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Highlights |
Editor’s Note: Accordions Worldwide 14th AnniversaryModern Accordion Orchestra at Expo 2010 Cultural Square Closing - ChinaAlexander Poeluev’s October Performances, Rostov-on-Don - RussiaYuji Takahashi’s New Composition for Accordion, Tokyo – JapanRenzo Ruggieri’s News, Castelfidardo – Italy
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Martynas Levickis Wins Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion Title, Varaždin – CroatiaTom Alexander’s New CD ‘Hoots Mon!’, Glasgow – UK‘14 Years Ago’ – Queensland Accordion Orchestra in Europe
Future events |
Graeme Mackay Entertains at St Andrew’s Events – Cyprus, RussiaJason Webley Tour Dates – USA7th KlezMORE-Festival Vienna - AustriaDick Walters at The Spy Glass, Isle of Wight – UK‘Les Chansons de Paris’, NSW – AustraliaJulie Best at Leyland Accordion Club, Lancashire – UKAccordion/Cello Performance of ‘Grus’, Helsinki – Finland‘Discovery of the Classical Accordion’ Conference, Toulon – FranceMazaika concert ‘Music Variety Show’, London – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Zevy Zions releasing 3 of his new CDsAlexander Dmitriev Releases 3 Duet ArrangementsAmy Jennings Releases Two New CompositionsNational Accordion Association releases 2 new piecesYehuda Oppenheimer Updates Two ArrangementsUpdated Coupe Mondiale Website, 2011 Coupe Mondiale Information - ChinaFranco Cambareri Releases One New CompositionZevy Zions Releases 3 New ArrangementsGary Daverne Website Updated with Awards InformationCMA Dates for 2011 Published
CD Reviews |
acCORPUS simulacrumHelp Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
by Rob Howard
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 We continue our look back at the weekly news published on Accordions Worldwide 14 years ago. On November 15th 1996, the news, then also known as ‘The Squeeze’, published an account, written by Bernadette Conlon, describing what must have been an incredible experience for the members of the Queensland Accordion Orchestra as they toured much of Europe. This was the first tour European tour by an accordion orchestra from Australia, and no doubt all those involved will still have great memories. Rob Howard - Editor |
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by Harley Jones
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 The Modern Accordion Orchestra from the Music College of Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) was invited to perform at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo City Cultural Square Weekly Show on November 5th. Head of Music Department Prof. Li Cong and accordion tutor Crystal Wang pictured left.The half-year-long 2010 Shanghai World Expo has already come to end. During this period, more than 600 Weekly Show events were held at the twelve cultural squares in Shanghai. The Modern Accordion Orchestra of SHNU was invited to perform at several of these shows as well as the closing ceremony last week. At the ceremony, the orchestra performed the song composed and arranged by the members themselves – Timeless Melody. The Modern Accordion Orchestra consists of students at the Music College of Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) and has held several live shows and concerts in Shanghai since it was formed in 2008. Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) is also the venue for much of the 2011 Coupe Mondiale with Professor Li Cong (China Accordion Association Vice-President, CIA Delegate and 2011 CIA Honorary Vice President) and Crystal Wang (CIA Delegate, Vice President of the Shanghai Accordion Association) being key members of the organizing team for that event. |
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by Alexander Poeluev
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 Alexander Poeluev performed some concerts during October in the Krasnodar and Rostov territory, which were very well received, plus some popular master classes at local musical schools. On October 14th Alexander Poeluev performed in a concert devoted entirely to the works of modern Russian composers, which was part of the Festival 'World of Caucasus', held in Rostov-on-Don.Alexander Poeluev, born 1981 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, studied at the Schnitke State Music Institute and the Gnessin Music Academy in Moscow. He has many international competitions successes to his credit, including winning the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2002. Alexander has performed in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and in many cities of Russia. He also serves as an adjudicator at international competitions and organizes concerts in Rostov-on-Don. For further information email: a_poeluev@mail.ru |
by Rob Howard
