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Highlights |
Dr. Schimmel’s Theatre Performances, New York – USA
Full Accommodation and Food for Foreign Candidates Offered by the Organising Committee, Harbin - China
The London Accordion Orchestra Film Music Concert - UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordion-YellowPages.com Future Events Free Listing - Cyberspace
Paier Valcic Quartet CD ‘Cinema Scenes’, Völkermarkt – Austria
Video: SaxAkkord Duo Concert, Moscow, Part 2 - Russia
Future events |
Penny Sanborn Trio Concerts, Alberta – Canada
Steven Carcary Trio @ Fort William Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UK
Ksenija Sidorova Concerts - Switzerland, Turkey
Winter International Accordion Festival, Eastbourne – UK
Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas Show, Delaware – USA
Zivorad Nikolic Concert, London – UK
Victor Prieto Jazz Concert, Texas – USA
Jan Jurus’ Valentine's Day Gig, New South Wales – Australia
Premiere by Marta Cubas Hondal, Salamanca – Spain
2nd Accordion Festival, Attard - Malta
New and Updated Sites |
Mika Väyrynen 2018 Celebrity Interview, Helsinki - Finland
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UK
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
2018 XX Kokkola Winter Festival and CIA Winter Congress – Finlandby Rob Howard |
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  The 2018 XX Kokkola Accordion Festival runs from February 11th 18th featuring an array of accordion performers and Finnish music from the 100 year history of Finland, which is rich in accordion activities.This year’s guest performers include Wu Wei (China), Pascal Contet (France), the Lars Karlsson Band (Sweden), and Johanna Juhola (Finland), and the Guardia Nueva Tango Orchestra (Music Director Raimo Vertainen), featuring soloists Johanna Försti and Teemu Roivainen. Poster download: 2018Kokkola.pdf Kokkola Winter Festival Director since inception, Raimo Vertainen reports that over 5,100 people from children to elders attended the 19th Annual Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival and the 2018 festival is expected to have even larger audiences. The XX Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival plans to feature the extraordinary versatility of the accordion as a musical instrument in a classical, modern, light music, plus dance, community singing and outdoor events. The 2018 event will also include the CIA Winter Congress with delegates from many of the 43 international member associations attending. Information at: 2018WinterCongress There will be Daily Reports of video and pictures on accordions.com at: 2018KokkolaReports from 11 February. For further information email: talvharmonikakka@gmail.com |
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Dr. Schimmel’s Theatre Performances, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
 Dr William Schimmel has a busy period of theatre performances between February and April, beginning with appearances in the orchestra for the New York City Ballet in ‘Oltramare’, a work by Bruno Moretti. Performances are on February 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 10th at the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center, New York.On Sunday February 4th, 7pm, Dr. Schimmel will be the guest artist at Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St, New York, to celebrate the release of a new CD, ‘Beregovski Suite’, by the Klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals. Dr. Schimmel plays the accordion in a revival of ‘Carousel’, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. This new production includes Rene Fleming, and the orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick. Previews begin on February 28th and the official opening is on April 9th. For further information: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
Full Accommodation and Food for Foreign Candidates Offered by the Organising Committee, Harbin - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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  The 2018 China Harbin Summer International Accordion Art Week is hosted by the Peoples Republic of China Culture Ministry and the Harbin Municipal People's Government, undertaken by Harbin Normal College, Harbin, from August 7th to 11th, 2018.The Harbin 2018 Art Director is Prof. Wang Hongyu (picture left), Dean and the PH.D advisor of the Music College of Harbin Normal University invites all foreign candidates and informs them, that the Harbin Organising Committee offers full accommodation and food during the competition for foreign candidates. English competition rules and entry form in Chinese and English and poster download at: 2018Harbin Entries close: 30th June 2018 Prof. Wang Hongyu ran the very successful Harbin 2010, Harbin 2012, Harbin 2014, Harbin 2016 Summer International Accordion Art Week and Competitions which attracted over 500 entrants with many competitors from outside China. |
