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Sergey Voytenko nommé Artiste d’Honneur de la région de Samara - Russieby Harley Jones |
Video 1: Sergey Voytenko et l’orchestre "Academy" (direction B. Crow) - Rossiniana (final). Video 2: Bayanmix (Voytenko & Dmitry Chramkov) - Pure Ponds Video 3: Laimonas Salijus de Kaunas, Lithuanie, interprète Révélation, composé par Sergey Voitenko Le 25 mars 2014, “Journée de la culture” en Russie, le célèbre musicien, producteur et compositeur Sergei Voytenko, sans doute le plus connu des membres du très populaire duo Bayanmix, a reçu le titre d’Artiste d’honneur de la région de Samara. Ce prix lui a été remis par Nikolai Merkushin, directeur du Théâtre Opéra-Ballet de la région de Samara. Les prix et distinctions remis ce jour-là concernaient de nombreux professionnels du domaine de la culture de la province de Samara et un concert a été donné démontrant le talent de l’accordéoniste ainsi distingué. Sergei Voytenko est le premier musicien qui ait reçu le titre d’Artiste d’honneur de la région de Samara. |
Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience Grammy Award 2014 - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
Vidéo : Concert au Dnipropetrovsk, le théâtre d’été du Park Gorki, Kiev, Ukraine, le 25 avril 2012. Terrance Simien (photo de gauche) et la Zydeco Experience ont remporté le prix du meilleur album de musique typique lors des 56èmes Grammy Awards qui se sont déroulés à Los Angeles, Californie, le 6 avril 2014. Depuis plus de 50 ans, les Grammy Awards est le seul prix décerné entre professionnels de l’industrie du disque, sans prise en compte des ventes ou des classements. Simien avait publié en indépendant, le 4 juin 2013, ce 9ème album vainqueur des Grammy ‘Dockside Sessions”. Terrance Simien, Créole Louisianais de la 8ème génération, est devenu l’un des artistes les plus accomplis et les plus respectés de la musique typique aux USA. Lui et son groupe ont donné plus de 7 000 concerts, parcouru des millions de kilomètres à travers plus de 45 pays au cours d’une carrière très riche. Un article plus détaillé sur Terrance Simien sera publié dans les News USA du 1er mai. |
Reportage et vidéos sur le Vème festival international ‘Accordion Plus’ - Russieby Harley Jones |
Reportage complet et nombreuses vidéos des temps forts du 5e festival international “accordion plus” de Rostov-sur-le-Don, organisé par le centre musical international 'Harmony', ici : 2014RostovReport Cet évènement est l’un des plus grands festivals d’accordéon de Russie et a attiré quelque 4 500 personnes. Voir les photos et plein de vidéos dans le reportage en anglais et russe.. Video 1: Yuri Shishkin et le Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra de Rostov, dirigé par Alexander Polyanichko. Video 2: Alexander Poeluev joue avec le Jazz Orchestra et le Russian Folk Orchestra Video 3: Eugene Derbenko |
Video: Yuri Shishkin interprète la nouvelle sonate No. 3 de Semionov - Russieby Harley Jones |
Le 29 mars au Rostov Philharmonic Hall s’est tenu la soirée d’anniversaire de Yuri Shishkin. Yuri Shishkin jouait pour la première fois à Rostov-sur-le-Don, la nouvelle sonate Nr 3 de Seminonov intitulée « Souvenirs du futur ». |
2ème concours international d’accordéon “Ste-Cecilia » et festival de musique contemporaine - Italieby Harley Jones |
Le Conservatoire de musique Massimiliano Pitocco (photo de gauche), de Santa Cecilia, organise le 2ème concours international d’accordéon “Santa-Cecilia » et le 2ème festival de musique contemporaine pour accordéon, à Rome, du 15 au 18 septembre 2014. Il y aura des concerts, les concours internationaux, des expos d’accordéons et masterclasses. Voici les catégories et prix du concours : Category A – Solistes moins de 12 ans – nés après 2002, 1er : € 200 Category B – Solistes moins de 15 ans – nés après 1999, 1er : € 300 Category C – Solistes moins de 18 ans – nés après 1996, 1er : € 400 Category E – Concert – pas de limite d’âge, 1er : € 1500, 2nd : € 800, 3ème : € 500 Règlement et formulaire d’inscriptions en anglais et italien ici : 2014Contemporary Ce festival est organisé en collaboration avec le concours international et le festival de Castelfidardo qui auront lieu du 18 au 21 septembre 2014. Plus d’information ici : 2014Contemporary |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Dona Eugénia Lima Passed Away, 4th April 2014 - Portugalby Harley Jones |
