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Guardia Nueva 20th Jubilee Christmas Concert, Kokkola - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
Guardia Nueva is celebrating their 20th Diamond Jubilee anniversary with a series of concerts in 2021 and 2022. On December 11th at 7pm, this very successful orchestra directed by Raimo Vertainen, will perform a special Christmas Concert of a re-composed version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” at the Kokkola Church in Kokkola, Finland. This new work “Recomposed Four Seasons” by German composer Max Richter includes dance and animations, has been orchestrated by Raimo Vertainen and arranged for Guardia Nueva. An essential part of the work is dance, which depicts the change of seasons, and at the same time the cycle of human life. Spring-summer-autumn-winter: from the symbols of nature from birth to death. The animations projected on the church wall complete the whole. Full details of the Guardia Nueva 20th Anniversary Concerts are at: 2021DiamondJubilee |
Video: Volodymyr Runchak, Concerto Piccolo for Accordion and String Orchestra - Italyby Harley Jones |
Video: Denis Snigiryov (accordion) soloist and the Calabria Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer Volodymyr Runchak (Ukraine), at the 2021 PIF Castelfidardo. The performance was at the Teatro Astra, 1st October. |
Richard Galliano “Piazzolla Jazz Trio” Tour - Japanby Christine Johnstone |
Richard Galliano’s “Piazzolla Jazz Trio” tour to Japan will take place this month. The Jazz Trio includes Richard Galliano (accordion - photo above by J.B.Millot), Sebastien Giniaux (guitar & cello) and Diego Imbert (double bass). Their program will include works by Piazzolla and Galliano. Tour dates as follows: November 21st: Shirakawa November 22nd: Tagasaki November 25th: Kanagawa November 26th: Osaka November 27th: Gifu November 28th: Mishima November 30th: Tokyo For further details email: solathierry@gmail.com |
“Duo Accosphere” Performs World Premiere with Airis String Quartet - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
“Duo Accosphere” (picture above left) which consists of accordionists Alena Budzináková & Grzegorz Palus, will perform the world premiere of “Sux pour Six” by composer Milosz Bembinow with the Airis String Quartet (picture above right) at the Chamber Hall in Kielce, Poland on November 30th, 2021 at 6.30pm. The piece was written especially for two accordions and a string quartet and created thanks to co-financing from the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport from the Culture Promotion Fund – a state special purpose fund, as part of the "Composition Contracts" program, implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance. The Airis String Quartet consists of Aleksandra Czajor (1st violin), Grazyna Zubik (2nd violin), Malwina Tkaczyk (viola) and Mateusz Manka (cello). Their program will also include music from the Baroque period through to the present day such as Concerto for two harpsichords and orchestra in C minor (Bach), String Quartet No 4 (Laks), Jazz Etude for String Quartet (Czyz), Six Characteristic Dances from the Suite The Nutcracker (Tchaikovsky) and Of Sisyphus and Prometheus — two instructive myths (Runczak). For details email: info@duoaccosphere.com |
“Black Pencil” Perform at Prix Annelie de Man 2021 - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Track from the new Black Pencil CD "Come Out, Caioni!" entitled Three Dances. The Prix Annelie de Man 2021 will be held from December 1st to 5th, 2021 at the Orgelpark concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Foundation Annelie de Man organises the Prix Annelie de Man international festival and competition for composers and harpsichordists to promote and support contemporary harpsichord repertoire. “Black Pencil”, (picture below) which includes accordionist Marko Kassl, Jorge Isaac (recorder), Matthijs Koene (panflute), Esra Pehlivanli (viola) and Enric Monfort (percussion) are the Ensemble in residence at the event. Their program will include Hierarchie (composed by Moritz Eggert in 2019) for Black Pencil and harpsichordists: Jane Chapman, Gosia Klajn, Kristian Nyquist, Victoria Lerche, Silvia Marquez, Ere Lievonen (organ), Conservatorium van Amsterdam ensemble. Black Pencil will also perform tracks from their new album "Come Out, Caioni!" (picture above left). For details email: info@marko-kassl.de |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Results: 3rd All-Russian Competition of Performers on Folk Instruments – Krasnoyarsk - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
