From
the beginning of March, American accordionist Frank Marocco will
be touring Austria for about two weeks. Concerts will take place
in Salzburg, Graz, Leibnitz, Spittal, Feldkirchen, Lavamünd,
and in Vienna at the Accordion Festival in Neunkirchen. Afterwards
Frank will go to Germany to perform in Trossingen and Schönaich.
To conclude his European tour, Frank will record a CD with Simone
Zanchini in Italy.
Frank Marocco is the most recorded accordionist in America (and,
possibly, the world), having played on a vast number of movie soundtracks,
television scores, commercial jingles and record albums, in the
studios of Hollywood and beyond. He has recorded for and/or worked
with artistes ranging from Brian Wilson, Pink Floyd and Madonna
to Luciano Pavarotti, conductor Maxim Shostakovich and composer
John Williams. He was twice awarded the Most Valuable Player Award
by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S).
Frank is also a consummate jazz artiste and composer, with several
albums to his credit. His recently released CD 'Appassionato' is
a departure from any of his previous recordings. It is more of an
eclectic collection of music from various cultures, and has everything
from an Italian pop ballad to a Cuban jazz salsa original. This
CD features the accordion in a variety of settings, most with an
ethnic world music feel, much jazz improvisation, and many original
songs with different rhythmic grooves.
Daily
CIA Congress
and Ships Cruise Reports - Finland Contributed
by Kevin
Friedrich
Members
of the Confederation
Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) have arrived in Ikaalinen,
Finland for their annual Winter Congress. Hosted by our CIA member
in Finland 'Suomen Harmonikkaliitto' (Finnish Accordion Association),
in addition to conducting their business meetings at the 115th General
Assembly of Delegates, the CIA will conduct the official Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony of the CIA Archives, be treated to an extraordinary program
of traditional Finnish Winter activities and partake in the annual
Finnish Accordion Association Cruise to Sweden and back.
The important
establishment of the CIA
archives enables an opportunity to put together in one place, the
rich history of this international organization. In addition, the
importance of this work reaches far beyond as it also allows us
to profile the development of the accordion and its repertoire in
general. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at the Hanuritalo
(Accordion House) in Ikaalinen at an International Press Conference
on Friday, February 24.
The Winter Congress concludes the yearlong celebration of the CIA’s
70th anniversary year. For
daily reports of the Winter Congress and the Finnish Accordion Association
Ships Cruise with over 2,600 2,600 accordion fans involved, please
visit www.accordions.com/cia/winter_06.htm
The Complete Works of Pietro Deiro, Volume 1: Celebrated Polkas,
Philadelphia - USA
Contributed by Rob
Howard
Accordionist
and musicologist Henry Doktorski has begun recording the complete
works of Pietro Diero and has finished Volume One: 'Pietro's Celebrated
Polkas'. Henry Doktorski writes that: "Pietro's 18 polkas exhibit
great variety, musical interest and humor, and are exceedingly suited
to the accordion. They tickle our ears with beguiling melodies and
fancy finger work".
Pietro Deiro (1888-1954) - known as "The Daddy of the Accordion"
- was one of the greatest and most influential accordionists of
the first half of the 20th century. He became a celebrity on the
vaudeville stage by 1912, and achieved renown by his performing,
recording, teaching, composing, arranging and publishing.
This CD is presented as both a historical recreation of the works
of one of the accordion world's great luminaries, and also as entertainment
on its own merits. The CD includes a 12-page booklet, complete with
historic Pietro Deiro photographs.
World
Premiere Performance of the Midi Concertina, Stockport - UK
Contributed by Rob
Howard
On
Tuesday February 28th Stockport Accordion Club hosts a special concert,
at which John Nixon will demonstrate the extensive possibilities
of a concertina with MIDI facilities. Using a concertina made in
1859 by the great Charles Wheatstone, this is an historic meeting
of original and modern technology! The midi concertina can faithfully
reproduce 48 instrumental sounds.
John Nixon is one of the world's finest concertina players, and
has recorded with Frank Marocco, Jack Emblow, Harry Hussey, Marcel
Azzola, Henry Mancini, Barbara Streisland, Paul McCartney, and many
more. The concert begins at 8pm, and is at the St John Ambulance
Brigade HQ, Edgeley Road, Cheadle Heath - close to junctions 1 and
2 of the M60.
AAMS
Accordion Festival - USA Contributed
by Rob
Howard
The American Accordion Musicological Society Accordion Festival and
Symposium will be held from March 3rd to 5th at the Wyndham Valley
Forge Suites Hotel in Wayne, Philadelphia. Accordion enthusiasts from
the United States and Canada will gather together for a great weekend
of concerts, workshops, and competitions.
