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BREAKING NEWS: El mundo del acordeón de luto por la muerte de Frank Maroccoby Accordions Worldwide |
Frank Marocco (Illinois, 2 de enero de 1931 - Los Ángeles, 3 de Marzo de 2012) falleció el sábado por la tarde a la edad de 81 años. Se introdujo en el mundo del acordeón a la edad de 7 años y estudió acordeón clásico durante nueve años en Chicago. Su primer profesor fue George Stefano, quien le sirvió de gran inspiración a lo largo de toda su carrera. No solamente fue un músico hábil para la interpretación académica si no que exploró otras áreas a lo largo de toda su vida, siendo el Jazz su mayor pasión. Además de acordeón, estudió Armonía, Piano, Clarinete y Teoría Musical. Comenzó su carrera tocando en hoteles y clubs con un trío que formó a la temprana edad de 18 años. Consiguió el Primer Premio en una competición nacional en EEUU y tocó con la Chicago Pops Orchestra en el Chicago Soldier’s Field. Más tarde se instaló en los Ángeles, después de haber conocido a su esposa, Anne, en Indiana. Es un de los acordeonistas con más grabaciones a sus espaldas y trabajó con compositores de la talla de John Williams, Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Michele Le Grand, Henry Mancini y muchos otros. Frank Marocco también tocó con: Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton, Zoot Sims, Joe Pass, Joey Baron, Herb Ellis, Ray Pizzi, Ivor Malherbe, Massimo Tagliata, Conti Candoli, Philippe Cornaz, John Pattatucchi, Mats Vinding, Mogens Baekgaard Andersen, Marcel Papaux, Angela Hagenbach, Ron Feuer, Richard Galliano, Peter Erskine, Klaus Paier, Renzo Ruggieri, Pete Christlieb, Larry Koonse, Simone Zanchini, Andy Simpkins, Bob Shepard, Frank Rossolino, Jim Hall, Abraham Laboriel, Dan Higgin, Grant Geissman, Luis Conte and Stix Hooper, solamente por nombrar a unos pocos. Su pasión fue el Jazz pero siempre estuvo abierto a todo tipo de músicas, géneros y estilos. Fue una persona modesta, regida por un intenso amor por el trabajo y el sacrificio personal a favor de la más alta creación artística. Desde los 18 años tocó el acordeón en diferentes formaciones habitualmente creadas por él mismo para grandes audiencias, donde siempre fue aclamado y venerado por su musicalidad, naturalidad y perfección técnica. Siempre se mostró orgulloso de no haber sido esclavo del dinero, si no del buen arte, y su respeto por la música va más allá de la pura interpretación o creación musical. Las condolencias pueden ser enviadas a: Anne Marocco, 7063 Whitaker Avenue, Van Nuys, CAL 91406, USA. No hay previsto funeral oficial, será incinerado en privado, aunque se comenzó a organizar un concierto en homenaje a su vida. El mundo del acordeón ha perdido a un artista único, por siempre será recordado por todos nosotros a través de su legado musical y humano. |
NUEVO LIBRO: SQUEEZE THIS, UNA HISTORIA CULTURAL DEL ACORDEÓN EN AMÉRICA--USAby Rob Howard |
El etnomusicólogo y entusiasta del acordeón Marion Jacobson, sigue las huellas de la evolución del acordeón en EEUU, así como su significado cultural a lo largo del siglo XX. Jacobson considera el estatus del acordeón como algo contradictorio, su personalidad como instrumento extraño y su fuerza dentro de la música popular del siglo XX. “Squeeze This!” es el primer libro y una investigación única dentro del fenómeno cultural americano. El libro se concentra en seis momentos de transición: La americanización del acordeón piano, originalmente producido y vendido por emigrantes italianos; la transformación del acordeón en los años 1920 como un exótico y caro producto de masas; el esplendor de la manía por el acordeón en los años 1930-1940, cuando la elevada organización del complejo acordeonístico cultiva un mercado para altas y medias clases de raza blanca; el pico de su popularidad en la década de 1950 , ejemplificado por Lawrence Welk y Dick Contino; la marginación del instrumento en los años 1960, el malogrado intento de promocionar el acordeón como instrumento de Rock & Roll; y su incursión en las Músicas del Mundo a partir de los años 1980. Enriquecido con innumerables imágenes de preciosos instrumentos y maravillosos intérpretes y fans, “Squeeze This!” (…) representa al acordeón en un amplio rango de músicas populares y tradicionales, revelando la riqueza y la diversidad del acordeón en América. El libro se puede adquirir a través de Amazon. |
CONCIERTO PATRIÓTICO “PIANO ACCORDION’S CARNIVAL”, SAMARA--RUSSIAby Harley Jones |