Video: Documentary about Dona Eugénia Lima. The accordionist Dona Eugénia Lima, 88, died on Friday in the late afternoon at her home in Rio Maior. Eugenia Lima was the daughter of a tuner of accordions and made her stage debut at age four, at the Cinema Theatre Vaz Black on White Castle. Professionally, her debut date was 1935 at the Variety Theatre, Lisbon, reported in the magazine Peixe-Espada. In 1943, she began recording solo and recorded throughout her career, more than one dozen discs that have recorded popular themes, various composers and compositions of her own. In 1947 she won the accordion competition Emissora Nacional e (National Radio) and in 1956, founded the Typical Orchestra Albicastrense, touring nationally and internationall and became popular with themes Picadinho da Beira, Minha vida e Fadinho de Silvares. Having been refused entry at the Conservatório Nacional de Lisbon, she went to Paris where she achieved the Diploma Degree in Accordion at the Conservatório of Paris. In September 1986, she was awarded by the Ministry of Culture with the Medal of Cultural Merit. Throughout his career totaled several prizes and awards, including the Oscar Press in 1962 , the degree of Knight of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword in 1980, and the degree of Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique in 1995. In December 2011, aged 85, the accordionist , a native of Castelo Branco, was honored in Castro Marim, Algarve, a full room, as reflected in the regional press, attended by 81 accordionists. On occasion , Eugenia Lima revealed that she suffered from Parkinson's disease . The accordionists interpreted during the performance of her own compositions . "The songs I did were done for the love of art and reflect my state of mind at the time. Over eighty percent of my songs were born on stage , impromptu." The name Dona Eugénia Lima appears in the World Dictionary of Notable Women. |
Paul Chamberlain Writes for ‘Gramophone’ – UKby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Paul Chamberlain has been asked to write a blog for ‘Gramophone’, the classical music magazine also published as a website. His first article, ‘The accordion's time has come’, is reproduced below for your interest. Paul Chamberlain is currently recording a new CD, which will be launched in London on July 1st at the 1901 Arts Club, to be followed by a tour across the UK. Full concert tour details will be published soon on Accordions Worldwide. ‘The accordion's time has come’ Paul Chamberlain's blog explains why this versatile instrument is finding a place in our concert halls. The origins of the accordion can be traced back to the Chinese Sheng, yet the instrument we know as an accordion today, was patented in Vienna in 1829, by Cyrillius Demien. Popular the world over in various forms as a folk instrument, it is only in the latter half of the 20th Century that the development of the 'free-bass' system (which allowed for the freedom to move away from the arrangement of pre-set chords on the left-hand side of the instrument) gave accordionists the opportunity to cross into the world of mainstream classical music. My first visit to Russia as a teenager to perform in the Baltic Harmonica Festival in St Petersburg had a profound effect on me, as this was where I first encountered the free-bass accordion. The range of colours, richness of sound and array of repertoire was a revelation to me and on my return home, I decided to change systems not only to ‘free-bass’, but also from piano accordion to the five-row chromatic button keyboard. Many arrangements I had previously played were in some way compromised by the left hand of the instrument, so this new form enabled me to perform complex polyphonic keyboard works such as those by Bach, Mozart and Franck; as well as being able to delve into the ever-growing library of original repertoire which is virtually unknown to the general public. I have always considered the accordion to be a very expressive instrument and, being a synthesis of both a keyboard and a wind instrument, is capable of sustaining sounds, producing a wonderful variety of timbres from its registers. It has a large dynamic range from ppp to fff. Much of the Baroque keyboard repertoire can be successfully performed on the accordion, in particular, works by composers such as Bach, Scarlatti, Rameau, and Couperin. Having included works by Bach and Rameau on an earlier disc, my latest CD will feature two sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti. They are typical of the lively virtuoso style that characterises much of his output and requires lightness and