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 01 April 2005This weeks news | Past News  | Send news
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Accordion Jass Chord


This Weeks News

James O Brien


Adrian Dante Dies in his 91st Year, Barnsley - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Adrian Dante, one of the UK's most eminent authorities on accordion technique and also one of his country's greatest accordion organisers, died peacefully on March 22nd, aged 90. Dante, who was a UK subject but of Italian parentage, was a major force in teaching and promoting the accordion in Great Britain. After a career as a concert, recording and broadcasting accordionist, he became a teacher, composer, arranger, writer, publisher and high profile organiser and impresario.

In 1946, Dante and Desmond A. Hart founded the British Association of Accordionists and the monthly magazine 'Accordion Review', which, in 1950, evolved into 'World Accordion Review'. Also, in 1946, Dante founded Modern Accordion Publications, making available a wide range of compositions and arrangements for accordion. Later, Dante founded Caravelle Records, personally producing many recordings of accordionists.

In 1950, Dante led the BAA to resign from the CIA, and helped to form the rival CMA. Dante's role in the formation of the CMA was to make him a controversial figure in the accordion world. He was, nonetheless, a major impresario who introduced many overseas accordionists to British audiences from the late 1940s onwards.

Dante taught many leading accordionists, including Pearl Fawcett, whom he later married. His overall contribution to the accordion movement in Great Britain from 1930 onwards has few, if any, equals, and the UK accordion scene may never see his like again. Full Obituary.
 

 


Frankfurt Musikmesse/information - Germany
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

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.

Artistes involved in this year's Frankfurt event include:-
Jon Hammond - Excelsior stand Pino Di Modugno / Beltuna Stand
Vincenzo Abbracciante / Borsini Stand 3.1 H 14
Jean Louis Noton / Cavagnolo/ " RITTER FRANTZ " 3.1 H 16
Jean Marc Fabiano/ Ballone Burini Stand
Michelantonio Norcia. / Musictech, PAD. 3.1 Stand H 24

Intermusik Zeitung: Halle 3.1 Stand H 27
Accordions Worldwide: Holda Paoletti-Kampl / Ancona Promuovo Stand
 

Excelser

Announcing a New Book by Gary Dahl and Mel Bay Publishing - USA
Contributed by Harley Jones

Now available for ordering: Mel Bay Publications and author Gary Dahl proudly announce the 'Chord Melody Method for Accordion and other Keyboards'.

Author Gary Dahl says:
"This is a BREAKTHROUGH course that will teach you to quickly learn all of the chords used in today’s music and to apply their harmonic applications professionally to any lead sheet.

Imagine possessing the ability to develop and compose a professional sounding arrangement on the spot while improvising confidently as needed!

The average dedicated student will become proficient in 6 to 12 months and will experience a dramatic improvement in all areas of musicianship.

The Chord Melody Method will enable you to achieve your ultimate music making goals. I’m always available to answer any questions so don’t hesitate to ask...I want all purchasers to be successful with this book".


Book Contents. Sample Pages: Page 7, Page 20, Page 34, Sound sample (2.6MB).
Visit www.accordions.com/garydahl for ordering information. US$19.95 plus shipping - 56 pages including instructional CD.

Very excellent to see new books being published and widely promoted. Congratulations to Gary Dahl for conceiving and writing this new publication for accordion. We wish him and Mel Bay every success.
 
picchio

'Celebrate the Accordion Day', Petaluma - USA
Contributed by Christine Adams

The Petaluma Downtown Association's 'Celebrate the Accordion Day' returns for its third year on June 25th. The annual event will be held at two venues in Petaluma, California. The venues will be: Putnam Plaza and The Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. Times for the events are 11:00 am to 5:00pm. Admission is FREE.

For further information email: krisnelson@aol.com
 


News from Copenhagen and London - Denmark, UK
Contributed by Owen Murray


Poul Ruder's (pictured) New Opera, based on Franz Kafka's ' The Trial' had its world premiere on 12th March in Copenhagen's new Opera House. There will be 7 performances in all through to 13th April. HRH Queen Margerethe of Denmark attended the performance on 21st March. Owen Murray plays the accordion part with the Royal Theatre Orchestra. The accordion is amplified and clearly heard in this brilliant new opera.

