Highlights

Picture above: Brothers Vincenzo and Giancarlo Borsini of the family Borsini who manufactured Borsini Accordions for decades from 02 January 1922 until the company ceased operation in 2015.

Giancarlo Borsini (Borsini Accordions) passed away on July 22, 2019. Vincenzo passed away 5th April 2021.

Information about Vincenzo from the Borsini Accordion Site.

Vincenzo Borsini. Born in 1934 in a flat above the Borsini accordion factory in Castelfidardo, son of Elio Borsini who had founded the Borsini factory in 1922.

He finished technical school in 1944 and at the age of 10 began to study the accordion with Giovanni Marcosignori, father of the world famous, Gervasio Marcosignori. In 1946 Vincenzo began working in the mechanical department of the Borsini factory making bass mechanisms. As Vincenzo had the gift of "perfect pitch" he also studied the acoustics of the accordion, which led to him making improvements to the sound quality of the Borsini range, and by 1949 he was employed full-time in the preparation of reeds and tuning.

In 1950 Vincenzo went to the U.S.A. to work as a repairman for one of the biggest accordion importers on the American West Coast and after 8 months, he moved to New York to work in the Excelsior factory, owned by his uncle Egisto Pancotti. During his time in New York Vincenzo was acquainted with many world famous accordionists of the time (Antony, Gallarini, Russ Messina, Carmen Carozza, John Molinari, Dick Contino and Frank Gaviani) and became a personal friend of none other than Pietro Deiro.

Having acquired a great wealth of knowledge and experience in the U.S.A., Vincenzo returned to Italy in 1957 to work with his family and contributed to the "Borsini boom" when the factory was exporting 6000 accordions annually. The good times continued for Borsini until 1963 when the popularity of the guitar caused a worldwide slump in accordion sales. Vincenzo, however, was undaunted by this and suggested to his brothers that they should specialise in producing only quality instruments and, after adopting this policy, Vincenzo introduced major manufacturing improvements resulting in top quality professional accordions, one of the first being a Cassotto model with 2 sets of reeds and weighing only 8 kilos (as played by Nick Ariondo). During this time, Vincenzo, wishing to improve his accordion technique, was studying with the famous Adamo Volpi.

In 1964, Vincenzo returned to the U.S.A. to work with Joseph Romagnoli, owner of the Italo-American Accordion Co. of Chicago where he was servicing and tuning accordions for the chain store Montgomery Ward. It was during this time that Vincenzo became a personal friend of Leon Sachs and Tony Dannon, whose influence led Vincenzo to develop a real jazz sound in the accordion. Tony Dannon was the founder and director of the Modern Accordion School of Champions and he personally taught the great Peter Soave using accordions produced and tuned by Vincenzo Borsini.

In 1981, in a joint project with Lars EK of Sweden, the nostalgic accordion was produced. This was a lightweight 4-voice accordion suited to the music of Frosini and Deiro.

Hohner Trossingen approached Vincenzo in 1985 to create a top quality free bass convertor line and it was during this time that he became friends with Franz Lindemeir, the quality control manager at Hohner. It was at the suggestion of Franz that Vincenzo produced an accordion for Hugo Noth, the musical director of the accordion department at the Trossingen Conservatory of Music. When Hugo played Vincenzo's accordion, he was so impressed by it that he embraced Vincenzo and refused to play any other accordion. When Hohner heard of Hugo Noth's accolade, they offered Vincenzo the job of senior technical manager with a fabulous salary, but Vincenzo declined, preferring his talent to benefit only Borsini.

Further advances were made in the bass mechanism of the free bass convertor models during 1988 when Vincenzo instructed the Gamma factory in Castelfidardo on the making of what became the system for the free bass convertor.

Vincenzo must surely be one of the most experienced technicians in Castelfidardo, he is also an amiable man who is now endeavouring to pass on his vast knowledge to younger employees of Borsini to encourage further developments and improvements in the accordion. He will readily co-operate with his competitors by giving them the benefit of his advice, playing their accordions and giving his opinion on possible improvements.

This is Vincenzo Borsini, musician, accordion player, teacher, tuner, technician - in his spare time: a tennis player and an undoubted legend in the accordion world.

Happy Easter

We wish you all a very Happy Easter and hope you get the chance to catch up with family and friends either online or in person.

It is great that we have been able to report news of Easter performances and we hope that over the coming months there will be more live concerts around the world.

If you have a live concert planned, please email the details to: cjmusic@outlook.co.nz

Best wishes from the team at Accordions Worldwide!

Video: All Russia Day of bayan, accordion and garmonica, Moscow - Russia

Video: Allow a few seconds for the video file to load.
Concert dedicated to the All Russia Day of bayan, accordion and garmonica at RAM ''Gnesin'' Concert hall on 20 March 2021. 2021AllRussiaMusicList.pdf
2021AllRussiaPoster.pdf

The Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, the Bayan and Accordion Department and the Friedrich Lips Charitable Foundation represent the Musical College of the Russian Academy of Music named after Gnesins.