El 23 de febrero, durante el 10º Festival Internacional “Vivat Bayan!”, el “Piano Accordion’s Carnival” tuvo lugar en el escenario de la Samara Philarmonic Hall. Los principales acordeonistas de Rusia participaron, incluyendo a Alexandr Poeluev (Rostov-on-Don), Sergey Osokin (Moscú), Alexei Shalygin (Rostov-on-Don), y Samara Alexandr Tubolets (Samara) con su ensemble. El programa de Alexander Poeluev incluyó transcripiciones de piezas clásicas y composiciones originales específicamente escritas para acordeón. Las baladas Blues y composiciones Jazz fueron interpretadas por Sergey Osokin. Hubo piezas Folk de Rusia, Ucrania y Nápoles, Fox-trot y Tangos interpretados por Alexandr Tubolets y su ensemble. Alexei Shalygin enamoró a la audiencia con los arreglos danzables de melodías en el estulo techno-pop. Al final del programa todos los músicos tocaron juntos para la audiencia. De acuerdo con la tradición, el concierto fue presentado por el Director Artístico y fundador del festival “Vivat, Bayan!”, el famoso acordeonista Sergey Voytenko. Este concierto fue un regalo especial para el “Día del Defensor de la Patria”. El acordeón y la armónica fueron los grandes acompañantes de los luchadores durante la Gran Guerra Patriótica. Ellos ayudaron a subir la moral, superar las innumerables bajas y tener razones para la esperanza. El concierto será repetido en Togliatti y Kinel el 24 de febrero, y en Issakly el 26 de febrero. Para más información: kubokmira@gmail.com |
“THE BIG SQUEZZE”, ILLINIOS -- EEUUby Rob Howard |
“The Big Squezze” tendrá lugar el viernes 26 de abril en el Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Este evento, el cual incluye una demostración seguida de un concierto que congrega a los mejores acordeonistas internacionales, representa varios géneros. A las 4.30PM, la “Accordion Demonstration and Lecture” con Julien Labro (Latin & Jazz), Alexander Sevastian (cláico), Jimmy Keane (tradicional iralndesa), y Dwayne Dopsie (Zydeco), se mostrará a la audiencia una amplia gama de géneros. El concierto, que comenzará a las 7.30 PM incluirá a Julien Labro (Francia) interpretando Jazz con el saxo alto Jon Irabagon y Tango (al bandoneón) a cargo del Spektral String Quartet; Jimmy Keane (Chicago) interpretando música irlandesa con el guitarrista Dennis Cahill; y Alexander Sevastian (Bielorusia) interpretando música clásica. El evento será cerrado por Dwayne dopsie y los Zydeco Hellraisers. Para más información: : ckretzer@northwestern.edu |
2012 CIA Winter Congress in Miesbach - ALEMANIAby Kevin Friedrich |
La Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) celebró su Asamblea General de Delegados 127a en Miesbach, Alemania 23-26 de febrero, organizada por uno de losmiembros fundadores de la CIA, el Deutscher Verband eV Harmonika-(DHV). El Congreso se llevó a cabo en conjunto con la DHV German National Accordion Prize, las calificaciones en la región de Baviera, que da derecho a los candidatos seleccionados para proceder al Campeonato Nacional Alemán. El evento se inauguró con una recepción de champagne de bienvenida seguida de un concierto organizado por la DHV en la Bauerntheater en la cercana ciudad de Schliersee. El concierto contó con el Bayern Landesjugend-Akkordeonorchester llevada a cabo por StefanFusseder y Hedy Stark-Fussnegger. Nueva tecnología: Este año, la CIA pondrá a prueba la eliminación de las partituras de papel para los miembros del jurado. Además, para una categoría, la Coupe Mondiale Maestros,los candidatos serán invitados a presentar un archivo Acrobat pdf de su música para ser visto por el Jurado en iPads o dispositivos similares, siempre a cargo de la CIA. Esta nueva posibilidad elimina las complicaciones propias de tener que cargar con carpetas de partituras, facilitando la tarea de intérpretes y jurado. El informecompletoseencuentra en: http://www.accordions.com/cia/winter_12_review.htm |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
MP3 eTracks Album Release by Grayson Masefieldby Harley Jones |
Five times World Accordion Champion, 2008, 2009, 2010, Grayson Masefield has released his first album titled Grayson Masefield. The works include both Concert music and Virtuoso Entertainment music as befits his major international competition wins. 2008 1st Place, Trophée Mondial Senior Varieté, 2009 1st Place, Coupe Mondiale 2009 1st Place, Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment 2009 1st Place, Roland International V-Accordion Competition 2009 1st Place, Primus Ikaalinen International TV Competition - Finland 2010 1st Place, Trophée Mondial Senior Classique Cost is only € 8.00 for the album and the 14 tracks are: Concert Music 1. Ah vous dirai~je Maman - W.A. Mozart 2. Prophetic Dream - Viatcheslav Semionov 3. Sonata in F major - D. Scarlatti 4. Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor - J.S. Bach 5. Fragilissimo - Gorka Hermosa 6. Hommage a Paco - Franck Angelis Virtuoso Entertainment 7. Pondichery Tango - Jérôme Richard 8. Notes Vagabondes - Claude Thomain 9. L’enfant Demon - Claude Thomain 10. Bluesette - Toots Thielemans 11. Oblivion - Astor Piazolla 12. Tico Tico - Zequinha Abreu 13. La Tempete - André Astier 14. Tango Pour Claude - Richard Galliano The advantage of eTracks is that you can download the MP3 files to your computer or other sound device such as ipod, iphone etc. You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. |