Mika Vayrynen gave a splendid performance of Aulis Sallinen's 'Barabbas Variations' with Okko Kamu and the Sjællands Symphony Orchestra in Copenhagen's Royal Library concert hall on 4th March.

Milos Milivojevic gave a recital with cellist Naomi Williams in London's famous Wigmore Hall on 28th February. The programme included Astor Piazzolla's 'Le Grand Tango', Anthony Gilbert's 'Rose Lusiante', 'Lindeberg's Jeux d'Anches' and Scarlatti sonatas.
 


International Accordion Festival Report, Vienna - Austria
Dr Herbert Scheibenreif, Friedrich Lips Productions, has contributed another festival report:-

The second week of Vienna's Accordion Festival started with Viennese group Café Schmalz (MD Hannes Thanheiser) and the American Café Accordion Orchestra (MD Daniel Newton): salon music, musette, chanson, Latin from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. "They had the Lincoln Center Plaza crowd dancing the night away", commented Jonathan Cappel.

Kepa Junkera (pictured) presented his Trikitixa (the Basque name for the diatonic accordion) to the Viennese crowd by mixing up elements of Celtic, Mediterranean, Latino, Scandinavian and Bulgarian music.

After a short appearance of the youth accordion orchestra from Polish town Humi, the well-known Klezmer group from Eastern Europe, KROKE charmed the public with its fantastic arrangements, reflecting their skills in classical music and jazz. François Castiello, well-known French accordionist from the group 'Bratsch', once again proved his great musicianship by combining musette, Klezmer, Balkan, gypsy swing, and Thelonius Monk jazz compositions with his own interpretations.
 

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Accordion Degree Offered, Sydney - Australia
Contributed by Harley Jones

The Australian Institute of Music is to be the first tertiary institution in Australia to offer accordion studies within their classical performance department, from 2006. Students will be able to study for a Bachelor of Music (Performance - Accordion), a Diploma of Performance, be actively involved in ensembles or for younger school members attend young AIMS for lessons, or attend the high school for years 11 and 12. Accordion will also be offered for individual private lessons.

Students who already hold a Bachelor of Music degree can also apply for postgraduate studies at a Masters level. The accordion performance component of the course will be headed by Elizabeth Jones, and students will participate in master classes and performance practice on a weekly basis, in addition to having individual tuition. Students will also actively participate in chamber music and pedagogical classes.

Accordion students will also be following the outline of the Bachelor of Music course with studies in music history, harmony, aural skills and pedagogy. For further details on course requirements for the Bachelor degree in Music, interested accordionists are invited to go to the website www.aimusic.com.au At the moment the accordion is not listed on the website, but the Institute is in the process of updating and re-designing this site.

Any accordion students who would like more information about studying at AIMS can send an email expressing their interest to the Head of Classical Performance, Dr. Marina Phillips on marinaphillips@aimusic.com.au

In your email please state whether you are interested in enrolling in the Bachelor course, diploma course, and participation in ensembles, young AIMS or the high school.

It is important to email your interest to Marina Phillips as early as possible. For further information you can also contact Elizabeth Jones on Fisbay@aol.com
 


Paul Chamberlain in Concert, Wiltshire - UK

Scots-born accordionist Paul Chamberlain is the guest at White Horse Accordion Club on April 10th, at 2pm. Paul performs a variety of classical, Continental and Scottish music, and features both free bass bayan button and musette-tuned piano accordion.

For further information email jackbeecroft@blueyonder.co.uk
 

Benetoux


Murl Allen Sanders at the 13 Coins, Washington - USA

Murl Allen Sanders (pictured) will be performing at the 13 Coins SeaTac Restaurant on April 1st and 2nd. The 13 Coins is located directly across from SeaTac airport in the Kilroy Office Center, Washington State, and there is ample free parking.

Murl has recently played at the Texas Accordion Assoc. Convention and at the Arizona Accordion Club. Later in the year, November 10th to 14th, he makes his UK debut at the Caister Accordions International Festival.

Although usually associated mainly with lighter music, Murl has written 'Accordion Concerto No 1', which he performed with the Orchestra Seattle, conducted by George Shangrow, at Washington State University. This performance was recorded and is now available both on CD and video. The video also features Murl in duets with accordionists Frank Marocco and Ken Olendorf.