The London Accordion Orchestra Film Music Concert - UKby Kevin Friedrich |
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 The London Accordion Orchestra (LAO) under the direction of Ian Watson, presented a magnificent sold out concert called "LAO at the Movies" on January 20th in central London. The LAO was joined by the London Intermediate Accordion Orchestra (Julie North, Conductor) who opened the concert with two selections and then later joined the LAO for an impressive finale. Orchestra members were invited to dress as their favorite Film characters, adding plenty of visual appeal to the already festive lighting and staging.Showcasing some of the most famous and recognizable film music written, the program included Pink Panther, The Lion King, 20th Century Fox Fanfare, Star Wars, LA LA Land, E.T., Pirates of the Caribbean, The Draughtsman's Contract, James Bond Theme, Harry Potter, The Godfather, Sound of Music, Live and Let Die, Mama Mia and Waterloo. The 45 member orchestra including percussionist, timpanist, harpist, vocalist and pianist performed under the skillful direction of conductor Ian Watson. Inspiring the orchestra to perform with a broad dynamic spectrum and soaring melody lines often inherent in movie music, Ian Watson brought the best out of his orchestra as they presented the exciting music of their selected blockbuster movie titles. In May 2013 the orchestra performed at the World Music Festival in Innsbruck, Austria. 2014 saw the orchestra host two foreign ensembles for concerts in London: Torkest from the Netherlands at the Dutch Church in London and the Nuremberg Accordion Orchestra at St. John's Smith Square. In 2015, the orchestra staged a joint concert with the Wiesbaden accordion orchestra from Germany at St. Gabriel’s church in Pimlico, London and was also invited to perform at the National Theatre as part of its 2015 concert series. In 2016, the orchestra returned to the World Music Festival in Innsbruck Austria and achieved 2nd place in the advanced orchestra category, performing specially commissioned works from contemporary British composers, including Matthew Scott, Stuart Hancock and Ian Watson. The orchestra is keen to promote an International exchange between accordion orchestras and was delighted to host the Castletown Accordion Orchestra from Ireland as part of a joint concert at the London Irish Centre in London in July 2016. The orchestra released their new album 'Flight' in March 2017. Recorded at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios the CD contains original compositions for accordion orchestra. The London Accordion Orchestra's next performance will be at 7:00 PM on April 16th in the Dukes Hall at the Royal Academy of Music in London. For more information, please contact Ian Watson at: i.watson99@googlemail.com |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Joseph Biviano and Charles Magnante – A Lifetime of Commitment to the American Accordionists’ Association (AAA)by Joan Grauman Morse |
Rita Barnea, Editor USA News: This is the second article in the series by AAA Historian Joan Grauman in cooperation with the USA News, to help promote the 80th AAA Anniversary Celebration. An article is planned each month containing a segment of the history of the AAA, from its creation on March 9th, 1938 through to 2018. Thank you very much to Joan Grauman for these articles.January 2018 Article "What Events Led to the Formation of the American Accordionists' Association?" at: AAA-Formation
JOSEPH BIVIANO AND CHARLES MAGNANTE – A Lifetime Commitment to the American Accordionists’ Association (AAA)
“The American Accordionists’ Association’s aims and accomplishments, if itemized, would fill volumes but, suffice it to say that, since its beginning, it has been dedicated not only towards building a position for the accordion and the accordionist in the family of music and musical instruments, but in helping to further the musical culture of the world.”