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 Famed Japanese composer Yuji Takahashi has recently completed writing a new work for two accordions, ‘snow/wind/radios’. Yuji Takahashi is well-known for his solo accordion work, Like a Water Buffalo, which has become a classic in the accordion literature. Famous accordionists Friedrich Lips, Mie Miki, Elsbeth Moser, Matti Rantanen are the artists on the CD047 Like A Water Buffalo, available online, which features compositions and poems of Yuji Takahashi.‘Snow/Wind/Radios’ is his first work for accordion duo. This work is a musical setting of three poems on the Afghan War, by Dianne di Prima. Mr. Takahashi has used Afghan love songs as inspiration. The compositional techniques combined with di Prima's poetry have yielded a tragic and emotional work which is an important contribution to accordion literature. Concert Accordionist Mie Miki performed the world premiere with Finland’s Heidi Luosujarvi at Asahi Concert Hall, Tokyo, on September 18th 2010. Other works for accordion by Yuji Takahashi include ‘Ins Tal’ (1982), 'Like a Water Buffalo (1985), ‘Le double de Paganini’ (1986), ‘Dream Carp’ (1992), ‘Like Swans Leaving the Lake’ (1995), ‘Mi, chamber concerto for accordion and 8 instruments’ (2000), and ‘For Sofia Gubaidulina’ (2001) For further information email: rajerry@juno.com |
by Rob Howard
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 Accordionist Renzo Ruggieri with Mauro De Federicis (guitar), and actor Tiziana De Angelis will be performing ‘Canto di Natale’ (‘A Christmas Carol’), based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens, in December and January. Renzo will be the next Artistic Director of the Campomarino Accordion Festival, December 11th and 18th, with Donato Santoianni. This event will be dedicated to the accordion with international guests and sponsored by the Costanza Carriero Borgo Antico Association. Some prestigious collaborations in Italy during the summer 2010 have included: Gino Paoli, Linda, Piero Mazzocchetti, Roberto Gatto, Danilo Rea and Gabriele Mirabassi. In September a new CD, ‘Kramer Project’ (VAP104), by the Renzo Ruggieri Orchestra was released. This is dedicated for the music of the great Italian artist Gorni Kramer, and has received great reviews. The German magazine ‘Das Akkordeon’ interviewed Renzo for their March/April issue, and his photo appeared on the cover of the magazine. The Italian magazine ‘Srumenti Musicali’ will do the same in their January 2011 issue. Renzo wrote music with the cellist Piero Salvatori for the show ‘L'Azzurro e la Luna’, by Marco Goldin. This show has been produced in Udine, Venice, and Rimini with the actor Gilberto Colla. The show ‘La Leggenda del Fiore di Lino’, by Rosa Stipo, is currently on stage at the Teatro Nazionale in Rome with Renzo’s orchestral arrangements of music by Adriana Del Giudice. He further participated in the Premio Bellisario (RAI-2, Italian national TV) with the singer Antonella Ruggiero and Massimo Moriconi. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Owen Murray
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 Martynas Levickis, a student of Professor Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of London, UK, recently won International Piano Accordion category at the 2010 Coupe Mondiale (World Accordion Championships) in Varaždin, Croatia, October 19th to 25th. Picture above with teacher Owen Murray, picture left taken during his winning performance in Croatia.Martynas Levickis studied at the Šiauliai Conservatoire, Lithuania, and the Royal Academy of London, UK. He has performed and won multiple prizes at international competitions and festivals in Lithuania, the USA, Italy, France, Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Croatia and Belarus. In 2008 Martynas entered the Royal Academy of Music. He has performed in master classes with Professor Friedrich Lips, Professor Matti Rantanen, Claudio Jacomucci, Nikolaj Sevriukov, Raimondas Sviackevicius, and others. Martynas is an active member of the Lithuanian Accordionists’ Association and is keen to help establishing new ideas and creating opportunities for young accordionists in his country. |
by Rob Howard
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 Tom Alexander, best known as the accordion playing half of The Alexander Brothers with his vocalist/pianist brother Jack, has released a new, modestly priced solo CD, titled ‘Hoots Mon!’