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Highlights |
Unique, 'Original Harmonicas' for Tchaikovsky Orchestral Suite No. 2 - Russiaby Yulia Amerikova |
Thanks to the initiative of Yulia Amerikova and Alexander Selivanov, there was a significant event for accordion, 17th January in the Big Hall of Perm Philharmonic and 20th January in the Concert Hall of Tchaikovsky in Moscow, when the audiences were able to listen to the Orchestral Suite No. 2 by Tchaikovsky with 'Original Harmonicas'. The 'Orchestral Suite No. 2’ is unique because in the third part – ‘Scherzo Burlesque’ – the composer for the first time in history, used diatonic harmonicas (in E) within a symphony score. Because of a special request by Alexander Selivanov, the Scandalli Factory in Italy manufactured a set of four matching harmonicas exactly to authentic specifications. The 4 diatonic accordions were played by famous Moscow accordionists and international competition winners (picture above) of Sergey Osokin, Yulia Amerikova, Maria Vlasova and Alexander Selivanov. Middle of the picture is the conductor Vladimir Jurowski, who is also the Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic. These two performances took place within the philharmonic subscription concerts "Tribute to P.I. Tchaikovsky" by the legendary State Academic Symphony Orchestra “Evgeny Svetlanov”. The artistic director of the Svetlanov Orchestra, renowned conductor Vladimir Jurowski, supported the idea to use authentic instruments and was very pleased with the musical result. This was the first time since the Tchaikovsky period, that instruments as conceived by the composer have been used. Up to now, modern concert accordions have been used and using original harmonicas has created a fundamental difference in articulation and also a special timbre. The original harmonicas aroused great interest from both the conventional and professional members of the audience and the experiment was recognized as very successful because of adding new coloring and originality to the orchestral sound. One of the musicians attending the concert in Moscow said that he finally understood why Tchaikovsky used harmonicas in the symphony score and, in his opinion, it was a brilliant godsend of the great composer! |
20th International Week of Accordion "Alcobaça 2016" – Portugalby Rob Howard |
The 20th International Week of Accordion ‘Alcobaça 2015’ takes place, May 7th to 15th in Alcobaça, Portugal. The International Week, will also include the 21st National Trophy and the 2nd Accordion International Contest from May 13th to 15th. Download entry forms and competition regulations in English at: 2016Alcobaca.pdf The closing date for entries is: 6th May 2016 The main objective of the International Contest is to give the opportunity to all young accordionists to assess their knowledge/skills. This year includes the Vitorino Matono Prize. In the rules is a list of the pieces by Matono for the competition. Vitorino Matono, born in 1921, founded the "Instituto Musical Matono", the first school of Portugal focused specifically on teaching the accordion. He has also composed hundreds of musical works and was given public recognition by the Portuguese Government in 2002. Alcobaça is a Portuguese city, located 12km from the Atlantic Ocean, with stunning sights (pictures below) such as Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça (World Heritage of Humanity), Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto, etc. Alcobaça is located 70km from Lisbon. The complete program (concerts and masterclass) will soon be published. For further information email Aníbal Freire, President of the Accordion Association of Alcobaça, Portugal: anibalfreire@hotmail.com |
Amy Jo Sawyer Performs with the St. Louis Symphony, Illinois – USAby Harley Jones |
Accordionist Amy Jo Sawyer performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s at the United States premiere of Disney’s Academy Award winning movie ‘Ratatouille’. This event took place at Powell Hall, Belleville, Illinois. Photo: Guitarist Steve Schenkel, Amy Jo Sawyer and guitarist Kirk Hanser were performing with the St. Louis Symphony. Sara Hicks, winner of many music awards, was the conductor of the symphony orchestra producing live music to the film being viewed on a high-definition big screen. The music required a French musette accordion sound as performed by Frank Marocco in the original movie. Amy Jo Sawyer said she was “privileged” to know Frank Marocco. “He was a wonderful friend who passed away three years ago,” she said. “He organized the Frank Marocco Accordion Event held in Mesa, Arizona, that I attended annually for five years. He liked my original music for accordion orchestra and chose to have the 50 piece orchestra perform my music in each annual concert.” Marocco also chose to have her original Tango, ‘Juntos’ (Together), performed in a concert he conducted in 2011 in Castelfidardo, Italy. Amy Jo Sawyer enjoyed very much performing with the St. Louis Symphony for this sold out concert. |