This year's Honored Guest is Lou Persic, and the featured guest artiste
is concert accordionist Henry Doktorski.
New features of this year's festival include 'Open Mic Performances'
at the Friday Night Concert - open to anybody who would like to perform
a 10 to 15 minute spot (contact Joanna
Darrow before March 3rd to register). Another new feature is the
Festival Orchestra, which rehearses on Saturday 2.30 to 4.30pm, and
performs on Sunday at the Awards Concert. Music will be available
Friday Evening and Saturday morning at the Registration Desk.
Gyorgy
Kurtag 80th Birthday Celebration, Budapest - Hungary
Contributed by Harley
Jones
Four
accordionists from the Royal Academy of Music in London, Professor
Owen
Murray, Borut Zagoranski, Milos Milivojeviæ and Zivorad
Nikoliæ performed in the 80th birthday celebration of György
Kurtág. The festival, which ran from February 15th to 19th,
at the Ference Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, celebrated the
80th birthday of the Maestro. The performance of 'Songs of Sorrow
and Despair' (Hungarian Premiere) will be the highlight of the festival
and take place on his birthday, February 19th.
György
Kurtág was born in 1926 at Lugos, Romania. As a composer, teacher,
pianist and multi linguist, Kurtág has worked with orchestras,
chamber groups and soloists in many parts of Europe, including Paris,
Berlin, Amsterdam and Vienna. Professor Kurtág has had a particularly
intensive career involvement with the works of Beethoven, and many
musicians and singers, including numerous accordionists and accordion
ensembles, have interpreted his many and various own works.
Eastbourne
Accordion Festival, Sussex - UK
Contributed by Ron Bennett
The
2006 Eastbourne Accordion Festival place at the Cumberland Hotel
from February 17th to 20th. A happy atmosphere prevailed throughout
this well supported, sell out event. The event was a credit to the
hard work and preparation by John and Jackie Romero (Carillon Studios).
Their expertise in organising organ and keyboard festivals was apparent
throughout this magical weekend dedicated to the accordion.
Little
touches from John and Jackie made the difference here, for instance,
a personalised welcome pack for everyone on arrival including a
detailed program of events, a free chocolate bar and a magazine.
Also included were complimentary afternoon tea, coffee biscuits
and cakes served in the comfort of the ballroom daily at 4pm with
musical accompaniment provided by George Bennett (keyboard) and
Harry Hussey (accordion).
10 hours
of seminars & tuition were slotted into the weekend (covering
all standards from beginners, advanced to jazz), and in the evenings
over 12 hours of concerts were included in the ballroom, and a Gary
Blair ceilidh was enjoyed by all on the Saturday night as the chairs
were quickly pushed aside to accommodate the many dancers and to
test the sprung dance floor.
Artistes included: Charlie Watkins, Gary Blair, Gennaro Fiondella,
Harry Hussey, John Leslie, Lisa-Lee Leslie, Romeo Aichino, John
Romero, Trevani, and George Bennett, with a guest appearance by
Alan Young. Teachers at the festival were Sue Bennett, Gary Blair,
Gennaro Fiondella, Harry Hussey, John Leslie and Trevani. The traders
show included: Accordions of London, W.E.M, Trevani Studios, repair
technician Stan Mayhew, Cooperativa, Carillon Studios, UKAO, Roland
UK, and The Accordion Shop.
