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Highlights |
CARL FORTINA (1929-2004) – CALIFORNIA EEUUby Rob Howard |
Carl Fortina, posiblemente el acordeonista con mayor experiencia discográfica del mundo, fue el primero en hacer carrera como músico de sesión en la industria del cine de Hollywood, abriendo camino a otros memorables músicos como Frank Morocco. Fortina toco en la banda sonora de más de 550 películas, incluyendo “Desayuno con diamantes”, “How de West Was Won”, “Love me Tender”, “Paint your Wagon”, “Star Trek”, trilogía de “El Padrino”, etc. También participó aproximadamente en 25,000 series y programas televisivos como la ya mítica “Bonanza”. Cuando Nino Rota (El Padrino), escuchó a Carl tocando el tema de su legendaria banda sonora le dijo: “tú no tocas con las manos, tú tocas con el corazón”. Comenzó a tocar el acordeón a la edad de 4 años en un pequeño instrumento de 12 bajos. Para el deleite del padre (también acordeonista), Carl le escuchó tocar una melodía. Inmediatamente este se la devolvió. Bendecido con oído absoluto y una gran memoria, Carl tomó lecciones de acordeón con John Pezzolo, y, a la edad de 5 años, hizo su presentación en público en un festival de acordeón en California, para una audiencia de 15,000 personas. Solamente sería el principio de una larga y exitosa carrera. Tras dos años en el ejército, sirviendo como jefe de percusión en la 6ª infantería, Carl se instaló en Los Ángeles en 1953, donde durante los siguientes 35 años fue el principal acordeonista de Hollywood. Carl Fortina fue nombrado Director Honorario de la Convención Internacional de Las Vegas en 2008. Amado y respetado por colegas y alumnos. Recordado como una amable persona, un caballero. Falleció el 30 de enero de 2014 a la edad de 84. |
8º ACCORDION ART FESTIVAL Y COMPETICIÓN. PREMIO ORFEO 2014 – ITALIAby Renzo Ruggieri |
Abierta ya la inscripción para el 8º Accordion Art Festival y Competición y el Premio Orfeo 2014, que es un importante premio de la crítica para las producciones (CD. DVD, MP3) que han poblado la vida musical del 2013 (destinado especialmente al acordeón y derivados como el bandoneón, la armónica, el diatónico...). El Orfeo es al acordeón lo que los Oscar al cine. Las competiciones y el festival así como el Orfeo se realizarán en el Roseto Degli Abruzzi (TE, Italy), el 14 y el 15 de julio. El director artístico será el conocido reportero musical Gerlando Gatto (imagen de la derecha) y el organizador será Renzo Ruggieri (imagen de la izquierda). Contará con la ayuda de la Associazione Promozione Arte en colaboración con la Ciudad de Pineto (TE, Italy), el Club Voglia D'Arte y otros patrocinadores privados. La fecha límite para realizar la inscripción es el 30 de abril de 2014. Puedes descargar la normativa completa en: 2014Orpheus. Para más información: info@accordionartfestival.com |
RICHARD GALLIANO: PREMIO AL MEJOR COMPOSITOR, ÚLTIMO VÍDEO Y PAQUETE-REGALO DE 5 CDS – FRANCIA.by Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Richard Galliano ha sido nombrado como mejor compositor para mśuica clásica por su obra “Fables of Tuba” en la 21ª edición del “Victories de la Musique classique” el día 3 de febrero en el Grand Theatre de Provence d'Aix-en-Provence. El evento fue televisado por France TV. Video superior: R. Galliano y R. Mejias (dúo) grabado el 6 de febrero de 2014. Interpretan la famosa pieza de Galliano titulada “Fou Rire”. Vía Amazon puedes adquirir el nuevo pack de 5 Cds de Richard Galliano. Disco 1: Waltz for Nicky, Java Indigo, Viaggio, Billie, Tango Pour Claude, Christopher's Bossa, Coloriage, Romance, Little Muse, Liberte Est une Fleur Disco 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 Disco 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 Disco 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 Disco 5: Ruby, My Dear, Insidieuse, Historia de un Amor, Bohemia After Dark, Gnossienne N°, Teulada, Naïa, Spleen, Waltz for Nicky |
SHAN MORINO GATHERING, ESCOCIA – R.U.by Rob Howard |
El evento anual Shand Morino Gathering tuvo lugar el domingo 19 de enero en el Windygates Institute, Fife, Escocia y fue presenciado por un importante número de entusiastas asistentes. Bruce Lindsay Senior inauguró los actos de la tarde con una corta referencia a la historia de Shand Morino (imagen de la izquierda). En la imagen: acordeón de tres filas producido por Hohner en 1939 para Jimmy Shand. Tras la charla introductora, se ofreció un concierto que incluyó a George Wilson, Davy Ross, Roy Magna, Robin Waitt, Ian Cruickshanks, Alex Houston, Arthur Wook, Sandy McAllan, Archie Paterson, Davie Millar, Cody Roberts, Donal Ring, scott Band, Roger Dobson, Andy Grieg, Bill Young, Ian Stewart, Gladys Wright. Todos ellos solistas de Shand Morino. El Shand Morino se convirtió en un reclamo icónico, popularizado por Sir Jimmy Shand (imagen de la izquierda). |
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 Piazzolla Lithuanian-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. |
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 |
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 |
Victor Prieto Trio Concert, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
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 |
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 |
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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