Sponsors
Books (Text)
eSheet (pdf file)
eTracks sound files
Sponsors
Free Services
Books (Text)
Statistics
Sponsors
Highlights |
‘Accordions at the Castle’, Blackpool – UK
Book: ‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’, Oslo – Norway
Some World Accordion Day 6th May Activities
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Crimean Jazz Band Marian Mexicanu composition
Alex Meixner's new CD ‘Happiness is a Choice’ – USA
Video: MusicTech Stand at Frankfurt Musikmesse
Further Competition Successes for Carlo Agresti and Egidio Apuzzo - Lithuania
Video: Alicia Baker - French medley, San Francisco - USA
Video: Pino Di Modugno, Beltuna Stand, Frankfurt Musikmesse - Germany
Joseph Soprani, 6th Annual Italian Festival at Widener University - USA
Dan “Daddy Squeeze” Newton performs in the Washington, DC Area
Future events |
Accordion Festival in Marstal 2015 - Denmark
VIII International Accordion Composition Competition Francisco Escudero - Spain
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
52nd International Acccordion Competition Klingenthal - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 |
 The 52nd International Accordion Competition Klingenthal starts on the 3rd May and ends 10th May, with international categories for soloists, duos and ensembles of different styles of music. 111 Entries have been received from 28 countries.Full competition rules and category information is at: 2015Kling Category VI virtuoso entertainment will again be in concert format. The Finale round of solo Category IV with symphony orchestra will be held on Sunday 10th May afternoon (13.30 hrs) and the Prizegiving concert (17.00 hrs) will feature all the prize winners of the competitions. Concerts by such performers as: Akkordeon-Duo „Heidi und Uwe Steger“ (Germany), Duo „F. Fragments“ Stefan Hussong (Germany) and Yumiko Meguri, Piano (Japan), „Carel Kraayenhof Ensemble“ (Netherlands) etc, along with the Akkordeonorchester Klingenthal (conductor Günter Herald) and symphony orchestras Stadtorchester Klingenthal (conductor Rico Schneider) and Vogtland Philharmonic (conductor Dorian Keilhack). For further details you can download the complete program at: 2015KProgram - Jury members (country order) are: Vladislav Pligovka (Belarus), Cao Xiao-Qing (China), Ivan Koval (Czech), Jeanette Dyremose (Denmark), Matti Rantanen (Finland), Frederic Deschamps (France), Fritz Dobler (Germany), Stefan Fraas (Germany), Jürgen Ganzer (Germany), Stefan Hussong (Germany), Tobias Morgenstern (Germany), Ulf Seifert (Germany), Michael Dolak (Germany), Carel Kraayenhof (Netherlands), Pjotr Chololowicz (Poland), Alexander Dmitriev (Russia), Aleksandar Nikolic (Serbia), Tibor Rácz (Slovakia). There will be further reports of the results as they are announced in the coming days. |
Share
‘Accordions at the Castle’, Blackpool – UKby Rob Howard |
 The annual festival, ‘Accordions at the Castle’, organized by Heather Smith (picture left) at the Norbreck Castle, Blackpool, runs from May 10th to 15th.The festival includes concerts, ‘meet the guest’ sessions, orchestra workshops, Scottish dancing, and a trade show. An exciting international line-up of guests include: Jean Dauvin (France) & Steve Roxton, Denise Leigh (operatic soprano) & Stefan Andrusyschyn (accordion), Giancarlo Caporilli (Italy), David Vernon (Scotland), Gennaro Ruffolo (Italy), Rosemary Wright, Harry Hussey, Alan Young, and Bert Santilly. The trade show includes the Birmingham Accordion Centre, Robaccord Publications, Roy Hendrie’s Limex midi products, and Caroline Hunt’s fascinating antique accordions and memorabilia display, which is always a special attraction and well worth seeing. There is also an organ/keyboard festival taking place in the hotel, which has its own huge trade show that is open to all. For booking, telephone Sceptre Productions on 01780 782 093 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
Book: ‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’, Oslo – Norwayby Rob Howard |
