Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Concierto Paris Moscow Duo - Franciaby Rob Howard |
Video Paris Moscou Duo interpreta extractos de Franck Angelis Music 1. Impasse 2. Hommage a Paco 3. Commeastor 4. París-Moscou Toda la música está disponible en línea en: Franck Angelis El dúo Paris Moscou, que incluye a Roman Jbanov y Domi Emorine, ofrecerá un concierto en la Eglise de Vichel (Iglesia de Vichel) en Vichel, Auvergne, Francia el 15 de agosto a las 21:00 horas organizado por Le Petit Theatre de Vichel. El dúo disfruta interpretando obras de Angelis, Bach, Piazzolla, Mozart, Besov, Rizol y otros. Vea el cartel para más detalles. |
Duo Accosphere lanza nuevo CD - Poloniaby Christine Johnstone |
El dúo Accosphere que incluye a Alena Budzináková (Eslovaquia) y Grzegorz Palus (Polonia) han lanzado su nuevo CD “Accordion Anatomy: Mogens Ellegaard in Memoriam”. “El álbum refleja los efectos de la revolución estética de la música de acordeón, que tuvo lugar en Escandinavia en la segunda mitad del siglo XX gracias al trabajo de un prominente acordeonista, educador y promotor danés del acordeón: Mogens Ellegaard (1935-1995 ). El repertorio incluye música interpretada por Grzegorz Palus solo, acompañada de cinta, a dúo de acordeón (duoAccosphere) y acompañada de un cuarteto de cuerda (Airis String Quartet) ”. Para más detalles, envíe un correo electrónico a: info@duoaccosphere.com |
Festival Virtual de Acordeón Cotati 2020 y "Lady of Spain-a-Ring" virtual - EE. UU.by Christine Johnstone |
El estreno mundial de 2020 del Festival Virtual de Acordeón Cotati en Cotati, California, tendrá lugar este año el 22 y 23 de agosto de 11 a. M. A 3 p. M. Todos los días. No habrá cuota para asistir, pero se aceptarán donaciones. Acordeonistas de 8 países diferentes se presentarán en vivo, incluidos: Pietro Adragna (Italia), Gary Blair (Escocia), Tiia Karttunan (Finlandia), Julia Kultina (Rusia), Matthias Matzke (Alemania) Alex Meixner (EE. UU.), Cory Pesaturo (EE. UU.) y junto con chats en streaming, entrevistas, The Lady-of-Spain-a-Ring, The Grand Finale, rifas y más. Los organizadores están convocando a todos los acordeonistas que deseen participar en la “Dama de España-a-Ring”. Todos están invitados a grabarse ellos mismos tocando “Lady of Spain” junto con Big Lou the Accordion Princess. Para más detalles envíe un correo electrónico a: info@cotatifest.com Abajo: programa de actuacionesEl estreno mundial de 2020 del Festival Virtual de Acordeón Cotati en Cotati, California, tendrá lugar este año el 22 y 23 de agosto de 11 a. M. A 3 p. M. Todos los días. No habrá cuota para asistir, pero se aceptarán donaciones. Acordeonistas de 8 países diferentes se presentarán en vivo, incluidos: Pietro Adragna (Italia), Gary Blair (Escocia), Tiia Karttunan (Finlandia), Julia Kultina (Rusia), Matthias Matzke (Alemania) Alex Meixner (EE. UU.), Cory Pesaturo (EE. UU.) y junto con chats en streaming, entrevistas, The Lady-of-Spain-a-Ring, The Grand Finale, rifas y más. Los organizadores están convocando a todos los acordeonistas que deseen participar en la “Dama de España-a-Ring”. Todos están invitados a grabarse ellos mismos tocando “Lady of Spain” junto con Big Lou the Accordion Princess. Para más detalles envíe un correo electrónico a: info@cotatifest.com Abajo: programa de actuaciones |
Mingyuan Ruan actúa para el "Proyecto 200 piezas de la Royal Academy of Music" - Inglaterraby Christine Johnstone |
El estudiante de la Royal Academy of Music de Londres, Inglaterra, Mingyuan Ruan (foto a la izquierda), interpretó “29 Rue d'Astorg” de la compositora Cheryl Frances Hoad el mes pasado. Vea el video de arriba. La pieza es uno de los "200 Pieces Project" de la academia, que incluye nuevas obras escritas y representadas para conmemorar los 200 años desde la fundación de la Academia en 1822. Durante los últimos meses, han estado poniendo en línea algunas de sus 200 piezas como representaciones virtuales. Una vez estrenada, cada una de las piezas encargadas para el proyecto serán grabadas por el departamento audiovisual de la Academia y puestas en el nuevo sitio web que se lanzó en julio. Junto a las 200 piezas, el programa de aprendizaje y participación de la Academia "Open Academy" trabajará con estudiantes de secundaria para ayudarlos a crear 200 de sus propias composiciones. Estos también se realizarán, con una selección grabada. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Gene Pritsker’s New Composition “Memories Are Not Enough” Miloš Katanić, Accordionistby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