| The AAA has been blessed with an abundance of hard-working, dedicated, enthusiastic Governing Board members through the decades. It has been the efforts of these selfless folks -- who recognized an obligation to their industry and to the world to maintain and encourage the continued growth of the accordion -- that has made our 80-year old organization a resounding success! This article will focus on the efforts of two of the twelve founders of the AAA who, in addition to working full-time as musicians, composers and educators, dedicated their lives to the AAA. We salute these great men: Joe Biviano and Charles Magnante. Read the full article at: Biviano-Magnante |
Accordion-YellowPages.com Future Events Free Listing - Cyberspaceby Harley Jones |
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| All concert, competition and festival organizers are reminded to list their Future Events for 2017 in the Accordion-YellowPages.com website. Its free to list and you can do it yourself. You can also change and update your listing yourself as further information becomes available. The Accordion-YellowPages.com Future Events calendar displays at the top right hand side of this Weekly News of accordions.com in all 7 languages and also on the USA News, Diatonic News and Russia News. Huge numbers of readers, about 5,000 visitors per day, view also the Future Events calendar display, so all accordion event organizers are reminded to take full advantage of this free service to keep the accordion community informed. Any internet challenged organizers may email their event details: harleyaccordion@yahoo.com |
Paier Valcic Quartet CD ‘Cinema Scenes’, Völkermarkt – Austriaby Rob Howard |
| The Paier Valcic Quartet has recorded a new album, ‘Cinema Scenes’, released on Friday January 26th. Most of the 12 pieces are composed by either Klaus Paier or Asja Valcic, and the compositions are influenced by cinema movies. The tracks are: Synchronization (Valcic), Safran (Paier), Rush (Valcic), Hesitation (Valcic), Griet´s Theme (Alexandre Desplat), Le Jardin (Paier), Doe Eyes (Lennie Niehaus/Clint Eastwood), Moving Pictures (Paier), Silence (Paier), Exciting (Paier), Inspired Tale (Paier), Ricochet (Valcic). Publicity for this CD states: “Paier and Valcic’s music is always sensual and rich in images, and this opulence of colours and pictures is also at the heart of what ‘Cinema Scenes’ is about: they let their impressions of films flow freely as music, but above all the two musicians give expression to their own visual ideas”. The quartet line up is Klaus Paier - accordion, bandoneon, Asja Valcic – cello, Stefan Gfrerrer - double bass, and Roman Werni - drums & percussion. For further information email: klaus.paier@aon.at |
Video: SaxAkkord Duo Concert, Moscow, Part 2 - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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| Video: Part 2 of the January 17, 2018 concert by SaxAkkord Duo of Arseniy Strokovskiy, accordion, laureate of international competitions and Ivan Dimma saxophones, performed at the Jazz Club A. Kozlov in Moscow. Part 1 of the concert was published in last weeks news. The program of the concert ranged from Gershwin, through avant-garde, to avant-garde jazz to Galliano and Astor Piazzolla. Part 2 of concert - this video starts about 39:00: 41:15-49:30 T. Lundquist - Metamorphoses 52:34-57:17 D. Dowland - "Flow my tears", "Can she excuse my wrongs" 58:42-64:11 I. Tamarin - Sonatina 65:14-70:02 R. Galliano - Song for Joes 70:30-74:35 R. Galliano - Petite mus 75:54-77:57 A. Khachaturyan - Sabre dance The duo released a CD/download album last year, available online at: SaxAkkord |
Future events |
Motion Trio Concerts, Warsaw, Krakow – Polandby Rob Howard |
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| The Motion Trio, promoting a new CD ‘Accordion Stories’, perform in concert this month, as follows: February 2nd, 7.30pm – with the Jerzy Maksymiuk Orchestra, Filharmonii Narodowej, Warsaw February 3rd, 7.30pm – with the Jerzy Maksymiuk Orchestra, Filharmonii Narodowej, Warsaw February 17th, 7.30pm – Kino Kijow, Al Kraskiego 34, Krakow 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 |
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Penny Sanborn Trio Concerts, Alberta – Canadaby Rob Howard |