Luca
Ciarla and Renzo
Ruggieri Concerts in Scotland and England - UK Contributed
by Holda
Paoletti-Kampl Accordionist
Renzo
Ruggieri and violinist Luca Ciarla, from Italy, perform lyrical
jazz standards, Romanian gypsy music and colourful original compositions,
all with a contemporary flavour in concerts at:-
February 24th, 8.30pm - The Jazz Centre, Edinburgh
25th - Orange St. Music Club, Canterbury
Aly
Bain and Phil Cunningham UK Tour Dates
Contributed by Rob
Howard
Fiddle
player Aly Bain and accordionist Phil Cunningham, one of Scotland's
most successful duos in recent years, are on tour during March, as
follows:-
3rd - Gulbenkian Theatre, University of Kent, Canterbury
5th - Hitchin Folk Club, The Sun Hotel, Sun Street, Hitchin, Bedfordshire
6th - Nettlebed Folk Song Club, The Village Club, High Street, Henley
on Thames
8th - Loughborough Town Hall
10th - The Last Inn, Hengoed, Oswestry, Shropshire
11th - Aerial Centre, King Edward VI Community Centre, Ashburton Road,
Totnes, Devon
14th - The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes
16th - Tyneside Irish Centre, 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne
17th - The Roses Theatre, Edgehill College of Further Education, St
Helen's Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire
18th - Borough Theatre, Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
19th - Lichfield Arts Centre, The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield,
Staffordshire
20th - Kendal Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria
21st - Alnwick Playhouse, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland
22nd - National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret's Church, Walmgate,
York
23rd - The Barrington Theatre, Ferndown Community Centre, Pennys Walk,
Ferndown, Bournemouth
24th - Farnham maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey
25th - Walberton Village Hall, Arundel, West Sussex
28th - Theatr Mwldan, Bathouse Street, Cardigan, Wales
Zero
Sette Akordion Orchestra, Ttopara - Spain
Contributed by Rob
Howard
On
March 4th, at 8pm, the Zero Sette Akordeoi Orkestra, bands of Txistularis
from Andoain and Hernani, Chorus of Lasarte-Oria (Alboka), Andoain
(Alberto Agirre), Astigarraga (Aitzondo), Hernani (Kantuz), Orio (Salatxo),
and the Basque Dance Group Erketz from Lasarte-Oria are to perform
at Lasarte-Oria's Culture House Manuel, Lekuona, at the Ttopara 2006
festival.
Orkestar
Bez Ime Concert, Broadcast and CD, Minneapolis - USA Contributed
by Rob
Howard On
March 8th, the Orkestar Bez Ime, featuring Dee
Langley on accordion, perform at an International Women's Day
Event at the Cedar Cultural Center, 7-10 pm KFAI FM Radio hosts
the concert, which will be a live broadcast as part of the radio
station's 24 hours of special women's programming.
Orkestar Bez Ime release a new CD, on March 18th, titled 'Nice Driveway
Vol. 2, Lake Aquanyet Days'. The CD release will be at a concert/dance
at the Cedar Cultural Center.
50
Years HHC Waldhausen forest houses, Baden, Württemberg - Germany Contributed
by Holda
Paoletti-Kampl
The
H. H. C. Forest houses celebrates its 50 years' existence with a concert
featuring Russian accordionist Alexander Skljarov and French accordionists
Jeremy Vannereau and Dimitri Saussard on March 25th in the Remstalhalle,
73547 Lorch-Waldhausen place.
Marie
and Viva's 10th year Hotel Residency - Australia
Contributed by Rob
Howard
Accordionist
Marie Rappolt with her band, Viva, will be returning for their 10th
year of performances at the Settlers Arms Inn, a delightful 'Australiana
bush' hotel situated outside Sydney. The band will appear at the hotel
on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. The band usually performs
on a stage located on a large expanse of lawn at the rear of the building.
There is bench type seating and tables located under shady trees for
patrons to enjoy the wonderful and renowned food and entertainment.
The Settlers Arms Inn is an historic stone and timber hotel located
in the St Alban's Valley. The inn, one of the oldest hotels in Australia,
was built by convict labour in 1836.
Marie and Viva provide entertainment in an informal cabaret style
performing a repertoire of jazz, Latin, salsa, French and Spanish
songs and stunning feature tunes. The romantic sounds of musette accordion
(with midi bass), Spanish guitar, congas, percussion plus two vocalists
harmonizing beautiful songs waft through the village of St Alban's
valley drawing visitors and local residents to the Settlers Arms Inn.
Viktor
Romanko at Music Fair, Frankfurt - Germany
Contributed by Holda
Paoletti-Kampl
Russian
accordionist Viktor Romanko will be demonstrating the new Hohner
'Genius' model accordion during the Music Fair in Frankfurt, held
from March 29th to April 1st. Professor Romanko will be demonstrating
each day at the state of Hohner Hall, and on March 30rd, at 4pm, and
on the 31st, at 12noon, on Acoustic Stage 3.
The
Klingende
Tasten 2006 Accordion Festival takes place from May 26th to 28th
at Günzburg. This large-scale festival, which features the Zydeco
Playboys, and accordionist Cathrin Pfeifer and her band, includes
The Bavarian Accordion Competition for accordion orchestras and ensembles,
catering for all ages. All participants get free entry to LEGOLAND
on May 28th, where an impromptu orchestra will perform, under the
direction of Stefan Hippe.
Stas
Venglevski, from the Republic of Moldova but now resident in
the USA, is recognised as a virtuoso of the bayan. A two-time first
prize winner of the bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova,
Stas is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where
he received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of Friedrich
Lips.