For further information email murl@murlallensanders.com
 

Gary Darven


Fosbrooks French Exchange Visit, Stockport - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

The Fosbrooks Folk Education Trust, based in Stockport, England, will entertain a team of French dancers from the Loire Valley, from April 16th to 21st. The Fosbrooks musicians, dancers and singers include several accordionists, and are organised and taught by accordionist Liza Austin-Strange MBE.
The itinery for the visit includes:-

April 17th - concert at The Finger Post Hotel, Offerton, commencing at 7.30pm. Performers include accordionist Jamie Lyons.
April 21st - ceilidh dance at Stockport Masonic Hall, at 7pm. The Pigeon English Dance Band provides the music, and there will be various guest spots.
April 23rd - stage show at Stockport College Theatre, at 7pm.

For further information email fosbrooks@thetidyhouse.fsnet.co.uk
 

Ángel Luis Castaño
 

Christchurch Accordion Orchestra's 'Reunion Island' Tour - New Zealand

The Christchurch Accordion Orchestra, conducted by Meg Fidler, will perform concerts in Brisbane, Singapore and Reunion Island, which is near Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, from April 15th to 28th. The orchestra is presently recording a CD that will include music for the tour.
 
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Polka Heritage Festival, Ohio - USA

The Polka Heritage Festival will take place on July 23rd, from 11.30am to 7.30pm, in Akron, Ohio. The venue is Lock 3, an open air amphitheatre. The Bobby Timko Band, Wayne Tomsic Band and Frank Moravcik Band will perform Slovenian style polkas.
 
Gary Dahl


More Accordion Courses, Scotland - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Three accordion courses are included in the summer short course program of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye, part of the University of The Highlands and Islands. Courses are taught in English. This article appeared in the March 18th edition of the AWW news, but has been repeated due to an incorrect email address being given. Apologies for this error.

Course dates and tutors are:
July 18th to 22nd - diatonic two-row button accordion, BC tuning; tutor Iain MacFarlane.
August 1st to 5th - diatonic two-row button accordion, BC tuning; tutor Fergie MacDonald.
August 1st to 5th - piano accordion; tutor Sandy Brechin.

For further information email cg@smo.uhi.ac.uk
 

Charnwood
 

Klezmer Concerts, New York and Washington DC - USA

The David Glukh Klezmer Ensemble, a quintet featuring Ronn Yedidia on piano accordion, have a series of concerts during April:-

April 3rd - Klezmer Brunch, Tribeca Hebrew, NYC Two sets (one hour each): 10am and 11:30am.
April 5th - Washington DC, America-Israel Cultural Foundation Gala Event, at 6:30pm.April 10th - Great Neck Arts Center, Great Neck, NY, at 4pm.
April 17th - 20th Century Music & On Concert Series, Merkin Concert Hall, New York City. Start Time 7pm.

For further information email mail@glukh.com
 
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Information Required

One of our readers with a midi accordion is looking for instructions on connection for a Ketron expander to p.c internet, required for music download plus sequencing. Email Eejdavidson@aol.com
 
picchio

CD Review


A new CD Review of Various artists. Review by Paolo Picchio.
Lips


New & Updated Sites

James O'Brien - composer, arranger and performer, releases 6 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Scarborough Fair' (traditional), 'Botany Bay' (traditional), 'Dodecaphonic Dawn' (original), 'Tarantella' (traditional), 'Give Me That Old Time Religion' (traditional), 'Chuperlika' (traditional). Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in Esheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.
 

Gary Darven


The International Trio has performed in various countries to acclaim. This CD represents the program performed in 16 concerts throughout Finland and Estonia. Sound samples are on the site and the CD can be purchased with credit card. The CD been described as "... a magic blend of accordion music at its finest..."
 

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Vassily Glubochenko - composer, arranger, performer and scientist. A new site selling his compositions and arrangements, esheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. Samples of the music are on the site.
   
 

John Macdonald - Accordion recording artist, famous for his Scottish music. Over 48 previous CD and LP releases. His latest CD "Years Apart" is available for purchase with credit card. Sound samples on the site. Enjoy his mastery of the accordion. 
    
Edition Harmonia

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