‘14 Years Ago’ – The Show Goes On For Owen Murray…by Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for February 27th 1998 included a report that Owen Murray had performed at a concert in Glasgow despite having injured his left arm, demonstrating that “The show must go on”! Owen Murray is Professor of Accordion at the Royal Academy of Music, London. OWEN MURRAY PLAYS INJURED – SCOTLAND The Herald, UK recently featured an article on Owen Murray's accordion performance at Hutchesons' Hall, Glasgow. Owen Murray is recognised as the leading figure in establishing the accordion as a legitimate classical instrument in the UK, both through his virtuoso performances and in his unique teaching position at the Royal Academy of Music. A heavily bandaged left hand necessitated by an elbow injury led him to change his scheduled programme, omitting Bach and Mozart in favour of two brief sonatas by Scarlatti, and a suite of miniatures from Russia which had a distinct folk flavour. Murray's command of the accordion was consistently impressive. He gave the same recital at Jordanhill Campus the next day, followed by a public workshop and demonstration. |
eTracks MP3 Albums by Friedrich Lips and Renzo Ruggieri Now Online – Internationalby Harley Jones |
The eTracks part of the MusicForAccordion.com website starts its 2nd week and has already grown to over 240 MP3 tracks available. Priced at only € 0.70 a track with most albums costing € 8.00 or less its great value. New Albums this week are: 4 albums by Friedrich Lips Et Exspecto De Profundis Six Children's Suites Dieu Parmi Nous 4 albums by Renzo Ruggieri Improvvisazioni Guidate Storie di Fisarmonica Vissuta Terre Renzo Ruggieri Collection 1 album by Grayson Masefield Each week from now on, new eTracks will be released by most of the artists who currently sell their CD's through the MusicForAccordion website. These will be announced each week as the eTracks are made available. The advantage of eTracks is that you can download the MP3 files to your computer or other sound device such as ipod, iphone etc. You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. |
Future events |
Dargaville Museum 'Wakefield to Masefield' Concert and Display – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
Picture left: Kevin Friedrich smiles as he receives a standing ovation at the 2011 concert. Full report: Dargaville2011 Housed at the Dargaville Museum (New Zealand) is the historical accordion display titled 'Accordion Gems - A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time'. Kevin Friedrich is curating a further display at the Dargaville Museum to celebrate 40 years of the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA). For the 5th time, the concert ‘Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends’ will be held at the Lighthouse Function Center. The NZAA is running a bus from Auckland to the opening of the display and to the concert. Kevin Friedrich, Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones will be performing plus well known Dargaville performers. This is also the 50th Birthday year for Kevin who will be receiving a Presentation from the NZAA of his Lifetime Achievement Award. The name of the display, 'Wakefield to Masefield' came from an excerpt from The History of the Accordion in New Zealand by Wallace Liggett. A reference does exist in the journal of Edward Jerningham Wakefield, one of the earliest English colonists, and his entry from the 24th of September 1839 contains an amusing reference to his use of an accordion. "One named Te Kaera diverted us much by....bringing a long pointed spear within inches of our bodies: then retreating with a roar of laughter every time he saw us shrink from the thrust............I repaid him his surprise the first day that he came on board. I had got an accordion under a large cloak, and kept time to its notes with my mouth, so as to deceive him and twenty other natives into the idea that I was uttering the various sounds.” This is the first documented playing of an accordion in New Zealand and the Museum Display takes its name from the Wakefield performance to Grayson Masefield winning the Coupe Mondiale World Championship in New Zealand in 2009. |
