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Highlights |
3rd Strumenti & Musica Festival, Spoleto – Italy
Alejandro Brittes and João Gentil at the ‘Mundial de Acordeón’, Valledupar – Colombia
New Work by Composer Elizabeta Ilievska-Bete - Skopje - Macedonia
Dee Langley Performs with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - USA
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Debra Peters’ New Accordion Tuition DVD, Texas – USA
NAAFC Festival 2010, Scotland – UK
Future events |
Lips Accordion Workshop, Imst - Austria
Frédéric Deschamps Travel/Masterclass Schedule – China, Lithuania, Europe
‘Red Cardell’ Concerts, Brittany – France
David Vernon Concerts, North Staffs AC, Stockport AC – UK
Guy Klucevsek Concert, New York – USA
Katherine Hunka and Dermot Dunne Concert, Dublin – Irish Republic
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Highlights |
First International Festival, Rostov-on-Don – Russiaby Harley Jones |
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 The First International Festival takes place in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, from April 26th to 28th. The Rostov area is long renowned for producing accordionists, and this festival will be centered in and around the halls of the Rostov Philharmonic, presenting concerts each evening dedicated to different music genres. The festival will include press conferences, creative meetings and master classes - everyone will have the opportunity to talk, ask questions to the performers and organizers. April 26th, 7pm - Small Philharmonic Hall, a Classical Concert featuring Alexander Poeluev (photo lower left) and Yuri Shishkin (photo left), both winners of international and Russian competitions for accordion and bayan. Alexander Poeluev has also toured internationally many times, and performed in many cities in Russia. Yuri Shishkin is an ‘Honoured Artist of Russia’, and Honorary Professor of Shanghai Conservatory and Tsitsiharskogo University (China). He has toured more than 30 countries, is an organizer of festivals, master classes, participates in summer art schools around the world, and has recorded 7 CDs. April 27th, 7pm - Great Hall of the Philharmonic, an evening of Folk Music, involving Pianoff (Moscow), Osipova, accordionist Gennady Kalmykov, Osipov, singer Victor Skolozubov, and the Don Cossacks ensemble, featuring Sergei Cochin – bayan. April 28th, 7pm - Great Hall of the Philharmonic, a Jazz Concert featuring the highly accomplished Renzo Ruggieri (Italy), and the local quartet New-Centropezn Jazz Quartet (Rostov-on-Don). Russian: 2010 Rostov Schedule & Information |
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3rd Strumenti & Musica Festival, Spoleto – Italyby Harley Jones |
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 The cultural association (IAC Italian Accordion Culture), in collaboration with the music recording ARS Spoletium Editions Ltd. is organizing the 3rd Strumenti & Musica Festival, Spoleto May 15th to 23rd. This event includes an International Competition for accordion soloists and groups of chamber music 'Prize Instruments & Music', and the selection of Italian candidates for participation in the 63rd CIA Coupe Mondiale (UNESCO), to be held in Varazdin, Croatia, October 19th to 25th 2010. 2010 Spoleto Rules. The international jury (IAC) will sponsor the two best Italian accordionists selected for the trip and the hotel in Varaždin. The event also provides a series of major concerts, including the pianist Nicola Piovani (Oscar for the soundtrack of Roberto Benigni's ‘Life is Beautiful’), who will be accompanied by accordionist Mirco Patarini (photo lower left). The event will take place on the evening of May 21st at the Teatro Nuovo, and will also feature Finland’s Mika Väyrynen (photo top left), one of the greatest contemporary accordionists, with the complicity string orchestra ‘Collegium Tiberinum’, and clarinettist Gabriel Francioli. Tickets are already available and can be purchased directly from www.ticketitalia.com 2010 Spoleto Rules. |
Alejandro Brittes and João Gentil at the ‘Mundial de Acordeón’, Valledupar – Colombiaby Rob Howard |
 There are many accordion ensembles and soloists confirming their participation in the second ‘Mundial de Músicas de Acordeón’, taking place in Valledupar, Colombia, from June 23rd to 26th. The latest to accept invitations, making their debuts, are Alejandro Brittes, from Argentina, and João Gentil, from Portugal. The Mundial de Músicas de Acordeón, whose Director is Lolita Acosta, is a festival that includes concerts, contests and dance events, showcasing national and international folk music traditions from such countries as Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal and the Czech Republic. The festival is an event organized by the Fundación Reyes and Juglares Vallenatos with support from the City Hall of Valledupar, and the Corporación Biblioteca Departamental Rafael Carrillo Lúquez and Corpocesar. Alejandro Brittes, from Buenos Aires, will be