. This is an instrumental recording by Glasgow-based Tom Alexander, widely acknowledged as one of Scotland’s finest accordionists, whose Hohner Gola is heard to great effect on a varied selection.The tracks include Auld Alliance Polka; Gaelic Waltz Medley: My Home/Fairy Lullaby/ Tocherless Lass/In Praise of Islay; Marching with Andy Stewart Medley: Take Me Back/ Campbeltown Loch/Geordie's Byre/Tunes of Glory; Barcarolle (excerpt); The Clarinet Polka; Irish Waltz Medley: Rose of Tralee/Slievenamon/The Mountains of Mourne; William Tell Overture (excerpt); The Rose; Hoots Mon!; Roses in Bloom; Take the Floor; Lonely Scapa Flow; Shuffling Samuel; Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (excerpt from Nabucco); Salute to Felix Burns; The March Hare; Morino Polka’ Tritsch Tratsch Polka; Storming the Ceilidh; Hits from the Blitz Medley For further information email: tommynewcomen@hotmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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 On November 15th 1996 the Accordions Worldwide news published the following account of what must have been an exciting experience for the members of the Queensland Accordion Orchestra…TOUR TO NETHERLANDS, GERMANY AND AUSTRIA, Queensland Accordion Orchestra (Australia) by Bernadette Conlon (picture right) This was the first ever tour to Europe by an accordion orchestra from Australia. Congratulations on such a successful trip. It sounds as though a great time was had by all! Wayne Knights, Editor Our tour began at the ungodly hour of 4.30am on the morning of November 7th 1996. After stopping off for shopping at Bali and Singapore, we arrived in Amsterdam. After more shopping, we moved onto Langenhagen, where we were struck by the warm hospitality of the Langenhagen Accordion Orchestra. I stayed with a family on a dairy farm, that had been in the same family for 600 years!! We had a fantastic concert the next night, after which we were taken out to dinner, which turned into an accordion playing night-fun for all. The next morning it was off to Hof. Here we played in the "Liberty Hall", to an audience of over 600 people. We also played in Wunsiedel and in the competition hall in Klingenthal, where we received standing ovations! From Hof we went to Berlin. After we settled into our hotel, we went to hear the Charlottenbourg Accordion Orchestra rehearsal. At exactly 8pm, everyone put their accordions down and had champagne and nibbles. They told us that they do this every week, because there is always something to celebrate. It was incredible, everyone was at the rehearsal!! In Berlin we had two concerts, one at a nursing home and the other at an enormous University. After Berlin it was onto Salzburg, home of Mozart. Here we played a concert with the Salzburger song and dance group, who played traditional Austrian music and danced. It was great! We also had a great time looking through the Mozart museum. Saalfalden was the next stop, where we played at the famous Kaprun Castle (which is 400 years old). It was quite a haul carrying the accordions up 2000 stone steps, but it was all worthwhile because the acoustics were wonderful. The hospitality in Saalfalden was wonderful. They showed us through the town, including ‘The Eagles Nest’ – Hitler’s mountain retreat. We then proceeded back to Germany, to Baden Baden. Here we played in the Baden-Baden casino, the oldest in Europe. The hall had wonderful acoustics and we were rewarded with standing ovation for our final concert. The next day we drove some of the orchestra (who were going home early) to the airport. We spent the next two days sightseeing in France, before leaving for home. We all had a great time with wonderful hospitality. |
Future events |
by Rob Howard
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 Inverness-based button accordionist Graeme Mackay is soon to travel thousands of miles from the Highlands of Scotland to entertain at St Andrew’s events, including four on Cyprus and then on to Moscow. The Cyprus events include two in the Turkish republic city of Kyrenia, one in Paphos for the St Andrews Society, and one in Limassol in the Greek side of the island for the Caledonian Society. “This is the fourth St Andrew’s visit I will be making to Cyprus,” said Graeme, 27, who will be accompanied in Cyprus by his brother Stephen on fiddle. “Every year the events become more popular and we get extra gigs to do while we are there. It makes a good trip and is very worthwhile. The ex-pats love to show off their Scottish heritage and are always there in kilts and the drams are out.” After finishing the last Cyprus event at midnight on November 27th Graeme Mackay catches an early flight from Ercan to Moscow via Istanbul for rehearsals on the afternoon of November 28th in the concert hall of the Central House of Artists on the Crimean Val in Moscow, where there will be a gala concert of the festival St Andrew's Day itself. On November 29th he will be playing for a Scottish dance master class at the Shady Glen School of Scottish Dancing in Moscow. The festival ends with a traditional Scottish ceilidh evening party in the Scottish music pub ‘Dr Scotch’. Graeme commented: “The trip highlights the demand of Scottish culture overseas. At this time of year there are a lot of Scottish musicians flying all over the world to celebrate events that can be bigger than they are at home. Playing abroad gives musicians a chance to go to places they wouldn't normally see and gives other countries a taste of Scottish culture. The experience that we all get is more welcoming than a holiday would be and more homely than a normal tour of gigs.” For further information email: graeme@mackaymusic.co.uk |