Video 1: "Memories Are Not Enough" performed by Miloš Katanic Video 2: “Maggots and Other Chamber Music of Gene Pritsker” Composer Gene Pritsker has created a new composition for accordion, “Memories Are Not Enough” (video 1) which is included in his new album "Maggots and & Other Chamber Music of Gene Pritsker" (Video 2), released on July 3rd, 2020 on Composers Concordance Records/Naxos. Gene Pritsker explains his accordion composition,” ’Memories Are Not Enough’ develops a simple melancholy chord progression that I found very sentimental when I was writing it. Searching for a title for this composition, my thoughts turned to think about my son as a young child and how he has grown, and that I have these memories of this child, who does not exist in that way anymore, and I had a feeling that my memories were not enough. That phrase appeared, and I decided that this should be the title of the piece. The music develops two melodies, in a simple form, with hints of bitonality and the blues. The accordion, I feel, is the perfect instrument for such a pensive piece of music. Accordionist Miloš Katanic made a cool video with a score for my solo accordion piece when he performs 'Memories Are Not Enough'." I really identified with the expressive and thought provoking emotions expressed in "Memories Are Not Enough" having 26 and 30 year old sons. The music evoked memories of them when they were small and how quickly time passes, precious moments never to be recaptured. I highly recommend your listening to it along with the other compositions on "Maggots". ‘Maggots’ consists of a collection of various recordings, from an array of diverse ensembles, of composer Gene Pritsker’s very eclectic chamber music. From larger chamber music like the baritone concertino ‘Maggots’, ‘Berlin Suite’ and ‘Kostabi-isms’ to the sitar and string quartet piece ’The Most Incorrigible Vice’ and the duet ‘Bitter Suite’ as well as two solo compositions ‘Memories Are Not Enough’ & ‘Figar-OH!’. The album spans a wide timbre range and the eclectic nature of these compositions takes you on a journey through genre-bending music and a unique musical style. “mischief-maker” and “cultural blender-in-chief.” Pritsker is a serious artist, yet much of his work is witty and irreverent.” …“Anyone can draw a mustache on the Mona Lisa, but few musicians draw it as artistically and creatively as Gene Pritsker.” - Fanfare Magazine “American contemporary composer Gene Pritsker keeps on exploring new paths.”. - United Mutations |
Egyptian Sensation Youssra El Hawari 's Experience at the CNIMA - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
Video by Egyptian singer/accordionist Youssra El Hawari from her 2 years studying at the CNIMA from 2015 - 2017 Youssra El Hawari is a young singer/accordionist from Cairo, Egypt who gained tremendous overnight popularity during the Arab spring in 2011. Since then, her witty songs that bridge Arabic music to Western music, have kept her prominent in the Egypt music scene. From 2015 to 2017, she studied full time at the CNIMA (International Accordion School), to improve her skills on the accordion. The video above was shot and edited by her, and gives a fun taste of her experience at the school. It includes short excerpts of accordion classes (including a master class by well known French Gypsy jazz accordionist Ludovic Beier) as well as music theory classes. It also shows impromptu live music moments including a performance by CNIMA Director, teacher, and world champion accordionist, Nathalie Boucheix. The full year program at the CNIMA is catered for want-to-be professionals, in-the-making international virtuosos as well as students from all levels and ages. The 20 hours a week program, is divided between individual accordion classes (2 to 3 per week) and group classes in harmony, music