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Highlights |
8th Accordion Art Festival & Contests, Orpheus Award 2014 - Italy
Richard Galliano, Best Composer Award, Latest Video, 5 CD Giftpack Released - France
Shand Morino Gathering, Scotland – UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Martynas Levickis Video and Performances - UK, Europe, China
Paul Chamberlain and Tuning his Accordion, Castelfidardo – Italy
Video: Miloš Milivojević Bach to Baby - UK
Video: Joe Escalante - USA
Video: Sonata by E. Podgaits - Russia
‘14 Years Ago’: ‘Accordion Dreams’ TV Documentary, February 2000
Future events |
Jacques and Corinne Pellarin Gigs – France
Victor Prieto Trio Concert, New York – USA
Bruno Maurice Concert, New CD 'Mitango’, Paris – France
2014 Selbufestivalen Folk Festival - Norway
Gary Blair Gigs, Eastbourne, Cambridge, Guildford – UK
‘Grand Soiree Patoisante’, Saint-Joseph – France
New and Updated Sites |
CD Reviews |
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Highlights |
Carl Fortina (1929-2014), California – USAby Rob Howard |
 Carl Fortina, possibly “the world’s most recorded accordionist”, was the first accordion player to make a career as a session musician in the Hollywood movie industry, paving the way for others, most notably the late Frank Marocco. Fortina played on the soundtrack of more than 550 films, including ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, ‘How the West was Won’, ‘Love Me Tender’, Paint Your Wagon’, Star Trek’, ‘The Godfather’ trilogy, etc, and also for an estimated 25,000 TV shows, such as ‘Bonanza’. When Nino Rota, the composer who wrote the music for ‘The Godfather’, heard Carl play the theme for the sound track, he told Carl "You don't play with your hands - you play with your heart". The son of an accordionist, young Carl began playing at the age of 4 on a very small 12 bass instrument. To his father’s great delight, Carl listened to him playing a simple tune, then played it back to him. Blessed with perfect pitch and a great memory, Carl had lessons with the well-known San Francisco teacher John Pezzolo, and at the age of just 5, made his public debut playing in a concert at an accordion festival in California before an audience of 15,000. This was the beginning of a long and highly successful career as a concert accordionist. Following two years in the army, serving as a drum major in the 6th Infantry, Carl settled in Los Angeles in 1953 where, for the next 35 years, he was the “first call” accordionist in Hollywood. By 1973, Carl had become a contract orchestra manager for many Hollywood productions, and in 1976 he became the orchestra manager for Paramount Motion Pictures, a position he held for 30 years. He has worked with many famous names, such as Elvis Presley, Cher, Barbara Streisand, John Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, Henry Mancini, to name but a few. Carl Fortina was named the Honorary Director at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention in 2008. He was very well liked and respected by his peers, and regarded as a true gentleman by all who knew him. He passed away from emphysema on January 30th, 2014 at the age of 84. |
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8th Accordion Art Festival & Contests, Orpheus Award 2014 - Italyby Renzo Ruggieri |
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  Registration is now open for the 8th Accordion Art Festival & Contests and the Orpheus Award 2014 which is a critics' prize for productions (CD, DVD, MP3) during the 2013 year where the accordionist (also bandoneon, harmonica, diatonic) leader or co-leader is Italian. The Orpheus is an award similar to Oscar for film, dedicated to the production companies of accordion productions. The competitions and festival and Orpheus awards prizegiving will take place in Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE, Italy), July 14th and 15th. The Artistic Director will be the well-known music journalist Gerlando Gatto (picture right) and event organiser is Renzo Ruggieri (picture left). Organisers are the Associazione Promozione Arte in collaboration with the City of Pineto (TE, Italy), the Club Voglia D'Arte and private sponsors. Entries close 30th April 2014. Download rules and Regulations (only for Italians) at: 2014Orpheus For further information email: info@accordionartfestival.com |
Richard Galliano, Best Composer Award, Latest Video, 5 CD Giftpack Released - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Richard Galliano was crowned winner in the category ‘Best Composer for Classical Music for his composition titled ‘Fables of Tuba’ at the 21st edition of 'Victoires de la Musique classique’ on the 3rd February at the Grand Theatre de Provence d’Aix-en-Provence. The event was broadcast by France TV.Video above: Richard Galliano and Rafael Mejias (duet) released on 6th February 2014 a video of Galliano's famous composition Fou Rire performed in duet with Rafael Mejias. A ‘Richard Galliano 5 CD Giftpack’ containing 5 different albums by this leading French accordionist is available via Amazon. Disc 1: Waltz for Nicky, Java Indigo, Viaggio, Billie, Tango Pour Claude, Christopher's Bossa, Coloriage, Romance, Little Muse, Liberte Est une Fleur Disc 2: Sang Mélé, Face to Face, Tribue to Joe Diorio, Beija-Flor, I Remember Clifford, Enlaces, Laurita, Berimbau/Sermao, Amandine, Framboise, Sous le Ciel de Paris, Azul Tango, Avec le Temps Disc 3: Otoño Porteño, Invierno Porteño, Sur: Regreso al Amor, Concerto Pour Bandonéon et Orchestre "Aconcagua" – Final, Milonga del Angel, Michelangelo, Improvisation Sur le Thème "Libertango", Larura et Astor, Escuado, Présentation du Septet, Verano Porteño, Primavera Porteña Disc 4: Tango Pour Claude, Taraf, Giselle, Little Tango, Oblivion, Chorino Pra Lee, Ivan Ivanovitch Kossiakof, Viaggio, Libetango, Indifference, Mozambique, Face to Face, J.F., Beija Flor Disc 5: Ruby, My Dear, Insidieuse, Historia de un Amor, Bohemia After Dark, Gnossienne N°, Teulada, Naïa, Spleen, Waltz for Nicky |