Video: Final gala concert and prizewinner announcement The III All-Russian Music Competition for Performers on Folk Instruments including Bayan and Accordion was held in Krasnoyarsk, Russia from November 3rd to 9th, 2021, organised by FGBUK - "Federal Directorate of Music and Festival Programs Rosconcert". Results: 1st: Alexey Pankratov (Moscow) – picture below 2nd: Artem Malkhasyan (St. Petersburg – picture above left), Robert Alevetdinov (Moscow) 3rd: Ruslan Kochkin (Moscow – picture above right), Sergey Pavin (Krasnoyarsk), Pavel Masyuk (Rostov-on-Don). The event finished with a gala concert at the Small Concert Hall of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Academy along with the announcement of the laureates. Performances were given by competition and diploma winners. The concert featured works by Russian composers as well as works by Domenico Scarlatti. |
Video: Results of Online CMA Trophée Mondial De L'accordéon - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
CMA President, Frederic Deschamps has announced the winners of the CMA Online 2021 Trophée Mondial De L'accordéon categories. CMA Masters 1. Danil Sharavyev (Russia) 23.53 2. Viacheslav Moseichuck (Ukraine) 23.46 3. Egor Shapovalov (Russia) 23.32 CMA Junior Classique 1. Mykola Synyahivskiy (Ukraine) 23.88 2. Naixin Zhang (China) 23.71 3. Zhouyang Zhai (China) 23.58 CMA Junior Variete 1, Matteo Tortora (Italy) 23.68 2. Mathias Rugsveen (Norway) 23.49 3. Emanuel Viti (Italy) 23.34 CMA Chamber Music Senior 1. Maksym Melnychenko and Pavlo Arkhypenko Fiery Expression (Ukraine) 23.76 2. Duo Black and White (Portugal/Ukraine) 23.18 3. Accordion Ensemble of Shenzhen University (China) 22.43 CMA Chamber Music Junior 1. Yiwei Liu (China) 23.54 2. Matejková & Breuerová (Czech Republic) 22.85 3. Ottich - Duo (Russia) 22.80 CMA Composition 1. Julien Beautemps (France) 23.71 2. Sergey Lugovskoy (Russia) 22.48 3. Patrik Kotlár (Czech) 22.13 CMA Senior Variete and Senior Classique categories final rounds yet to be completed. |
Accordionists Entertain at Festivals – Argentinaby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionists Miguel Figueroa and his Conjunto ensemble plus the Antonio Figueroa Trio have been entertaining at festivals in Argentina this week. On November 9th, they performed at the Grand Closing Party of the Las Juntas Guasayán in Santiago del Estero. See poster above left. On November 11th, they had a busy schedule performing at the Brea Pozo Festival (see poster above right), followed by a performance at the Arraga Festival (see poster below), both in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. |
New CD: Italian Folk Collection Vol 1, Spoleto - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
A new CD entitled “Italian Folk Collection Vol 1” includes 9 pieces for accordion you can dance to, by a variety of different artists. All pieces on the CD have been composed by Gianluca Bibiani and the album features various accordionists including Bibiani himself, Massimo Fabiani, Federico Bianchetti and Ivano Pescari. Tracks include “Blu Fox” (Quickstep), “Riflessi nella Notte” (Musette Waltz), “El Niño” (Tango), “Burlona” (Polka) and “Tormento” (Beguine) etc. For details contact: Ars Spoletium Publishing |
Passing of Donna Dee (Anderson) Ray (March 13, 1947 to November 09, 2021)by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
Video from 2018 ATG Festival, July 25 - 28 in Lisle (Chicago), Illinois. AWW is shocked and very sad to inform you of the sudden passing of Donna Ray Anderson from a fall. Donna Dee was a highly respected accordionist, friend, teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother, beloved by all who were fortunate enough to experience her warm smile and gentle, friendly personality. Donna Dee (Anderson) Ray began studying accordion with Joan Cochran Sommers at age six. Excerpts from the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) website: She became concert mistress of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Accordion Orchestra at age fifteen. At age sixteen, Bill Palmer awarded her a score of 108 on her choice piece in the virtuoso division at the Mid-America Music Association festival. At age seventeen, Donna Dee won the American Accordionists' Association Virtuoso Championship. Her