Accordions Worldwide The Squeeze

15th May 1998
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Editors note:

Correct technique is a most important aspect of accordion playing, and I believe it should be taught from the first lesson. To try and develop good habits in young accordion students, I believe you have to make it fun. Firstly, I don't call it technique - I call it a warm-up, just like stretching before exercise. One of the more fun games I play with them is to balance a coin on their hand, between their thumb and forefinger and ask them to play a warm-up exercise of some kind. If they can do it, they get to keep the coin. Warning: use a small value coin, because it's amazing how good they can get when money is involved!

Wayne Knights
Webmaster

This weeks news:

Accordion Recording Hits Top Ten in World Music Charts
Finnish Accordionist to Follow in Footsteps of Ashkenazy and Yo-Yo Ma
Accordion at Valladolid University - Spain
Accordion Orchestra Tours South Africa
Accordion Classes in Kindergarten - China
Robert Davine and the Da Vinci Quartet Excel in Tangos - USA
Accordion Chamber Orchestra Performs in Barcelona
Accordionist Performs at Hiroshima Flower Festival - Japan
Accordion Courses at Duquesne University - USA
Accordion Concert for "Mothers Day" - New Zealand
Netherlands Orchestra Preparing for Sata Hame Festival
Noel Hill Irish Concertina School - USA
Accordion Festival - Germany
Unusual Invention - Russia
The Accordion is Back in Fashion - Australia
Finnish Folk Group Perform Live on Radio - USA
French Accordionist Releases CD


ACCORDION RECORDING HITS TOP TEN IN WORLD MUSIC CHARTS

Contributed by Guy Klucevsek

The group "Accordion Tribe," has released a new CD featuring Guy Klucevsek (U.S.A.), Maria Kalaniemi (Finland), Lars Hollmer (Sweden), Otto Lechner (Austria) and Bratko Bibic (Slovenia). The CD is compiled from live recordings made during their 1996 tour to Europe, and has climbed to number 6 on the World Music Charts in Europe.

Another new CD release is "Altered Landscapes" which features accordionist Guy Klucevsek performing compositions by himself, Henry Cowell, Alan Hovhaness, Alvin Lucier, plus Klucevsek's arrangements of music by John Cage, Burt Bacharach, Charlie Haden and Amy Denio.


FINNISH ACCORDIONIST TO FOLLOW IN FOOTSTEPS OF ASHKENAZY AND YO-YO MA

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

Mika Vayrynen has been invited to perform in Tokyo, Japan in May 1999, at a concert series that has recently featured Vladimir Ashkenazy, Gidon Kremer, Sviatoslav Richter, and Yo-Yo Ma.

Later this year Mika will give two world premier performances of new works by Jouni Kaipainen and Matti Murto. He will be appearing with guitarist Marko Kampman and will also perform 'Concerto' and 'Tres Tangos' by Astor Piazzolla with symphony orchestras.


ACCORDION AT VALLADOLID UNIVERSITY - SPAIN

Contributed by Esteban Algora

On May 8th the "Dúo Contraste" which consists of Esteban Algora (accordion) and Avelina Vidal (guitar) performed a 1½-hour concert at the Valladolid University in Spain to an audience of over 120. The event was organised by the Valladolid Accordion Association. The duo play original music, specialising in Spanish compositions such as "Dhatar" (J. M. Sanchez-Verdú), "Paso a dos" (A. Santos) and pieces dedicated to the duo such as "Villa Luro" (T. Gubitsch) and "Mobile 86" (P. Busseuil).

Esteban Algora is an accordion teacher at the Professional Conservatory of Music in Blarcelona, Spain. The next Duo Contraste performance will be on June 13th at the Contemporary Art Centre of Spain where they will perform "Tempre Op. 99" for accordion and guitar by Czech composer Jan Truhlár. For further information email: h194766503@abonados.cplus.es


ACCORDION ORCHESTRA TOURS SOUTH AFRICA

Contributed by Lycée Geoffroy

The "Senza Tempo" Accordion Orchestra (Reunion Island, France) comprises of 50 musicians (most of whom are under 16 years old) including 27 accordionists. They have performed over 200 concerts and six tours abroad in Mauritius, Australia, France and South Africa. They play popular music, jazz, traditional songs and classical works.