Trio Fratres Returns to the Stage & Releases New CD - Finlandby Raimo Vertainen |
After 10 years pause, Trio Fratres is returning to the concert stage. The accordion trio of Raimo Vertainen, Heikki Jokiaho and Toni Hämäläinen will commemorate their return to the stage by releasing a new CD. Trio Fratres first performance is on the 17th February at the Conservatory Pitkänsillankatu as part of the Kokkola Winter Accordion. Trio Fratres has previously performed at well known festivals and concerts in 16 different countries as well as having premiered a number of new works especially composed for them. Trio Fratres has attracted audiences through their broad and diverse repertoire and superb musical skills. Their repertoires includes classical greats, Russian virtuoso works, local and modern compositions as well as interpretations of the music of Sting and Kraftwerk. You are invited to listen to Trio Fratres at the upcoming Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival which runs from 14 to 21 February 2016, Kokkola, Finland. www.talviharmonikka.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordions Finally Get The Respect They Deserve, CBC Radio - Canadaby Rita Davidson Barnea |
The CBC Radio - Canada website ran an article with the heading, "Accordions Finally Get The Respect They Deserve" which was about a radio documentary by Frank Faulk titled "New Squeeze" that was broadcast on The Sunday Edition with Michael Enright. This is an excellent radio documentary which I highly recommend that you take the time to listen to. Click "Listen" above. Some excerpts and comments: There's a new breed of accordion aficionados, who make beautiful music with an instrument they have to "wear", while they play it. You will hear Michael Bridge, Alicia Baker and Alex Meixner speak about the beauty and relevance of the accordion today, the different styles of accordion music, and how it is now accepted into the halls of academia as a bona fide classical instrument, one worthy of study right up to the doctoral level. Picture left: Frank Faulk, Michael Bridge, Alicia Baker. First Michael Bridge speaks about his accordion studies and experiences. Alicia comments on her career as an accordionist, and Alex Meixner talks about his musical travels. All of them also perform for this radio program. There is now a growing wave of youthful enthusiasts, like Michael Bridge, Alex Meixner, and Alicia Baker who are embracing the old squeeze box with a new gusto, pumping out all styles of music and turning on a whole generation of young listeners to its unique sound. But it's not just among the young, that it's getting respect. "The accordion is here to stay and young people are totally accepting of the accordion. It is hip and part of our culture, world culture." |
Bill Black (1935-2016), Scotland - UKby Rob Howard |
Bill Black, born on February 7th 1935 in Perth, became one of Scotland’s most highly regarded, accomplished, and popular dance band accordionists. Bill played the Shand Morino button accordion and also the fiddle, and was self-taught. His stylish playing had a ‘lift’ and unerring sense of tempo that was always danceable. He also composed many tunes. In 1962 Bill formed his first dance band, and in 1971 became an All Scotland Accordion Champion in Perth. He also won an All Scotland fiddle championship, and is to date the only one to win to win these titles on both accordion and fiddle. The Bill Black Scottish Dance Band played for strict tempo Scottish country dancing, old time dancing and for ceilidh dancing. They played as guests in the ‘box & fiddle’ clubs, for weddings, dances, concerts and theatre shows, performed in Ireland, Denmark and Nigeria, did many BBC radio broadcasts, and made several CDs and DVDs. The typical band line-up for many years was was Bill Black – 1st accordion, Colin Johnstone – 2nd accordion, Ian Adamson - fiddle, Mabel Gray - piano, and Robert MacFadyen - drums. Over years Bill became well known for introducing younger players into his band, and there are many musicians who gained experience through playing in Bill Black’s band. Bill was also well known as the organiser, from 1979 to 2004, of the annual Stanley Ceilidh, based at the Tayside Hotel, Stanley, a festival for musicians and enthusiasts. This popular event attracted many star performers, and the proceeds went to charities. Bill’s sons Robert and Duncan Black are well known and highly accomplished piano accordion players, with musical careers of their own. Bill and his sons on accordions, plus wife Anne on piano, recorded two family CDs – ‘The Black Family Favourites’ and ‘Black Magic’. In October 2006 Bill lost the index finger of his right hand in a freak agricultural accident, but through sheer determination taught himself to play again minus his index finger. In recent times he commented: “I did my first dance in a village hall in March 1949, and I’ve played every weekend since then. If I had my life to live over I’d do it again”. Bill Black passed away peacefully on January 31st. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday February 9th, at 1pm, in Dunkeld Cathedral. Family flowers only but donations may be made at the church in aid of Bill’s favourite charity, Rachel House. |
