supporting guest artistes include UK accordionists
Gary Blair, Charlie Watkins, Bert Santilly, Johnny Coleclough and Norvic Concordia.
The
festival includes celebrity evening concerts, master classes, orchestral workshops,
'Free and Easy' sessions, 'Buskers Band', and Scottish and ballroom dancing. The
festival also will feature an 'Auction of Accordions & Accessories'. There
will be a trade show, featuring WEM, Trevani, The Accordion Shop and Geoff Holter
Accordions.
For further information email heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk
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International Accordion
Festival, Vienna - Austria
Dr
Herbert Scheibenreif has contributed the following interim report:-
"For
the 6th time, the International Accordion Festival takes place on Vienna's stages.
In the Danube metropolis, the festival has become an institution. From February
26th to March 28th, 101 artists from 17 countries will perform in 19 locations.
The
special ambience of the Jugenstil Theatre was the background for the opening concert,
with the spectacular reincarnation of the 'Divina Ziehharmoniker', with Otto Lechner.
Influenced by the multicultural society of his island Madagascar, Régis
Gizavo has developed his own style on the diatonic accordion, which finds one
of its characteristics in the particularly intensive use of the basses only.
 A
true celebration of the Italian accordion was the expectation of the festival
visitors on February 27th in Vienna's jazz club, Porgy & Bess. Both Simone
Zanchini (pictured) and Antonello Salis switched very easily from classical
style to jazz and Ethno.
During
the years, Klaus Paier has organized different successful projects (Trio, String
Quartet, Gerald Preinfalk). In the meantime Klaus Paier has enlarged his tango
repertoire with elements of musette and South East European music".
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 Geordie
Folk Music Legend at Stockport - UK
Contributed
by Rob
Howard
Johnny
Handle (pictured), accordionist with The High Level Ranters folk band, is the
guest artiste at the Stockport Accordion Club on March 22nd, 8pm. Also a ragtime
pianist, singer and composer, Johnny Handle is one of the British folk scene's
most well-known, experienced and distinctive performers, coming from the Geordie
tradition of the North East of England. Stockport Accordion Club meets at the
St John Ambulance Brigade HQ, Edgeley Road, Cheadle Heath, Stockport (Junctions
1 or 2, M60), Cheshire.
For further information email robaccord5@hotmail.com
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Fundación
Festival, Vallenata - Columbia
Contributed by
Rob
Howard
The Fundacion Festival,
held annually in Valleneta since 1968, is a large-scale celebration of music,
song and dance in Columbia, and involves competitions, concerts, dances and parades.
The festival includes many events involving diatonic accordions, most notably
a competition that has categories for amateur and professional players of various
ages and styles. This festival attracts large crowds, including many holidaymakers
who are attracted by the colourful spectacle of the often outside events.
This
year's Fundacion Festival takes place from April 26th to 30th, with the entry
closing date for the accordion competition being April 8th. The one and two row
diatonic button accordions were introduced to Columbia in the late 19th Century
by visiting sailors from Europe. The three row diatonic instrument - the favourite
choice with accordionists in Columbia today, later superseded these.
For
further information email prensa@festivalvallenato.com
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Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival 2005 - Finland
 The
recent Winter Accordion Festival at Kokkola in Finland proved to be a great success.
There were approximately 3,500 people in attendance, concerts were sold out, and
there was national radio and television coverage.
The concert featuring
Richard Galliano (pictured) and Michel Portal was especially noteworthy, with
the audience reportedly "stunned" by their performance. Another highlight
was the 'Fratres in Rock!' concert, with three accordionists, drummer and vocalist
Jukka Räikkönen performing the songs of Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath and
Deep Purple. One report states that "heavy rock fans were listening with
long black hair"!
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Zero Sette
Akordeoi Orkestra Concerts - Spain
Contributed by Christine
Adams
The Zero Sette
Akordeoi Orkestra have three concerts in April and May, with details as follows:-
April 16th - Borja Saloon, Basque House, Valladolid, 8pm
April 30th - Capitol
Culture Center, Caja Duero, Caceres, 8.30pm
May 1st - Alcazar Theatre, Caja
Duero, Plasencia, 8pm
For further information email zerosette@euskalnet.net
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'Viva Bayan'
Festival, Samara - Russia
Contributed
by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
The
festival 'Viva Bayan', organized by the city of Samara and under the direction
of Sergeï Voïtenko, is taking place in various cities of Russia between
February and May. 'Viva Bayan' is a festival that gives opportunities to French
and Russian artistes to exchange ideas and skills.
 This
year's festival is the third event of its kind, and many of the most popular Russian
artistes are involved. This year the festival is celebrating the 60th anniversary
of the end of the World War II. Sergeï Voïtenko is holding a lecture
during this festival on the subject of this commemoration.
