Highly Successeful 2006 Hohner Fun Tour – China
Contributed by Horst Fausel, Hohner Accordion Product Manager
The ‘2006 Hohner Fun Tour’ to the universities and conservatories of the major cities of Shanghai, Chengdu and Tianjin, was received with tremendous enthusiasm by the Chinese audiences.
The performers were Jerome Richard, Cyril Blanchard (picture right) of France who perform on the specially designed ‘Hohner Fun Line’ accordions. Viktor Romanko of Russia on the new ‘Hohner Genius’ bayan accordion.
The Hohner artistes performed music from classical through to pop-style including improvisations of famous Chinese folk songs and Chinese pop-songs. These exciting performers were demonstrating a new way of performing accordion music and all the audiences were enthusiastically impressed.
Frederic Deschamps and Professor Viktor Romanko (picture left) held workshops at the conservatories. The Chinese students were eager and showed a lot of talent and ability to learn from the masters. All participants asked for more concerts in this style and for implementation of the popular music style at the conservatories. This tour was sponsored by the Hohner distributor in China ‘KTS’.
This
dynamic young performer has really hit the world stage in recent months
with a string of competition successes and a music style that really
excites his audiences. Born in Russia and taught by Alexander
Dmitriev, young Shirunov
has really made an impact on the accordion competition scene during
the last 12 months.
The CD “Absolute” is produced by Karthause-Schmuelling Germany and the company director (picture right) Ulrich Schmuelling writes that "we have created a unique and sensational sounding CD with a cover of blue combined with fluorescent light green in keeping with the sensational music. I may even forecast, Shirunov will receive the nick name The Blue Shirunov for this wonderful new CD".
To release this CD, “there was a big premiere and gala concert at the famous Frankfurter Musikhochschule on Sunday 14 May which was a trendmous success.” Shirunov is without doubt, a star in the making and this, his first CD, is another step on his way to a great future.
From May 5th to 11th, the 43rd International Accordion Competition was held in Klingenthal (Germany). This year’s Jury consisted of famous teachers and performers: Jürgen Ganzer, Fritz Dobler, Stefan Fraas, Tobias Morgenstern, Gudrun Wall, Ulf Seifert (Germany), Professor Wang Yu Ping (China), Professor Matti Rantanen (Finland), Professor Friedrich Lips (Russia), Elsbeth Moser (Switzerland), Jacques Mornet (France), Professor Dr Lech Puchnowski (Poland), Tibor Racz (Slovakia), Ivan Kjoval (Czech Republic), Jeanette Dyremose (Denmark), Claudio Jaccomucci (Italy), Professor Radomir Tomic and Alexander Nicolic (Serbia and Montenegro).
The opening concert saw a performance of the Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra (Stefan Fraas, conductor) with soloist Per Arne Glovigen (bandoneon) and Niko Kumpuvaara from Finland (accordion), winner of the 2005 Klingenthal competition. On May 8th, Ivan Koval (accordion) showed his abilities in performing contemporary music together with Christiane Apel (violin) and Thomas Müller-Pering (guitar).
On Wednesday, May 10th the concert with Per Arne Glovigen, Sveinung Lillebjerka (violin) and the vocal ensemble ‘Amarcord’ was surely one of the highlights of this event.
Competition Results:
Category I (Soloists up to 12 years old):-
1st – Tian Jia Nan ( China)
2nd – Eliasson Victor-Daniel (Sweden)
3rd – Nikolic Aleksandar (Serbia and Montenegro)
Category II (Soloists up to 15 years old):-
1st – Wang Han Zhi (China)
2nd – Pekovic Nikola (Serbia and Montenegro)
3rd - Zivanovic Nikola (Serbia and Montenegro)
Category III (Soloists up to 18 years old):-
1st – Jiang Bo Long (China)
2nd – Puritz Iosif (Russia)
3rd – Projovic Nevena (Serbia and Montenegro)
Category IV (Soloists without age limit):-
1st – Vlasova Maria (Russia)
2nd – Pakarinen Petra (Finland)
3rd – Kotkov Sergey (Russia)
Category VA:-
1st – Duo Reflections (Spain)
2nd – Akkordeonduo (Russia/China)
3rd - Akkordeon Duo Exprompt (Bielorussia)
Category VB:-
1st – Duo Galuszka/Wolynczyk (Poland)
2nd – Luosujärvi/Vaahtoranta (Finland)
3rd - Con Abbandono (Germany)
Category VI (Virtuosic light music for soloists);-
1st – Saussard Dimitri (France)
2nd – Adragna Pietro (Italy)
3rd – Vonau Sarah (France)
Category VII (Bandoneon):-
1st – Sabatier William (France)
2nd – Mercadé Marisa Laura (Argentine)
3rd - Rokseth Andreas (Norway)
Marie Walsh’s Debut CD, Galway – Ireland
Contributed by Rob Howard
Diatonic two-row button accordionist Marie Walsh, from Clifden, Galway, has released her debut CD, ‘The Red Box’, a recording of Irish dance music. Marie Walsh won All Ireland titles on button accordion and piano in 2003 and 2004, and is much in demand as an accordion teacher and performer.
