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Troisième Festival International "Accordion Plus" 2012, Rostov-on-Don - Russieby Elizaveta Sedlova & Anastasia Mogucheva |
Le troisième festival international "Accordion Plus" s’est tenu à Rostov-on-Don du 31 mars au 2 avril. Il y a eu des concours et des concerts, et tout cela était organisé par le centre international de musique « Harmony », lequel a déjà, dans le passé, organisé de nombreux concerts avec des accordéonistes tels que Art Van Damme, Alain Musicini, Renzo Ruggieri, Viatcheslav Semionov, Yuri Shishkin et bien d’autres. Photos ci-contre : en haut : Rostov Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. En bas, Alexander Poeluex serrant la main de Krikor Hurdayan, directeur du Rostov State Folk Orchestra. Lors du concert d’ouverture, le public est arrivé plus d’une heure à l’avance afin de profiter de visiter l’exposition d’accordéons anciens et rares, ainsi que de voir des démonstrations d’accordéons actuels. Le concert d’ouverture, avec un public de 1300 personnes, était assuré par Slavko Mitroci et le Serbian Folk Music Ensemble (photo ci-dessous).Il y avait également l’orchestre folk russe « Don », sous la direction de Krikor Hurdoyan, avec des solistes reconnus tels que Slavko Mitrovic, Alexander Poeluev and Alexey Shalygin. Le jour suivant, c’était le début des concours, avec de nombreux concurrents. Par exemple, la catégorie junior comptait plus de 60 inscriptions, et le concours s’est déroulé de 9h à 20h, avec Alexander Poeluev comme président du jury. A la fin de la semaine, c’est le Philarmonic Oblast qui a donné un concert appelé « Cinema et Tango » avec Roberto Molinelli (directeur italien) et Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (image de droite ci-dessous). Les salles de concert étaient bondées, avec une foule ne voulant pas laisser partir les artistes, demandant des bis! Le président du centre international de musique « Harmony », Yury Shishkin (image de droite) s’est chargé du discours final. Image ci-dessous: l’accordioniste Slavko Mitrovic et le Serbian Folk Music Ensemble. dessous, la foule lors de l’exposition d’accordéons rares et anciens. |
Le ‘Deutsche Akkordeon-Musikpreis (DAM)’, Bruschal – Allemangneby Harley Jones |
Le concours national allemand Prix d’Accordéon (Deutsche Akkordeon-Musikpreis) pour accordéon solo, duo, trio, musique de chambre et ensemble (jusqu’à 11 instruments) aura lieu à Bruschal, du 7 au 10 juin 2012. Le concours est organisé par la Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. (DHV) et les participants se sont déjà qualifiés lors de concours régionaux, qui sont ouverts à tous les étudiants allemands. Le concours de musique de chambre a lieu tous les trois ans. Pour la première fois, le concours aura lieu en 2012 à Bruchsal, dont le magnifique palais offrira de nombreuses salles pour les concours. La brochure de du concours (en allemand) peut être téléchargée ici : 2012Bruschsal En plus des concours, il y aura un concert d’ouverture donnée par le Akkordeonorchester Untergrombach (Directeur Wolfgang Pfeffer), le groupe Quadro Nuevo sont prévus pour la soirée suivante, tout comme une soirée disco sous tente avec Matthias Matzke, des midi-concerts, et une musical street party dans la ville de Bruschsal. Pour plus d’informations: info@dhv-ev.de |
Squeeze & Queen? - Allemangne, GBby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Si vous pensez avec tout vu et tout entendu, et bien… vous allez peut-être être étonnés ! En parcourant les allées de la Foire de Francfort 2012, j’ai eu le plaisir de voir de magnifiques nouveaux instruments équipés du système MIDI, de grands artistes sur tous les stands de l’exposition, mais, en passant, j’ai vu quelque chose que je n’avais jamais vu avant, ou plutôt jamais entendu ! Deux charmants jeunes hommes – l’un d’eux vêtu de manière « particulière » et me faisant cligner des yeux, l’autre avec un accordéon très « glamour », mmmmh. Je dis « mmmmh » parce que ce n’était pas tout à fait habituel ! Curieuse, je me suis arrêtée, et j’ai eu raison : Je n’avais jamais entendu cela auparavant… une voice, incroyablement forte s’évadait du public, sans aucune amplification, en parfaite harmonie avec l’accordéon. Image de droite au milieu. Une très bonne formation musicale pour Roman D. Metzner (accordéon, chant) et Aaron Perry (Chanteur classique professionnel) qui formaient le Duo « The Royal Squeeze Box », ravissant le public en chantant sur scène les mémoires de Queens avec un hommage au légendaire Freddie Mercury. Un « two man Show » avec un accordéon et deux voix avait valeur de groupe de rock complet, ou d’un orchestre ou d’un chœur, capable de jouer n’importe où à n’importe quel moment ! “Living on My Own“ , “Bohemian Rhapsody“ sans oublier bien sur “We Are the Champions“ - C’est dans cette jeune formation que le classique rencontre la pop, que le chant complete le son de l’accordéon, que les rêves rencontrent la réalité. Vous pouvez les voir ici: Frankfurt_Musikmesse_2012_Accordion_Live_Report. www.accordions.com/royalsqueezebox Videos of The Royal Squeeze Box http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=326 (My Bysicle) http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=327 (Bohemian Rhapsody) http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=328 (We are the Champions) Write to them at http://www.royalsqueezebox.de or email: mail@royalsqueezebox.de |
National Accordion Organisation of the UK (NAO) Championships 2012 - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
The NAO UK Championships 2012 this year has moved to a new venue – the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. The event is to be held from 27th – 29th April and NAO Chairperson, Anna Bodell is pleased that it has attracted some 250 entries from across the United Kingdom including Orchestras from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. This year, as well as the Instrumental and Music Trade exhibitions, the festival will incorporate the UK Qualifying sections for the CIA Coupe Mondiale 2012 to be held in Spoleto Italy in August, the National Finals of the Roland V Competition in conjunction with Roland UK in which the UK Representative for the 6th International Roland competition will be selected, the NAO Composers’ Competition as well as the diverse Solo, Duo and Ensembles categories which go to make up this renowned UK competition. Saturday will also feature the traditional Scottish Celidh and Annual General Meeting of the Organisation. International guests include Pietro Adragna (picture middle, Italy), the current CIA Digital and CIA Virtuoso Entertainment Champion as well as 5th International Roland Champion, Julien ‘Speedy’ Gonzales (picture top, France) himself a Past Solo and Ensemble CIA Champion and Antonio Spaccarotella (picture lower), former winner of Castelfidardo Variete category and university tutor. For further information email: naouk@btinternet.com |
Concours 2012 South Pacific, Exposition du 40th NZAA – Nouvelle Zélandeby Heather Masefield |
Le délai d’inscription pour le championnat d’accordéon du Sud Pacifique est échu le 15 avril. Le concours et le festival auront lieu les 2 et 3 juin à Auckland. Téléchargez le prospectus 2012. 2012 NZ Prospectus. Il y a plusieurs catégories solo pour les concurrents internationaux pour tous types d’instruments, ainsi que pour les orchestres, avec un public de connaisseurs. Le Raye Freedman Arts Centre est un endroit idéal, avec une acoustique excellente, un éclairage idéale et « tout ce qu’il faut » sous un même toit. La NZAA veut également promouvoir l’ouverture d’un superve musée-exposition « de Wakefield à Masefield ». C’est l’histoire de l’accordéon en Nouvelle Zélande, depuis 1839, lorsque l’explorateur et accordéoniste Edward Wakefield arriva en Nouvelle Zélande, jusqu’à Grayson Masefield, devenu le premier néo-zélandais à gagner le titre de vainqueur de la Coupe Mondiale d’accordéon. L’exposition a été créée par Kevin Friedrich pour fêter le 40 ème anniversaire de la NZAA. Elle comprend des informations historiques et un résumé de 40 ans d’activités à la NZAA, elle offre un complément à l’exposition permanente « Accordion Gems », une collection maître d’accordéon « A travers le temps » au Musée Dargaville. Le vernissage a été organisé par le mécène Kevin Friedrich, et la présence de Monsieur et Madame le Maire du discrict de Kaipara, Neil et Catherine tiller, de l’ancien président John Statham et de Harley Jones (Public Relations Manager Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes) a été appréciée. L’exposition sera ouverte jusqu’en novembre 2012. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Ascoltate 2012, Kaunas - Lithuaniaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
Photo above: top row is the competition winners, lower row the jury. lower photo is duet winners Gytis Kaušius and Egle Bartkeviciute (Lithuania). From April 3rd to 5th the international accordion competition ‘Ascoltate’ was held, for the 10th time, in Kaunas, Lithuania. In various categories (solo for classical and entertainment, duo, ensemble, orchestra and chamber music) candidates from 7 countries - Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina - faced an international jury consisting of K. Stonkus, E. Gabnys (Lithuania), H. Scheibenreif (Austria), D. Rakic (Bosnia-Hercegovina), V. Pligovka (Belarus) and S. Kacans (Latvia). In particular the younger participants performed with much devotion and enthusiasm, and the level of their presentations was really astonishing, and in addition the programs (usually a polyphonic work, an original and a virtuoso piece) were played exclusively by heart. The winner of each category was rewarded the ‘Grand Prix’, which had to be divided in the highest category: both V. Bendas (Ukraine) and S. Petuch (Belarus) charmed both jury and public by their presentations. In an evening concert Vladislav Pligovka (picture right), winner of several international competitions, showed his outstanding abilities not only as a classical accordionist but also on the musette accordion. All in all, M. Labanauskas and G. Lukošiene as organizers of ‘Ascoltate 2012’ were delighted about the huge success of their event. Grand prix winners ‘Ascolate 2012’: A1 Faustas Labanauskas (picture right lower, Lithuania) A2 Ignat Guliuta (Belarus) A3 Lukasz Filipiuk (Poland) A4 Gytis Kaušius (Lithuania) A5 Siniša Ljubojevic (Bosnia and Hercegovina) A6 Vasyl Bendas (Ukraine) and Stanislav Petuch (Belarus) B3 Vilius Mažeika (Lithuania) B4 Egle Bartkeviciute (Lithuania) B6 Jevgenij Vashilo (Belarus) C1 accordion duet Gytis Kaušius and Egle Bartkeviciute (picture above, Lithuania) E accordion orchestra ‘Grand accordeon’ (Ukraine) In the autumn 2014 the Trophée Mondial of the CMA will take place in Kaunas. For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
Hottest New Accordion Product!!!! - USAby Harley Jones |
Quirky of New York, USA, has designed a collapsable accordion toaster what can save precious counter space. Like the accordion bellows, it can be squeezed down to a mere 2.5-inches wide so it's easy to store. See pictures above. With the toaster fully expanded you get your standard pair of toasting slots big enough to handle even bagels. Is there a failsafe to stop the toaster being used in the closed position? If not, it could well become one super hot accordion product, if turned on while closed! Another new product is the gama-go.com accordion file (pictured right). The company text reads: "Bring Harmony to your filing with the Accordion File! This letter-sized accordion folder puts a melodic spin on an office classic." Who would have thought of "melodic spin" text! |
Aleksandar Kolovski Performances, Skopje - Macedoniaby Harley Jones |
Aleksandar Kolovski, born 1990 in Skopje, Macedonia, has had a number of competition successes in the last two years. Aleksandar Kolovski? has enjoyed several high profile concerts in Skopje, including the 65th IASTE Conference, the opening of a new French Institute, and for the Macedonian Olympic Committee. During the latter concert, Aleksandar was introduced to the the President of Macedonia George Ivanov and the Macedonian Minister for Culture Elizabeta Kanceska–Milevska, who congratulated him on his international competition successes in 2011 and offered assistance for his future competition plans. For further information email: akolovski@yahoo.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Another Festival Success for Tom Duncanby Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for April 10th 1998 included a report on the recent accordion festival in Blackpool, organized by Tom Duncan. One of the British accordion scene’s great unsung yet most prolific festival organizers, Tom Duncan, a retired Police Chief Superintendent, presented many top national and international accordionists at his festivals, such as Frank Marocco, Peter Soave, Barbara Ann Martindale, Gervasio Marcosignori, Jorgen Sundeqvist, Oivind Farmen, David Lukins, Dermot O’Brien, Seamus Shannon, and many more. INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION FESTIVAL - ENGLAND Contributed by David Batty The International Accordion Festival was held from March 26th to 30th at Pontins Holiday Centre, Lytham St Annes, Blackpool, Lancashire, England. There was a great variety of accordion entertainment including Steve Roxton (Jersey) who also demonstrated the accordion at Trade stalls. Barbara Ann Martindale (Canada) played a selection of classical pieces and presented a master class. Also performing were The Alexander Brothers, Alexander Korbakov (Russia), Roberto Enzo (Italy), Johnny Duncan and various accordion orchestras. Gary Blair (Scotland) with his ceilidh dance band provided dance music every evening. George Hicks organised a buskers workshop and the accordion auction included the sale of a 156-year-old instrument. |
Future events |
Baillies Mills Accordion Band Concert, Northern Ireland - UKby Harley Jones |
The Baillies Mills Accordion Band perform in concert with the local Harmony Ladies Choir on April 14th, at the Island Hall, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. The local choir will be joined by German Choir FrauenTerz from Ladenburg, Germany. The Baillies Mills Accordion Band, from Cargycroy, Lisburn, County Antrim, was founded in June 1939 to provide music for a fete. The band was formed by four local brothers named Campbell, aided by the local families of Patterson, Hilland, Pettigrew and Mackin, each of whom had two members each in the band. By 1977 band funds were so low that a meeting was called to discuss the seriousness of the situation, and it was agreed that a concert should be planned, to be held in Carryduff Unionist Hall in February, 1978. This concert was so successful that it continues annually to the present day, now held in Ballynahinch Leisure Centre every November. To celebrate its 60th birthday in 1999 the Baillies Mills Band played at the Belfast Waterfront before a capacity audience, with several supporting artists. They returned again to the Waterfront to celebrate 70 years in existence, in 2009. Since 1978 the Band has made 5 albums and a DVD which recorded the Band's visit to Bergen, Norway, in 2010. Other visits include 4 trips to Scotland, and shorter tours for weekends to Fermanagh, and several locations in Donegal. In November, 9th to 11th, the Baillies Mills Accordion Band will visit London, and will perform in The Lord Mayor’s Show. Informaiton: bailliesmills.com |
Clinic, Concert and Roland V-Accordion Festival Auditions, Las Vegas – USAby Rob Howard |
On April 13th and 14th, Southern Nevada Music, 1881 S. Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146 is the venue for a Clinic, Concert and V-Accordion Festival auditions, with Steve Albini and Tatiana Semicahastnaya. The time schedule includes: April 13th, 2pm until 6pm - V-Accordion clinic and V-Accordion Festival competition auditions April 14th, 1pm until 5pm - Concert and V-Accordion Festival competition auditions The Roland-USA V-Accordion Festival finals will be held on Sept. 29 in Los Angeles, CA. For information regarding the Roland-USA V-Accordion Festival please visit: http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-accordion_festival/ or email: steven.albini@rolandus.com |
2012 Texas Folklife Big Squeeze Accordion Competition Semi-Finals and Finals - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
Texas Folklife is pleased to announce the names of the eight young squeezeboxers who will advance to the semifinal stage of the sixth annual Big Squeeze accordion contest: Peter Anzaldua, 15, of Brownsville; Candice Cerda, 17, of San Benito; Omar Garza, 17, of Mission; Luis Gonzales, 16, of Grand Prairie; Zeth Lara, 12, of San Benito; Juan Longoria III, 11, of Brownsville (son of 2007 champion!); Michael Ramos, 16, of Dallas; Isaiah Tellez, 13, of Pasadena. The Big Squeeze 2012 semifinals for up-and-coming musicians will be held in Austin at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Saturday, April 28. Emceeing this year’s semifinals contest will be Joe Nick Patoski, iconic Texas author and Texas Folklife’s emcee for the annual Accordion Kings & Queens Festival. Each semifinalist will play two songs and the judges will choose up to four finalists afterward. Finalists will then compete before the large, enthusiastic audience of accordion fans at the Accordion Kings & Queens Festival on June 2. This is the 23rd annual "Accordion Kings & Queens," and it just might be the very best, ever! So put on your dancing shoes and bring your friends, family and a picnic to Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston for the best, free squeezefest on the planet! The finals and the Accordion Kings and Queens Festival is on 2nd June. For further information, email: info@texasfolklife.org |
Victor Prieto Concert, New York - USAby Rob Howard |
Jazz accordionist Victor Prieto, with Chris Cheek (sax), Peter Slavov (bass) and Fernenc Nemeth (drums), performs at Terraza 7, 40-19 Gleane St, Elmhurst, New York 11373, on April 19th, 9.30pm. For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
Pearl Fawcett-Adriano @ Guildford Accordion Club, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
Pearl Fawcett-Adriano is in concert at Guildford Accordion Club on Friday April 20th, 7.30pm. Guildford AC, formed in 1990, meets at Ripley Village Hall, High St, Surrey GU23 6AF. For further information email: myra@guildford-accordion-club.org.uk 8 CD's available at Pearl Fawcett-Adriano |
Squeezebox Mania V, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
Grammy Winners Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox present Accordion Masters and Maniacs from around the world at Squeezebox Mania V on Saturday April 21st. This year's all day, cross-genre accordion festival will take place at Jovitas, 1619 South 1st Street, Austin, TX 78704. Patio stage runs from 5-8 pm, featuring Johnny Degollado y su Conjunto, Shawn Nelson and the Ramblers, the University of Texas Conjunto, plus many more of Austin's top squeezebox players. The 8 pm indoor show will feature Texas Accordion Kings, Santiago Jimenez Jr. & Chris Rybak, Debra Peters, Charles Thibodeaux, plus special performances by Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox. For further information email: squeezeboxmaniausa@gmail.com |
Royal Academy of Music (RAM) Accordion Concerts, London – UKby Rob Howard |
Ksenija Sidorova and Stefan Ciric's Easter concert at the Royal Academy of Music on Sunday, 15 April at 6pm. Tickets £15 (concessions £12.5) from the RAM's Box Office 020 7873 7300 On Tuesday April 24th at 7.30pm in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall, Royal Academy of Music, students will perform music featuring accordion, including works by Sofia Gubaidulina, JS Bach, Franck, Yuji Takahashi and Mozart. Tickets £7 (concessions £5) from the RAM's Box Office 020 7873 7300 For further information email: K.INGRAM@ram.ac.uk |
En stage avec Pascal Contet, CNIMA J.Mornet - Franceby Rob Howard |
Il vient d’être le premier accordéoniste nominé lors de la plus grande manifestation télévisée de la musique classique en France : les Victoires de la Musique. Grâce à lui, enfin un accordéon aux côtés des pianos, des vents et des cordes! Menant un parcours atypique entre classique, musique contemporaine (il collabore avec Luciano Berio, Bruno Mantovani, Bernard Cavanna, …), et variété, Pascal participe à des projets au plus haut niveau national et international, des projets mêlant souvent musique, danse, théâtre ou cinéma, voire arts graphique. Soutenu par les représentants les plus prestigieux (Ircam, Radio France, Musica Strasbourg…), il a travaillé sous la direction de Pierre Boulez, Jean-Claude Casadesus, James Wood et en tant que soliste rejoint les ensembles 2E2m et Ars Nova. Plusieurs concertos lui sont dédiés (Françaix, Cavanna), interprétés avec le National de Lille, de Lorraine, l’orchestre de Lausanne, de la Suisse Romande, l’Opéra de Paris, Tokyo Ensemble. Il transporte son accordéon aux quatre coins du monde (Asie, Afrique, Berkeley University of California, Mexique) pour des créations mais aussi des improvisations. Pascal mène parallèlement une réflexion sur la maîtrise du mental et de la mémoire dans l’acte musical sous tous ses aspects, de l’écriture à l’improvisation. C’est autour de ce thème que Pascal CONTET animera un stage du 23 au 28 avril au CNIMA J.Mornet de Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne (centre de la France). Des détails sur CNIMA J.Mornet. Dans le cadre de ce stage, Pascal donnera un concert à l’église de La Bourboule (station thermale voisine de Saint-Sauves) le mercredi 25 avril. |
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert, New Jersey – USAby Rob Howard |
The Accordion Pops Orchestra (MD Al Terzo) perform in concert in aid of the Bergenfield Ambulance Corps on Sunday April 29th, 2pm, at Bergenfield High School, 80 S. Prospect Ave, Bergenfield, New Jersey. For further information email: webmaster@accordionpops.com |
World Accordion Day Concert, Philadelphia – USAby Rob Howard |
A World Accordion Day concert takes place on May 6th, 2pm until 4pm, at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6500 Tabor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Various players will perform. For further information email: thomasgroeber@hotmail.com |
VAV’s 10th Anniversary Concert, De Glind – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
The accordion orchestra Velpse Accordeon Vereniging (VAV) celebrate their 10th anniversary on May 12th, 7.30pm, with a concert at Dorpshuis De Glindster, de Rudolphlaan 2, De Glind. Also appearing will be the RAC from Bennekom and AVO from Oosterbeek. |
New and Updated Sites |
eTracks MP3 Albums by Franco Cambareri Now Online – Internationalby Harley Jones |
The eTracks part of the MusicForAccordion.com website starts its 2nd week and has already grown to over 730 MP3 tracks available. Priced at only € 0.70 a track with most albums costing € 8.00 or less its great value. New Albums this week are: 2 albums by Franco Cambareri Mystique A La Francois |
eTracks MP3 Albums Added Online this Weekby Harley Jones |
New eTracks MP3 Albums have been added this week: Yuri Shishkin has now 6 eTracks MP3 albums online. Friedrich Lips now has 22 eTracks MP3 albums online. Now over 730 eTracks MP3 available of all types of music from only € 0.70 for each track. Its great value. The advantage of eTracks is that you can download the MP3 files to your computer or other sound device such as ipod, iphone etc. You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. |
The Music of Eugene Ettore Performed by Rita Davidson is Released - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
A new eTracks Rita Davidson Album titled "The Music of Eugene Ettore" has been released. This coincides with the 90th anniversary of the birth of Eugene Ettore (1921-1985). Rita Davidson writes: “For the first time, the music of Eugene Ettore is available worldwide to accordionists. As you listen to these virtuoso selections, you will realize the great value and musical contribution that he made to accordion repertoire.” Click Rita Davidson Album to read the tracks list and hear sound samples. |
CNIMA J.Mornet Website Now in 11 Languagesby Jacques Mornet |
The CNIMA J.Mornet website has now been updated into 11 different languages. View the updated list of seminars, available with full board. |
CD Reviews |
Grayson Masefield eTracks MP3 Album Reviewby Joan C. Sommers |
CD Reviews Index for the Review of Grayson Masefield Etracks MP3 Album, English, reviewed by Prof Joan Sommers. |
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