Each year Sergeï
opens this Festival with French artistes on stage and this year the
Paris-Moscou Duo (Domi Emorine, Roman Jbanov) and Nicolas Massoutié
were the special guests on the tour, with Jacques Mornet, for Masterclasses.
Filled
concert halls such as the opera in Samara with about 1500 spectators, are exciting
for the artists. Other participating artistes were: Alexandre Skliarov, Trio de
Lipetsk, Trio de garmochka (traditional Russian instrument), l'ensemble accordeonada,
Duo Voïtenko / Kramkov, Duo Accordéon, guitare Voïtenko/ Morozov....
The
festival ends traditionally with a local competition for young accordionists.
Three young accordionists (with their teachers) were chosen and invited to the
CNIMA - Jacques Mornet School. They will be visiting France during June for three
weeks, perfecting their skills and also learning French teaching methods.
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Gary
Daverne CD Releases - New Zealand
Contributed
by Heather Masefield
  Composer,
arranger and conductor Gary
Daverne O.N.Z.M. has two CDs just released by EMI Classics of his New Zealand
orchestral compositions.
The first CD is titled 'Gallipoli'.
A major work on this CD titled 'Gem of the Kaipara' features accordionist Kevin
Friedrich with The Moravian Philharmonic (symphony orchestra) of the Czech
Republic, conducted by Petr Pololanik.
 The
second CD titled 'Youth
of Auckland' is a re-release. A major work on this CD titled 'Rhapsody for
Accordion and Orchestra' features accordionist Harley
Jones, who has made over 100 performances of this work with Gary Daverne in
China, Turkey, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, USA and New Zealand. Kenneth Young
conducts the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on this CD.
 The
third CD titled 'Accordion
Concert Music' consists exclusively of accordion compositions by Gary Daverne.
This is new release (previous sold-out), and includes original compositions for
solo, duet, ensemble and orchestra. The music for all these accordion works is
also available online. Accordion
Music.
Gary
Daverne was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)
in the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to music both
within New Zealand and internationally. Gary has held the position of Musical
Director of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra since its foundation, in 1975.
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Fang
Yuan performs for President - Singapore
Contributed
by Heather Masefield
 Fang
Yuan is the Principal of the School of Young Talents, Nanyang Academy of Fine
Arts, Singapore. She was a well-known international concert accordionist, having
migrated from China to Singapore in 1984.
After she left China, she became
an international concert accordionist and appeared in many major international
accordion events in New Zealand, U.K, France, Italy, Germany and USA, such as
the Coupe Mondiale Competition, the Grand Prix, the AAA
and ATG competitions
and the Premio International Citta
di Castelfidardo.
In 1991, she had to stop performing with her beloved
instrument, the accordion, and give up her career as an accordionist touring the
world, in order to concentrate on the establishment of a special piano course
which became the branded School of Young Talents in 1999. However, she still continued
to give accordion masterclasses in various countries and adjudicate at international
events.
A chance came to Fang
Yuan recently on March 4th, 2005 at the Opening Ceremony of the Academy's
new campus. As there was no piano at the venue, she was invited to play the accordion
to accompany the Chinese Dizi Ensemble. Her performance was very well received
and highly praised by hundreds of distinguished guests including the country's
President, various Ministers and foreign Ambassadors.
 Feeling
very happy about the outcome, she said, "Although I haven't performed with
the accordion for 14 years, yet I feel so comfortable when I'm practising again.
I really enjoyed the moment, looking at my audience from the stage, sharing the
joy of the music with them.
The audience were very curious and surprised
when they saw me on stage playing the accordion. As soon as I finished performing,
I could hear people shouting in appreciation. I think it is time to introduce
the accordion to Singaporeans. That function was a very suitable occasion to do
it, because there were so many important people there."
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Max Bonnay Concerts,
Paris - France
Contributed
by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
Accordionist Max Bonnay,
together with the Ensemble MusicAvanti, is to perform two concerts in Paris. On
March 31st, 8pm, he performs at Halle Saint-Pierre, 2 rue Ransard, 75018, Paris.
This concert also involves an ensemble of Cinesev percussionists. The second concert
is on April 4th, 9pm, at the Salle Cortet, 78 rue Cardinet, 75017, Paris.
For
reservations email aymonod@bearingpoint.com
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Val
Tidone International Music Events - Italy
Contributed
by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
The
Val Tidone
International Music events listed below all involve accordion and other musical
instruments.
