Mady y Peter Soave (EEUU) y Jean Louis Noton (Francia) ofrecieron 7 conciertos y 3 clases magistrales en China y Mongolia del 29 de Abril al 15 de Mayo.
Peter Soave fue presentado como solista con la Filarmónica de la Universidad de Shangai en la primera interpretación en China del famoso concierto “Aconcagua” de Astor Piazzolla para Bandoneón y orquesta.
Otros típicos programas de esta gira por China fueron : Peter soave – improvisaciones al acordeón solo y a dúo con Madeleine Soave al acordeón y Peter al bandoneón.
Jean Louis Noton interpretó obras originales a solo y música de películas francesas con su Cavagnolo Odyseee. Los 3 artistas finalizaron interpretando un tributo musical al gran compositor francés André Astier.
Los conciertos tuvieron una asistencia de público que rondó las 900 y 1400 personas por concierto. Jean Louis Noton lleva ofreciendo conciertos en China durante 10 años y Peter Soave hizo su 2ª aparición en China en 6 meses.
Afincada en Melbourne, la virtuosa acordeonista Bernadette Conlon ha tenido el honor sin precedentes de ser invitada por 3ª vez a los festivales de Acordeón de los Estados Unidos, como consecuencia de su éxito en la gira 2005.
Bernadette será artista invitada y jurado en la Convención Internacional de Acordeón de Leavenworth, donde, por los resultados del año pasado los organizadores decidieron volver a invitarla. La Convención Internacional de Acordeón de Las Vegas, que reune a los más famosos e influyentes acordeonistas del mundo como art Van Damme, Peter Soave, Dick Contino y el Trío K, han contratado a Bernadette por segundo año, así como hicieron en los Campeonatos de Acordeón Internacionales de Kimberley en Canadá, donde el año pasado, se inscribió en los libros de historia por reunir a 644 acordeonistas tocando juntos, durante una hora y media, para entrar en el Libro Guinness de los Records.
Bernadette ha dicho que estaba encantada con la reacción del público el año pasado, lo cual ha hecho que le vuelvan a invitar en el 2006.
Mes Internacional del Acordeón, San Francisco –EEUU Información porRob Howard
El acordeonista Tom Torriglia de San Francisco ha declarado Junio como el “Mes Internacional del Acordeón”. El mes de Junio comenzó con el 16 Festival anual de Acordeón de San Francisco, que tuvo lugar en el Muelle del Pescador, presentando a la Orquesta de acordeón de San Francisco, Kieblasia, Culanns Hounds, Conjunto Romero, Big Lou´s Polka Casserole, Bella Ciao, Tose Darn Accordions .
San Francisco ha reconocido oficialmente al resto del mes de junio como “El Mes Nacional del Acordeón” gracias a la insistencia de Tom Torriglia, quien declaró que “Mi navidad empiezó a las 4 de la mañana del día 1 de Junio” “En ese momento sonó el teléfono y me dijeron algo como “Sabes que es el Mes Nacional del Acordeón, y ¿puedes tocar una canción para todos los que te escuchan?”
Lo sabe, es cierto. Y para el resto del mes Tom Torriglia hará lo posible para que todo el mundo lo sepa. Tom intervino en el Festival de Acordeón SF como reportero del Westwood One, una de las más antiguas emisoras de radio americanas. El 21 de Junio será grabado por una televisión nacional de Canadá para un programa en el que “dará al acordeón una publicidad especial”.
Festival della Fisarmonica, Milan - Italy Contributed byRomano Viazzani
May 14th saw the first Festival della Fisarmonica, organised by Beltrami Accordions and Serist SpA at the Centro Direzionale Colleoni in Milan, Italy. Over 350 people enjoyed an afternoon covering a wide spectrum of music. Before and between performances those present could visit the exhibition of historical instruments in the foyer of the venue from a few private collections.
Performers included classical accordionist Claudio Ranalli (Italy), with pianist Pino Laudadio; Daniele Scurati (accordion) and Stefano Valla (shepherd’s pipe) (Italy) with some Italian folk music, and Nadio Marenco (Italy), student of Professor Sergio Scappini at the Milan Conservatory. Scotland’s Gordon Middler played a selection of traditional Scottish and Irish Music, including a moving rendition of ‘The Dark Island’.
The audience were ecstatic and laughed at Middler’s cheeky motion to the audience not to look up his kilt while he was playing! Emir Bosnjak, from Bosnia-Herzegovina, gave an eclectic mix of music, including some Balkan-inspired pieces. England’s Romano Viazzani performed a varied program, including ‘Corbieres and Croissants’ – a musette swing waltz by Viazzani himself, and ‘Glory to God in the Highest’ from Davor Bobic’s ‘Litugical Suite’, the church organ-like sound produced by his accordion brought a tear to a very proud Mr. Beltrami’s eye.