 The Penny Sanborn Trio performs in February and March, as follows:Saturday February 3rd, 3.30pm to 9.30pm – private event at the Lake Louise Inn, Alberta Sunday February 11th, 2.30pm – Festival da Musica, Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary Tuesday February 13th, 10.45am - Carnivale - a celebration of Italian culture, St. Jean Brebeuf Junior High, Calgary Friday March 9th, 2pm - United Active Living, Fish Creek, Calgary Sunday March 11th, 3pm – Instrumental Society of Calgary Concert, St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 1121 - 14 Ave SW, Calgary Wednesday March 14th, 12noon - ProArts Society Concert Series, Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Corner of 1st Street & 7th Avenue SE, Calgary Saturday March 31st – ‘Wine & Tango’, cocktails start 5.30pm, Dinner 6pm-8pm, Dancing till Midnight, Calgary Petroleum Club The Penny Sanborn Trio features Penny on accordion, Darcy Stamp on violin, and Simon Fisk on bass. This trio performs live music for special events including receptions, corporate events, weddings and concerts. Their Chic European sound includes an attractive collection of French musette pieces, Italian folk songs, tango suites, and improvised jazz. Penny’s performance credits including the world-renowned Luciano Pavarotti, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and appearances across Canada, Dubai, France, Italy and Switzerland. For further information email: penny@pennysanborn.com |
Steven Carcary Trio @ Fort William Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Tuesday February 6th, 7.30pm, the Steven Carcary Trio performs as guests at the Fort William Accordion & Fiddle Club. The venue is The Railway Club, Nevis Rd, Fort William, Scottish Highlands, PH33 6LY. Steven Carcary, in addition to being a professional accordionist and band leader, is very well known in Scotland as an accordion teacher and is the Chairman of the annual Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival. |
Ksenija Sidorova Concerts - Switzerland, Turkeyby Rob Howard |
 During February Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova performs as follows:February 7th, 8pm - Kaufleuten Zurich, Burgenstock Festival, Zurich, Switzerland February 8th, 7pm - Villa Honegg, Burgenstock Festival, Ennetburgen, Switzerland February 9th, 7pm - Villa Honegg, Burgenstock Festival, Ennetburgen, Switzerland February 14th, 8.30pm – with the Olten Philharmonic Orchestra, Izmir, Turkey with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rengim Gökmen, on Wednesday April 19th, 8.30pm, at the Sanat Concert Hall, Istanbul, Turkey. Ksenija Sidorova, now based in Spain, started to play the accordion aged eight under the guidance of Marija Gasele in her hometown of Riga. She later studied in London at the Royal Academy of Music under Professor Owen Murray. She subsequently received her Masters Degree with Distinction, and has since pursued a highly successful international career. |
Winter International Accordion Festival, Eastbourne – UKby Rob Howard |
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| The Winter International Accordion Festival takes place from February 9th to 12th at the Queens Hotel, Eastbourne, on the south coast of England. Saturday day passes are available. Organised by John Romero, the guest artistes include Marco Valenti (Italy), Eddie Jay, Stefan Andrusyschyn, Roman Voloshchuk (Ukraine), Helen Rich, Harry Hussey, and John Romero. Workshop leaders include Samantha Catling, Angie Lukins, Jean Hanger, and Gennaro Fiondella. The trade show includes The Accordion Shop, The Birmingham Accordion Centre, Acorn Instruments, Harry Kipling's "Accordion Treasures", and Carillon Studios. For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.co.uk |
Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas Show, Delaware – USAby Rob Howard |
 Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas perform for a Mardi Gras celebration on Friday February 9th, 8pm, at the Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway, Arden, DE, 19810.Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas is an American Zydeco band, founded in 1988 in St. Martinville, Louisiana. Their line-up is Nathan J. Williams, Sr. - accordion, vocals, Dennis Paul Williams - lead guitar, backing vocals, Mark A. Williams - rubboard, backing vocals, Paul Newman - bass guitar, and Herman Brown, Jr. – drums. |
Zivorad Nikolic Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Friday February 9th accordionist Zivorad Nikolic presents a classical programme that includes Brahms’ ‘Hungarian Dances’, Monti’s ‘Czadas’, Shostakovich’s ‘Waltz No 2’, and more. The concert begins at 10.30am for one hour at the church of St Mary Magdalen, 193 Bermondsey St, Bermondsey, London.Živorad Nikolic studied the accordion in Kragujevac, Serbia, before coming to London and graduating at Royal Academy of Music in 2009. His recent musical experiences include performing in ‘Prophet & Loss Community Opera’, written by Julian Grant, as well as a live performance for the BBC Radio 2 programme ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’. He is a member of Fugata Quintet, Accordduo, and Paprika, with whom Živorad has toured extensively across Europe, Australia and New Zealand, performing regularly at the WOMAD Festivals in UK, Spain, Canary Islands, Abu Dhabi and WOMADelaide. For further information email: info@shekoyokh.co.uk |