TV: Head of Administration of Rostov-on-Don Interviewed - Russiaby Alexander Poeluev |
Published on Jan 31, 2016. This is a TV interview in Russian and includes music. Head of Administration of Rostov-on-Don, Sergei Gorban, live with a famous TV presenter Dmitry Dibrova discuss the topic of culture in the city. This includes the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships which will be held 11-17 September 2016 in Rostov-on-Don. |
Colin Campbell CD ‘The Rockfield Polka’, Oban – UKby Rob Howard |
This new CD began as a single called ‘The Rockfield Polka’ composed and played by the late accordionist Colin Campbell in support of the successful campaign to save the old Rockfield building (pictured on the CD cover) for the community. The single then evolved into an album with various types of music, from traditional Scottish tunes to classics such as ‘The Blue Danube’. The CD was finished shortly before Colin Campbell passed away in September 2015. Colin Campbell plays lead accordion, harmony accordion and midi bass, and is supported on all the tracks by his nephew Colin Forgrieve on drums, piano and accordion, and by his granddaughter Lisa Moyes on fiddle. The CD is available on the internet. Tracks: The Rockfield Polka, 6/8 Marches, The Blue Danube, The Highland Wedding, Turkey in the Straw, La Mer, MacLean of Pennycross, An Island Sheiling Song, The Can Can, March and Reel, Moon River, Marches, The Argyllshire Gathering, Spanish Gypsy Dance, Archie Menzies/High Level Hornpipe, Stack O’ Barley/Trumpet Hornpipe, Scottish Waltzes, The Black Lynn |
14 Years Ago: "Accordion Dreams" Wins Rainbow Award – USAby Rob Howard |
14 Years Ago: The Accordions Worldwide News for February 1st featured an item concerning a documentary film about the accordion-led music of the conjunto genre from Texas. Films about the accordion do not happen very often, but are reported on Accordions Worldwide when we get to know about them. This video remains available on the internet. "Accordion Dreams" Wins Rainbow Award – USA Contributed by Evy Ledesma "Accordion Dreams" (a journey into the accordion world of conjunto) was honoured recently with the "Rainbow Award" by the Great Plains Film Festival of Lincoln, Nebraska. This documentary, which was broadcast nationally in the U.S. on PBS's core schedule, is an introduction into the accordion-based conjunto music genre born in Texas. |
Future events |
Brooklyn Accordion Club Meeting, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
Brooklyn Accordion Club’s first meeting of 2016 takes place on Sunday February 7th, 3pm until 5pm, 3rd, at 61 Local, 61 Bergen St., Brooklyn, New York. All are welcome. Admission: $5 Open mic performers: Interested in performing? Please email to sign up! For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Concert, Renfew – UKby Rob Howard |
On Tuesday February 9th, 7.30pm, the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Concert (MD Gary Blair) performs as guests at the Renfew Accordion & Fiddle Club, Moorpark Masonic Halls, Broadloan, Renfrew PA4 0SA, Scotland. The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra has a history dating back to the early 1970s. During the 1970s, the orchestra was a dominant force in the All Britain Accordion Championships, winning competitions in all orchestra sections and many of the band members won group, duet and solo sections. The band also played many concerts, including visits France, Belgium and Canada. With the untimely death of Jimmy Blair in 1981, the band was taken over by his wife Lola, until she also died a few years later. In 2009 their son Gary Blair revived the JBAO, which has won first prizes at NAO local and UK Championships. |
Alex Meixner News and Performance Schedule, Texas, Florida - USAby Rob Howard |
US accordionist Alex Meixner has several dates in his diary for this month, one of which is his first live recording for CD and DVD. Also this month he can be seen on national TV in a commercial for Hormel pepperoni - video above. Dates include: February 5th - Mardi Gras – Ennis Style, 1216 South Paris Street, Ennis, Texas February 6th – Liederkranz Hall, 5100 Ella Boulevard, Houston, Texas February 7th – Polka Bowl 2016, video recording and performance during half time, Rifle Hall, Round Top, Texas February 9th, 7.30pm – concert (recorded live for CD and DVD), Brauntex Theater, 290 West San Antonio St, New Braunfels, Texas February 20th - German American Society Trachtenfest, 381 Orange Lane, Casselberry, Florida Alex Meixner’s high energy performances of everything from old time polkas and waltzes to more jazz and pop influenced repertoire is popular with audiences throughout North America and continues to attract new fans. Equally at home with traditional and contemporary styles, performances on several instruments, and vocals in English, German, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, and more - his band’s reputation continues to grow. From dynamic polkas and waltzes to Gypsy folk songs to Rocktoberfest parodies, Swing, Latin and Country dance music - the dizzying array of music is perfect for everything from World Music Concerts and family friendly folk festivals to a frenetic non-stop dance party. |