After the tea break it was time for Italy’s technical wizard Mauro Carra, who astounded the audience with his dexterity in pieces such as ‘La Tempete’, ‘Czardas’ (Monti) and ‘Mazurca Variata’ (Migliavacca) as well as delighting with his musicality in Frank Marocco’s ‘Cynthia’, and the comical contemporary piece ‘Itto’, about a hapless waiter! The audience were on their feet. After a brief interlude with the amazing harmonica player ‘Bruno de Filippi’, who played ‘The Man I Love’ (Gershwin) and ‘Stardust’ (Carmichael), it was time for some duets.
Nadio Marenco and Emir Bosnjak performed together ‘The theme from the Godfather’ and ‘Libertango’. Mauro Carra and Romano Viazzani, as a duo, performed ‘Tarantella Boogie’, ‘La Cumparsita’ and a scintillating version of ‘Indifference’, which once again brought audiences to their feet.
After an operatic interlude where Claudio Ranalli accompanied tenor Marco Faralli in ‘La Donna e Mobile’ (Verdi), Mr.Giorgi of Serist SpA took to the stage to thank all the artistes and to call up two of Stradella’s finest accordion makers Claudio Beltrami and Amleto Dallapè of the legendary Dallapè factory. Mr. Giorgi also promised that this would not be the last festival he would organise! All the accordionists then came back on stage to play the grand finale – Romano Viazzani’s transcription of Glenn Miller’s ‘In the Mood’, much to the delight of the audience.
Castletown Accordion Orchestra’s European Contest Success, Meath – Ireland Contributed by Rob Howard
Competing against orchestras from Ireland, Italy, Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway, Northern Ireland, Germany, Serbia and Montenegro, Estonia and Switzerland, the Castletown Accordion Orchestra from Kells, County Meath in the Republic of Ireland, won First Prize in the Junior Section at the European Accordion Festival held in Prague, the Czech Republic, from April 20th to 23rd. The 2006 European Accordion Festival was the 4th time the competition has been held and Castletown's success represents the first ever victory for an orchestra from Ireland or the UK.
In addition to first place the Orchestra received a citation for being 'Outstanding' from a jury consisting of Ladislave Horak (Czech Republic), Georg Penz and Stefan Hipp (Germany). The Festival President is Dr. Jindrich Feld, who is one of the leading Czech composers.
The orchestra, with members from just 8 years old, is taught by John and Yvonne Chilton, who are based near Virginia in County Cavan. John and Yvonne, originally from England, are steeped in all things accordion and are the founders of the Irish Accordion Association.
As well as the competitions there were also concerts in various venues throughout Prague, where the visiting orchestras performed and which saw Castletown play concerts in the Ladvi Hall, St. Nikolas Church, and in Liben Castle they played in the same room in which Mozart, Haydn and Dvorak all performed.
Milos Milivojevic in Ballet World Premiere, London - UK Contributed byHolda Paoletti-Kampl
Milos Milivojevic played in the world premiere of the Children’s Ballet ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ by Ben Foskett at the Peacock Theatre in London on May 18th. The Ballet has a very prominent accordion part. Milos has been invited to play the accordion part in ‘Correspondence’ by Henri Dutilleux at the prestigious Aldeburgh Festival in England on June 24th with the Britten-Pears Orchestra, conducted by Oliver Knussen.
Owen Murray (left) and Borut Zagoranski will also appear in the festival on June 13th and 21st respectively. To have three accordionists at this prestigious festival in separate items is indeed a reflection of how well the instrument is becoming integrated into the classical music world.
The ‘Klingende Tasten’ Bavarian Championship for Accordion Orchestras and Ensembles took place in Guenzburg from the May 26th to 28th. Program Results.
Zydeco Meets Skiffle, London – UK Contributed by Rob Howard The Zydeco band Hottboxx share the bill with the skiffle band Eastside in a concert on June 8th. Eastside open the proceedings at 7.30pm, and Hottboxx are on stage at 9.30pm. Fronted by the irrepressible Carla on piano accordion, Hottboxx will be playing a mix of Zydeco, Blues and Rock 'n Roll
Staten Island Irish Festival, New York - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard
The 8th Staten Island Irish Festival takes place on June 10th and 11th, featuring the Willie Lynch band at 1pm, and the Bogside Rogues at 5pm on the 11th. On the 12th, the Andy Cooney band performs at 1pm, and Tommy O’Callaghan and the Moonshiners are on stage at 4.30pm. All three bands feature accordionists. The festival takes place at Staten Island Rodeo Grounds, Exit 15, Lily Pond Avenue, off the Staten Island Expressway.
Zero Sette Akordeoi Orkestra, Lasarte-Oria - España
Información por Rob Howard
ZERO SETTE AKORDEOI ORKESTRA, ofrecerá el próximo domingo día 18 de junio a las 12,30 horas el tradicional concierto con motivo de las fiestas patronales de San Pedro. El concierto tendrá lugar en el auditorio de la Casa de Cultura Manuel Lekuona de Lasarte-Oria. La entrada será gratuita.