Hohner Accordion Orchestra 1927 Concerts, Trossingen – Gerrmany
Contributed by Rob Howard
On May 13th the Hohner Accordion Orchestra 1927 performed a very successful concert in the Dr Ernst Hohner Concert Hall in Trossingen, resulting in a standing ovations from a very enthusiastic audience. The orchestra dedicated this evening to the works of the composer and arranger Werner Niehues, who was present at this concert.
The audience gave much applause for arrangements such as ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and ‘Porgy and Bess’, but also for the announcement of the Managing Director of the Hohner company who declared that Hohner in future will fund the ‘Werner Niehues Scholarship’ for students of the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen.
On May 25th the orchestra (MD Johannes Baumann) travelled to Bavaria, where they will perform three concerts over the weekend in health resort villages in the Werdenfelser countryside. These performances involve an open-air concert in front of the beautiful scenery of the mountains ‘Waxensteine’ and ‘Zugspitze’ – the highest mountains in Germany. The next day the players will perform in the evening in the Austrian holiday village Ehrwald. The final concert will be on May 27th at Mittenwald, near Innsbruck.
The musicians also will use some of the newest instruments of the Hohner company and present to interested people information about the development of Hohner accordions and about the Conservatory.
Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Sussex – UK
Contributed by Rob Howard
The next Eastbourne Accordion Festival, organised by former All Britain Champion John Romero, takes place at the Cumberland Hotel, Eastbourne, from October 13th to 16th.
The guest artistes include former CMA World Champion Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, David Lukins, Angie Lukins, Harry Hussey, and Charlie Watkins. Also present will be the leading accordion technician Alan Young, and the trade show includes The Accordion Shop, Trevani Studios, and WEM.
International Accordion Cruise, Larvik – Norway
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
Sweden, France, Russia, Denmark and Norway were all represented in Norilds ‘Accordion-Cruise’, on the boat ‘Peter Wessel’, on April 22nd and 23rd. The tour went from Larvik in Norway to Hitshals in Denmark, and back. During the 6-hour stop in Denmark, all the accordionists went to the local inn, ‘The Skipperkroen’, to entertain, along with members of the accordion club ‘Ørskog and Omegn Trekkspillklubb’.
The travelling passengers were met with beautiful weather and accordion music featuring many different performers and styles throughout the trip, ensuring a great atmosphere. Accordionists included Kjetil Skaslien, Anders Larsson, who played in the style of the great Carl Jularbo, Henrik Larsson, Tor Bekkelund, Trond Lönstad, Reidar Opsal and Kjetil Skaslien and The Paris-Moscow Duo - Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov. Members of the accordion club from Örskog in Norway were also on board and, with Linda Nygaard as MD, performed a program that included Frosini, Andrew Walter, Egil Hauge, Ebbe Jularbo, Leroy Anderson, Skjalg Bjørstad, and Wetesse.
Also performing were ‘Sigmund’s Orchestra’ with Sigmund Saeter, Wenche Eikeland, Paal Steinar Flakne, Olav Hunnes, Kaj Endresen and Elin Saeter. Sigmund’s daughter Elin also joined in some of the tunes on diatonic accordion, to good effect.
The trip featured classical, French, Russian, and Scandinavian music that was greatly enjoyed by all on board. The next ‘rendezvous’ with some of these artistes will be in the Swedish festival of Ransäter, from July 6th to 9th.
Borut Zagoranski’s Performance, London - UK Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl Borut Zagoranski, post-graduate student of Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music in London, gave an outstanding performance at the 'Friends of the Royal Academy of Music Wigmore Award 2006' in the famous Wigmore Hall on May 15th.
In attendance were many distinguished musicians who were unanimous in their praise for Borut's performance.
Borut also performed with the London Sinfonietta on May 21st in St. Luke's Church, London, and is to perform at the Aldeburgh Festival on June 21st.