66 Accordionists Play Music by Marc Perrone - Belgium

66 accordionists joined together recently to record four compositions by film score composer and diatonic player Marc Perrone (picture below).

The video and recording will be presented on the “La Vie est Folk” online folk radio show on Radio Passion FM in Belgium.

Benjamin Macke (picture left) was invited by the show host, Ian Graham, to talk about the video which is entitled “We all Play Marc Perrone”.

The show will be broadcast online this weekend.

Composer and actor, Marc Perrone (picture below) was born in 1951 in Villejuif, France and appeared in movies: The Trail, L'Histoire du petit Paolo, More. He was also a folk musician, touring with Occitan band Perlimpinpin Folc, and collected tunes and songs in rural southern France.

He is now well-known for his solo career, his compositions which also led him to act in several films.

“Harmonica-fest 2021” Competition, Moscow - Russia

by Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo

The "Harmonica-fest 2021" competition will take place on June 11th, 2021 as part of the celebration of Russia Day in Nahabino, in the Krasnogorsk City District of the Moscow region.

The festival is organised by Municipal Autonomous Institution "Dream Cultural Leisure Club" and The Office of Culture and Tourism of the Krasnogorsk Administration, with Artistic Director, Georgi Yilinsky.

The competition will include categories for accordion and bayan soloists, ensembles and orchestras (which can include other Russian folk instruments).

Age categories include:
• Up to 8 years old
• 8 to 10 years old
• 11 to 13 years old
• 14 to 18 years old
• No age restrictions (family ensembles, orchestras, musicians-improvisers).

The festival's objectives are to promote the development of folk music performance; promote the art of playing harmonica and other musical instruments in traditional forms of folk music; to create a highly artistic repertoire; to identify and support talented amateur musicians and improving their skills; to educate children and young people on the best examples of folk music; and to provide creative and methodical assistance to professionals working with children.

Competition programs should include traditional folk melodies, taking into account techniques of improvisation and variety, original author's compositions, and works by contemporary composers.

Soloists can perform a program of up to 5 minutes, ensembles and orchestras (up to 8 minutes).

Applications close on April 30th, 2021.

Download competition rules and entry form in Russian language here: 2021HarmonicafestRules.pdf

Accordion Documentary for Finnish Television – Finland

Video: Accordion documentary presented by Päivi Mettälä in Finnish language on Finnish TV.

Jörgen Sundeqvist (picture left) has completed a short documentary from the Dragspels (accordion) archives in Kramfors, Finland. The film, which was presented by Päivi Mettälä, was broadcast live on Finnish television this week.

Jörgen says the film is “incredibly good public relations for the Kramfors Municipality and the amazing and unique accordion tradition that we have here in Kramfors and Ådalen. There were also many superlatives and positive reactions from those who led the program.

We will continue our fine collaboration with Finland, where new interesting and exciting collaborative projects will come in the near future."

Gorka Hermosa Releases New CD “Fragilissimo” - Spain

Video: "Fragilissimo" by Gorka Hermosa.

Gorka Hermosa has just released his new CD entitled “Fragilissimo”. This is his 9th CD and it includes his most performed compositions internationally.

A total of 11 solo compositions make up his new album including "Gernika”, "Fragilissimo", "Alabei", "Northern Lights", "Goya: Capricho 43", "Oda", "Pater Noster", "Paco", "Anantango" and "Saudade Arctic". The album culminates with Gorka’s “Variations on Libertango” in tribute to Astor Piazzolla on the 100th anniversary of his birth, a composer whose influence has been of vital importance in his career.

A live presentation of the new album was held at the University of Cantabria on March 26th, 2021.

“The reason I have decided to record this album entirely solo is because it is the way in which my works are most performed by conservatory students and teachers from all over the world. It's nice to see how others interpret them, but I wanted to leave recorded my version, the original version, which I think will be a reference for those who perform them," explains Gorka Hermosa about the origin and motivation of his new album.

For details email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com

Romano Viazzani Ensemble “Terminal Tango” Competition – UK

Video: “Terminal Tango” from London Tango album by the Romano Viazzani Ensemble.

The Romano Viazzani Ensemble have released a video of “Terminal Tango” from their recent album “London Tango”. The piece is an Argentine-style Tango Nuevo with a London twist that combines footage of the ensemble playing the track with some fabulous archive footage depicting various forms of travel including some famous journey start-points and end-points.

ZZ Music are running a competition and will send out a copy of the London Tango CD to anyone who manages to name all 11 journey departure points in the video. There are 3 railway termini, 2 London underground stations, 4 regular railway stations and 2 airports. Nine of these are in the UK and two are in mainland Europe.