Shand Morino Gathering, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
  The annual Shand Morino Gathering event took place on Sunday January 19th at the Windygates Institute, Fife, Scotland, and was attended by a large number of enthusiasts including many players. Bruce Lindsay Senior began the afternoon’s proceedings with a short history of the Shand Morino (picture right), a 3-row British Chromatic diatonic accordion first produced by Hohner in 1939 for Jimmy Shand, then an up and coming player. Following the introductory talk, there was a concert featuring George Wilson, Davy Ross, Roy Magna, Robin Waitt, Ian Cruickshanks, Alex Houston, Arthur Wood, Sandy McAllan, Archie Paterson, Davie Millar, Cody Roberts, Donal Ring, Scott Band, Roger Dobson, Andy Grieg, Bill Young, Ian Stewart, Gladys Wright – all Shand Morino soloists. The afternoon ended in typical Scotish fashion with a stramash, with all the players together on stage for final thrash through some well-known tunes. There were many other musicians present, some providing accompaniment, but the event is all about celebrating the iconic Shand Morino, made famous by the late great Sir Jimmy Shand (picture left). |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Beltango Performing at the 10th Belgrade Tango Festival - Serbiaby Harley Jones |
| Two videos published, 5th February 2014, of popular Quintet Beltango performing at the 10th Belgrade Tango Festival, Kolarac Concert Hall, Belgrade on 1st November 2013. Video 1: Por Una Cabeza (Carlos Gardel) Video 2: La Cumparsita (Gerardo Matos Rodríguez) with dancers Gustavo Rosas and Gisela Natoli. Beltango Quintet members are: Aleksandar Nikolic (bandoneon/accordion), Ivana Nikolic (piano/vocal), Jovan Bogosavljevic (violin), Bogdan Pejic (el.guitar), Ljubinko Lazic (double bass). Available online, Triple CD Pack by Beltango |
Video: Martynas Levickis Video and Performances - UK, Europe, Chinaby Rob Howard |
 Video: Martynas Levickis Performs Adios Nonino by Astor PiazzollaLithuanian-born accordionist Martynas Levickis has a busy time in February, performing in several countries. His travels include: February 5th to 9th - Italy February 9th to 13th - UK February 14th to 16th - Germany February 17th to 27th - Lithuania February 28th – special guest at ‘China’s Got Talent’, Shanghai, China |
Paul Chamberlain and Tuning his Accordion, Castelfidardo – Italyby Rob Howard |
 Keeping an instrument in tune can be a nightmare for any professional musician, what with travelling to gigs on bumpy roads or playing in chilly concert halls. But few instrumentalists can claim to have as much of a journey as Paul Chamberlain, the classical accordionist who has just come back from Italy where he had his accordion tuned in the town where it was made.Because of the complex nature of the accordion’s mechanisms, tuning Paul’s instrument requires a trip to Castelfidardo in Italy. When flying with the accordion, Paul has to purchase an additional seat as the instrument is just a little too large for normal hand-luggage requirements. Fortunately, tuning is only required every three or four years. The complex tuning procedure involves splitting the accordion at the bellows to gain access to the instrument’s reeds, of which there are over 900. Each reed must be checked and double-checked until the tuning is correct, which most professional tuners are able to do by ear. “Once all of the reeds have been tuned the accordion is re-assembled and a final check of all the reeds is done. I returned the following day to check everything and any minor corrections can be then done immediately,” says Paul. Saves a flight back to Italy! |
Video: Miloš Milivojević Bach to Baby - UKby Harley Jones |
| Video: Published on Jan 27, 2014 presents Miloš Milivojevic performing the "The Music Box" by Anatoly Lyadov. Video by Alejandro Tamagno and copyright by Bach to Baby, critically acclaimed concerts for baby and you in locations across London and the South East. www.bachtobaby.com |
Video: Joe Escalante - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
| Video: Joe Escalante and his group (picture below) performing at a church festival in San Antonio, Texas. In the South Texas area, he is known as “The Abuser” or “The Accordion Abuser” because of the way his fingers hammer down on the buttons of his accordion. Joe Escalante carries over forty years of musical experience around his shoulders, and he has recorded with many greats in the Tejano and Conjunto industry. |
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Video: Sonata by E. Podgaits - Russiaby Harley Jones |
| Recorded at the Jubilee concert of Victor Romanko on the 27th December 2013 performed by A. Timofeev. |
‘14 Years Ago’: ‘Accordion Dreams’ TV Documentary, February 2000by Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending February 11th 2000 included an item about a documentary about the origins of the Texas-based Conjunto genre, also known as Tex-Mex‘Accordion Dreams’ Documentary – USA Contributed by Evy Ledesma Documentary filmmaker Hector Galan is currently producing a documentary intended for national PBS broadcast in the USA entitled ‘Accordion Dreams’. This documentary will trace the journey of the accordion from Germany to South Texas, where it became the driving force behind a unique American musical genre called Conjunto, a music with German and Mexican influences. This program looks at today’s young rebel accordionists who have expanded this musical style to the fringes of rock, metal, and pop, while paying homage to its pioneers. Galan has already produced ‘Songs of the Homeland’, a documentary featuring the accordion. |
Future events |
East Antrim Seniors Orchestra Concert, Belfast – UKby Rob Howard |
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| On Friday February 7th, 7.45pm, the East Antrim Seniors Orchestra (MD Clyde Johnston) performs in concert at the Joanmount Methodist Church Hall, 1 Wallacy Park, North Belfast, Northern Ireland. For further information email: clyde.johnston@hotmail.co.uk |
Jacques and Corinne Pellarin Gigs – Franceby Rob Howard |
| Video: "Tzigane Party" composed by Jacques Pellarin The duo JAC - Jacques and Corinne Pellarin accordion/vocals live performances as follows: February 8th – ‘Le relai Fleuri’, Chermigon d 'en Bas, Valais March 1st - Restaurant ‘La queue de cochon’, private party, Chambéry March 28th and 29th - Restaurant La Fleur de Lys, Porcel, Fribourg For further information email: jacques.pellarin@wanadoo.fr |
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Victor Prieto Trio Concert, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
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| The Victor Prieto Trio perform their jazz set on Tuesday February 11th, 10pm, at Terraza 7 Live Music, 40-19 Gleane Street, Elmhurst, New York. With accordionist Victor Prieto for this gig are Jorge Roeder - bass, and Eric Doob – drums. Victor Prieto writes, “Hey guys, many of you are asking me, if I have changed my accordion. Yes! I am not longer using the black one, due to the weight, too heavy and also the registration of the left hand. This is a small beast with a great sound, lighter and with a few changes on the left registers”. For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
Bruno Maurice Concert, New CD 'Mitango’, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
 Bruno Maurice performs in concert on Thursday February 13th, 8.30pm, at the Salle Cortot in Paris. He will be promoting his new solo accordion CD, ‘Mitango’, recorded in the Church of San Antonio, Rome, Italy. The recording contains many of Bruno’s own compositions and improvisations. Video above is excerpts from a recital at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China, April 20, 2011, published 5th May 2013, of compositions and improvisations by Bruno Maurice. For further information email: bmaurice33@gmail.com |
2014 Selbufestivalen Folk Festival - Norwayby Harley Jones |
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| The Selbufestivalen Folk Festival will be held from the July 31st to 3rd August in Norway. Artists for 2014 include popular Øivind Farmen, Lars Karlsson Band, Skjalg Bjørstad and Ole Bjarnes. The event is organised by the Selbu Gammeldanslag, Selbu Trekkspillklubb (accordion club) and the Selbusjøen Hotel and Guesthhouse For further information, email: post@selbugammeldanslag.no |
Gary Blair Gigs, Eastbourne, Cambridge, Guildford – UKby Rob Howard |
 Scottish accordionist Gary Blair goes south this month into England for some performances, as follows:February 14th to 17th - Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Cumberland Hotel, Eastbourne February 18th, 7.30pm – Cambridge Accordion Club, Village Hall, Main St, Stow-cum-Quy, Cambridge February 21st, 7.30pm – Guildford Accordion Club, Ripley Village Hall, Surrey GU23 6AF. The Tillingbourne Accordion Orchestra will also be performing. |
‘Grand Soiree Patoisante’, Saint-Joseph – Franceby Rob Howard |
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| The ‘Grand Soiree Patoisante’ takes place on Saturday February 15th, 7pm, at the Salle du Restaurant Scolaire, Saint-Joseph, France. This will be dining and dancing to music by several accordionists. |
New and Updated Sites |
Amy Jo Sawyer releases her new eSheet musicby Amy Jo Sawyer |
 Amy Jo Sawyer - accordionist, composer, performer, soloist, releases 3 new compositions for accordion available for purchase online.catalog: sawyer01, 'Diggin' Dorian', catalog: sawyer02, 'Elida', catalog: sawyer03, 'Juntos ("Together")', The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
Johann Sebastian Bach - Volume 2 - The French Suites 4 – 6 Prelude and Fugue in A minor Airby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Johann Sebastian Bach - Volume 2 - The French Suites 4 – 6 Prelude and Fugue in A minor Air CD by Mika Väyrynen, Accordion, in English language, reviewed by Joan C. Sommers. |
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