Brendan Shine Concerts, England, Scotland – UK
Contributed by Rob Howard
Irish singer and accordionist Brendan Shine appears at the Springfields Exhibition Centre, Spalding, Lincolnshire, on May 28th, and at the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow on October 31st.
Marco Lo Russo – accordion, with Andrea Giuffredi - trumpet, Joe Alessi - trombone (from the New York Philharmonic), Tiziano Zanotti - bass, Luca Colombo - guitar, Lele Veronesi – drums, performs I the following concerts:-
Speciale parteciapazione di Tarabuk.
June 12th, at 9pm - Romano Lombardia, Bergamo
15th, at 9pm - Desenzano sul Garda, Brescia
23rd, at 9pm - Comune di Cupello, near Vasto, Chieti
See the excellent CD Review of the Marco Lo Russo CD named Tarabuk.
French accordionist Pascal Contet performs the following dates:-
June 1st to 8th – Festival in China
11th - Pique-Nique bavard, Fort de Montbard, Montbeliard
13th and 14th – Festival, Clermont-Ferrand
16th to 18th – Toulouse
20th - Mende
4th International Mediterraneon - Europe Accordion Contest, Palgianello – Italy
Contributed by Harley Jones
The 4th International Mediterraneon-Europe accordion contest takes place on August 26th and 27th in the town of Palgianello. Accordion players of all nationalities can take part, with instruments of all types and brands.
There are money prizes and diplomas available for the winners, and full details of the competition are now available. The closing date for registration is July 30th.
Accordionists Wanted, Paris – France
Contributed by Rob Howard
Pascal Contet is the artistic director of a 2-day event in Le parc de la Villette, Paris on August 26th and 27th. For this event the organisation is looking for accordionists from all over the world, of any age, style or experience to participate on August 26th, from 3pm to 6 pm. All participants are offered food and beverage and entrance for the special cabaret evening in Sauvage on the August 26th.
The
festival Swing 41, from June 2nd to 5th, is a festival of gypsy
jazz music and one of the most important in France, involving
a significant number of professional and amateur players, and enthusiasts
for this style of music. Most of the ensembles performing this kind
of music include an accordionist. Gilles
Briselance will exhibit Fisitalia
accordions during the festival.
Help Required
Accordionist Stefaan Walraet, from Belgium, would like to contact Russian bayan player Valery Petrov in connection with purchasing some bayan music. Stefaan is also interested in many other Russian sheet music books for solo accordion, with variations on Russian Folksongs for solo accordion.
Tarabuk by Marco Lo Russo (accordion) and Tiziano Zanotti (double bass)
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Alexander Shirunov – ‘Absolute’’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Luna Rossa’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Buongiorno Tristezza’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo – CinePassion’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Canzone Della Strada’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo – Moccaflor’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
The ‘2006 Hohner Fun Tour’ to the universities and conservatories of the major cities of Shanghai, Chengdu and Tianjin, was received with tremendous enthusiasm by the Chinese audiences.
The performers were 
The Hohner artistes performed music from classical through to pop-style including improvisations of famous Chinese folk songs and Chinese pop-songs. These exciting performers were demonstrating a new way of performing accordion music and all the audiences were enthusiastically impressed.
The CD “Absolute” is produced by 
From May 5th to 11th, the 43rd International Accordion Competition was held in 
Diatonic two-row button accordionist Marie Walsh, from Clifden, Galway, has released her debut CD, ‘The Red Box’, a recording of Irish dance music. Marie Walsh won All Ireland titles on button accordion and piano in 2003 and 2004, and is much in demand as an accordion teacher and performer.
The travelling passengers were met with beautiful weather and accordion music featuring many different performers and styles throughout the trip, ensuring a great atmosphere. Accordionists included Kjetil Skaslien, Anders Larsson, who played in the style of the great Carl Jularbo, Henrik Larsson, Tor Bekkelund, Trond Lönstad, Reidar Opsal and Kjetil Skaslien and The 
Also performing were ‘Sigmund’s Orchestra’ with Sigmund Saeter, Wenche Eikeland, Paal Steinar Flakne, Olav Hunnes, Kaj Endresen and Elin Saeter. Sigmund’s daughter Elin also joined in some of the tunes on diatonic accordion, to good effect.
Borut Zagoranski, post-graduate student of 
Marco Lo Russo
French accordionist 
The 4th International Mediterraneon-Europe accordion contest takes place on August 26th and 27th in the town of Palgianello. Accordion players of all nationalities can take part, with instruments of all types and brands. 
Pascal Contet