accompanied by a guitarist. Brittes, also a composer and arranger, is from the regional chamamé folk tradition of Argentina. He has done much to raise the profile of chamamé through his concerts, touring and recordings throughout Argentina, and also abroad, especially in Brazil. João Gentil, from central Portugal, is an interpreter of tango and diverse international traditions. He began his musical studies in Switzerland, and on return to Portugal attended the Conservatory of Music of Figueira. At present is a visiting Professor at the Conservatory of Anca and is involved with Accordions Worldwide. He has performed on Portuguese radio and television, in many cities of Portugal, and in numerous festivals in such countries as Italy, Ireland, Norway, France, Swiss, Spain, USA and Canada. For further information email: eldiariovallenato@gmail.com |
New Work by Composer Elizabeta Ilievska-Bete - Skopje - Macedoniaby Anica Karakutovska |
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 The annual ‘Days of Macedonian Music 2010’, organized by the Association of Composers of Macedonia – SOCOM, under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Macedonia and the Ministry of Culture, was held from March 23rd to March 31st in Skopje.At the ‘Young Macedonian Composers’ concert, held on March 28th in the City Museum of Skopje, composer Elizabeta Ilievska-Bete presented her new work ‘Tango Macedone’ for violin, accordion and piano. There was a great interpretation of the ‘Tango Macedone’ by the eminent musicians and pedagogues Anna Kontradenko on violin, Zorica Karakutovska on accordion and Katerina Kostadinovska-Gelebesheva on piano (picture above), which was very well received by the large audience, and the music critics wrote that this is an excellent new work. For further information email: anica2206@yahoo.com |
Dee Langley Performs with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
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 The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (Minnesota) featured Dee Langley on accordion during its recent performance of Thomas Adès’ work ‘Chamber Symphony for 15 Players, Opus 2’. Program notes described the work and his role for the accordion as follows: “Fractured jazz sonorities predominate in the first movement, with pizzicato bass, muted trumpet, and sinuous licks from the basset and bass clarinets. The airy second movement begins with a low rumble of notes from the prepared piano, a sound that cycles repeatedly underneath the hovering upper layers. The accordion makes a tentative entrance, but soon the music accelerates into the flowing triplets and swoops of the third section; this breaks off suddenly at the climax, leaving only the quiet wheezing of the accordion to start the final slow section. Ghostly blooms from the strings and deep responses from the clarinets spin out to a whispered conclusion.” The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, now in its 51st season, is the nation’s only full-time professional chamber orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. Welcoming the Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Donata Cabrera, this St. Paul Concert marked his debut with the orchestra. President of the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG), Dee Langley specializes in both solo and ensemble work on the accordion and has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Ancia Quartet, Minnesota Sinfonia, Minneapolis Philharmonic and Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Finland’s ‘Kuunkuiskaajat’ in Eurovision Song Contest, Oslo – Norwayby Rob Howard |
 After the many hard rock bands and a dico act in recent years, two members of Finland’s most successful contemporary folk group Värttinä will represent the country at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo on May 29th.Susan Aho and Johanna Virtanen perform as the duo ‘Kuunkuiskaajat’ (‘Moon Whispers’). Their cheerful and charming performance at the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest conquered the hearts of the Finns. Kuunkuiskaajat beat all the pre-contest favourites by receiving 42 per cent of the votes. The Finnish entry is titled ‘Työlki Ellää’, composed by Timo Kiiskinen. Part of the song is performed in Karelian dialect, which is spoken in Eastern Finland. The tongue-in-cheek title translates as “You can also make a living by working” (but it's business that makes you rich). Susan Aho began playing accordion at the age of 13. She has obtained a Master of Music degree at the Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department. Susan is not only a professional musician, but also a puppeteer. Currently she works at the internationally renowned puppet theatre Sampo. Johanna Virtanen studied folk music and singing at the Central Ostrobothnian Conservatory in Kokkola, and at the Sibelius Academy. Johanna is a professional vocal teacher and is specialized in childbirth singing. In addition she plays harmonium, kantele, and 2-row button accordion. As members of Värttinä, Susan and Johanna have toured extensively in Europe and all over the world, in more than 30 countries in total. One of the group’s most notable projects in recent years was composing music for ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ theatrical adaptation. |