by Rob Howard
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 Jason Webley, from Seattle, Washington, is a rock singer and accordionist. He began as a busker in the 1990s, but quickly graduated to playing indoors venues, and now travels around the USA and overseas. He has become a popular figure at festivals, and also heads an occasional touring party called ‘Monsters of Accordion’. Details of the next series of dates for the ‘Monsters of Accordion’ will soon be announced on Accordions Worldwide.November 13th, 8pm – House Show, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with Jebidiah Goodstuff's Pyromaniacal Sideshow. Benefit for the Ariana Engler Memorial Scholarship Fund November 14th, 8pm – Notsuch, Houston, Texas November 15th, 8pm – Cheer Up Charlie’s, Austin, Texas November 16th, 8pm – J & J’s Pizza, Denton, Texas November 17th, 8pm – Istvan Gallery, Oklahoma City November 18th, 8pm – Westport Coffee House, Kansas City, Missouri November 19th, 9pm – 2720 Cherokee, St Louis, Missouri November 20th, 5pm – Indy CD & Vinyl, Indianapolis, Indiana November 21st, 8pm – Melody Inn, Indianapolis, Indiana November 22nd, 8pm – Al’s Bar, Lexington, Kentucky November 23rd, 9pm – Foo Bar, Nashville, Tennessee November 24th, 8pm – Flood Gallery, Ashville, North Carolina November 26th, 8pm – Tipsy Teapot, Greenville, North Carolina November 27th, 8pm – Wonder Root, Atlanta, Florida November 28th, 8pm – House Show, Huntsville, Alabama November 30th, TBA – Wayward Council, Gainsville, Florida December 1st Tampa, Florida – further details TBA December 2nd, 9pm – Tobacco Road, Miami, Florida For further information email: jason@jasonwebley.com |
by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
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| The 7th KlezMORE-Festival takes place, 6th to 21st November 2010 in Vienna. The program extends from traditional klezmer through to contemporary interpretations with all the many possibilities of klezmer style. The festival includes an extensive program of cabaret, films, lectures, a tour of the Jewish Währinger cemetery, guided tours and workshops. These provide the musicians of the festival an opportunity to talk about their musical concert programs and concepts. The KlezMORE Festival 2010 presents itself as in previous years as one of those rare festival that draws its relevance and sustainability by virtue of a huge program. Every concert, every event fits into a mosaic system which, is an inventory of current klezmer culture. The KlezMORE Festival has long been one of the substantial entries in the cultural calendar of the musical city of Vienna. Friedl Preisl e-mail: friedl@klezmore-vienna.at |
by Rob Howard
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| On November 14th and 28th, 8.30pm, accordionist Dick Walters performs standards and show tunes at The Spyglass Inn, Esplanade, Ventnor, Isle of Wight. The Spyglass Inn offers live entertainment most days of the week - from classical guitar or accordion, to folk and traditional jazz, there is something to suit everyone. The music usually starts at around 8.30pm in the evening and 1.00pm at lunchtime. In the summer, bands will often play outside in the newly renovated 'Boathouse'. |
by Rob Howard
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 ‘Les Chansons de Paris’ is the title of a performance by the Janet Seidel trio, featuring guest accordionist Ross Maio (picture left), on Wednesday November 17th, 10am, at Smithfield RSL, Cumberland Highway & Neville St, Smithfield, 2164 NSW, Australia. Music will include songs by Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, Charles Aznavour, Michel Legrand, and more.After the show, the audience can use Show Tickets to Win a Lucky Door Prize, and for an additional $5.90 Senior Members can have Lunch in the Brasserie. Main Meal with Salad and/or Veges/Bread Roll/Tea & Coffee from 12 midday till 2pm For further information email: ross@rossmaio.com |
by Rob Howard
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 Julie Best, from Carlisle, is the guest at the Leyland Accordion Club on Wednesday November 17th, 8pm. Leyland AC meets at The Priory Club, Broadfield Drive, Leyland, Lancashire PR25 1QN. Leyland AC’s organizer is David Batty.For many years a member of the Ronmar Accordion Orchestra (MD Ron Hodgson) and a bank manager by profession, Julie Best is one England’s finest solo accordionists, with a varied and exciting repertoire. For further information email: david@accordionclub.co.uk |
by Rob Howard