Jérémy Vannereau Concerts – France, Polandby Rob Howard |
French accordionist and bandoneonist Jérémy Vannereau performs in concert during March, appearing as part of the ensembles Tango Madame and Los Tangueros, and the Tango Duo Buenos Aires. The dates are: March 2nd - Tango Duo Buenos Aires, l’ecole de musique, Evian (74), France March 16th - Tango Madame, Coleo, Pontcharra (38) March 17th - Los Tangueros, Milonga, MJC de Ris-Orangis (91) March 20th - Tango Madame, accordion festival, l’Essonne (91) March 23rd, 8pm - Los Tangueros, eglise d’essert Blay (73) March 28th to 31st – Tango Duo Buenos Aires, concert in Lublin, Poland For further information email: infos@jeremy-vannereau.com |
Manchester Irish Festival, England – UKby Rob Howard |
The annual Manchester Irish Festival takes place from March 2nd to 18th, and includes a wide range of Irish-themed concerts, dances, open air market, cultural events, and street parade. Accordionists are always prominent amongst the many musicians, singers and Irish dancers that make up the entertainment. Accordion-based performers include: March 10th, 7.30pm - Shake the Barley and the Reel Deal Irish Dance Group perform at the M19 Bar, Levenshulme, Manchester March 10th, 9pm - Innishfree perform at The Union Inn, Levenshulme; free admission March 16th, 7.30pm - dance at Chorlton Irish Centre, Hardy Lane, Chorlton, with The Ivly Leaf Ceilidh Band March 17th, 2.30pm – singer/accordionist Brendan Shine performs at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland St, tickets include a 4 course dinner For further information email: info@manchesteririshfestival.co.uk |
Salvatore Camilleri Concerts, Sicily – Italyby Rob Howard |
Italian accordionist Salvatore Camilleri performs in Sicily this weekend, as follows: March 2nd - San Filippo, Marsala March 3rd - Digerbato, Marsala March 4th - Auser, Marsala |
Milos Miliojevic ‘Classics with my Baby’ Concerts, London – UKby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Milos Miliojevic will be doing a series of concerts in March across London for an organization called ‘Classics with my Baby’. He will be performing solo and with violinist Philippa Mo and pianist MiaoMiao Yu, and the music includes pieces by Sarasate, Albeniz, Piazzolla, Bach and Paganini. All concerts start at 10.30 am, and the dates are: March 2nd - St Barnabas Church, Calton Avenue, Dulwich SE21 7DG March 6th - Christ Church, Highbury, Islington N5 1SA March 7th - Christ Church, Christchurch St, off Flood St, Chelsea SW3 4AS March 8th - Hampstead Garden Suburb Free Church, Central Square NW11 7AG March 9th - St. Mary Magdalen, 193 Bermondsey St, Bermondsey SE1 3UW March 13th - Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead, Church Row, Hampstead NW3 6UU March 14th - St. John the Baptist Church, Spencer Hill, Wimbledon SW19 4NZ March 15th - Notting Hill Community Church, Kensington Park Rd, Notting Hill W11 2ES March 16th - St. Luke's Church, 194 Ramsden Rd, Clapham SW12 8RQ March 23rd - St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church St, Greenwich SE10 9BJ For further information email: milosmusic@hotmail.com |
Marco Lo Russo Concert, Piacenza – Italyby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Marco Lo Russo performs a solo concert at the Auditorium del Conservatorio di Musica "G. Nicolini", Piacenza, in Northern Italy on March 5th, 4.30pm. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Bjarke Mogensen Concert, Copenhagen – Denmarkby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Bjarke Mogensen performs with the Danish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jukka Iisakkila, on March 7th, 7.30pm, at the DKDM Concert Hall, Copenhagen. The concert programme includes concertos by Nørgård, Koppel and Schmidt. The concert marks the release of a CD by Bjarke Mogensen for Dacapo-records with accordion-concertos by Per Nørgård, Ole Schmidt a.o. with the National Danish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Rolf Gupta. For further information email: bjarke@bjarkemogensen.dk |
Declan Aungier @ Northern Box & Fiddle Club, Antrim – Irelandby Rob Howard |
Northern Box & Fiddle Club meets at the Lylehill Suite, Hilton Hotel & Country Club, Castle Upton Estate, Templepatrick, County Antrim BT39 0DD, Northern Ireland. On March 7th, 8.30pm, this month’s guest will be Declan Aungier, a 5-row button accordion entertainer from Kildare, who has a vast repertoire of Irish, Scottish, Country, Contemporary and Continental music - everything from The Stack of Barley to The Beatles! The organizer is Amanda Robinson. For further information email: northernboxandfiddleclub@hotmail.co.uk |