Rafal Luc Classical Recital, Manchester – UKby Rob Howard |
Polish accordionist Rafal Luc performs in a Manchester Mid-day Concerts Society recital on Wednesday February 10th, 1.10pm, at The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS. His program will include Nicholas Martin Kollaps (2013) | Gavin Higgins Kathedrale (2013) | Peter Maxwell Davies Farewell to Stromness | Mendelssohn Chorale and Variations (Organ Sonata in D minor, Op.65, No.6) | Rameau L’Egyptienne. Rafal Luc, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, works as a chamber musician and as a soloist in the UK and Poland, and in 2011 made his USA debut at the Carnegie Hall in New York. Tickets cost £11.50, £9.50 concession, £7 student (all ticket prices include £2 booking fee); the box office telephone number is 0844 907 9000. |
Paul Chamberlain Upcoming Recitals, Drewsbury and Ripon - UKby Rob Howard |
On Wednesday 10th February, Paul Chamberlain will be making a return appearance at Dewsbury Town Hall, WF12 8DG, to perform a lunchtime concert at 12.30 pm. The last appearance in Dewsbury by Paul Chamberlain was one of the highlights of their season and many who have previously attended asked to have him back. Paul returns with a program including virtuoso music from Russia, Argentina and France. On Thursday 11th February, Paul Chamberlain will give a concert in Ripon Cathedral, Ripon HG4 1QS at 1.15pm Sheet music and two CD's available online at: Paul Chamberlain |
Roman Jbanov Concert, Vichy – Franceby Rob Howard |
Russian accordionist Roman Jbanov performs in concert on Sunday February 14th, 3.30pm, at Au Salon de la Residence le Nice et Bristol, 10 rue Georges Clemenceau, 03200 Vichy. Roman Jbanov has won numerous competitions and awards including the International Competition in Klingenthal, Germany twice, in 1995 and 1997, and the CMA Trophee Mondial in 1997. Since 1998 he has performed and recorded with Domi Emorine as the Paris Moscou Duo. |
‘From Bach to Sevdah’ Concert, Zagreb – Croatiaby Rob Howard |
‘From Bach to Sevdah’ is a concert on Sunday February 18th, 8pm, at MD Vatroslav Lisinski, Zagreb, Croatia, featuring Semir Sammy Hasic (accordion), Helena Ivezic (violin), Nataly Stanisavljevic (violin), Marijan Refko Pavletic (vocals) and Branko Glavan (keyboard). |
New and Updated Sites |
New Arrangment by Renzo Ruggieri, Medley Disco Music - Italyby Harley Jones |
Just released arrangement titled Medley Disco, catalog rrenzo508. This virutoso performance arrangement by famed Italian performer and teacher Renzo Ruggieri is ideal for international competitions. Renzo Ruggieri arranged Medley Disco for Grayson Masefield to perform and the work was premiered in Belgium last November and is now available online. Medley Disco also fits well for concerts where the performer wants to display brilliant melodic repertoire. Other Virtuoso arrangements by Renzo Ruggieri (only €10 each) rrenzo501 - Song For S.B (Solo) rrenzo502 - Volo Degli Angeli (Solo) rrenzo503 - Tango Italiano (Solo) rrenzo504 - Carnevale (Solo) rrenzo505 - Roma Tango Solo rrenzo506 - Cinema (for 4 parts and drums, electronic accordion) rrenzo507 - Variations on Säkkijärven Polka rrenzo508 - Medley Disco |
Site Updated: American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Site Updated - USAby Mary Tokarski |
Site Updated: American Accordionists' Association (AAA) have updated their site to have more information about their annual July festival including the forms for the festival. |
Updated Site: Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) by Heather Masefieldby Heather Masefield |
The Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) has updated its website with the 2016 examination dates and 2016 entry fees and forms. |
Updated Site: Campbell Bettridge Video and Sample Music Added - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
Updated Site: The site of Campbell Bettridge has been updated to include the video of him performing the famous and popular Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BMV 565 by J S Bach. This video has received over 1 million views and is one of them most popular classical recordings of accordion on the internet. The arrangement by Campbell Bettridge of Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BMV 565 is available online at Catalog: bettridge01 and sample pages of the arrangement have now been added to the site. |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Fachwerk | Kapote CD by Friedrich Lipsby Joan C. Sommers |
CD Reviews Index for the Review of Fachwerk | Kapote CD by Friedrich Lips. Review by Joan Cochran Sommers. |
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