Galway-based diatonic button accordionist Joe Burke hosts his annual series of master classes during July. These are as follows:-
July 3rd to 8th - Willie Clancy Summer School, Milltown, Malbay
July 10th to15th - South Sligo Summer School, Tubbercury, Sligo
17th to 22nd - Joe Mooney Summer School, Drumshanbo, Leitrim
July 24th to 29th - Mc Peake Summer School, Belfast
Professional and amateur accordionists of all ages gather from around the world to learn, practice and perform the art of the accordion in Montreux. The tutors are Mady and Peter Soave (USA), and Jean Louis Noton (France). During the seminar all lectures, lessons, meals and room accommodations are hosted in a center that emphasizes camaraderie and progress in a friendly environment. Aside from music making, participants can enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the Swiss mountains! Due to popular demand, this year’s master classes are two be held over two separate weeks: August 1st to 8th, and 11th to 18th. The master classes will cover the following topics: Classical, tango, musette, jazz, improvisation, world-music; MIDI programming and performance; Articulation, fingering, phrasing, bellow techniques; Solo and chamber music; History of the accordion; Computer-Aided Music.
Eddie Hession Solo CD Release, London - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard
Accordionist Eddie Hession, currently a member of the band ZUM, has made his first solo CD, titled ‘Under Duress’. The recording features music written by Chick Corea, Adam Summerhayes, David Gordon, Bill Evans and Astor Piazzolla.
Accordion Event in Le parc de la Villette, Paris – France
Contributed by Rob Howard
Le parc de la Villette, Paris on August 26th and 27th will be the scene for two days of continuous accordion music, including all styles – jazz, musette, contemporary, ethnic, etc. Players already booked to appear include Daniel Mille, David Venitucci, Lionel Suarez, Didier Dullieux, Jean-Luc Amestoy, Pascal Contet, Jean-François Baëz, Man Xin, Yves Weyh and Zakarya, sheng player Wu Wei, Jean-Luc Bouffard, Ophélie Gaillard, Marianne Piketty, Bijan Chemirani, Serge Adam, Philippe Botta, Carol Robinson and Tom Mays.
Pascal Contet, the artistic director of this event, is looking for accordionists from anywhere in the world, of any age, style or experience to participate. All participants are offered food and beverage and entrance for the special cabaret evening in Sauvage on August 26th.
Tarabuk by Marco Lo Russo (accordion) and Tiziano Zanotti (double bass)
A new site selling a CD titled "Koncertino "Live"" with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled "Concertino 25"" with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled "Baikal Duo "Souffle Et Souffle"" with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled "Baikal Duo "Baikal Duo "Eclectismes"" with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Freddy Balta - Interprété Pa’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Tony Russo - Accordéon’, with sound samples. Music fromKarthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘A Farewell To Arms’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Duo Moskua - Melodies Russes’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Nata bene Debut’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
Updated site for Tania Lukic-Marx. Site information updated and new photos added. New German text.
Updated site for Vladimir Besfamilnov with new photos and information about the new book about him and the CD's.Site information updated and new photos added.
Gira por China de Mady y 
Jean Louis Noton interpretó obras originales a solo y música de películas francesas con su 
Afincada en Melbourne, la virtuosa acordeonista 
El acordeonista Tom Torriglia de San Francisco ha declarado Junio como el “Mes Internacional del Acordeón”. El mes de Junio comenzó con el 16 Festival anual de Acordeón de San Francisco, que tuvo lugar en el Muelle del Pescador, presentando a la Orquesta de acordeón de San Francisco, Kieblasia, Culanns Hounds, Conjunto Romero, Big Lou´s Polka Casserole, Bella Ciao, Tose Darn Accordions .
May 14th saw the first Festival della Fisarmonica, organised by Beltrami Accordions and Serist SpA at the Centro Direzionale Colleoni in Milan, Italy. Over 350 people enjoyed an afternoon covering a wide spectrum of music. Before and between performances those present could visit the exhibition of historical instruments in the foyer of the venue from a few private collections.
Nadio Marenco and Emir Bosnjak performed together ‘The theme from the Godfather’ and ‘Libertango’. Mauro Carra and Romano Viazzani, as a duo, performed ‘Tarantella Boogie’, ‘La Cumparsita’ and a scintillating version of ‘Indifference’, which once again brought audiences to their feet.
Competing against orchestras from Ireland, Italy, Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway, Northern Ireland, Germany, Serbia and Montenegro, Estonia and Switzerland, the Castletown Accordion Orchestra from Kells, County Meath in the Republic of Ireland, won First Prize in the Junior Section at the European Accordion Festival held in Prague, the Czech Republic, from April 20th to 23rd. The 2006 European Accordion Festival was the 4th time the competition has been held and Castletown's success represents the first ever victory for an orchestra from Ireland or the UK.
Owen Murray
The ‘
Zero Sette Akordeoi Orkestra, Lasarte-Oria - España
Galway-based diatonic button accordionist 