During March, Stas Venglevski will perform the following concerts:-
March 10th to 12th - Texas Accordion Association
13th - Skokie, Illinois: a performance of the Galla-Rini Concerto
No 2, with the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra
14th to 20th, Vienna, Austria
23rd - Berlin, Germany
A
Piermaria electronic piano accordion has been stolen from Robert
Beecroft, proprietor of the Birmingham Accordion Centre, England.
The accordion is black, musette tuned, has 6 treble couplers, and
has 5 bass couplers. The instrument, made about 1986, has some damage.
It was stolen on February 10th by a group of Romanians who came
into the shop, and is one of several similar incidents in the UK
in recent times. A list of other stolen accordions can be found
on the Stolen
Accordion List
Bettina Stumpf,
from Germany, is looking for an accordion orchestra or accordion
group to take part in. She is now living in Cento (FE) Italy where
she hopes to be able to also play the accordion. She has previously
been a member of an accordion orchestra. Her contact: BettinaSt1978@aol.com
The United
States National Accordion News has been updated with the February
edition. Please visit to find out the latest US news, contact information
for the various accordion clubs and associations across the country
and upcoming events. Please use the submit form on the site to send
your news for publication.
Updated site for the Milwaukee
Accordion Club, featuring upcoming 2006 concerts for their 15th
Anniversary year. Among the star studded lineup include visiting artists
Copper Box, World Champion Peter Soave, Mariya Vlasovva & Kirill
Shytbin (winners of the 2005 Moscow Bayan Competition), entertainer
Robin Pluer, the Milwaukee Accordion Club Ensemble, Grammy Nominee
Kevin Solecki, Country Swing accordionist Ginny Mac, Dr. Lidia Kaminska,
Chicago Jazz accordionist John Simkus and immediate past president
of the ATG and concert accordionist Stas Venglevski.
Updated concert schedule of concert accordionist and recording artist
Stas
Venglevski
Updated information on the American
Accordionists Association (AAA) including detailed information
on events such as the July 12th to 16th Annual Competition and Festival,
the March 19th Open Meeting featuring guest artist Peter Soave, the
April 2nd 2006 Winery Scholarship Afternoon, and the 12th annual Master
Class and Concert series, moderated by Dr. William Schimmel.
Information
about the upcoming Accordionists
and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) festival from June 29
- July 2nd, 2006 at the Ramada Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN.
James
O' Brien - composer, arranger and performer, releases another
7 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Garryowen'(traditional),
'Irish
Washerwoman' (traditional), 'Kesh
Jig' (traditional), 'The
Sailor’s Hornpipe' (traditional), 'Scottish
Whistle' (traditional), 'St.
Patrick’s Day' (traditional), 'Wearing
of the Green'(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.
From
the beginning of March, American accordionist Frank Marocco will
be touring Austria for about two weeks. Concerts will take place
in Salzburg, Graz, Leibnitz, Spittal, Feldkirchen, Lavamünd,
and in Vienna at the Accordion Festival in Neunkirchen. Afterwards
Frank will go to Germany to perform in Trossingen and Schönaich.
To conclude his European tour, Frank will record a CD with Simone
Zanchini in Italy.
Members
of the 
Accordionist
and musicologist Henry Doktorski has begun recording the complete
works of Pietro Diero and has finished Volume One: 'Pietro's Celebrated
Polkas'. Henry Doktorski writes that: "Pietro's 18 polkas exhibit
great variety, musical interest and humor, and are exceedingly suited
to the accordion. They tickle our ears with beguiling melodies and
fancy finger work". 
Four
accordionists from the Royal Academy of Music in London, Professor
The
2006 Eastbourne Accordion Festival place at the Cumberland Hotel
from February 17th to 20th. A happy atmosphere prevailed throughout
this well supported, sell out event. The event was a credit to the
hard work and preparation by John and Jackie Romero (Carillon Studios).
Their expertise in organising organ and keyboard festivals was apparent
throughout this magical weekend dedicated to the accordion.
Fiddle
player Aly Bain and accordionist Phil Cunningham, one of Scotland's
most successful duos in recent years, are on tour during March, as
follows:-
On
March 4th, at 8pm, the Zero Sette Akordeoi Orkestra, bands of Txistularis
from Andoain and Hernani, Chorus of Lasarte-Oria (Alboka), Andoain
(Alberto Agirre), Astigarraga (Aitzondo), Hernani (Kantuz), Orio (Salatxo),
and the Basque Dance Group Erketz from Lasarte-Oria are to perform
at Lasarte-Oria's Culture House Manuel, Lekuona, at the Ttopara 2006
festival.
Marie
and Viva's 10th year Hotel Residency - Australia
Viktor
Romanko at Music Fair, Frankfurt - Germany
