Accordions Worldwide
AWW logo
Other Languages
Deutsch Français Italiano Español Chinese Russian
  29 July 2005 This weeks news | Past News  | Send news
Fisitalia black

Editor's Note

The death of Myron Floren robs the accordion world of one of its most enduring players and personalities. Although Myron Floren's name is usually associated with the late Lawrence Welk, it should not be overlooked that he was in fact a very, very capable and versatile accordionist whose playing career dates back to the 1930s. Myron was one of the world's most experienced accordion entertainers, and he just loved to entertain and bring joy to people - a fine epitaph for a great man. Accordions Worldwide extends our sympathy to Myron's family.

Rob Howard
 
Accordion Jass Chord
  Myron Floren Dies aged 85, California - USA
CIA 70th Anniversary Gala Banquet, Castelo Branco - Portugal
Yuri Shishkin and Yuri Medianik
New Attempt at Guinness World Record, Newfoundland - Canada
New Renzo Ruggieri CD, Castelfidardo - Italy
New Materials for Developing Jazz Skills, Darwin - Australia

  Mika Väyrynen Performs at Famous Summer Festivals - Finland
Jazz Accordion Festival, Pineto - Italy 
  Dartmoor Folk Festival, Devon - UK
Emblow and Compton at Uxbridge Accordion Club, England - UK
Mika Väyrynen Guest Stars with the Tallin Chamber Orchestra - Estonia
5th International Golden Accordion Competition, Benevento - Italy
Help required
 


Myron Floren Dies aged 85, California - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard

The accordion world mourns the passing of Myron Floren, at the age of 85. Although he will always be remembered for his long association with Lawrence Welk, and Welk's long-running television show. Myron Floren was in fact an accordionist who performed on public stages throughout his life.
After performing professionally for many years and presenting his own radio show, and entertaining the troops during World War Two in the European theater of the war, Myron Floren joined the Lawrence Welk troupe in 1950.

He remained with Lawrence Welk until Welk disbanded in 1982. For most of these years, Myron Floren was seen every week on American television, making him the most televised accordionist in history. Floren performed solo and with bands after 1982, and was elected into the Polka Hall of Fame in 1990 as well as receiving honors from national and international accordion organizations..


Myron Floren never grew tired of entertaining with the accordion, and once commented: "I'm going to keep squeezing this thing until nobody calls any more". He did indeed perform throughout his life.
See Memorials for further information.
 
Fisitalia blue


CIA 70th Anniversary Gala Banquet, Castelo Branco - Portugal
Contributed by CIA President - Kevin Friedrich

The Confédération International des Accordéonistes (CIA) will celebrate its 70th Anniversary with a Gala Banquet to be held in conjunction with the 58th Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships to be held in Castelo Branco, Portugal from October 25th to 30th.

This magnificent formal attire celebration will be hosted by CIA Member and 2005 Coupe Mondiale host the Conservatorio Regional de Castelo Branco. The Gala Banquet will take place on Tuesday October 25th from 5pm to 7pm and will be a great opportunity to reflect on the many wonderful activities and rich history of the CIA, as well as look forward to many exciting future events.

The CIA Executive Officers are honored to invite all CIA Members, all former CIA Champions, Officers, Merit Award Recipients, Honored Friend of the Accordion Recipients, members of the International Jury, all International Delegates, Guests, International Press as well as their spouses and partners.

For further information, an on-line RSVP form and additional information on the 2005 Coupe Mondiale, please visit www.coupemondiale.org
 

Benetoux


Yuri Shishkin and Yuri Medianik
Contributed by Holda-Paoletti-Kampl


Bayan accordionists Yuri Shishkin and Yuri Medianik are planning to tour Russia in February 2006, and this will be the first time they have performed together. They will be performing together with various chamber orchestras.

The first part of their concerts will feature Yuri Medianik as a violinist, performing Vivaldi's 'Concerto for Violin, Organ and Strings', with Yuri Shishkin playing the organ part on bayan.

After this, Yuri and Yuri will perform on bayans Poulenc's 'Concerto for Organ', transcribed for two accordions by Yuri Shishkin. More details of the concerts will follow in due course.
 

A to Z of the Accordion

New Attempt at Guinness World Record, Newfoundland - Canada
Contributed by Rob Howard


The 29th Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, held in Bannerman Park in the town of St John from August 5th to 7th, will be the scene for an attempt to set a new world record for the number of accordionists playing together. On July 7th of this year, Kimberly BC set a new world record of 644 players, breaking the one established by a festival in the Netherlands in 2000. The latest attempt will take place on Saturday August 6th, at 4.30pm, and the Guinness Book of Records will verify the result.