1) Val Tidone International Music Competitions (June 12th
- 19th), includes the following categories:-
-
'Val Tidone' Young Talents Competition, Sections: Piano, Accordion, Guitar, Chamber
Music
- 'Contessa Tina Orsi Anguissola Scotti' - Chamber Music Prize
- 'Carlo
Civardi' Accordion Prize
- 'Egidio Carella' Composition Competition
Val
Tidone offers money prizes and concerts in Italy, Europe and America, publication
and performance of the selected scores. The Val Tidone International Music Competitions
require a high professional standard. Therefore a prize obtained in those contests
represents a valuable passport toward an international career.2)
Val Tidone Summer Camp (July 24th - August 6th).
The 'I.M.C. Project' is an
innovative program of summer mastercourses and masterclasses whose aim is to organize
international cultural exchanges. Lessons will take place in a campus located
in some beautiful castles of the Val Tidone, not unlike the US Summer Camps.
3)
Val Tidone
Festival (May - September)
The Val Tidone Festival is divided into two sections
('Val Tidone Classica' and 'Val Tidone Etnica'), with a concert itinery using
local castles, villas and town squares as venues.
For
further information email info@valtidone-competitions.com
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Frankfurt Musikmesse/information
- Germany
From
April 6th to 9th the Musikmesse will bring together the worldwide musical instruments
industry at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre for the 26th time. 'Rhythm'n
Business' - the motto of Musikmesse 2005 - is the name of the game. More than
1,400 manufacturers and sales organisations from all around the globe have already
booked their booths. "All the signs are that we will have at least as many
exhibitors at Musikmesse 2005 as last year", says Cordelia von Gymnich, Vice
President, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH.
The industry has four days
in which to show its innovations and trademark products, as well as to place orders
for the subsequent months. Following last year's change from five to four days,
which was very well received by both exhibitors and trade visitors, the organisers
are continuing with the four-day run and rounding it off with an additional hour
on the daily opening times.
Thus, Musikmesse now begins an hour earlier
every day, so that from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., guests have an extra hour for their
business and talks, as well as for events and workshops, not to mention the Musikmesse
Happy Hour in the 'Agora Stage' festival marquee every evening.
Hours
of opening:
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from 6 to 9 April 2005
Admission prices:
Trade
visitors
Day ticket, on arrival € 31.00
Day ticket, in advance €
21.00
Day ticket, on arrival € 51.00
Day ticket, in advance €
38.00
Day ticket (Saturday, 9 April 2005)
Adult € 21.00
Child aged
6 to 12 € 6.00
Reduced
Students € 12.00
Families (up to 2
adults and 3 children aged 6 to 12) € 25.00
Groups of min. 25 people
in
advance and on arrival € 12.00
Public ticket online:
Members of the
public wanting to attend the Musikmesse on Saturday, 9 April, can also purchase
their tickets online. The conditions are the same as for trade visitors.
Catalogue:
The
joint Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound catalogue costs € 20.00.
Entrances:
City
entrance
Torhaus / 'S-Bahn' entrance
Shuttle service:
Shuttle buses run
from the 'Rebstock' car park to the 'City' entrance of the Exhibition Centre and
other stops in front of the exhibition halls (every three minutes at peak periods).
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Yuri
Medianik Concert, Moscow - Russia
On
March 20th the audience of the Zhukovsky Palace of Arts (Moscow region) will witness
a performance by the bayan player and violinist Yuri
Medianik with the Zhukovsky Symphony Orchestra. The program includes the Fairy
Tales by Vaclav Trojan (bayan) and the Gipsy Rhapsody by Maurice Ravel (violin).
The
Zhukovsky Symphony Orchestra has been on the stage for almost five decades now
performing the music by composers from all over the world, of all epochs and all
imaginable genres. Throughout its lengthy history the Orchestra has chanced to
work with the greatest soloists and conductors of Russia and abroad, and since
1975 has been led by Sergei Skripka, People's Artist of Russia, Professor of the
Moscow State Academy of Music and the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of
the State Orchestra of Cinematography.
In
the evening of the same day Yuri is going to give a live interview with the Kultura
Radio Station (Culture) www.cultradio.ru . Yuri will be interviewed by journalists
about his new CD, 'The Images of Three Centuries'. The radio station is also planning
to put up several recordings of Yuri's live violin performances with the Piazzolla-Quintet.
The
Kultura Radio Station is a relatively new but very daring and fascinating FM project,
which so far broadcasts in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The mission of the team
engaged in and with the project is to portray a most adequate picture of the current
situation in Russia's cultural life in all of its multi-layered versatility. And
it's actually the first time a Russian bayanist is going to be ever interviewed
on air
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 CD
Review
A
new CD
Review of Trio
Solotariev
(accordion) and Francisco Dillon (cello).
Review by Paolo
Picchio. | | | |
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James
O'Brien composer, arranger and performer, new site displaying samples of his
new works.
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Concerto
'Tangamente', Avigliana - Italy
July
18th to 22nd - diatonic two-row button accordion, BC tuning; tutor Iain MacFarlane.