They have recently returned from their third successful tour of South Africa where they gave seven concerts in schools and concert halls in Vereeniging and Meyerton in the Southern part of Gauteng, to over 5,000 people. In some schools, Senza Tempo was the first orchestra to appear for over 50 years and they received an enthusiastic welcome. At the end of this tour, a certificate of proficiency and merit was awarded to the orchestra.


ACCORDION CLASSES IN KINDERGARTEN - CHINA

Contributed by Wu Jie

Accordionist Ms Deng Liping is planning accordion classes in her "Li-Ping" Art Kindergarten in Mianyang, Sichuan Province. It is estimated that over 100 children will study in her kindergarten, the first "art" kindergarten in Mianyang.


ROBERT DAVINE AND THE DA VINCI QUARTET EXCEL IN TANGOS - USA

Contributed by Kevin L. Friedrich

Robert Davine The Da Vinci Quartet from the Lamont School of Music received a standing ovation for their recent performances of Tangos by Piazzolla and Villoldo. The concert entitled "Tango" featured Robert Davine and others from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. Performing to a capacity audience, Davine also played in a nine piece chamber ensemble performing Tango (1985) by Rodriguez.

Robert Davine and his Da Vinci Quartet have received critical acclaim from the press since their inception in 1980. Davine, who heads the accordion program at the University of Denver has a long list of credits to his name, including performances with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Mantovani Orchestra of London.


ACCORDION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PERFORMS IN BARCELONA

Contributed by Javier Otero

On February 7th the Accordion Chamber Orchestra of Barcelona performed a concert in the Santa Eulalia Provenzana Church in Barcelona. Their program consisted mainly of classical pieces such as The Blue Danube (Strauss), Hungarian Dance No 4 (Brahms) and Pavane for a Dead Prince (Ravel).

Accordion Chamber Orchestra of Barcelona Their next concert will be held by the Youth Orchestra of the Accordion Chamber Orchestra of Barcelona on May 17th at 6 pm at the Recreation Center of Santa Coloma de Cervello, Barcelona to celebrate the spring festival. The orchestra will play works by Turina (Sacromonte), Malats (Spanish Serenade), Guridi (Amorosa), Scott Joplin (Cleopha), Charpentier (Te Deum).


ACCORDIONIST PERFORMS AT HIROSHIMA FLOWER FESTIVAL - JAPAN

Contributed by Toru Katou

From May 3rd to 5th, the annual "Hiroshima Flower Festival" was held in Hiroshima. An accordionist accompanied the dance team "Les Sortileges" (Canada) as they performed traditional dances.

On May 4th, a TV program "Super Televi" (Nihon-TV) broadcast a performance by accordionist Daikichi Hirakawa who played in remembrance of Jirou (a famous "homeless cat"). Hirakawa wanders from pub to pub in Shinjuku "Golden-gai", performing popular pieces.


ACCORDION COURSES AT DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY - USA

Contributed by Sally Stone

The City Music Center at Duquesne University is pleased to announce the addition of accordion instruction to their curriculum. The course will be taught by faculty member Henry Doktorski, who is well known in accordion circles. He has a BA in piano performance and music education from Park College and a MMus in composition from Duquesne University. Henry Doktorski has also recorded CD's and performed with symphony orchestras. For further information email: stone@duq2.cc.duq.edu


ACCORDION CONCERT FOR "MOTHERS DAY" - NEW ZEALAND

Contributed by Christine Adams

An accordion concert in honour of Mothers Day was held at the Browns Bay Organ Club on May 10th. Performers were the North Shore Junior and Music Makers Orchestras who played a variety of popular pieces. Guest performer Tracey Collins (Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra member) played a variety of light classical and French pieces to an enthusiastic audience of over 80 club members.


NETHERLANDS ORCHESTRA PREPARING FOR SATA HAME FESTIVAL

Contributed by Serge Latychev

Netherlands accordion orchestra "Alphen opus 2" is preparing for a trip to the International Sata Häme Accordion Festival in Ikaalinen, Finland. The orchestra was formed 3 years ago and has already had a successful concert tour to Moscow. Their repertoire consists of works by Netherlands composers, many of which were written especially for orchestra, such as "Boardwalk" by Ad Wammes and "Heksencapriolen" by Lorre Lynn Trytten. They also play Russian classical music and popular tunes by Ellington, Mancini, and Piazzolla.

The group are currently working on a CD which is due to be released in June. Their aim is to promote Dutch contemporary accordion music. For further information email Sergy Latychev: jarmarka@wxs.nl


NOEL HILL IRISH CONCERTINA SCHOOL - USA

Contributed by Toby Koosman

The Noel Hill Concertina School is holding workshops from September 13th to 18th at Bucksteep Manor, Washington, Massachussets. The school offers instruction for players at all levels in a scenic environment conducted by Ireland's Noel Hill, a highly regarded master of the Irish style. Attention will be given to each individual's development and the workshops will cover practise techniques.

For further information email: tkoosman@utk.edu


ACCORDION FESTIVAL - GERMANY

On May 21st an accordion festival will be held in Wiesmoor, Ostfriesland organised by the "Freundeskreis der Harmonikaspieler" with an accordion conference on May 22nd. The conference will cover "Introduction of Player Technique" for beginners and advanced players.

For further information fax: +49 4947-1725


UNUSUAL INVENTION - RUSSIA

Contributed by Vladimir Ushakov

Alexander Spivakovsky Alexander Spivakovsky (Associate Professor at the St. Petersburg Electro Technical University, candidate of technical sciences and accordion enthusiast) has created a new model of accordion with a synthesiser. This idea was realised by attaching a simple model of synthesiser to an accordion. In this way, Alexander was able to use the rhythms of the synthesiser while playing on the accordion keyboard. Nowadays, there are many models of electronic accordions in the world, but this model is different because of its simplicity.

The new accordion model at a meeting of accordionists from St. Petersburg, was recommended for manufacture as an experimental research model. For further information contact Alexander Spivakovsky: +7 812-5253692


THE ACCORDION IS BACK IN FASHION - AUSTRALIA

Submitted by Reuters News Service

The accordion is back and could be coming to a club, theatre, cinema or even a serious arts festival near you. Guy Klucevsek was in Australia recently to celebrate an event marking the accordion's return - the 1998 Adelaide Festival, Australia's premier arts event, which declared the accordion "the hippest instrument in the world".

"The accordion is part of pop culture again," Klucevsek said, cataloguing its new life on cinema soundtracks, in theatre productions, and with pop artists including Paul Simon.


FINNISH FOLK GROUP PERFORM LIVE ON RADIO - USA

Contributed by Christine Adams

On May 11th the Finnish Folk Group "Troka" performed a live concert on Radio WFMU, New York, hosted by Irene Trudell. Troka is a quintet consisting of Minna Louma (accordion), Timo Alakotila (harmonium), violins and bass.


FRENCH ACCORDIONIST RELEASES CD

Contributed by Danielle Pauly

Danielle Pauly's new CD "Accord'Tonic" has just been released. The French "Accordéon Magazine" included a review that says "This CD is a happy mix of stylistic compositions from the specialists of swing accordion (Viseur, Baselli, Privat) and compositions co-written with Daniel Colin. The recording has musical colour which proves that Danielle Pauly is taking note of the regeneration of the accordion. The fine quality arrangements are interpreted with great sensitivity. From the first notes of "Casse-Tête", a title borrowed from Yves Montand, the listener knows that they are discovering a good recording".

The CD includes musicians Pascal Baselli (drums), Frédéric Constant (guitar), Frédéric Mathet (bass) and Daniel Colin (bandoneon and piano). For further details email: christine-et-danielle.pauly@wanadoo.fr


Email of the week

Hello,

Currently I am working on a homepage featuring JPG pictures and MPG sound samples. I'm interested to have my site on Accordions Worldwide . Please send me a price.

Sincerely, Peter Resch

Hello Peter,

Until the site is complete it is hard for me to quote you a hosting fee, as we charge on a per page basis (if one or more pages are small however, we take that into consideration). For complete information on prices and our services, click here for English:

http://www.accordions.com/misc/misc_pub.shtml

click here for the same information in German:

http://www.akkordeon.com/misc/de_misc_pub.shtml

I look forward to hearing from you again soon!

Wayne Knights
Webmaster
Accordions Worldwide
http://www.accordions.com

NEW SITES
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