Folk Arts Council President Jean Hewson hopes so. "When the idea of trying for the record first came up," says Hewson, "I contacted O'Brien's Music Store just to see how many accordions they thought might be in the St. John's area. 'Hundreds?" I asked. They said 'absolutely, maybe even thousands'. That gave us the encouragement we needed to say 'let's try!'"

Dave Penny, a member of the St John Folk Art Council Board of Directors, will be the lead accordion player, and has made an arrangement for all the assembled accordions to play. A number of some of Newfoundland's finest accordion players will help with the event and several are already slotted for other performances at the festival.

For further information email accordions@gmail.com
 
Fisitalia black

New Renzo Ruggieri CD, Castelfidardo - Italy
Contributed by Holda-Paoletti-Kampl

The new Renzo Ruggieri Group CD 'Bends', the third in a series, has now been released.

This recording is possibly the most technically satisfying of the series, also featuring Massimo Manzi, Paolo di Sabatino and Massimo Moriconi. Also now available is a solo CD by Renzo Ruggieri, 'Storie di Fisharmonica Vissuta', a recording of experimental jazz.
 


New Materials for Developing Jazz Skills, Darwin - Australia
Contributed by Rob Howard

Dutch-born, Australian-based, jazz accordionist Michael Furstner has developed a range of educational material for developing and extending jazz skills on the accordion.

For further information email mfurstner@ozemail.com.au
 

Yuri


Mika Väyrynen Performs at Famous Summer Festivals - Finland
Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen was featured at several of the most famous summer music festivals during the month of July. Mika appeared at the 'Sonkajärvi Soi' festival in Finland, performing 'Four Tango Sensations' and 'Hommage a Liege - Concerto for Bandoneon, Guitar and Strings', by Piazzolla. His fellow musicians included Mr Ismo Eskelinen (Guitar), Meta4 - String Quartet and Mrs Tarja Nyberg on Double Bass. At his second concert, he premiered his new transcription of 'Chaconne', by J. S. Bach. Mika was later joined by cellist Jan-Erik Gustafsson to play 'Le Grand Tango', by Piazzolla and 'Roumanian Dances', by Bartok.

Mika also appeared at the 'Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival', which marked the first time an accordionist has been invited to perform a solo recital at this world famous festival. He presented 'Chaconne', 'Organ Prelude and Fuga in D-Major', and 'Three Chorals', by J. S. Bach, as well as the Finnish Premiere of 'Tree of Life', by Patrick Busseuil, and 'Like a Water Buffalo', by Yuji Takahashi.

At his second concert at the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, Mika premiered 'Chamber Concerto for Accordion and String Quintet', by Mr Paavo Korpijaakko. An extremely important event, this chamber concerto is only piece that the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival commissioned this year! Mika also performed on the final concert on bandoneon, playing 'Bagatelles', by Dvorak with string trio.

He finished his summer festival performances at the 'Savonlinna Opera Festival' with a concert that celebrated the 70th birthday of Professor Aulis Sallinen. Mika performed Sallinen's 'Chamber Music 5 - Barabbas Variations', with String Quintet.
 
Fisitalia Yellow

Jazz Accordion Festival, Pineto - Italy
Contributed by Holda-Paoletti-Kampl

The 2005 Pineto Jazz Accordion Festival was a success beyond expectations. The festival's events and concerts drew local and national television presence, plus daily newspaper coverage. This festival was an excellent showcase for the accordion in the field of jazz, with some outstanding performances.

A concert by Renzo Ruggieri, on July 15th, with the famous guitar player Patruno Linen ended in a standing ovation. The performance of Art Van Damme, July 16th, with his famous quintet, generated strong interest within the Italian jazz world, with many well-known musicians being present at this special event.

The final concert of the Big Band of Foggia, with Peppino Principe, on July 17th, entertained a crowd of more than 1,000 persons. The Marching Band, featuring an accordionist, paraded near the seaside of the beautiful Italian city.

The special award 'Golden Sail 2005' was presented to the well-known accordion teacher Vittorio Pomante. Thanks were given for the great support of the council member Filippo D' Augustin and the Mayor Filippo Monticello.

Renzo Ruggieri (Artistic Director) and Peppino Principe (Honorary President), who have strongly supported the initiative, announced that plans for the next festival are already in preparation.
 
Ángel Luis Castaño


Dartmoor Folk Festival, Devon - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

The 28th Dartmoor Folk Festival takes place from August 5th to 7th. The guests include accordionists John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinson, known as the 'Sultans of Squeeze'. Other acts include The Posh Band (featuring Simon Ritchie on melodeon and harmonica), Mawkin (with Alex Goldsmith on melodeon), The Dartmoor Pixie Band, whose members include Mark Bazeley on diatonic accordion and Jason Rice on piano accordion.