clarity, which, surprisingly to many, can be achieved very successfully with the accordion. In effect, the accordion can be thought of as a small portable organ, but unfortunately it has long suffered from not being taken seriously by the classical music establishment. However, it is gaining academic credit and with an ever growing original repertoire as well as a vast number of transcriptions, the instrument has an exciting future ahead as it comes to the fore on the concert stage. Having only in recent years been included into the syllabus of institutions such as Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and St Mary's Music School, I became the first classical accordionist to graduate from the RCS with a BMus Honours degree and subsequently completed a Masters in Performance there also. Being incorporated into the keyboard department, I felt that there was a lot to prove in demonstrating that the accordion could stand on a par with the piano. In 2013 I became the first accordionist to perform a solo recital in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall as part of the long established 'Manchester Midday Concerts’ series. Through bringing the accordion and its repertoire to fresh audiences (many of whom are astonished at its capabilities), I am striving to continue to build its reputation as a fine concert instrument. Vladislav Zolotaryov was one of the key innovators who really pushed for the accordion to be accepted by the union of composers in Moscow in the 1970s and his catalogue of original accordion works will ensure that his legacy continues to inspire other players and composers to take an interest in this amazing instrument. My new disc features Zolotaryov's Sonata No 2, a delightful work accessible to all audiences, written in the spirit of a classic Viennese Symphony. In fact, it was one of the first works that attracted me to the classical accordion. The opening melodic theme is beautifully simple, and the whirlwind of excitement in the final movement calls for a technique specific to the accordion called a 'richochet', which results in a four times repetition of the chord by means of the bellows moving primarily up and down as opposed to in and out. In doing this, I maintain the energy right up to the final chord. The use of a similar technique can be seen in this recent video where I perform Khachaturian’s Toccata: There is a great body of original chamber work for the accordion with many European composers taking an avid interest in writing for the instrument. It has been included in works such as Shostakovich’s ‘Jazz Suite’ and Hindemith’s ‘Kammermusik No 1’. More recently composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina and Sally Beamish have also written for the accordion. Other pieces on my disc are from the repertoire of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla, the original exponent of the ‘Tango Nuevo’ style, which brought the music of the Tango dance halls to the concert stage. Originally written for the bandoneon (a very close relative of the accordion), his ‘Tango Sensations’, three of which I am recording with the Maxwell String Quartet, transfer effectively onto the accordion and the integral rhythmical accentuations are easily maintained. I believe that the accordion has an exciting future not only as a solo instrument, but also in chamber ensembles. The accordion opens up an interesting multi-textural sound world to composers and I have plans for a future project that focuses on creating new chamber repertoire for the instrument. For further information email: paul@theaccordionist.com |
Video: Server Abkerimov performing "Breeze" (G. Moten) - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Server Abkerimov performing "Breeze" (G. Moten). |
‘Django's Castle’ Jazz Download Album, Oregon - USAby Rob Howard |
Legendary guitarist Hank Marvin, of The Shadows fame, in collaboration with accordionist Nunzio Mondia and guitarist Gary Taylor, have recorded ‘Django's Castle’, an album of Gypsy jazz swing music, in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Available as a download only from cdbaby.com The 14 tracks, which include 7 compositions by Reinhardt and Grappelli, are: Swing 42, Swingtime in Springtime, Noto Swing, After You've Gone, Si Tu Savais, Honeysuckle Rose, Coquette, Micro, Viper's Dream, Django's Castle, Minor Swing, Swing Guitars, I Can't Give Anything but Love, and Belleville. For further information email: cdbaby@cdbaby.com |
Video: Patryk Walczak Accordion Frument Project - Polandby Harley Jones |