Victor Prieto Jazz Concert, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday February 10th, 7pm, NY-based Spanish accordionist Victor Prieto, currently on a US tour, performs with his trio in a jazz concert at the Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 West 18th St, Austin, Texas. Admission $20, seniors and students $10. |
Jan Jurus’ Valentine's Day Gig, New South Wales – Australiaby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Jan Jurus entertains the guests at the Wills Cafe's first 2018 Chef's Dinner on Wednesday February 14th, 6pm-8pm, on Valentine's Day. Wills Café is situated at the Anglican Retirement Villages, Castle Hill, New South Wales, Australia.This will be an evening of ambient love, fine food, wine and music, which will include ‘All I Ask of You’ (‘Phantom of the Opera’), ‘Amor’, ‘Love is in the Air’, ‘Besame Mucho’, ‘Amapola’, ‘Let me Love You Tonight’, ‘Let It Be Me’, ‘Feelings’, ‘A Man Without Love’, ‘You Belong to My Heart’, ‘Historia De Un Amor’, ‘Yours’, ‘Anema E Core’, ‘Love Me With All Of Your Heart’, ‘I Can't Help Falling In Love’, ‘Red Roses For A Blue Lady’, ‘Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime’, ‘How Deep Is Your Love’, ‘I Love You & Don't You Forget It’, ‘Lara's Theme’ (from ‘Dr Zhivago’), ‘True Love’, ‘Love Me Tonight’, ‘You Don't Have to Say You Love Me’, ‘Forever & Ever’, ‘Goodbye My Love’, ‘Time to Say Goodbye’, and many others. For further information email: accordionvibes@gmail.com |
Premiere by Marta Cubas Hondal, Salamanca – Spainby Rob Howard |
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| On Sunday February 18th accordionist Marta Cubas Hondal will perform in concert the premiere of a new work, ‘Estreno de Atlantia’ for accordion and symphonic orchestra, composed by her teacher Gorka Hermosa. The performance will be with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Salamanca and the pianist Francisco San Emeterio, conducted by Álvaro Lozano. The program of this concert also includes two pieces by Beethoven. Marta Cubas Hondal is the winner of the First Prize at the XV Intercontros Melómano National Interpretation Competition. She studies piano and accordion at the Jesús de Monasterio Conservatory in the capital of the Cantabria region. For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
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2nd Accordion Festival, Attard - Maltaby Rob Howard |
 The 2nd Accordion Festival takes place at the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Attard, Malta, on Tuesday April 3rd and Wednesday April 4th, 7pm on both days, just after Easter 2018. The festival is organized by the Santa Maria Accordion Band. Full details are available from David Attard.The festival has two categories: Soloists and Accordion Bands, but is non-competitive, and participants will receive a certificate. The deadline for participation is the end of February 2018. For further information email: davatt1@melita.com |
New and Updated Sites |
USA News 1st February Edition online - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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| USA News 1st February Edition online - USA |
Mika Väyrynen 2018 Celebrity Interview, Helsinki - Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
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 Celebrating his 50th Birthday year, renowned Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen performed a series of World Premieres and works by Finnish Composers in the latter part of 2017. The first World Premiere was of a new work by Aulis Sallinen 'Dance Music Suite Op. 107' for accordion, violin, cello and piano. Dedicated to Mika Väyrynen, the Premiere took place at The Porvoo Church as part of the Loviisa Sibelius Festival on 8th September 2017 with the composer in attendance. On the 11th October 2017 at Mika´s 50th birthday concert "Suomi 100 - Väyrynen 50" held at the Camerata Hall of the Helsinki Music Center, Mika (picture right) performed an all Finnish program which included six World Premieres as well as launching his latest CD, the accordion works of the late Jouni Kaipainen (1956-2015). My sincerest thanks to Mika for sharing some of his thoughts and insights, as well updating us on his work with some of Finland's most outstanding composers. Read the Mika Väyrynen Celebrity Interview at: VäyrynenInterview |
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UKby Harley Jones |
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 UK composer Douglas Ward and Charnwood Publishing have released 6 new compositions. Click the links to learn more about each work and see a sample page.DW944 - Bananas for Two DW945 - Countryside March DW946 - Emergency Tango DW947 - Chasing Rabbits DW948 - Mosaic Waltz DW949 - Forest Waltz |
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