El Festival Internacional de Acordeón Sata-Hame Soi se ha celebrado en Ikaalinen del 26 de Junio al 2 de Julio. El programa del festival de este año fue visiblemente más internacional que otras veces (foto). De los 1270 participantes del festival (uno de los más jóvenes Sami Salonen), 220 llegaron de 13 países diferentes. El que más viajó lo hizo desde Argentina. Se estima que unas 30000 personas acudieron al Festival. Este año actuaron un número record de orquestas de acordeón venidas de toda Finlandia.
El Concurso Internacional de Acordeón denominado Primus Ikaalinen por el festival, fue retransmitido en directo por televisión el 30 de Junio (foto de finalistas). El género del concurso es música de entretenimiento/varieté. Músicos talentosos con coloridas personalidades estaban invitados a participar llegados de toda Europa (Joao Frade y Netta Skog en la foto). Los concursantes tenían diferentes estudios musicales. El jurado internacional incluyó a Jacques Mornet (Francia), Mario Pietrodarchi (Italia), Raymond Bodell (Reino Unido), Henn Rebane (estonia) y Mika Vayrynen (Finlandia). El ganador del segundo Concurso Primus Ikaalinen fue Dimitri Saussard de Francia.
El Festival y Concurso de la Asociación de Acordeonistas Americanos 2006 tiene lugar en Buffalo, Nueva York del 12 al 16 de Julio. El evento tendrá lugar en el Hotel Mark de Adam, Calle de la Iglesia 120, Buffalo (Niagara Falls) NY 14202. El festival presenta concursos, seminarios, actuaciones, conciertos, etc... Algunos de los eventos incluidos este años son:
• Concurso Internacional de Varieté para acordeonistas Vivian Vivio Stolaruk 2006 – Primer premio 10000 dólares.
• Concurso de orquestas de polka 2006 – Primer premio 1500 dólares.
• Cantar y tocar- para los acordeonistas que también cantan!
• Director de la orquesta del Festival Gary Daverne (Nueva Zelanda).
• Artistas invitados como el Trio Busso.
• Una visita a las Cataratas del Niágara incluyendo una actuación de la Orquestas de la AAA.
Nuevo CD de Jean Robert Chappelet, Grignon – Francia
El acordeonista Jean Robert Chappelet acaba de lanzar un nuevo CD titulado « Jazzy ». En activo desde los años 80, Jean Robert Chappelet tiene una gran reputación en Francia como intérprete de música musette, jazz y de baile.
El 8 de Julio se celebró el Concurso Internacional “Ciudad de Castelfidardo” para acordeón diatónico que tiene lugar en Castelfidardo. Los ganadores fueron:
1- Desierto
2- Michele Mancino
3- Salvatore Piromalli
4- Luigi Cipriano
5- Andrea Palermo
6- Andrea Tini
7- Carlo Tini
La actuación especial como artistas invitados en el concierto por la noche en el teatro fue del Quinteto Ambrosio Sparagna.
'Accordion Gems by Kevin Friedrich - A Master Collection of Accordions through Time' is slated to be the anchor display at the forthcoming Music Wing, the newest addition to the Dargaville Museum in Dargaville, New Zealand.
On recent visits to his hometown of Dargaville, located 2 hours north of Auckland, New York-based accordionist Kevin Friedrich has been working in collaboration with the Dargaville Museum to establish a permanent accordion display, the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
The accordion exhibition will start with 80 plus instruments of various members of the accordion family with the oldest dating to approximately 1830. The collection follows the evolution of the accordion to more recent times, and includes examples of instruments such as the Sheng, Flutina, Melodeon, Concertina, Bandoneon, Diatonic, Button and Piano Accordions and the various hybrid variations that occurred over the years.
In addition to his 60 plus personal instruments, other significant donations have been made to Kevin's 'Accordion Gems' collection from Ernest Deffner Inc. in New York, The Graham Romani Collection from London, United Kingdom, and Titano Accordions and Accordion House in Auckland, New Zealand as well as from individuals from USA, New Zealand, Norway and Europe. It is anticipated that the number of accordions on display will increase in size with further donations of instruments being added as time goes on.