intent was to enter UMKC as an Accordion Performance major. Instead, at age eighteen, she began touring with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians playing Cordovox in the orchestra. It was there that Donna Dee met her husband, Dennis Ray, a singer in the group. Dennis, her husband, hails from Nashville, Tennessee. He is a self-taught musician playing 5-string and tenor banjos, guitar, and upright rhythm bass. His biggest musical inspiration during his youth was The Kingston Trio from the American Folk Era. He grew up singing their songs in three-part harmonies with his brother and friends and later formed a trio in college while attending the University of Tennessee. Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians did a concert at UT. Dennis’s trio performed backstage after the show. Mr. Waring invited them to attend Shawnee Press summer workshops for teachers and students and also perform at his Shawnee Inn golf resort for the summer. At the end of that summer, they were invited to join the concert tour. Donna Dee and Dennis have three children. When the children were young, The Ray Family performed for community events, and toured summers appearing at state and county fairs and amusement parks. Donna Dee and Dennis performed as a duo for many years while also pursuing teaching careers. Both have Master’s degrees and were classroom teachers for over thirty years. Donna Dee taught elementary school Music. Through a rigorous year-long multi-evaluation process, she earned National Board Certification the first year it opened for Music teachers. Dennis, a journalism graduate of UMKC, taught Television Production in high school. Dennis and Donna Dee started a business, 3D Video Productions, videotaping weddings on weekends when not in their classrooms teaching. This business eventually squeezed out opportunities to play music gigs. They enjoyed their busy careers but are happy to be recently retired. Both are loving having time to practice and perform music again. Condolences to Dennis Ray, her family, friends and accordion friends who loved her so much. Further videos at: http://www.accordionusa.com/#art4664 |
New CD “Morning Birds” - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Morning Birds – track one from the CD. A new CD “Morning Birds”, which features Alessandro Sbordoni (bayan), Roberto Fabbriciani (flute) and Giuseppe Silvi (electronics - all pictured above right) has just been released on EMA Vinci records. The CD includes a variety of pieces such as “Morning Birds” (Alessandro Sbordoni) for piccolo, bayan, sax and live electronics, “Maknongan” (Giacinto Scelsi) for bayan solo, “Rag Free 1” and “Rag Free 2” (Alessandro Sbordoni) for flute, bayan, live electronics and “Two” (John Cage) for flute, bayan etc. For details email: email@emavinci.it |
Adelaide Accordion Orchestra Entertains - Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
The Adelaide Accordion Orchestra entertained diners at the German Club in Brooklyn Park, Adelaide, South Australia last week. Attendees enjoyed German food and drink while listening to a variety of accordion entertainment. |
Video: "Waves of the Danube" - Ukraineby Harley Jones |
We hope you enjoy this lovely version of "Waves of the Danube" waltz composed by Iosif Ivanovici in 1880. This piece is one of the most famous Romanian tunes in the world. Performed by Sergey Gusachenko and Sergey Kondramashin (Ukraine). |
Future events |
Fofa Nobre Entertains at Virada Sustentável 2021 - Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
Fofa Nobre will entertain at the Virada Sustentável 2021 event at Largo dos Acorianos in Porto Alegre, Brazil on November 13th, 2021. Virada Sustentável organizes one of the largest festival’s in Brazil involving the participation of civil society organizations, public agencies, cultural collectives, social movements, cultural equipment, companies, schools and universities, among others, with the aim of presenting a positive and inspiring view of sustainability. Their mission is to expand information about sustainability in society, using art and recreational activities as main tools, inspiring people to see sustainability as a collective value. Their festivals began in 2011 in São Paulo, with further events in Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Salvador and Manaus, among others. For further details phone: +55 51 99602-0302 |