  Toralf Tollefsen (1914-94) was a most renowned and accomplished Norwegian born accordionist. He found fame initially as a music hall entertainer in the 1930s, then in the post-war years of the 1940s and 1950s pioneered the free bass accordion in classical music concert halls, on records, and on radio broadcasts. In the UK, where Tollefsen lived from 1936-39 and 1946-61, he was revered by a generation of accordionists and teachers, many of whom regarded his arrangements and compositions as the benchmark of progress. The book ‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’ was originally published in Norwegian in 1994 to celebrate the life and works of this outstanding musician. An English language version, translated by Owen Murray, has now just been launched. Edited by Jon Faukstad, this book is not a biography as such, but contains a lengthy in-depth biographical interview with the great man by Faukstad, four informative articles about Tollefsen and his very significant contribution to the accordion (written by Mogens Ellegaard, Ola Kai Ledang, Jon Faukstad, and Birger Ostby), plus a complete and detailed discography, compiled by Tom Valle. ‘Toralf Tollefsen World Artist’ is a unique celebration of a remarkable and much loved accordionist. It is available from the beginning of May from Double Zed Ltd. For further information email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk |
Some World Accordion Day 6th May Activitiesby Rob Howard |
  Roberta Cantow's New Film "Accordion Rising" - USAIn honor of May 6, World Accordion Day, I am posting the new trailer here, for all in the accordion world to see. Soon the Indigogo Funding Campaign will begin with posts to Facebook, and elsewhere. It will continue into June, National Accordion Awareness Month. Sven Karlsson invited you to Karlssons Musik's event - Sweden World Accordion Day - Dragspelets Dag 2015 Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00pm in UTC+02 Karlssons Musik in Fjärås, Hallands Län, Sweden Experience the accordion artists Inger Nordström and Pierre Eriksson. Stockport Accordion Club World Accordion Day activity is a concert by Pearl Fawcett-Adriano which includes a ‘Tribute to Dante’ - UK. Adrian Dante (1914-2005, born Dante Adriano), late husband of Pearl made a major contribution to the accordion through his many activities. He was an accordionist, teacher, arranger, composer, publisher, writer, record producer, festival organiser, agent, and concert promoter with a long and exceptional track record of success in each of his various activities. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Motion Trio on TVP Kultura, Warsaw – Polandby Rob Howard |
 |
| On Tuesday March 24th the Motion Trio performed live on the Polish TV channel TVP Kultura in Warsaw. Also appearing on the concert, were many other renowned classical musicians. The Motion Trio is an internationally renowned Polish accordion trio. Formed in 1996, the Motion Trio are Janusz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek, and Marcin Galazyn. Using all the advantages of the accordion in their creations, the Motion Trio continually explore the new possibilities of this instrument, changing the way that it is perceived. Their concerts are musical performances that contain action and drama. For further information email: annawojtarowicz@akordeonus.com |
Video: Crimean Jazz Band Marian Mexicanu compositionby Harley Jones |
| Crimean Jazz Band Marian Mexicanu composition. Published on Apr 23, 2015. The band members are: Garik Isatov-accordion, Seyran Osmanov-guitar, Garik Kemalov-cajon, Akhtem Bulatov-soundman. |
Alex Meixner's new CD ‘Happiness is a Choice’ – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
 Grammy nominated accordionist Alex Meixner has released his new CD, ‘Happiness is a Choice’.Alex Meixner is recognized for his dynamic and energetic performances at festivals, concert halls and clubs throughout the USA, performing everything from polkas to popular rock and party anthems, interpreted with jazz, country, world music and pop overtones. The title track, ‘Happiness is a Choice’, is a collaboration with Reggae singer and composer Carlton Pride, son of Country legend Charley Pride. ‘Happiness is a Choice’ is not only an infectious melody and beat, but a great message song that is already resonating with the live audiences at The Alex Meixner Band’s shows throughout the nation. This CD also premiers new songs by Meixner and frequent collaborators Michael Morris (drummer and vocalist from Temple, Texas, and Randy Koslosky (accordion virtuoso from Pittsburgh, PA) including ‘Why Die Thirsty?’ - a great new German/Irish styled drinking song, and ‘Let’s Go Ask the Band’ - a fun polka with a country inflection. The CD roars along with requested selections from the live repertoire including the humorous ‘Eggroll Song’, a Bulgarian folk rocker ‘Gankino Oro’, and the ever popular rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’, performed on the Hoseaphone! Meixner shares the spotlight with 2012 Canadian national Accordion Champion Michael Bridge on the Latin flavored accordion tour de force ‘El Cumbanchero’. He also features Texas rock icon, Hector Saldana of The Krayolas on a new pop song they co-wrote called ‘Sally’, and even has a cameo appearance by his daughters Zoey (age 7) and Kayla (age 4) on ‘Pipihenderl’, a fun Austrian yodeling song! Tracks: Happiness is a Choice, Michael’s Polka, Why Die Thirsty?, Just For You, Gankino Oro, C&/M Waltz, Let’s Go Ask The Band, Pipihenderl, Eggroll Song, Pony Tail, I’m Loving You Now, He Ain’t Right, El Cumbanchero, Hawaiian Polka, Love Your Enemies, Squeeze Me, Sally, Jup Ei Di, Amazing Grace. For further information: alex@alexmeixner.com |
Video: MusicTech Stand at Frankfurt Musikmesseby Harley Jones |
| Mario Gatto and Pasquale Coviello demonstrating the MusicTech digital accordion at the MusicTech Frankfurt Musikmesse stand. |
Further Competition Successes for Carlo Agresti and Egidio Apuzzo - Lithuaniaby Eleonora Ienaro |
 |
| Following on from there recent successes at the Carlo Agresti International Music Competition in Italy, Egidio Apuzzo and Daniele Carabetta, both students of Antonio Spaccarotella, won 1st places at the XI International Accordion Competition "Ascoltate 2015" held April 24 to 26 in Kaunas, Lithuania. Daniele Carabetta, a young talent from Parma Italy, won the grand prix and Egidio Apuzzo, student at Nuove Armonie won first pirze in the category classical accordion. These competition successes are the result of months of preparation and hard work by two young men who have made the accordion a main part of their lives. |
Video: Alicia Baker - French medley, San Francisco - USAby Harley Jones |
| Published on Sep 25, 2014. Performance by Alicia Baker at the San Francisco Accordion Club in September 2014. Her first piece is "Rivalite" and then "Under Paris Skies". |
Video: Pino Di Modugno, Beltuna Stand, Frankfurt Musikmesse - Germanyby Harley Jones |
| Pino Di Modugno performing on the Beltuna stand at the 2015 Frankfurt Musikmesse. |
Joseph Soprani, 6th Annual Italian Festival at Widener University - USAby Harley Jones |
 Joseph Soprani was again performing at the Annual Italian Festival at Widener University. He was accompanying the Coro Gabriele d'Aunnunzio in a variety of Italian folk songs of Abruzzo and then accompanying Vito Lombardo followed by his own selection of popular Italian melodies that the accordions does so well. |
Dan “Daddy Squeeze” Newton performs in the Washington, DC Areaby Dan & Joan Grauman |
| Video 1: 'Just My Style' composed and performed by Dan Newton Video 2: 'Who Been There' performed by Dan Newton and Elizabeth Rowan. Dan Newton has been a full-time performing musician since 1980 and a resident of Minnesota since 1987. Dan has a fresh approach to the accordion and has a dazzling repertoire of both original and traditional material. Known as “Daddy Squeeze”, Dan entertains and enlightens his audiences with stories and colorful anecdotes about the accordion’s history and of his experiences making a living by playing and singing with the instrument he loves. He also enjoys mixing up styles and genres that do not generally seem compatible. “Music out of context”, or “Ethno-clectic Bop” is the result of his heartwarming experiments with Celtic, Tex-Mex, Creole, Blues, Jazz, Scandinavian, polka and pop music. In April, Dan performed several house concerts in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, including one at our home, delighting an audience of 45 people. His wife, Elizabeth Rowan, accompanied