For further information email enquiries@dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk
 
Gary Darven

Emblow and Compton at Uxbridge Accordion Club, England - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

Jack Emblow and Tony Compton are the guests at Uxbridge Accordion Club, Middlesex, on August 8th, at 8pm. Also performing will be The Uxbridge Accordion Band, MD Angie Lukins.

The venue is The Angler's Retreat, Swan Road, West Drayton, near Junction 4 on the M4. Members and visitors are asked to bring along their accordions to join in with the club's traditional 'Accordion Play Along'.

For further information email koolaccords@hotmail.com

 
picchio


Mika Väyrynen Guest Stars with the Tallin Chamber Orchestra - Estonia
Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen will be the guest soloist in Estonia on August 8th and 9th, when he performs with the 'Tallinn Chamber Orchestra'. Peforming Aulis Sallinen's 'Chamber Music 5 - Barabbas Variations', the orchestra is under the direction of Tonu Kaljuste.

The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra has performed in many prestigious music festivals: Bach Cantatas Festival in Milan (1996, 1997), Bremen Music Festival (1998) and the Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Music (1998). Their concert tours have taken them to Canada, USA, Japan and to many European countries.
 

Benevento


5th International Golden Accordion Competition, Benevento - Italy
Contributed by Holda-Paoletti-Kampl

Thanks to the large number of entries last year from Italy, Russia, Greece, France, Austria, Poland, Serbia and the USA, this year's festival is expected to include several international categories.

These include: Under 13 years old (Student), as well as the Junior (up to 16 years) and Senior (over 16 years), a section for Jazz accordion, and the institution of a prize devoted the best interpretation of compositions (or arrangements) of Peppino Principe; all categories have prizes of notable value.

In addition to the Classical and Jazz sections, this year is added a section for compositions in Variété (virtuoso entertainment) style. The best prize is the 'Fisarmonca d'Oro' (an artistic trophy with a substantial prize) assigned to the candidate (or group) that have distinguished themselves amongst all the categories. There is no entrance fee for any category, and there are no test pieces.

The festival this year widens to involve collaborations with other competitions in Canada and Australia, with a strong cultural exchange among the respective events. The Competition will take place in Benevento (Italy) on July 16th and on 17th September.

For further information email info@fisarmonicadoro-benevento.com or see the website www.fisarmonicadoro-benevento.com
 

Nicemelody
Excelser


Help required

Serkan Kazan, from Turkey, is sixteen years old and a keen accordionist. He has been playing accordion for eight years, and is studying at music school. He needs classical transcriptions for accordion, cello and violin. Any assistance would be very much appreciated.

Email mailto:nbingul3@hotmail.com
 

Lips



A new CD Review of Francesco Palazzo. Review by Paolo Picchio

Dark Red Rose


The Coupe Mondiale website by the Confédération International des Accordéonistes (CIA) offers updated information about the 58th Coupe Mondiale to be held in Castelo Branco, Portugal from October 25th to 30th. Site includes on-line entry and registration forms, competition venue and hotel accommodation information, schedule and details on the 70th CIA Anniversary Banquet.
 
Walshe

James O' Briencomposer, arranger and performer, releases another 4 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'The Dying Stockman' (traditional), 'Twa Sisters o Binnorie' (traditional), 'Vo Polye Berioza Stoyala' (traditional), 'With Sounds of Pipes' (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.
 

A new site selling a book titled Book 3 Seasoning Solos. Original Compositions for Accordion by Stas Venglevski.
 
Zubitsky

A new site selling a book titled Book 4 Seasoning Duets. Original Compositions for Accordion by Stas Venglevski.
 

The Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM) now provides a list of Member Schools offering accordion instruction.
 
Fisitalia blue

Accordionist Gary Morin now provides sound files featuring samples from the three CD recordings he has for sale on his website.
 
Gary Dahl

Accordionist Jimmy Bubaloni has just released a new CD. His website has been updated to provide information and sound file samples of several of the tracks.
 
picchio

Accordionist and Composer Stas Venglevski has released a new CD entitled 'Russian Fantasy'. His website offers information about this new CD as well as a printable order form.
 
Accordion Jass Chord

Comprising former CIA World Champion Iona Reed (Accordion), Ron Kelly(Guitar) and Bill Tuttle (Drums/Percussion). The Iona Reed Trio performs a blend of dance music that reaches out to music lovers of all ages. The Iona Reed Trio is one of the very few dance bands on the music scene today that performs Continental, Latin American and Broadway Standards.
 
Edition Harmonia

Yehuda Oppenheimer releases a grade 3 arrangement of 'Shalom Bambino' and a grade 3 arrrangement of 'Mini Twist'. This is music composed by Yehuda Oppenheimer. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.
 

Home | Client Index | News Center | Yellow Pages
Services | General Info | Publications | Accordion Info