Victor Prieto Trio at “Terraza 7”, New York - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Victor Prieto Trio will perform at "Terraza 7" in Elmhurst, New York City on November 13th, 2021. The trio features Victor Prieto (accordion), Ricky Rodriguez (bass) and Juan Felipe Mayorga (drums). These free concerts are part of the "Terraza 7" Jazz Outdoor Concert Series. Their program “embraces Jazz, Tango, Classical and Celtic Roots enriched with new rhythms and colors”. For details email: info@victorprieto.net |
Accordion Club Oedheim 30th Anniversary Celebrations – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
Picture above taken at the Accordion Club Oedheim 25th anniversary concert. Video: Pirates of the Caribbean Movie theme The Accordion Club Oedheim 1991 e.V. will celebrate their 30th Anniversary with a concert by their orchestra (conducted by Michael Ziegler) at the "Kochana" in Oedheim, Germany on November 14th at 4pm. Their exciting program will include pop music, an Argentinian tango, African sounds, inspirations from Poland and Slovenian folk music. For details email: info@avoe.de |
Garry Alexander Performs at “Tavern 1843” - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Garry Alexander performing “Mason’s Apron” which he released as a single in April 2021. Accordionist Garry Alexander will entertain at “The Tavern 1843” in Perth, Scotland, UK on November 14th and 21st, 2021. Garry performs a mix of Scottish, Irish and Country music. For details email: thetavern1843@outlook.com |
15th World Accordion and Tango Festival – Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
The 15th edition of the World Accordion and Tango Festival will be held in Victoria, British Colombia, Canada, from November 17th to 21st, 2021. The event will include a variety of concerts and workshops. On November 19th, accordionist Jelena Milojevic (picture above) will perform a concert with the German-Canadian Bergmann Piano Duo (Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann), entitled “From Bach to Piazzolla” at “First Met Victoria” in British Colombia. The ensemble will “celebrate the centenary of the iconic tango composer Astor Piazzolla in an exciting program of tango and more! Alongside the fiery and at times melancholic tango music specially arranged for the ensemble by Marcel Bergmann, they will present some works by Bach, highlighting his influence on Piazzolla's compositions.” Other festival performers include Ladom Ensemble (Michael Bridge pictured above - accordion), Bertram Levy (bandoneon), Jorge Lopez & Sandra Naccache (tango dancers) and many more. For further details email: contact@watf.ca |
Dr William Schimmel Performs with Boston Symphony Orchestra - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
Dr William Schimmel will perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Andris Nelsons) at the Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, USA on November 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2021. These performances feature “Towards Paradise (Labyrinth VI) for Trumpet and Orchestra” by Jorg Widmann. Dr.William Schimmel’s versatility is evident by the many musical projects that he is involved in. He has devoted his life to musicianship utilizing the accordion. For further information email: accordionbill@gmail.com |
Accordion Weekend at Conservatoire du Calaisis - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
The Conservatoire du Calaisis in Calais, France will hold an accordion weekend this month which will include a concert, masterclass and accordion exhibition. On November 19th, Téodoro Anzellotti will perform a solo recital at the Didier Lockwood Auditorium at 8pm. His program will include works by J.S. Bach, J.P. Rameau, L. van Beethoven, B. Bartok and T. Hosokawa. See poster for details. On November 20th, Sergio Pétronio (picture right) will give a masterclass on "Air-Sound Balance" from 10am - Noon and 2pm - 5pm. Sergio Petronio studied with André Thépaz, creator of the ‘wind instrument accordion’ method with which he deepens the technique of the wind instrument for seven years. This master class is free and open to all and is aimed at students in training of all cycles (audience members are also welcome). For details email: lefebvre.romuald@sfr.fr During these two events, the Calais Conservatory will hold an accordion exhibition where attendees will be able to try an instrument, with Philippe Imbert and the Bugari brand. These events are subject to the Covid-19 health pass. |