Patryk Walczak Accordion Frument Project - Poland |
Video: Ian Rubcov, 10 Years, Performs Flik Flak, Novosirbirsk - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Published on Mar 26, 2014 Ian Rubcov Performs Flik Flak (A. Vossen). He is only ten years old and learns from the Novosibirsk Conservatory teacher Mikhail Ovchinnikov. Video by Victor Rakshevsky https://www.youtube.com/user/7264951 who has some 559 videos, many of them accordion for your viewing. |
Video: Gennaro Ruffolo Demonstrating MusicTech Accordion - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Video: Gennaro Ruffolo Demonstrating MusicTech Accordion, 2014 Musikmesse, Frankfurt, Germany. Published 22nd March 2014 |
‘14 Years Ago’: German Accordion Orchestra reaches 40th Anniversaryby Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending April 14th 2000 included a report concerning the Accordion Orchestra 1960 Müllekoven e.V., soon to celebrate their 40th anniversary in June 2000. This well established orchestra happily continues to make great music and entertain audiences in Germany. 40th Anniversary of Accordion Orchestra 1960 Müllekoven e.V. - Germany Contributed by Christine Stiller The Accordion Orchestra 1960 Müllekoven e.V. will celebrate their 40th anniversary with a concert on June 2nd in the Community Hall Troisdorf-Müllekoven. The orchestra was formed in 1960 by Hans-Rudi Peters together with 18 local village students. Hans-Rudi conducted the orchestra for 22 years. They will perform a mixed repertoire, which includes classic, folk music, popular pieces, and also rock and pop. |
Future events |
New date for Accordion Pops Orchestra & Håvard Svendsrud is November 2nd - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
The date for the New Jersey based Accordion Pops Orchestra's tribute to the late great classical accordionist Carmen Carrozza has been changed from Sunday, April 27th to the new date of November 2nd, at 2 pm at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, New Jersey. Lenny Feldmann will be the commentator and master of ceremonies. Norway's accordion virtuoso Håvard Svendsrud, who performed with the orchestra at Kean University in October 2013, will return as a featured soloist. Dinner and concert tickets are $50. All proceeds will benefit the Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund. For tickets and information: Rosemarie Cavanaugh 732-257-8198 For information about the Accordion Pops Orchestra: alterzo@hotmail.com |
Paddywhack Reunion, Nebraska – USAby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
There is a reunion concert for the members of ‘Paddywhack’ at 7th Street, Loft, Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday April 12th, 7.30pm. This will be an evening of songs and tunes from the British Isles and the U.S. The concert is part of the LAFTA music series. Paddywhack, featuring accordionist Dan Newton, first started to play over 30 years ago and was the only group in the state of Nebraska playing Celtic music. |
Paris-Moscow Duo Concert, Lorraine – Franceby Rob Howard |
On Sunday April 13th, 4pm, the Paris-Moscow Duo, Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov, perform in concert at Homecourt, Centre Culturel Pablo Picasso, for an event celebrating 30 years since the formation of l'Accordéon Accordéon Club Lorraine. For further information email: accordeon-club-lorrain@orange.fr |
Frank Petrilli Concert, Seattle – USAby Rob Howard |
Frank Petrilli, from Los Angeles and taught by the late, great Frank Morocco, will be the guest of the Northwest Accordion Society, for a concert on Monday April 14th, 7.30pm, at 4217 S.W. Oregon St, Seattle, WA 98116 (the corner of Oregon St & California St). Admission is by donation of $10. |
Tynedale Accordion and Fiddle Club Concerts, Northumberland – UKby Rob Howard |
Tynedale Accordion and Fiddle Club present as guests The Charlie McIntee Scottish Dance Band on Thursday April 17th, 7.30pm. The venue is Hexham Ex-Servicemens Club, I Hallstile Bank, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3PQ. Tynedale’s 2014 concert dates include: May 15th - Scott Band Trio June 19th - Wayne Robertson/AGM July 17th - Jim Cleland Band August 21st - Willie MacFarlane Band September 18th - Robert Whitehead Band October 16th - Brandon McPhee Trio November 20th - John Morgan |
2014 South Pacific Accordion Championships Entries Closing – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