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 On November 22nd, ‘Grus’, a 2008 composition by the Finnish composer Tomi Räisänen (picture left), will be performed in concert by Jaana Huotari - accordion and Katariina Saarikoski - cello on November 22nd, 7pm, at the Helsinki Conservatory Concert Hall, Ruoholahdentori 6, Helsinki. The Finnish composer Tomi Räisänen (b. 1976) studied composition at the Sibelius Academy in Finland. Räisänen's list of works contains compositions from solo pieces to chamber and choral music, and includes orchestral pieces and concertos. Räisänen's music has been widely performed and broadcast in more than 35 countries across Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. All Räisänen works are published by Edition Troy. |
by Rob Howard
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 A Conference titled ‘Discovery of the Classical Accordion’ takes place on Wednesday, December 8th, 7pm – 8.30pm, at the All Seasons Hotel in Toulon. The lecturer is the musicologist Monique Dautemer, and the music will be performed by accordionist Caroline Chevalier. Entry is free, and the event is part of the festival ‘Musique de Toulon et sa Région (les classiques du festival)’. |
by Rob Howard
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 Mazaika’s ‘Music Variety Show’ concert takes place on Thursday, December 16th, 8pm – 10.30pm, at Cecil Sharp House, Regents Park Road, London, NW1 7AY. The music will include Russian Folk, Gypsy and Pop, Tango, Hot Club Jazz, popular French, Italian and English songs.Mazaika are Igor Outkine (vocals, acoustic and magic midi accordion, vocal harmonizer) and Sarah Harrison (violin, domra, vocals). There’s a free shot of Ivan The Terrible vodka on arrival! For further information email: info@mazaika-music.com |
New and Updated Sites |
by Zevy Zions
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  Zevy Zions now selling his 3 new CDs titled 'Olive Blossoms', catalog:zzevy101, 'Dizzy Accordion', catalog:zzevy102 and 'William Tell', catalog:zzevy103 with sound samples. Music performed by Zevy Zions. Purchase online. |
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by Alexander Dmitriev
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 Alexander Dmitriev releases 3 new eSheet arrangements, for virtuoso duet performance. 'The Three Little Pigs', catalog:adm200, 'La Cumparsita', catalog:adm201 and 'The Entertainer', catalog:adm202. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Samples online. Purchase with credit card. |
by Amy Jennings
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 Amy Jennings releases two new compositions, 'Dance With You', catalog:jamy03 and 'Disjointed Moods', catalog:jamy04. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
by National Accordion Association
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 National Accordion Association releases 2 new pieces, 'Peter Cottontail', catalog:naa168 and 'Melody Of Love', catalog:naa169. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
by Yehuda Oppenheimer
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 Yehuda Oppenheimer updates two of his arrangements for acccordion - 'Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring' - Bach, catalog:OY599 and 'Toccata - Boellmann, catalog:OY603. Sample of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
by Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador
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| The Coupe Mondiale website has been updated with information about the 2011 Coupe Mondiale to be held in Shanghai, 2nd to 6th October, China. Information includes competitor airfare subsidies, competitor hotel and board subsidies as well as more general information about the event. Below is a photo of the handover of the World Trophy from 2010 Coupe Mondiale organizers Vjera Odak-Jembrih, President Croatian Accordion Teachers Association (CATA) to 2011 Coupe Mondiale organizers Professor Li Cong, Vice-President, China Accordion Association, CIA Delegate and 2011 CIA Honorary Vice President. |
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by Franco Cambareri
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 Franco Cambareri - accordionist, composer, producer, releases one new composition for accordion available for purchase online. 'Tango De Rua', catalog:cfranco131. Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
by Zevy Zions
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 Zevy Zions releases 3 new arrangements, 'Schön Rosmarin', catalog:zzions010, 'Tziviele's Bulgar', catalog:zzions011 and 'Voi Che Sapete', catalog:zzions012. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
by Gary Daverne
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 The website of Gary Daverne ONZM has been updated with information about the two Awards that he has recently been honored with. |
by Harley Jones
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| The dates are published for the CMA 61st Trophée Mondial, 13th to 18th September 2011, Pineto City, Italy. |
CD Reviews |
by Joan C. Sommers
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 CD Reviews Index for the Review of "acCORPUS simulacrum" by Joan Cochran Sommers. Performer is Raimondas Sviackevicius. |
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