It is very fitting that the Dargaville Museum will house this international collection, as the accordion used to be a major part of this small rural community. Many people are surprised to learn that at one time, the small country town of Dargaville (population 4,000) boasted at least eight accordion orchestras/bands spread over four sizable accordion studios. With such a strong accordion background it is exciting that the Museum has welcomed this important project with open arms, as not only does it bring prestige to the Museum to have this one of a kind display in the Pacific, but it also pays tribute to the rich accordion heritage of the area.
The official opening is to be conducted at a ribbon cutting reception to be held at the Lighthouse Reception Center (adjoined to the Dargaville Museum) at the conclusion of a grand concert in the Dargaville Town Hall on December 3rd 2006, which will be held by Kevin as a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the passing away of his former teacher Mr. Ben Emmett.
Anyone wishing to donate an instrument(s) to this collection or interested in further information.
‘Wolmer Beltrami’ Award to Rossano Mancini, Verona - Italy
Accordionist and composer Angiari (Verona Italy) Rossano Mancini is the winner of the prestigious ‘Wolmer Beltrami Special Award’ for the best interpretation during the 15th National Accordion Festival –National and European Competition held in Erbezzo (VR) Italy on June 24th and 25th.
Rossano Mancini performed two of his compositions,d ‘Viento’ jazz waltz and ‘City Traffic Tango’. His performance was described as spectacular, combining artistic personality and very original style jazz compositions.
On July 1st accordionist Alexander Shirunov performed at one of the best and the most prestigious concert halls in Russia - the St. Petersburg Grand Philharmonic Hall, for the gala-concert of the international music festival named ‘The White Night of Romantic Music’.
This superb festival of several concerts, featured such famous musicians such as Polina Osetinskaya (piano), Alena Baeva (violin), the legendary Russian ensemble ‘Terem-quartet’, and others. Alexander Shirunov was the first accordionist ever invited to perform at this annual event.
The final concert of the ‘S. Cauteruccio’ Music Academy took place on July 5th in the Salone S. Ciriaco Abate, Buonvicino. A large audience was present in support of these young musicians, where the best performer of a piece from Salvatore Presta was awarded a prize. The jury consisted of Maestri Donato Santoianni, Salvatore Barbuscio and Riccardo Galimi.
In the afternoon Donato Santoianni held a seminar about the History of the Accordion and its entertainment music. A teacher's concert closed the event.
The first International Accordion Festival takes place in Durango from July 14th to 29th, organised by Carlos Guillermo Terrazas Caballero. Concerts and other events take place in several venues, but the principal concert venue is the Ricardo Castro Theater in Durango. The festival includes:-
July 14th – Guatapurí, an accordion group from Colombia, performing Colombian folk music
July 18th - ‘Zur Trio’, from México, featuring accordion, marimba and percussion in concert
July 20th - Alexander Sevastian (Russia) and Fermin Ramirez (México), in concert together for the first time
July 25th - Guy Giuliano (France), Renzo Ruggieri (Italy) and the ensemble Saudade (México) – a concert in the city of Zacatecas
July 26th - Edmar Castañeda and his quartet (New York, USA), - accordion and harp playing Latin Jazz
The Toques do Caramulo music festival takes place from July 14th to August 26th in various towns. The event features different instruments and ensembles, including Luis Fernandes and other accordionists.
On July 15th, accordionist and organist Jon Hammond will be performing as part of an all-day fundraiser and Antique Radio Auction event at studios of KRE Radio to benefit ‘CHRS’ (California Historical Radio Society) at KRE Radio, Berkeley, California. Jon is also soon to be interviewed on the SF Cafe ‘Caffe Trieste’ website. Accordion music is featured every weekend in the cafe program with the family and special guests.
Accordionist Olexiy Suslov performs in concert with organist Izoide vonder Au-Metzger at the Fridenskirche in Jawor, playing works by A.Vivaldi, G. Rossini and N.Paganini. The concert takes place on July 15th, at 6pm.
The Reykjavik Accordion Festival 2006 will be held from July 15th to 16th. The program for this year’s festival includes
Ottar Johansen, from Norway, a student of the late Toralf Tollefsen. Ottar has a large repertoire of accordion classics and swing music. Ottar’s accompanist is the guitarist Ivar Th. Dagenborg, a guitar player and the publisher of ‘Nygammmalt’, the Norwegian accordion magazine, and the biggest magazine of its kind in Scandinavia. Ottar and Ivar will perform at Árbæjarsafn (The Reykjavík Museum), along with some of Iceland’s best accordionists, during the afternoon of July 16th. Later that evening, at 8pm, will give a concert in the Nordic House in Reykjavík.