Email the answers by April 30th, 2021 along with your name and address to: info@zzmusic.uk

Sofia Ros Star Candidate at London Young Musician of the Year Season 4

Video: Sofia Ros González performing Scherzo Toccata by Londonov.

Accordionist Sofia Ros González (Spain) is a Star Candidate at the 2020/2021 London Young Musician (LYM) of the Year Season 4 International Online Music Competition.

The competition is open to all classical musical instruments and vocalists under the age of 28. Its aim is to support the worldwide learning and creation of classical music and to provide pathways and resources which can be used by music learners to build higher musical skills and encourage progress.

This year-end the competition consists of a Pre-Screening Selection (offline) and a Final Round (livestream) using the same video submitted.

The final round will be livestream by True Art Tv. Both jury members and the audience vote to determine the final results.

Sofia has won numerous competitions including the 2021 British College of Accordionists BCA Festival 85th Anniversary in Category B (Classical Junior - see picture below).

Accordions Worldwide wishes Sofia all the best in this competition.

Salvatore Cauteruccio New CD “Accordion Solo” - Italy

Video: Dal Buio Dell'anima by Roberto Musolino

"Accordion solo" is the new album by accordionist Salvatore Cauteruccio released on the NSJ record label and includes pieces by composer Roberto Musolino.

The CD comes with a sheet music book dedicated to accordionists who will want to interpret the songs of "Accordion solo"

Salvatore Cauteruccio says “A record in itself, is the moment when the musician lays bare his soul, he can only be himself and tell through the notes he will have to interpret, every breath and his every thought without the protection and comfort of other instruments. My accordion was my breath and every time I wish it would come to you as a sign of love for music and for life”.

For details email: salvatorecauteruccio77@gmail.com

Bayan and Accordion Concert in St. Petersburg - Russia

by Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo

A concert for bayan and accordion was held at the White Hall of SPBPU in St. Petersburg, Russia on March 28th, 2021.

The event featured performances by students of the SPBGK N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov class of Alexander Dmitriev, Arseniy Kiryukhin, Maxim Gorokhov, Vera Malikova, Stepan Armasar, Egor Pyshonin, Artyom Tretyakov, Andrey Kolesnik, Ivan Kishkin as well as Lyubov Startseva and Fyodor Lviv.

Bachtopus Releases 5th Commission from Composers Commissioning Fund - USA

Video: Fifth commission from the Bachtopus 2020 Composers Commissioning Fund - "Scintillation In Isolation".

Bachtopus is excited to release the fifth commission from their 2020 Composers Commissioning Fund, which was written for them by composer and accordionist Will Holshouser.

"Scintillation in Isolation" was composed during the general quarantine in New York City, USA during the spring of 2020. The title refers to the quiet maintenance of hope in the midst of fear and chaos, and the sharing of that hope through music, arts, and acts of solidarity.

Bachtopus members are accordionists Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka, and Jeanne Velonis. Their 2020 Composer Commissioning Fund is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

Caterina Fiorentini New CD - Italy

Video: Caterina Fiorentini

Caterina Fiorentini has released a new CD entitled “Cioccolata” (Chocolate). The CD includes the song “Chocolate” by Caterina, accompanied by Alessandro Cubi (acoustic guitar).

The CD also includes a variety of pieces and collaborations by Swiss poet Andreas Moser (music of his poem "Anemone"), alto Carlotta Buiatti (who sings "Alcione"), Caterina’s sister Erna Fiorentini (keyboards), and brother Vincenzo Fiorentini (classical guitar).

A special song by Alessandro Cubi entitled “Dove Vibrano” which is dedicated to Caterina and her accordion is also included.

For details email: cate.fiorentini@gmail.com

Cancelled: 2021 Akkordeonale International Accordion Festival - Germany

Organisers regret to announce that unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic leaves them no choice but to cancel this year's Akkordeonale Festival, which was due to be held at the Domicil Jazz & Blues Club in Dortmund, Germany on April 29th. They hope for better times and are looking forward to the Akkordeonale 2022.

If you have questions regarding the return and refund for last year's tickets (as the 2020 event was cancelled also) please contact your local concert promoters.

Organisers are already planning new dates for the Akkordeonale 2022. Stay tuned.

“Mr Accordion Man” Easter Entertainment – Australia

“Mr Accordion Man” (Frank Miranda) will entertain at the “Pasta in the Valley” Italian Restaurant in Caversham, Western Australia over Easter on April 3rd and 5th from midday to 3pm.

For details email: bookings@pastainthevalley.com.au

“Mr Accordion Man” has just completed three days of performing at the 2021 Perth Cocktail Festival which was a fun event of dancing, cocktails, food and entertainment!

Online: Frederic Deschamps Masterclass – France

by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News

Frederic Deschamps (France) will hold an online Masterclass (Youtube) on April 3rd, 2021. The event will feature guest artist Lev Solomonovic (Moldova) and will be available in English language.

Online: Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International Workshops - USA

The Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) are running 2021 online Wednesday Workshops which are free to members and $15 for non-members.

Each of the workshops will be 30 minutes duration.

Dates are:
• April 7th: "The Anatomy of the Accordion" by Frank Busso
• April 14th: "Friedrich Lips Life Achievements" by Herbert Scheibenreif

For details email: atg.accordioniststeachersguild@gmail.com

Anthony Schulz Performs in “From Paris to Brazil” Show – Australia

Accordionist Anthony Schulz (picture above) will accompany Jackie Bornstein (vocals) at the “From Paris to Brazil” jazz show held at the Open Studio in Northcote, Victoria, Australia on April 10th, 2021 at 6.30pm.

The show will take the audience on a journey through the jazz manouche of Paris, the nuevo canción of Chile and the bossa nova of Brazil.

Featuring a mixture of swing, bossa and poetry-driven songs by influential composers including Antonio Carlos Jobim, Maria Grever, Charles Trenet, Kurt Weill, Jacques Brel, Violetta Para and more.

Other jazz musicians include Nathan Slater (guitar) and Nick Haywood (bass).

Alex Meixner Band at Rock’n River Walk Concert Series – USA

The Alex Meixner Band will entertain at the Rock’n River Walk concert at the Riverwalk
Stage in Downtown Stuart, Florida, USA on April 11th.

This concert is part of a regular Sunday afternoon series held weekly from 1pm to 4pm.

For details please email: info@historicdowntownstuart.com

Heather Gladstone Performs at ANZAC Tribute – New Zealand

Heather Gladstone QSM (picture left) will accompany and direct the St Albans Community Choir at their ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) tribute concert on April 18th, 2021 at 5pm in association with The New Brighton Silver Band.

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served".

The concert, entitled “Marching Away with a Song in Their Hearts” will take place at St Paul’s Church in Christchurch and entry is by donation.

Their program will include music people would have danced to at that time, such as: Alexanders Rag time Band, Dont sit under the apple tree, Hang out your washing on the Siegfried Line, Kiss me Good night, Suvla Bay (a ballad that originates from the first world war), Lili Marlene, and several Vera Lynn numbers that the choir will sing along with the Brass Band.

For details phone: 021 644 092

“Scythian” Live Outdoor Concert in Virginia – USA

Popular band “Scythian” are excited to announce that they have two live outdoor concerts scheduled for May 7th and 8th, 2021 at the B-Chord Brewery in Round Hill, Virginia, USA. The concerts are entitled “Big Hooley II: Throwdown at the Hoedown!

The band, which includes accordionist Dan Fedoryka, will have special guests performing each evening with them including Stevie Rees on May 7th for a “Ragin' Cajun night”, and Ben-David Warner on May 8th “to bring in the Moonshiner's Ball”.

The outdoor venue is on a lawn with limited seating so bookings are essential. Groups will be seated 10 feet apart.

For details email: scythianmail@gmail.com

Fisitalia Updated Website, Castelfidardo - Italy

Fisitalia by Ci. & Emme. srl is a young company in the world accordion scene being launched on the market in 1995 by Giuseppe Chiaraluce, tuner, and Piero Montecchiani, mechanical and keyboard specialist.

Since those beginnings, the reputation of Fisitalia accordions has been exported all over the world.

Fisitalia have just updated their website which focusses on the excellence of their craftsmanship and how proud they are to be high quality 100% Italian made accordions.

Downloadable catalog (PDF) of the complete Fisitalia range from childrens models, piano and chromatic to professional concert piano and chromatic models with free bass. https://www.fisitalia.com/cataloghi/

Updated Site: About "Play the Accordion Without Pain" by John Bonica - USA

Updated Site: John Bonica , PT CMP NZRP (New Zealand and USA), author of the book "Play the Accordion Without Pain" site updated to include new information.

The book was written just prior to his unexpected passing in March 2018.

Updated Site: William Schimmel 2021 AAA Master Class & Concert Series in New York - USA

The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) will present a 2021 Master Class & Concert Series with Dr William Schimmel, moderator and curator from July 30th to August 1st, 2021. This event will be held online the same as the very successful 2020 event.

Entitled "The Twilight Time" (The magical place from light to darkness), the AAA Master Class and Concert Series will feature daily masterclasses from 3pm to 4pm and concerts from 4pm to 5 pm.

Download the AAA Masterclass flier for a full list of participants and reservation information: 2021AAAMasterClass.pdf Online reservations at: http://www.ameraccord.com/annualmasterclass.php

Updated Site: Mary & Frank Tokarski Musical Arts Fund - USA