theory, accordion technique, chamber music etc Jacques Mornet's teaching approach uses the accordion as a wind instrument: the right use of the air column and key touch, enables students to reach musicality and technical ease. This approach proved itself through time, with 104 first international prizes in accordion competitions around the globe. The school prepares students to achieve French national music conservatory diplomas (Certificat d'Etudes Musicales - CEM end Diplome d'Etudes Musicales - DEM), enabling them, through the intense studying, to accomplish in one year, what they would usually do in 4 years. The full year program will open on September 21st, 2020. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
Phileas Rogue Video “Tales from the Loop”by Christine Johnstone |
Phileas Rogue has released a video of “Tales from the Loop”. The music was written by Philip Glass and arranged for accordion by Phileas Rogue. “Tales from the Loop” is an American science fiction drama web television series based on the eponymous art book by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 3rd, 2020. "Inspired by the wondrous paintings of Simon Stålenhag, “Tales from the Loop” explores the mind-bending adventures of the people who live above the Loop, a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe - making things previously relegated to science fiction, possible." |
Canterbury Accordion Association Variety Concert – New Zealandby Jeanette Perry |
On August 2nd, the Canterbury Accordion Association (CAA) held its first Variety Concert for 2020 in Christchurch, New Zealand after having earlier events cancelled due to the country being in Covid-19 lockdown. These very popular Variety Concerts, are usually held 3 times a year, and feature the Christchurch Accordion Orchestra with conductor David Thorne (President of CAA), with accordion players and guest artists from the community. Welcome music was provided by Raelene Turner who bravely played her accordion alone without her life-long friend Joffree Marshall (who passed away suddenly on July 15th) beside her. The Christchurch Accordion Orchestra started the concert with a tribute to Joffree by playing ‘Old Comrades March’ by C Tieke, a piece he had learned to play after being given the music by David. The Orchestra finished their first segment with ‘Camptown Twist’ and ‘Fine and Dandy Polka’. Soloists included young players Sven Balvan (picture above left) who played an own composition and a Greek piece, and Theodore Redepenning who played 2 solos – a Frosini Tango and ‘Czardas’ , then later in the programme Sven and Theodore joined together for duets – ‘Suomalinen Polka’ and ‘Primeli Waltz’. ‘The Rustic Reeds’ quartet (picture above right) played 3 pieces – ‘Vienna Forever’, ‘Der Harmonika’ and ‘Amazing Grace’. Next was Merle Kershaw and ‘The Southern Celtic Fiddle Orchestra’ (picture above) to add a different ethnic flavour to the afternoon’s entertainment. Some well-known songs from the ‘Christchurch Theatre Workshop Sing Group’ had the audience singing along, and a ukulele and guitar group “Rhythm Method” played and sang with beautiful harmonies to help add variety to the programme. The Christchurch Accordion Orchestra concluded the concert with ‘Tanzande Finger’, ‘Alexanders Ragtime Band’, and lastly another tribute to Joffree the ‘Colonel Bogey March’. It was a joy to see the happy smiles and hear the positive comments from the more than 60 strong audience as they left the hall, so pleased to once again be free to come along to enjoy the music! |
Fernando Ávila Performs Online “Accordion Café” in Santa Maria - Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
Fernando Ávila performed at an online concert on July 22nd at the Centro de Convenções UFSM in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil as part of the CC Stage Online project. The concert was entitled “Accordion Café” and was the second show in the series. The program aimed to bring the music culture of a café, “a place of aromas and flavours, where, as history teaches us, many artists sought leisure and rendezvous with their fellows, as well as the inspiration for their artwork.” The performance was recorded without the presence of the audience, only with the artist and the technical team. |