The festival organiser is Jónatan Karlsson. For further information email: jonatank@internet.is
Musicians, including several accordionists, from the Fosbrook Folk Education Trust are holding their summer term concert at Chadkirk Chapel, Stockport, at 7pm on July 22nd. The Fosbrooks are taught and organised by accordionist Liza Austin Strange MBE.
The Fosbrooks perform the traditional music of the British Isles and beyond to accompany their unique clog dancing routines, featuring some very talented soloists and ensembles. Their members play accordions, fiddles, flutes, and other instruments. They step dance as well as jigs, reels and hornpipes, play haunting airs, and also perform some particularly tricky simultaneous dancing and playing. This concert is the opening night of the annual Chadkirk Festival.
Accordionist Anne Landa presents on August the project ‘Loving Mozart’, directed by Manolo Gómez and the theatre company TESS. ‘Loving Mozart’ is based on Mozart´s compositions and adapted by Anne Landa for solo accordion. The premiére will be presented at Miramar Palace, San Sebastián, on 24th August.
Mr. Peppino Principe was born in Monte Sant'Angeloon the 5 september 1927. In the prestigious school of the Michele father and since childhood he filled Foggia's little roads with notes on the accoridon. Although its extraordinary talent has endured him far away from his hometown he has always maintained a strong feeling with Monte Sant'Angelo thanks to his frequent visits, beyond constant enriching his music with typical elements of of his original region.
The local administration has decided to dedicate to his great Maestro an entire manifestation in two events:
Trophy of the Accordion: a competition for the diffusion of the accordion and the music of the Mr. Peppino Principe;
Festival of the Accordion: accordionists and guests of international great will present their music in evening concerts to Monte Sant'Angelo the hometown of its Maestro. President of the jury with be one of the greatest exponent of the accordion: Mr. Gervasio Marcosignori who will also be in concert on the 10th of August. The artistic direction is under control of the jazzist Renzo Ruggieri that has been very close to the Maestro since he was a child. Ruggieri will be in concert on the 11th of August with his prestigious Trio.
Help Required
“I am trying to find out some history of my accordion, if you can help please let me know. My father bought the accordion new about 50 years ago, brand name Stanelle (picture)".
Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) site has been updated to include a review of their 2006 festival and basic information on the upcoming 2007 Coupe Mondiale to be held in Washington DC in conjunction with the American Accordionists Association (AAA).
Gary Dahl site has been updated to include pdf samples of many of his outstanding arrangements available from the website.
American Accordionists' Association (AAA) site has been updated to include full festival schedule and basic information on the upcoming 2007 Coupe Mondiale to be held in Washington DC in conjunction with the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG).
Site updated to include information on the 'Accordion Gems by Kevin Friedrich - A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time' exhibition that is being established at the Dargaville Museum, New Zealand and offically opened on December 3rd 2006. Information includes contact information for those who might be interested in donating an instrument to this display, the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
French contemporary artist Pascal Contet - with up-dated concert dates.
Spanish accordionist and Alexander technique teacher Anne Landa.
A new site selling a CD titled "International Music" with sound samples. Music performed by Pearl Fawcett-Adriano of England. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled "Musette Parisienne" with sound samples. Music performed by Pearl Fawcett-Adriano of England. Purchase online.
Site update for the Confederation Mondiale de L'Accordeon - CMA site update with winners since 1951 plus information, rules and test music for the 56th Trophée Mondial de l'Accordéon in October 2006.
Nuevo CD de Jean Robert Chappelet, Grignon – Francia
El 8 de Julio se celebró el Concurso Internacional “
'Accordion Gems by 
‘Wolmer Beltrami’ Award to Rossano Mancini, Verona - Italy
Alexander Shirunov
Final Concert of the Music Academy ‘S. Cauteruccio’, Buonvicino - Italy 
Toques do Caramulo, d’Orfeu – Portugal
KRE Radio Concert, California – USA
Olexiy Suslov Accordion with Organ Concert, Jawor - Germany
The Reykjavik Accordion Festival 2006, Reykjavik – Iceland
‘Loving Mozart’, San Sebastián - Spain
Help Required