Entries close on April 20th for the 2014 South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival, held in Auckland on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June 2014. Download the rules and entry information at: 2014 NZ Prospectus. New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) President Sonja Palinich (picture left) writes: “The NZAA is delighted to welcome Mirco Patarini as Special Guest Artist at the outstanding Raye Freedman Arts Centre, a venue with excellent acoustics, lighting and all its ‘state of the art’ facilities under one roof." For 2014, the rules for the international categories closely follow the rules of the Coupe Mondiale. The South Pacific solo Championship category has exactly the same rules as the Coupe Mondiale Masters category and the South Pacific entertainment category has exactly the same rules as the Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment category. Past events reports at: South Pacific Daily Reports Rules and full information, download: 2014 NZ Prospectus |
Group and Private Accordion Tuition, Istanbul – Turkeyby Rob Howard |
On Sunday April 20th, 7.30pm, the quintet ‘Shoeshine’, featuring accordionist Esra Ovali, perform a ‘world music’ programme that includes jazz, Latin, and Balkan dance music at GÜRCÜ SANAT EVI (Georgian Arts Hall), Cafer Aga Mh, Kadiköy, Istanbul. The concert is organized by the Turkish accordion association Iberya Özkan Akordeon Tölyesi. For further information email: ibeka@mynet.com |
A Lifetime Tribute to Buckwheat Zydeco, New Orleans - USAby Harley Jones |
Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, 2014 Grammy Award winners, join the line up to celebrate Buckwheat Zydeco at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation Gala on April 24, 2014. The theme is "Zydeco and All That Jazz: A Lifetime Tribute to Buckwheat Zydeco." In addition to the legendary Stanley “Buckwheat Zydeco” Dural, the stellar roster of performers features a who’s who of zydeco greats paying tribute to Buckwheat, including Terrance Simien, C.J. Chenier, Nathan Williams, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Rosie Ledet and Li’l Buck Sinegal. |
Torkest Accordion Orchestra Concert, Guildford – UKby Rob Howard |
On Saturday April 25th, 7pm, Guildford Accordion Club presents a special concert featuring the Torkest Accordion Orchestra from the Netherlands, a talented and lively young orchestra, with a wide and varied repertoire of music. Ripley Village Hall, High Street, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6AF. Guildford Accordion Club meets at Ripley Billage Hall, High St, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6AF. The £5 admission includes refreshments, and there is ample parking. The club organizer is John Cumiskey. |
8th Accordion Art Festival & Contests, Orpheus Award 2014, TE – Italyby Rob Howard |
The 8th Accordion Art Festival & Contests and the Orpheus Award 2014 is a critics' prize for productions (CD, DVD, MP3) during the previous 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 8th Accordion Art Festival and Orpheus awards prize giving takes place in Roseto degli Abruzzi, TE, Italy, on June 14th and 15th. The Artistic Director is the music journalist Gerlando Gatto and the event organiser is Renzo Ruggieri. The sponsors are the Associazione Promozione Arte in collaboration with the City of Pineto (TE, Italy), the Club Voglia D'Arte, and others. For further information email: info@accordionartfestival.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Australian Accordion Teachers Assoc (AATA) Website Updated - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
Australian Accordion Teachers Assoc (AATA) website has ben updated with a schedule of events for their international competitions being held 7th and 8th June 2014. This will be the 20th Anniversary of the AATA. |
Updated Site of Harley Jones Recording of the 1990's - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
A updated site of Harley Jones Recording of the 1990's is now online at: Harley Jones Collection The recordings are available online as eTracks mp3 files, album € 6.00 |
Site Updated: Gary Dahl eBooks Collections #1 to #6 Special Price - USAby Gary Dahl |
Gary Dahl - Author, composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator announces that the Gary Dahl eBooks collections (numbers 1 -6) are now being sold as a complete set for a special price of only US$185 or the € equivalent. Cat No: DH01-06eB |
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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