Debra Peters’ New Accordion Tuition DVD, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
 ‘The ABCs of Accordion Basics’ is a new tuition DVD by accordion teacher and performer Debra Peters, from Austin, Texas, explaining and demonstrating the uses of 25 bass patterns for stradella bass accordions. The DVD includes a booklet with 36 patterns.This DVD is volume three of a series looking at the development left hand techniques. For further information email: dpeters33472@sbcglobal.net |
NAAFC Festival 2010, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
  March 13th saw the Inchyra Grange Hotel host the 36th National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs (NAAFC) Festival. The organising team was headed by James Coutts, Lorna Mair, and Richard Ross. Despite the change of date, there was a large entry level in the competitions. This, allied with the large number of enthusiasts and traders in attendance, created a great atmosphere and buzz throughout the day. The adjudicators were extremely impressed with the standard of playing across the competitions, and it was especially pleasing that there were so many new faces in the classical accordion classes. The huge entry, the biggest for 25 years, made for hectic scheduling, but all the solo and duet competitions finished in time to allow everyone to attend the Bands section - one of the highlights of the day. The Bands section and prize winners concert were recorded by BBC Radio Scotland. After the concert, Alan Gardiner's Scottish Dance Band gave a great performance at the dance, which was enjoyed and appreciated by a large crowd. Accordion section winners included: Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo - Andrew Erskine Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo - Kyle Innes Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo - Sam Rutherford Senior Traditional Accordion Solo - Liam Stewart Senior Accordion Solo (Pipe Music) - Andrew Gibb Open Button Key Accordion Solo - Graeme MacKay Open Accordion Championship - Gary Sutherland Under 12 Classical Solo - Alexander Girling Under 14 Classical Solo - Emma Dickson Under 16 Classical Solo - Nicola Smith Under 14 Musette Solo – Alex Stewart Under 14 Polka Solo – Alex Stewart Open Classical Solo – Grant McFarlane Open Musette Solo - Craig Paton Open Musette Solo - Paul Capaldi Open Classical Duet – Grant McFarlane and Paula Kelly Under 13 Classical Duet – Adam Gibb and Emma Dickson Under 16 Classical Duet - Duncan Muir and Roy Anderson Overall Senior Accordion Champion (Bobby MacLeod Trophy) – Andrew Gibb Overall Junior Accordion Champion (Alex Little Memorial Trophy) - Steven Todd Bands Competition - Sam Rutherford The 2011 Festival takes place at the Inchyra Grange Hotel on Saturday March 5th. |
Future events |
Milos Milivojevic @ the Wignore Hall, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Milos Milivojevic is to perform as a special guest at the Wigmore Hall, London, on Sunday April 11th, 7.30pm, as part of the Derek Butler Prize Competition. The Derek Butler Prize is contested by postgraduate students nominated by each of London’s four conservatories. Milos Milivojevic, the Derek Butler first prize winner in 2008, will be performing Viktor Vlasov's, 'Five Views on Country GULAG'. For further information email: milosmusic@hotmail.com |
Lips Accordion Workshop, Imst - Austriaby Herbert Scheibenreif |
 For the 11th time the city of Imst (located in the Tyrol, near Innsbruck) will organize a workshop for musicians and artistes of different styles from July 12th to 16th. Participants will have the opportunity to combine some relaxing days with artistic activity. Bayanist/accordionist Friedrich Lips (from the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow) will give solo lessons to participants, giving his view of how to solve musical and technical problems, performance on stage, etc. For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
Frédéric Deschamps Travel/Masterclass Schedule – China, Lithuania, Europeby Harley Jones |