Dan in some of the selections on percussion instruments, including the triangle, rub board and guiro. Dan and Elizabeth also performed the following day for the Spring Guest Artist Concert of the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society. The room was filled to capacity and a great time was had by all. Dan spends most of his time playing accordion with his fabulous group “Café Accordion Orchestra” performing French, American and Latin ballroom dance music. He frequently appears as a guest on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion”. He also performs regularly with the bands Jumbo Ya Ya (Cajun and Zydeco music), Rockin’ Pinecones (Louisiana R and B) and Guys Can Talk (square and contra-dance music). He has appeared on recordings by Prudence Johnson, Peter Ostroushko, Peter Mayer, Ann Reed, The Proclaimers, Son Volt and Neal & Leandra. In 2013, Dan released his 15th CD, “la Zingara” with Café Accordion Orchestra. |
Future events |
Accordion Babes 2016 Calendar deadline now May 15th, California – USAby Rob Howard |
 The Accordion Babes 2016 Album & Pin-Up Calendar is now in preparation. The deadline for submission of photo, song on CD, etc, which was May 1st, has now been extended until May 15th, which must be the final deadline for the calendar to be ready for 2016.There are lots of tips and diagrams available from the organizer Renee de la Prade for producing a calendar-quality photo, including nuts-and-bolts stuff like image dimensions, and some do's and don'ts for your photo shoot. Please note that a photo needs to be accompanied by a photo release form signed by the applicant and her photographer. There are only a few rules for the song submission: 1) You need a professional quality recording of your song, in WAV or AIFF format. You can also send a physical CD to: Renee de la Prade, 2511 Broadway, Oakland CA 94612 2) Your song can be a traditional (folk) song or your own composition: but no cover songs. 3) Your song needs to be accompanied by a song release form; available here: http://www.accordionpinupcalendar.com/contact.html 4) You must be playing accordion in the recording. For further information email: accordionpinupcalendar@gmail.com |
Accordion Festival in Marstal 2015 - Denmarkby Harley Jones |
 |
| The Ærø Folkelige Musikforening issue an invitation for all to attend the 22nd Accordion festival in Marstal with popular music over the entire weekend. By tradition we raise the big pole tent at Marstal Yacht Club, and two more stages are set inside the Yacht Club and in the rowing club facing the harbour. Accordionists from Ærø, "the mainland" and from Sweden and Norway - and possibly Germany - will be playing from the three stages from Friday afternoon till Sunday afternoon. On Saturday morning, the town of Marstal will be transformed to a multi arena where groups will be playing in every space and street corner. All genres of music will be heard and enjoyed. |
VIII International Accordion Composition Competition Francisco Escudero - Spainby Harley Jones |
 The association "Haupoz"- Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea / Basque Association of Accordion Players are the organisers of the VIII International Accordion Composition Competition Francisco Escudero.The objective of the contest is to promote the creation of work for solo accordion and for accordion in chamber music. The works may not exceed 10 minutes. Works of chamber music must be composed for a maximum of four players in which there is at least one accordion. The competition is open to composers of any age and nationality. Pieces composed before 2011 are not eligible. The closing date for entries is: 4th September 2015. Download full information at: 2015Escudero.pdf The prize ceremony will be held on 12 of September 2015. |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri New Work Island Dreamerby Franco Cambareri |
 Franco Cambareri has released a new work:Catalog No: cfranco103 - Island Dreamer (solo) as an eSheet, able to be purchased online with credit card and sent to you by email. Island Dreamer is a Romantic Hawaiian Ballad. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Generated in 4.0811022 / 0 / 0