Scythian Play in Fairfax County Virtual Summer Entertainment Series – USAby Christine Johnstone |
“Scythian” (which includes accordionist Dan Fedoryka) performed on August 2nd as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Virtual Concert Summer Entertainment Series. The concert was live streamed and included the group’s new guest drummer, Alex Kuldell. This weekend the band will live stream their Scythian Quaranstream Ep.X – Tenth Anniversary Holiday Special hosted by the Pittsburgh Irish Festival and Appaloosa Festival. For details email: scythianmail@gmail.com |
Future events |
Accordion Music at Maclean Park, Vancouver - Canadaby Rob Howard |
MacLean Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has hosted a variety of outdoor concerts recently including the Vancouver Squeezebox Circle's monthly get-together! The park offers wide-open spaces, lots of fresh air, and as much distance as you like – in the face of Covid-19. Upcoming performances include “Rusty Creek” (accordionist Sue Baines) on August 9th from 2pm to 4pm. The group (pictured above) play a mix of Folkrock, Bluegrass, Country Blues and old Memories. On August 12th Balkan Shmalkan (picture below) will entertain from 7.30pm to 9pm. This group is a dance party orchestra that enjoys playing music with local attitude, funky brass dance beats blended with a mixture of pop and jazz. Members of the group sing in 5 languages including Serbian, Romani, and Italian. On August 19th, accordionist Geoff Berner (picture left) will entertain from 7pm to 9pm. For details email: macleanparkmusic@gmail.com |
“My Way” Concerts at Drostdy Theatre, Stellenbosch – South Africaby Christine Johnstone |
Niel Rademan (accordion - picture above right) and Lucas Heinen (piano - picture above left) will perform a concert series entitled "My Way" at the Drostdy Theatre in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The event will take place from August 14th to 17th and focuses on a mix of classical music, cabaret, tango and folk music. For details email: ane@drostdyteater.co.za |
Christchurch Accordion Orchestra Performs Concert with Stedfast Brass Band – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
The Christchurch Accordion Orchestra (conducted by David Thorne) will perform a concert in conjunction with the Stedfast Brass Band at the Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church in Christchurch, New Zealand on August 16th at 1.30pm. The concert is a post lockdown concert for the Church. Their program will include A La James Last, Triumph March, Cactus Polka, Hallelujah, Fine and Dandy Polka, Dixieland Rag and many other favourites. For details email: thornd@xtra.co.nz |
Milwaukee Accordion Club Picnic – USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Milwaukee Accordion Club will hold their annual picnic on August 22nd from noon to 7pm at the Thiensville Village Park, Thiensville, WI. If you have been confined too long and are ready to get out and hear some live music, good conversation and soak up the outdoors, then this event could be for you. Guests are also welcome, but reservations are required. For details phone: 414-546-3370 |
“Manran” Performs in Aschaffenburg - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
Scottish folk rock band “Manran” (picture above - which features accordionist Gary Innes) will perform at the Colos-Saal Aschaffenburg in Aschaffenburg, Germany on November 2nd, 2020 from 8pm to 10pm. This concert is the replacement date for the event originally planned for April 27th, 2020 but was postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Tickets that have already been purchased remain valid. The event is hosted by the Colos-Saal Aschaffenburg and Irish Cultural Events. The band play a mix of Celtic rock pieces with Gaelic and English vocalists. They have a unique sound with instruments such as Irish Uillean and Scottish bagpipes, accordion, drums, fiddle, guitar and bass. For details email: info@colos-saal.de |
New and Updated Sites |
Norbert Seidel New Book, "Tango Waltz Jazz" - Germanyby Ulrich Schmülling |