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 Girls top: Cristel Sautaux (Swizerland), Olivia Cazals (UK), Caroline Ruhland (Fr), Aurore Touchard (Fr),Boys lower: Joao Barradas (Portugal), Grayson Masefield (NZ), Augustinas Rakauskas (Lituania), Lorenzo Verwaerde (Fr) photo from the training course, 5-11 April 2010. Continuing a busy March and April of 5 training courses and 6 master classes, French teacher Frédéric Deschamps (picture left) has an even busier time in the coming months. From April 18 to 30 he is teaching in Shanghai, Beijing and Tienjin. This is followed by a master class in Vilnius (Lithuania), probably the first Web master class with Skype with the Conservatory of Vilnius. Then Frédéric is in Monaco, Rome (Italy) and China again in June, before returning to France for training courses. The Frédéric Deschamps training courses in France are taking place from: July 5 to 11 July 19 to 24 July 26 to 31 August 2 to 7 August 16 to 22 August 30 to 5 September. These summer courses will take place in la Selle sur le Bied,,100 km south of Paris, train station Montargis. They are frequented by accordionists of all ages, all nationalities, all levels and all brands of instruments used. In addition to workshops and master classes planned, you can now take lessons with Frederic Deschamps on Skype video conference (appointments made by email). Information and registration: Frédéric Deschamps: 06 17 85 38 19 or email frederic.deschamps@wanadoo.fr |
‘Red Cardell’ Concerts, Brittany – Franceby Rob Howard |
| ‘Red Cardell’ is a band based in Quimper, Brittany, formed in 1992 by guitarist/singer Jean Pierre Riou and accordionist Jean Michel Moal. The band’s music is a mixture of Rock and traditional Breton, and ‘Red Cardell’ have successfully produced their own recordings, marketed by Celtic Music (Keltia Musique). ‘Soleil Blanc’, their new CD and 12th album, was released on March 26th. Concert dates: April 9th - Espace Albert Camus, Maurepas April 10th – Batofar, Paris April 15th - départ transat AG2R, Concarneau April 17th - Le triskell, Pont Labbé April 23rd – Vauban, Brest April 24th - Espace Jean Cocteau, Monts May 7th - Palais des Arts, Vannes May 21st – Festival, Plougonvelin May 22nd - Aubercail Festival, Aubervielliers May 28th and 29th - Le Trousse Chemise, Langan June 5th - La petite scène, St Nolff June 25th - Les Artzimutés Festival, Cherbourg |
David Vernon Concerts, North Staffs AC, Stockport AC – UKby Rob Howard |
 The versatile accordion entertainer David Vernon, from Edinburgh, is the guest artiste at North Staffs Accordion Club and Stockport Accordion Club on April 20th and 21st respectively.The concert for North Staffs AC takes place on Tuesday April 20th, 8pm, at the Holditch Miner’s Welfare Club, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs. The Stockport AC concert, Wednesday April 21st, begins at 8pm, at Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel Street/A560 Hyde Road, Woodley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 1ND. David Vernon has performed at musical events, accordion clubs and festivals all over the UK and abroad, including the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Iceland, the Middle East, Bangladesh, and others. In 2004 he was a guest at the ‘Rencontre Européene de l’Accordéon’ festival in Chartres, France. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Guy Klucevsek Concert, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
 On April 27th, 8pm, accordionist Guy Klucevsek will be performing at The Stone, a 'New Artists' venue dedicated to experimental and avant-garde music, situated on the corner of 2nd St and Avenue C, in the East Village, New York.Guy Klucevsek has created a unique repertoire for accordion through his compositions and by commissioning over 50 works from composers including John Zorn, Aaron Jay Kernis, Lois V Vierk, Fred Frith, Alvin Lucier, Mary Ellen Childs, William Duckworth, Jerome Kitzke, Stephen Montague and Somei Satoh. In 1996, Klucevsek formed The Accordion Tribe, an international lineup including accordionists Maria Kalaniemi (Finland), Lars Hollmer (Sweden), Bratko Bibic (Slovenia), Otto Lechner (Austria), and Klucevsek (USA). They are the subjects of the documentary film, ‘Accordion Tribe: Music Travels’, which was released in theaters across Europe in 2004-2005, and featured at film festivals in North America. Klucevsek has released 17 recordings, including ‘Polka Dots & Laser Beams’, ‘Who Stole the Polka?’, and ‘Transylvanian Softwear’. He also performs on John Williams's scores for the Steven Spielberg films ‘The Terminal’ and ‘Munich’, and has performed on Broadway in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Victor/Victoria’ and ‘Piaf’. |
Katherine Hunka and Dermot Dunne Concert, Dublin – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
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| Katherine Hunka – violin and Dermot Dunne – accordion will perform in concert on Sunday April 25th, 12noon, at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin. Admission free, and tickets will be available at the door. Katherine Hunka is Leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Dermot Dunne is a regular performer throughout Ireland as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing at all major venues and festivals. Equally well known internationally, Dermot has performed in England, France, Portugal, Germany, Serbia, Macedonia and the Ukraine. The styles he performs range from Baroque to contemporary classical and from Bulgarian folk to Argentinean, which he regularly performs with the Nuevo Tango Quartet. |
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