Jacques Pellarin Trio Concert, Isère – Franceby Rob Howard |
The Jacques Pellarin Trio perform on Friday March 9th, 8.30pm, at the Jazz Club, La Tour du Pin, Isère 38110, France. Jacques Pellarin’s recent CD ‘Sup Dude’ has been highly praised by a reviewer for his “ability to craft music which is technically challenging, yet immediately accessible and engaging. ‘Sup Dude’ is a joyous album, filled with refreshingly unpretentious tunes performed with skill and obvious pleasure”. For further information email: jacques.pellarin@wanadoo.fr |
Nihad Hrustanbegovic Concert, Amsterdam – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
Nihad Hrustanbegovic performs a solo concert in Jordaan, Noorderkerk, Amsterdam, on March 31st, 8pm. His programme includes new works such as ‘Tribute to the Johnny Meijer’, ‘Jordaan Suite’, and a jazz version of the ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’. Nihad Hrustanbegovic (born in 1973 in Bosnia and Herzegovina), is based in the Netherlands, and has performed in many European countries, such as in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, France, Finland, Spain, England, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland. For further information email: info@nihad-accordeon.com |
‘Accordion for Piano Players Workshop’, San Francisco - USAby Rob Howard |
Accordion for Piano Players Workshop’, led by Big Lou the Accordion Princess (aka Linda Seekins), takes place on Saturday March 17th, 3pm, at Accordion Apocalypse, 255 10th St., San Francisco, CA 94103. The cost is $30. You understand the right hand, but what do you do with all those buttons? - learn how the buttons are configured (brush up on your circle of fifths before the class) - learn how to breathe (the bellows, not your lungs) - posture tips- posture tips - how long should your straps be?- how long should your straps be? - Rudimentary accordion care and some quick repairs (by Skyler Fell)- rudimentary accordion care and some quick repairs. - What to look for when buying an accordion- what to look for when you buy an accordion - There will also be a special repair segment by Skyler Fell. For further information email: accordionapocalypse@yahoo.com |
New and Updated Sites |
New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) Updated Siteby Heather Masefield |
NZAA Site Future Events for 2012 is updated. Also further news of the Wakefield to Masefield event on 25th March 2012. Prospectus for 2012 South Pacific Accordion Championships is online with all entry information. |
Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) Site Updateby Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand |
Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) Site Update to have 2012 examinations entry form, updated Prospectus, able to be downloaded from the site. |
eTracks Starts on MusicForAccordion.com Website - Internationalby Harley Jones |
As a special tribute to the passing of Yehuda Oppenheimer, he will be the first artist to be featured on the new MusicForAccordion eTracks part of the site. You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. As a Super Special in commemoration of Yehuda Oppenheimer, if you buy one Yehuda Oppenheimer album (7 Euro), we will also send you free of charge, another Yehuda Oppenheimer album. Just email your choice after you have ordered. This is a two week special in honor of the life of Yehuda Oppenheimer. Other eTracks albums being released this week are a series of New Zealand albums: - Catalog: coupe2009 featuring Coupe Mondiale 2009 World Accordion Orchestra III and the 2009 Coupe Mondiale winners concert. Historical New Zealand accordion recordings to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the New Zealand Accordion Association. - Catalog: Timelapse - featuring Maurice Jones, John Statham and Paul Marshall - vocals, (1980 and 1986) - Catalog: joneshm - featuring Harley Jones and Maurice Jones (1975) - Catalog: Silvio De Pra (1997) - Catalog: anzao201 - featuring Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (1992) - Catalog: anzao1986 - featuring Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (1986) - Catalog: nsao1984 - featuring New Zealand NS Accordion Orchestra (1984) |
Updated Website of Christine Johnstoneby Christine Johnstone |
Updated Website of Christine Johnstone is now online |
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