Duo Fuoco/Pardino Chamber Concert - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
Duo Fuoco/Pardino (Pietro Pardino - accordion) and Debora Fuoco - violin) will perform a Chamber Concert at the "Regina Pacis" Hall of the Santuario del Carmine in Palmi, Reggio Calabria on November 20th at 7pm. The concert is part of the 5th Accordion Festival that takes its name from the town of Palmi. Their program will include the first public performance of "Anni di Anna" composed by Cesare Chiacchiaretta which he dedicated to his grandmother. Admission to the Concert is free upon presentation of the Green Certification in compliance with Covid-19 regulations. |
Andreas & Naoko Nebl Perform at Benefit Concert - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
CONCERT POSTPONED DUE TO COVID. Accordionist Andreas Nebl and Naoko Nebl (harmonica) will perform a benefit concert at the St. Theresia Church in Trossingen on November 21st, 2021 at 5pm. Both are lecturers at the Hohner-Konservatorium Trossingen. Their program will include works by Handel, Mozart and Nielsen. Concert proceeds will go to the Okumenischen Kleider and Tafellden Trossingen. For details email: AndiNebl@gmx.de |
Alex Meixner Band Performs at Rock’n River Walk - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Alex Meixner Band will perform at the Rock’n River Walk event in Stuart, Florida on November 28th from 1pm to 4pm. The event, which is organised by Stuart Main Street and Rock'n Riverwalk, is free to attend and is part of the Downtown Stuart Sunday Concert Series. For details email: info@alexmeixner.com |
Sharon Shannon 2022 Concert Tour - Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
Sharon Shannon has announced dates for her 2022 Concert Tour which will begin in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland on January 1st, 2022. Special guests include vocalists Frances Black and Mary Coughlan. See poster for details. |
Childrens Corner |
Young Boy Entertains on his Accordionby Christine Johnstone |
This 8 year old boy from Eastern Europe entertains with a folk song on his beautifully decorated small accordion. |
New and Updated Sites |
Online ATG: Friedrich Lips Workshop - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) will present a special one-time online workshop by Professor Friedrich Lips (Moscow, Russia) on December 12th at 2pm Central Time, US. Professor Lips will discuss the role of the accordion in today’s general music culture. Globally, how does it interact with other instruments and groups? For details, view the website ATG or email: atg.accordioniststeachersguild@gmail.com |
History of AAA Music Commissions by Prof. Robert McMahan - USAby Harley Jones |
Dr. Robert Young McMahan, Chair of the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Composers’ Commission Committee (picture left) has written a number of very interesting articles on the contemporary concert works for accordion that have been commissioned by the AAA over the years. Robert McMahan is the recently retired Professor of Music at The College of New Jersey and was also the Area Coordinator of Musicianship and Composition, as well as artist-teacher of classical accordion. A full list of AAA Music Commissions is online at: http://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions.php A brief history of the AAA Composers’ Commissioning Committee has been revised and is online at: http://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions1.php Articles about individual AAA Music Commissions is going to be published over the coming months with the list of articles to be published at: http://ameraccord.com/aaacommissions2.php The first article titled: “The First [AAA] Commission: Prelude and Dance, by Paul Creston” is online at: http://ameraccord.com/commissions/creston.htm The AAA Composers’ Commissioning Committee welcomes donations from all those who love the classical accordion and wish to see its modern original concert repertoire continue to grow. The American Accordionists’ Association is a 501(c)(3) corporation. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent of the law. They can easily be made by visiting the AAA-Store at http://www.ameraccord.com/cart.aspx which allows you to both make your donation and receive your tax deductible receipt on the spot. For additional information, please contact Dr. McMahan at grillmyr@gmail.com |
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