Norbert Seidel new music book and tutorial "Tango Waltz Jazz" for only Euro 19.50 or US$ equivalent. Catalog: 1066 This is the supplementary book to the author’s bestseller instruction book "Accordion Jazz Chords" Catalog: seidel Tango Waltz Jazz features new compositions in modern rhythms and with stylish accompanying harmonies. - 12 imaginative compositions – tangos, waltzes and jazz pieces – for accordion solo for beginners as well as advanced players, button and piano keyboard players. - With detailed text descriptions and instructive explanations for playing the compositions musically and realizing them technically. Catalog: 1066 "Tango Waltz Jazz" 56 Pages · Format: 23 x 30.5 cm · ISBN 978-3-925572-18-0 · |
2020 Coupe Mondiale Entry System en línea - Portugalby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
El secretario general de la CIA, Kimmo Mattila, anuncia que el sistema de inscripción en línea 2020 Coupe Mondiale ya está abierto para las entradas al 73 ° Coupe Mondiale desde la página de Reglas generales de la competencia 2020: Reglas 2020CM El Secretario General Kimmo Mattila invita a todos los (44) miembros de la CIA a inscribir delegados en el 144 Congreso Internacional de Delegados que se reúne dos veces en Castro Marim. El 73o Coupe Mondiale será organizado por el miembro de la CIA Mito Algarvio - Associação de Acordeonistas do Algarve, dirigido por el presidente João Pereira del 6 al 10 de octubre de 2020. El presidente de la CIA, Mirco Patarini, invita a los competidores de todas las naciones a presentar sus entradas y elogió a los funcionarios de Castro Marim y al presidente João Pereira de Mito Algarvio por toda su ayuda. El festival contará con competencias de la siguiente manera: • 73a Coupe Mondiale • Masters Coupe Mondiale • Junior Coupe Mondiale • Concurso internacional para Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Concurso internacional para jóvenes de Virtuoso Entertainment Music Debido a las normas de seguridad de Covid-19, no se realizarán categorías de conjunto ni Orquesta de Acordeón Mundial. A continuación se muestra la Biblioteca Castro Marim, un pequeño local con excelente acústica, donde se llevarán a cabo las categorías de la competencia. La fecha de cierre de entrada es el 5 de septiembre de 2020 y toda la información de entrada y hotel está en línea en: Coupe Mondiale |
New Accordion Gift Website Launched – USAby Dan Grauman |
Dan Grauman (picture left) proudly announces the new website, AccordionGifts at www.accordiongifts.com has been launched. Accordion-themed items, including clothing, jewelry, stationery, and novelties have traditionally been much more difficult to find than similar items with images of other instruments, such as violins, clarinets, drums, etc. AccordionGifts hopes to change that. Some gift items on this website include original art by accordionist and artist, Joan Geller Grauman. Many thanks go to accordionist and artist Cody McSherry for creating our beautiful logo. A new item in limited stock is the beautiful accordion-shaped purse with zippered compartment inside as well as on the backside. The purse includes a shoulder strap. |
Online 2020 Australian International Championships and Festival - Australiaby Lionel Reekie |
Despite Covid-19 the music continues! Because of the continued impact of Covid-19 around the world, the Australian Accordion Teachers Association (AATA) will be running this year’s competition categories online by video submission. The competition organiser is AATA President, Tatjana Marx pictured above right. The competitions will be adjudicated by an international jury and the rules and categories are on the AATA website. Entry closing date is Friday 13th August 2020. |
CD Reviews |
Article: Heinrich Band: Namesake, but Not Inventor of the Bandoneon - Germanyby Ulrich Schmülling |
The cradle (beginnings) of the bandoneon or those German Concertinas that were later called bandonions is situated in the town of Carlsfeld (Saxony) in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge). After Carl Friedrich Uhlig (1790–1874) developed the first German Concertina in Chemnitz in 1834, it was Carl Friedrich Zimmermann (1817–1898) who started producing German Concertinas in the attic of his parents’ house in Carlsfeld around 1840, further developed them and some few years later invented an instrument that later became known and sold worldwide under the name “Bandonion.” This is a fact about which there is no doubt in the general public as well as among experts and which has been historically proven. Until recently! A specialist book, which has been available on the German market since May 15, 2020, states with remarkable explicitness that Krefeld merchant Heinrich Band (1821–1860) invented the bandonion and subsequently makes the city of Krefeld the instrument’s birthplace. Under the title “Heinrich Band. Bandoneon” (subtitle: “Die Reise eines Instruments aus dem niederrheinischen Krefeld in die Welt” [The journey of an instrument from Krefeld, Lower Rhine, into the world]), it is both the “Förderverein für das Kulturbüro der Stadt Krefeld e.V.” [Sponsoring Society for the Cultural Office of the Krefeld] as editor and Janine Krüger as author who propagate this in a colorful and lavishly produced book. The book was published by Klartext Verlag, Essen, and financially opulently supported by “Sparkassen Kulturstiftung Krefeld,” [the savings bank cultural foundation] “Stadt Krefeld,” [City of Krefeld] the “Kunst Stiftung NRW” [Art Foundation North Rhine-Westphalia] and the “Kulturbüro Krefeld” [Cultural Office of Krefeld] as well as the “Förderverein für das Kulturbüro der Stadt Krefeld e.V.” (the association is at the same time the editor and financial supporter itself); further backed by Klaus Kokol (Krefeld city council member, deputy Social Democratic Party of Germany parliamentary group leader, director of the legal department) and Jürgen Sauerland-Freer (former head of Krefeld’s culture department and predecessor of Dr. Gabriele König). According to the masthead (title information), besides the editor and author is an editorial staff, which includes Prof. Gerhard Hahn (an engineer, sculptor and designer based in Krefeld), Dr. Gabriele König (head of Krefeld’s Culture Department as well as head of the city’s Culture Office) and Burkhard Ostrowski (Krefeld culture office employee). Thus, there is a concentrated municipal energy in the background. The fact that local patriotism and cultural enthusiasm for the city go so far that music history is “bent” in order to attract even more public attention and publicity, is not only outlandish but also reprehensible. But above all, it is completely unnecessary. To be sure, the name “bandonion” actually derives from the Krefeld family name of Heinrich Band. But apart from the fact that this instrument name did not originate from Band himself, but from a third party, Band has demonstrably never been an instrument manufacturer, but no more and no less was one of several music dealers who bought various instruments from different manufacturers and sold them to their customers. The relevant professional music circles stood on their heads by this snubbing presumption, especially inasmuch as the editors and local politicians not only leave it misrepresented in their book, but use all available types of media exploitation (advertising videos, launched newspaper releases, internet articles, radio reports, etc.) to pursue their historical fact suppression bluntly and widely. It is to be hoped that this does not result in what is widespread in today’s society, namely that untruth becomes truth if it is repeated only loudly and often enough. Heinrich Band. Bandoneon (“Förderverein für das Kulturbüro der Stadt Krefeld e.V.” as editor and Janine Krüger as author), in German language only. ISBN 978-3-8375-1970-9 - format 23 x 23 cm - 368 pages - four-color throughout with numerous photos and illustrations - hardcover, thread stitching - price 29.95 euros - circulation: 700 copies. Ulrich Schmülling, July 15th 2020 (picture above) Translation: Willoughby Ann Walshe (picture above) Excerpt from Research by Norbert Seidel about Invention of Bandoneon in German Article about: Willoughby Ann Walshe 80th Birthday, Kamen - Germany http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=21-Apr-2017&lang=en#art12985 |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |