Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
2018 Coupe Mondiale Entry System Goes Live - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
CIA Secretary General Kimmo Mattila announces that the 2018 Coupe Mondiale online entry system is now open for entries to the 71st Coupe Mondiale from the 2018 General Competition Rules page: 2018CM-Rules CIA President Mirco Patarini invites all (41) CIA members to register delegates to the 140th International Congress of Delegates which meets twice in Kaunas. President Patarini invites competitors from all nations to please lodge their entries well before the closing date to assist the organisers for what will certainly be a great Coupe Mondiale, and to have the time for organising the trip to the beautiful city of Kaunas. The 71st Coupe Mondiale will be held from 24-30 September, 2018 in Kaunas, Lithuania hosted by the Lithuanian National Accordionist's Union. President Kazys Stonkus welcomes everyone to the magnificent facility and superb acoustics of the Kaunas State Philharmonic Hall (pictured). The festival will feature competitions as follows: • 71st Coupe Mondiale • Masters Coupe Mondiale • Junior Coupe Mondiale • International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Junior International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Chamber Music - Classical • Chamber Music - World Music Entry closing date is 31st July 2018 and all entry and hotel information is online at: Coupe Mondiale |
10th Anniversary, Shanghai Normal University Accordion Orchestra - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video above: Opening the concert are Accordions: Huang Mengyao and Qiao Dan; Bamboo Flute: Song Xuyan; Pipa: Geng Luxuan; Dulcimer: Lan Yuxin Pictures and video of each performance at the 10th Anniversary Concert of the Shanghai Normal University Accordion Orchestra is online at: 2018SHNU-Concert The video is from the televised concert with light show, sound and full TV production team. Download 16 page color program: 2018SHNUProgram.pdf |
Yvette Horner (1922-2018), Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
Yvette Horner, one of France’s most famous and popular accordionists, was born in Tarbes in the south of France on September 22nd 1922, where there is a street named in her honour. She married the footballer René Droesch (1918-86), who played for the Girondins de Bordeaux and who became her manager, and they moved to Nogent-sur-Marne, a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris. Yvette first learned to play the piano as child, and trained at the Toulouse Conservatory, embarking on a career as a classical concert pianist. She also began learning the accordion, and her mother advised her that with there then being so few female accordion players around Yvette would have much better career prospects as an accordionist. Yvette took this advice to heart, and was soon in demand for playing at bal musettes, and went on to become a notable personality in the accordion world. Although often thought of as a musette player, at which she excelled, she actually had a much broader range and performed everything from popular music to jazz to classical music, often collaborating with other musicians and orchestras. For example, she recorded a country music album in Nashville with the American harmonica player Charlie McCoy. There is on YouTube a film of Yvette accompanying the singer Boy George on ‘Summertime’. In 1989 for July 14th, in a blue-white-red sequined dress, she played at the Bastille with the National Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Quincy Jones. In 1948 Yvette Horner became the first female CIA Coupe Mondiale World Champion, winning this inaugural competition in Lausanne, Switzerland. From 1952 to 1963 she was the main official accompanist at the Tour de France, performing at each of the main stages, which brought her to the attention of the French public and made her a star. There was even a Tour de France model car marketed featuring her playing the accordion. Throughout her life Yvette Horner was passionate about music and the accordion, and its benefits for good health. She once said that if there was no music, there would be the need for a lot more mental institutions. Yvette Horner had many awards over the years, from the International Grand Prix in 1950 for her debut album ‘Le Jardin secret d'Yvette Horner’ (The Secret Garden of Yvette Horner) to being promoted Commander of the Legion of Honor in 2011 by President Nicolas Sarkozy. During her long career she performed over 2,000 concerts, and recorded 150 albums, and a DVD, with combined sales of more than 30 million. Her first major public concert was in 1947, and her last public performance was in 2011, by which time she was living in a residence for the elderly in Paris. She passed away on June 11th at Courbevoie, Paris, at the grand age of 95. Download printable article by Rouleur: YvetteHorner.pdf |
Irish Music, Song and Dance Cruise – Seattle to Alaskaby Rob Howard |
Joanie Madden, of the band Cherish the Ladies, is organising an Irish Music, Song and Dance Cruise, August 19th to 26th. The entertainers include several accordionists and bands featuring accordions. The cruise offers a $99 Unlimited Open Bar, dining and internet packages or excursion discounts as incentives! The cruise departs from Seattle, Washington and sailing to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan in Alaska, also sailing through majestic Glacier Bay and stopping in Victoria, British Columbia. Full size flyer: 2018Alaska.pdf The entertainers on board include Cherish the Ladies, Sharon Shannon, Lúnasa, Johnny McEvoy, Eddi Reader and Phil Cunningham, Pat Shortt, Susan McCann, Dermot Henry, The Ennis Sisters, Don Stiffe, Makem & Clancy, Daoirí Farrell, Tommy Sands, Padraig Allen and the McLean Avenue Band, Gerry Timlin, Patrick and Conor O’Sullivan, Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey, Gabriel Donohue, Máirtín de Cógáin, Kate Purcell, Billy McComiskey, Dylan Foley and Josh Dukes, Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band, The Great Craic Band, Sean Fleming Band, Ronan O’Flaherty, Donie Carroll, Seanie Moloney, Kevin Crawford, Cillian Vallely, Colin Farrell, Trevor Hutchinson, Ed Boyd, John Nolan, Donnchadh Gough, Mary Rafferty, Rory Makem, Donal Clancy, Hughie Boyle, Brendan O’Shea, Cormac DeBarra, Joe Biancorusso, Jake James, Kevin McHugh, Tony Corbett, Bruce Foley, Pauline Conneely and Ger Carey, Pat Kane and Terry Kane, Hughie Boyle, The Sailor’s on the Rock, Monsignor John Griffin, Mark Murphy, Bruce Gordon, Justin Jordan. Irish Step Dancing with Donny Golden, Cara Butler, Jon Pilatzke, David Geaney, Anne Marie Keaney, Declan McHale, Michael Boyle, Michael Holland, Tom Lavin, Set Dance Masters Padraig and Roisin McEneany, Ceili Dance with Paul Keating and Marianne MacDonald. Plus Norwegian Cruise Line's amazing entertainment with fantastic music and Broadway Shows will be there for your enjoyment too!! Waltzing, Jiving, Ceil and Set Dancing, Concerts, Lectures, Music and Singing Sessions, Golf outings and more!!! Joanie Madden is also organising her Folk 'N Irish Cruise from May 12th to 19th 2019, departing from New York and sailing to Bermuda on board the Norwegian Escape. For further information email: book@joaniemaddencruise.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
10th Anniversary Concert of the Shanghai Normal University Accordion Orchestra - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video above: Shanghai Normal University Accordion Ensemble, members Wan Yizhong, Zhuo Shengji, Shi Xuan, Zhang Zhiyuan, Chen Shuwen, Song Yue, Zhang Menglu, Cao Peiya, Sang Yuting, Wang Mengwei. Pictures and video of each performance at the 10th Anniversary Concert of the Shanghai Normal University Accordion Orchestra is online at: 2018SHNU-Concert The video is from the televised concert with light show, sound and full TV production team. Download 16 page color program: 2018SHNUProgram.pdf |
Marco Lo Russo Featured Again on TV – Italyby Rob Howard |
After the success of last March, during the program ‘Bel Tempo si Spera’, broadcast, on Italian TV, TV2000, conducted by Lucia Ascione, accordionist Marco Lo Russo, was again featured in a live broadcast on Tuesday June 5th on TV2000. Marco Lo Russo performed on the accordion, accompanied by the pianist Giulio Vinci and soprano Martina Mannozzi, some musical compositions extracted from the concert program ‘Sacred Harmony’ conceived by Marco Lo Russo himself, including the recent ‘Ave Maria’, dedicated to Pope Francis, composed by accordionist, composer and producer Marco Lo Russo. The music production ‘Ave Maria’, available in all digital stores, for the label Rouge Sound Production, is enjoying many international acclaim and appreciation. Performed for a world premiere at the ‘Sacred Harmony’ concert held in Poland, during the ‘Night Krakow Sacred’, on August 15th 2017, the ‘Ave Maria’ was performed in Italy at the Oratorio del Gonfalone in Rome, in the Cathedral of San Francesco d'Assisi, in Civitavecchia, Rome, at the invitation of the Bishop Luigi Marrucci and in the Abbey of Valvisicolo in Sermoneta, Latina, Italy. Currently Marco Lo Russo is working on compositional projects, like as the soundtrack of the film by Ruggero Gabbai, CityZEN broadcast recently on SKY Atlantic. Accordionist for the Oscar winner Nicola Piovani, composer of the soundtrack of the film, and with Roberto Benigni, ‘Life is beautiful’, Marco Lo Russo, has performed, over the years, in numerous television events, including in live broadcast worldwide. With an original creative artistic path Marco Lo Russo, is counted among the most representative Italian musicians. |
10th Anniversary Concert of the Shanghai Normal University Accordion Orchestra - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video above: Accordions: Wang Xue, Wang Andi, Jin Mengdi, Xiao Feng and Zither: Chen Beixuan Pictures and video of each performance at the 10th Anniversary Concert of the Shanghai Normal University Accordion Orchestra is online at: 2018SHNU-Concert The video is from the televised concert with light show, sound and full TV production team. Download 16 page color program: 2018SHNUProgram.pdf |
Watford Accordion Band Festival Success, Kent – UKby Rob Howard |
Shona Holmes, Musical Director of the Watford Accordion Band wrote on social media: “Very rewarding day on Sunday - my Watford Accordion Band travelled to Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival and gained 1st place for the second year running. Extra bonus, we gained a trophy for the highest mark of the day! So nice to see and hear accordionists from near and far coming together for such an enjoyable day of music making”. |
Concert at Xuanjing Art Center, Shanghai - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Picture above: Concert poster with Kevin Friedrich (CIA Ambassador), Prof. Li Cong (CIA Vice-President, CEO Xuanjing Art Center), Harley Jones (CIA Public Relations) and Ass Prof. Crystal Wang (CIA China Delegate and Senior Tutor Xuanjing Art Center). Concert video above is the very youngest accordionists, 3 to 5 year old students from nearby kindergarten schools after 1 month studying. The Xuanjing Art Center offers instruction in Music, Dance, Acting and Art and the concert of accordionists is reported with pictures and video at: 2018Xuanjing |
Steven Carcary Duo @ Ellon Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
On Tuesday June 19th, 7.30pm, the Steven Carcary Duo performs as guests at the Ellon Accordion & Fiddle Club. The venue is The Station Hotel, Station Brae, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 9BD. Steven Carcary, in addition to being a professional accordionist and band leader, and has been broadcasting on BBC Radio Scotland since 1992. He is very well known in Scotland as an accordion teacher and is the Chairman of the annual Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival. |
Future events |
Rachael McShane & The Cartographers Gigs and New CD - UKby Rob Howard |
The singer and fiddle player Rachael McShane & The Cartographers (featuring guitarist and singer Matthew Ord and Julian Sutton on melodeon) perform, as follows: June 15th – Downend Folk Club, Bristol June 16th – Calstock Arts, Cornwall June 17th – Blue Sky Festival, Wiltshire July 7th – Folk at the Hall Festival, North Wales August 10th – The Bridge Festival, Newcastle August 18th – Folk East Festival September 1st - London Folk Festival October 20th – Manchester Folk Festival A new CD, ‘When All Is Still’, will be released on August 10th by Topic Records. For further information email: keldamanley@live.co.uk |
Graduation Recital, Madrid – Spainby Rob Howard |
On Saturday June 16th, 8pm, there will be a graduation recital by Conservatorio Profesional de Música Arturo Soria accordion students Jaime Rubio and Santiago Cely at the Sala de Eventos de la Parroquia San Juan Evangelista, Calle de Venecia, 1, entrada por Calle de Bristol, Madrid, Spain. Free admission. |
Orquesta Tipica Fernandez Fierro Gigs – Argentina, Colombiaby Rob Howard |
The Orquesta Tipica Fernandez Fierro performs next week, as follows: Saturday June 16th – CAFF, Buenos Aires Wednesday June 20th – CAFF, Buenos Aires Friday June 22nd - Teatro Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, Avenida Carrera, Bogota, Colombia Sunday June 24th – Plaza Gardel, Medellín, Colombia Orquesta Tipica Fernandez Fierro performs the so-called New Tango music, and has inspired a new generation of musicians. With a typical tango orchestra formation (four bandoneons, three violins, viola, cello, double bass, piano and a singer), an original attitude based on a powerful manner of feeling and performing tango, these young musicians of dreadlocked and wispy-haired spunky hipsters have driven conventional tango to a new level. Due to their unique arrangements and compositions, their easiness, their colourful outfits and their power on stage, La Fierro have not only proved popular in the tango scene of Buenos Aires, but also proved successful during several sold out tours in New York, Mexico, Germany, Holland, France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and, even, Iceland. |
Klaus Paier & Asja Valcic Master Class, Klagenfurt - Austriaby Rob Howard |
The accordion and cello duo Klaus Paier and Asja Valcic hold a master class at Viktring, Klagenfurt, Austria, from June 16th to 20th. ?Klaus Paier, Austrian accordionist and composer, studied accordion, jazz and composition at Klagenfurt conservatory. He became interested in other genres, from tango to jazz and world music, in order to fuse them into his own personal style. He works with various ensembles, including as a duo with the Croatian cellist Asja Valcic. For further information email: klaus.paier@aon.at |
Traditional Music Session, Westmeath – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
On Sunday evening June 17th, 7-9pm, there will be a traditional music session with accordionist Mick Foster (of Foster & Allen fame) and friends in the pub Gunnings, Rathconrath, Mullingar, County Westmeath. All are welcome. |
Accordion Concert, Buckinghamshire - UKby Rob Howard |
On Monday evening June 18th, 8pm until 10.30pm, there will be an Accordion Concert at the Iver Village Hall, Grange Way, Iver, Buckinghamshire SL0 9NW. Performing will be the Uxbridge Accordion Band (MD Angie Kulins) and soloists and duets. Admission £4. |
Yevgen Gavryliuk Concert, Nuremberg – Germanyby Rob Howard |
On Monday June 18th, 6pm, Ukrainian accordionist Yevgen Gavryliuk performs the works of Astor Piazzolla in concert at Kammermusiksaal, YeilhofsraBe 34, Nuremberg, Germany. Yevgen Gavryliuk, from Kiev in the Ukraine, is a student of Professor Irene at the Urbach Hochschule fur Musik in Nuremberg. He plays both chromatic button and piano accordions. For further information email: irene.urbach@hfm-nuernberg.de |
Sam O’Doherty Tribute Night – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
On Tuesday evening June 19th, 7.30pm onwards, there will be concert in tribute to the late Sam O’Doherty, featuring many of Ireland’s best professional accordionists, including Declan Aungier, Patrick O’Sullivan, Teddy Barry, Dermot Lyons, Tom Healy, Finbarr Dennehy, Peter Burke, and more. Sam was greatly respected by his contemporaries, hence this memorial concert which takes place at the Shamrock Lounge, Kilross, Tipperary. Admission is 10 Euro, with all proceeds going to the Tipperary Hospice. Sam O’Doherty, from Country Tipperary, a 3-row diatonic accordionist and singer, passed away on March 23rd at the age of 70. Sam was a popular entertainer in Ireland, who in the 1970s performed extensively in the USA and Canada, where he was known as “The man from the Glen”. He also worked with the singer Nick McCarthy as the duo ‘Mac & O’, performing concerts and making recordings. |
Claudio Jacomucci and Adrian Bravi ‘Concerti Dell’Orto’, Macerata – Italyby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Claudio Jacomucci and vocalist Adrian Bravi perform together in a ‘Garden Concerts in Macerata!’ event on Tuesday June 19th, 9.15pm, at Orto dei Pensatori, via Illuminati, traversa di via Garibaldi, Macerata, central Italy. The program includes music by Claudio Monteverdi, Martin Lohse, Jakob Van Eyck, John Zorn, John Dowland, György Ligeti, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Claudio Jacomucci. Free admission. For further information email: info@strumentiemusica.com |
Carismático Tango Concert, Worksop – UKby Rob Howard |
On Wednesday June 20th, 7.30pm, the tango quintet Carismático performs in concert at Worksop College/Mountgarret Recital Room, Sparken Hill, Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 3AP. The members of Carismático are Karen Street – accordion, Andy Tweed – saxophones, Yshani Perinpanayagam – piano, Rob Millett – percussion, and Dave Manington – bass. Carismático is a new ensemble created by accordionist Karen Street. In 2016 Argentinian composer and pianist Saúl Cosentino made contact and generously sent her some of his music to play. She was so excited by the compositions that she decided to create her ideal Tango band to perform his music, explore the beguiling world of Tango and write for the band herself. The musical focus for Carismático is Tango Nuevo, a style created by Astor Piazzolla with the aim of moving Tango onto the concert platform. Saúl Cosentino himself was hugely influenced by Piazzolla, eventually studying with him and becoming friends. The core of the repertoire Carismático presents are Cosentino’s brilliant, emotionally charged compositions alongside some classic Piazzolla arrangements and Street’s own wonderful new compositions for the group. For further information email: karen@karenstreet.com |
Nick Ariondo, Italian Night at Arcosanti, 30 June Concert - USAby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Accordionist Nick Ariondo, an Arcosanti and Arizona favorite! Appearing with Nick for a night of Italian music will be baritone Gregorio Gonzalez on 30 June 2018. Dinner 6:00 pm $20 Performance 7:30 pm $20 (Special student rate $10 for each) Join us for Arcosanti’s signature annual event: Italian Night. Great music, serious gaiety, and a wonderful dinner with pasta served in wheelbarrows. Location: Arcosanti, 13555 South Cross L Road, Mayer, AZ 86333. |
New and Updated Sites |
Site Update: 2018 AAA Festival, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites extends booking deadline - USAby Linda Soley Reed, AAA Second Vice President |
Welcome to our 80th Anniversary Festival, July 11-15, 2018 of the American Accordionists' Association (AAA). Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites has extended the deadline for hotel reservations at the discounted rate of $129 to June 18! The number of available rooms is limited, so please make your reservations as soon as possible! Full information about, Festival registration, Workshop schedule, Festival Exhibitors, Competition rules, Competition registration, Journal advertising, Special Festival Offers is online. All information at: AAA |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |