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Highlights |
Gervasio Marcosignori (1927-2013), Castlfidardo – Italy
IV International Festival and III International Competition “Accordion Plus” – Russia
7th Accordion Art Festival and Contests, Pineto - Italy
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Nikola Pekovic with Orchestra Performing Anxiety - Serbia
Buttons & Bellows Concert, Feldkirchen – Austria
Ian Holmes LP ‘Sounds Scottish’ now on CD, Scotland – UK
Video: Oleg Dobrotin with Band in Concert - Russia
Video: Bjørn-Petter Tøsse Trio Performs Cannon in D, Pachelbel
‘14 Years Ago’ – An accordion playing Korean Santa!!
Future events |
NHAA Meeting, New Hampshire – USA
Petar Ralchev Online Master Class - Iconic Music Academy
John Nolan’s St Patrick’s Day Celebration, New Jersey – USA
Concert ‘Carte Blanche’, Paris - France
Tynedale Accordion and Fiddle Club, Northumberland - UK
XV1 Grand Prix International, Montrond-les-Bains – France
Arizona Accordion Club Orchestra Concert, Phoenix – USA
‘Accordions at the Castle’, Blackpool – UK
Accordion Festival, Zagreb – Croatia
Quarteto de Cordas e Acordeão Concert, Braga – Portugal
New and Updated Sites |
Franco Cambareri release new music
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Editorial - Gervasio Marcosignori (1927-2013)by Accordions Worldwide |
 A path to fame began at the age of seven, when he played for Benito Mussolini in 1934. Delighted with his performance, the Duce embraced the little Gervasio saying, "Keep it up, good Balilla." The first teacher was his father John Gervasio. At age 15, Gervasio won his first music competition. In 1959 he was awarded the Oscar for the world accordion. Of particular importance its educational legacy: three volumes on "Technique of the accordion" To make Marcosignori, known and appreciated in addition to all his technical skills, was his unique interpretation of original music and transcriptions for accordion and other repertoires. Marcosignori has been in particular a great lover of classical music. The entire Accordion World is missing a great musician. |
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Gervasio Marcosignori (1927-2013), Castlfidardo – Italyby Rob Howard |
 Above are two videos from 2006, 79 years old Marcosignori. The accordion world mourns the passing of Gervasio Marcosignori, probably the most admired and loved accordionist of his generation. Please read the Editors Note above.Gervasio Marcosignori, sometimes referred to as the "poet of the accordion", was born in Castelfidardo, Ancona, Italy, on December 3rd 1927. As a young child he was taught the accordion by his father, Giovanni. In 1934 he performed in the presence of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who was impressed and urged young Gervasio to “keep up the good work”. Although the war years greatly restricted accordion activity, in 1943 Gervasio won his first contest, and was on the road to becoming an outstanding competitor in post-war competitions as well as emerging as a top level visrtuoso concert artist. The 1950s saw Marcosignori emerge as an international artist, and he travelled extensively around Europe and beyond, making a huge impression wherever he went. He also served as an adjudicator at many festivals. In these years he played acoustically, and though he has used many instruments, became particularly associated with the Settimio Soprani Artist VI, then later the Scandalli Super VI. In 1959 Marcosignori was awarded the ‘World Oscar’ by the CMA for his international contribution to the accordion. In 1962 Marcosignori collaborated with a Farfisa company technical team led by Gianfelice Fugazza, in the design of the Cordovox, an electronic accordion operating via transistors. From the 1960s Marcosignori became closely associated with the electronic accordion and he made many international visits demonstrating the Farfisa ‘Transicord’ and ‘Syntaccordion’. Although he had always performed classical music, in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Marcosignori performed a wide range of Continental and Latin music, and this was the basis of his popularity with many people. The 1970s also saw him become much more inclined towards performing classical music. Marcosignori performed in front of famous dignataries such as past Italian President Sandro Pertini, Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, and many more. Considering the length of his career and his fame, Marcosignori made surprisingly few recordings, and his albums, recorded by Decca (UK) and Cetra (Italy), include ‘Accordion Travelogue’ (1959), ‘Dancing Continental’ (1961), ‘Record of the Century’ (1962), ‘Accordion Showpieces’ (1972), ‘The Poet of the Accordion’ (1991), and ‘Encore!’ (1995). Gervasio Marcosignori was widowed some years ago when his wife Lucia died from cancer, causing him to suffer with depression. Nobody in the accordion world had more friends, but the loss of his wife was something he never fully came to terms with. More recently he had also developed signs of dementure and was unable to play the accordion at his usual high standard. On March 8th Italian news reports stated that Marcosignori had attempted suicide, and he died in Cesena hospital, at the age of 85, on March 9th 2013. The death of this much loved maestro caused great shock throughout the accordion world, and he has been widely mourned. |
IV International Festival and III International Competition “Accordion Plus” – Russiaby Alexander Poeluev |
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 Video above: Motion Trio "Stars" at Nikolaisaal - Postdam.The Department of Culture of Rostov-on-Don and the International Music Center "Harmony" society are organising the IV International Festival and III International Competition of Bayan and Accordion “Accordion Plus” in Rostov-on-Don, 29 March to 1st April 2013. The Accordion Plus Festival also includes the Accordion Plus competition which has been made into an international competition from this year forward. The head of the jury is a famous musician and composer Victor Vlasov. The festival also includes lots of meetings and masterclasses. The Ceremonial Opening of the festival begins at the Rostov State Philharmonic Hall with a concert titled “From East to West” featuring Honored Artist of Russia Yuri Shishkin. There is also a concert by famous Russian composer Eugeny Derbenko with “Dontsi” Ensemble. March 30th features composer Alexander Dorensky (Rostov-on-Don), and on March 31st is a concert titled "Bravo, Accordion Plus!" featuring Vladimir Murza (Odessa, Ukraine), AlexShalygin (Rostov-on-Don), Alexander Poeluev (Rostov-on-Don), and Laureats Grand Prix of Accordion Plus 2011 and 2012 Alain Bulatetskaya (Rostov-on-Don), Anna Kryshtaleva (Novokubansk) and the Russian folk orchestra "Don", Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Krikor Hurdayan. The Grand Closing Concert on 1st April is at the Drama Theatre Gorky and this concert features winners from the III International Competition of Bayan and Accordion and the Motion Trio (Poland) who have enjoyed great success around the world. Massimo Pigini of Pigini srl Italy will be attending and presenting sponsored awards. Sponsor Roland Russia and Director Dmitry Avralev of Akko are also providing sponsorship and attending. |
7th Accordion Art Festival and Contests, Pineto - Italyby Harley Jones |
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  Associazione Promozione Arte (Art Promotion Association) in collaboration with the City of Pineto (TE, Italy), Club Voglia d'Arte and private sponsors are organising the 7th Accordion Art Festival & Contests on the 15th 16th June 2013. The “Italia” Award international competitions are open to contestants from any country. You can download the rules, regulations and registration information at: 2013Pineto Entry closing date is 10th June. Included in the competitions is the Italian national selection for the 2013 CMA Trophée Mondial. An important part of the festival is the Orpheus Awards - the only critics Italian awards for accordion CD's, MP3 tracks divided into classical, jazz and world music categories. Artistic Director is famous Jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri (picture right), Artistic Director for Orpheus Awards is Gerlando Gatto, and President is popular accordionist Salvatore Cauteruccio (picture left). |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Martynas Levickis at the Royal Festival Hall, London – UKby Roland Williams |
 A classical accordion recital at London’s Royal Festival Hall is a rare event. On Sunday February 24th Martinas Levickis gave an hour-long pre-concert recital in the South Bank’s main hall before a large audience. The recital was made possible by an award from the Martin Music Scholarship Fund for promising young artists.Martynas Levickis comes from Lithuania and in his own country is already well known as the winner of the 2010 television contest, ‘Lithuania’s Got Talent’. Video above from a more recent TV performance in Lithuania. Martynas is a graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Music, tutor Owen Murray, who has won many awards including the 2010 Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion category. His program in the Royal Festival Hall was classical beginning with César Franck’s ‘Pastoral in E major (Op.19)’, Efrem Podgaits’ ‘Sonata No.1’ and then J S Bach’s ‘Fantasia and Fugue in A minor (BWV 561)’ – three large and lengthy works. Martynas concluded his recital with a friend, Abraham McWilliams (violin), with arrangements for violin and accordion of the popular ‘Hungarian Dance No 5’, by Brahms, and ‘Jewish Folk Tunes on the Theme of Hava Nagila’. Such was the audience enthusiasm that Martynas received a standing ovation. His encore was a movement from Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, the ‘Winter Concerto’. This recital was indeed a wonderful example of refined virtuoso accordion playing. During 2013, date yet to be announced, Decca Classics (London) will release a CD by Martynas Levickis. |
Video: Nikola Pekovic with Orchestra Performing Anxiety - Serbiaby Harley Jones |
| Published on Mar 14, 2013 Nikola Pekovic (accordion) with orchestra "Crvcanin" from Kraljevo. Video from festival "Constantinus" in Niš performng Anxiety by Astor Piazzolla. Nikola Pekovic won the CMA 2010 National Trophée category in Spain and is also a winner of Serbian Got Talent competition. |
Buttons & Bellows Concert, Feldkirchen – Austriaby Rob Howard |
 Buttons & Bellows duo of Petar Maric (Coupe Mondiale, Trophee Mondiale, Kingenthal and Castelfidardo Winner) and Aleksandar NIkolic (Director of the Beltango Quintet) have just performed a successful concert in Feldkirchen, Austria on March 2nd. The public were impressed with the unique combination of bandoneon and four different accordions and many styles of music. Their program started with classical repertoire played by Maric alone, after that Nikolic joined the concert stage and they performed tango and world music. Petar also showed new modern music played on a Roland digital accordion followed by a few encores. The duo, with their combination of bandoneon and 4 different accordions will play in Zagreb, Croatia, for a big concert on World Accordion Day on May 6th. Trilogia Pack Of Three CD's by Beltango |
Ian Holmes LP ‘Sounds Scottish’ now on CD, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
  ‘Sounds Scottish’, a 1963 LP by the Ian Holmes Scottish Dance Band, has just been released on CD, also available as a download.Ian Holmes led one of Scotland’s leading dance bands, and has since composed, performed and recorded much dance music in Scandinavian and Swiss styles. Originally a piano accordion player, the still very active Ian Holmes nowadays plays Continental chromatic and various diatonic button systems. Tracks: Jean’s Reel/High Level Hornpipe/Tony Reid of Balnakilly; Beauty of the North/ Marchioness of Huntly/Pat Cushnie's Strathspey/Caerlaverock Castle; Maiden Of Morven / In Praise of Islay/Farewell to Fuinary; Duchess Of Edinburgh/Eilean Donan Castle; The Mason's Apron; The Atholl Highlanders/Wade's Welcome to Inverness/There Cam' A Young Man; Teetotaler's Reel/Peter Davidson/The Moving Cloud; Madge Wildfire’s Strathspey/Mrs Garden of Troupe/Lady Charlotte Campbell/The Lass of Corrie Mill; The Devorgilla Reel/The Earl Of Dalhousie/David Findlay; The Firelight Waltz/Doreen/The South West Wind; The 78th Highlanders/Flett From Flotta/Hills of Alva; The Honeymoon/The Newhaven Jig/Ian Holmes' Compliments to Jimmy Shand For further information email: support@allcelticmusic.com |
Video: Oleg Dobrotin with Band in Concert - Russiaby Harley Jones |
| Oleg Dobrotin with Band at the concert FSIN of Russia March 11, 2013, Ministry of Justice. |
Video: Bjørn-Petter Tøsse Trio Performs Cannon in D, Pachelbelby Harley Jones |
| Canon in D by Pachelbel performed by Bjørn-Petter Tøsse. In this recording, the arranger and performer Bjørn-Petter Tøsse plays all three accordion parts (overdubbed) himself. |
‘14 Years Ago’ – An accordion playing Korean Santa!!by Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending March 19th 1999 included an unusual and slightly wacky article about Kim Yong-nam, South Korea’s accordion playing Santa. Eccentrics like Kim Yong-nam help make life interesting. We wonder if he is he still doing his Santa act somewhere?Musical Santa Skis at the Asian Games - South Korea Contributed by Reuters News Service Santa Claus was seen skiing and playing the accordion on the slopes of a Yongpyong, South Korean resort recently! The resort was hosting the Asian Winter Games and Kim Yong-nam (alias Santa) helped to relax competitors with his music. The Saint Nicholas impersonator claims to be Korea's first Santa Claus and said he plays over 20 musical instruments. He was also a former a professor at Sangmyung University Education College, South Korea. Since he began his musical activities on the slopes 10 years ago, Kim has suffered broken ribs, implanted steel rods in his right ankle and had all of his upper teeth replaced because of ski accidents! It seems that playing the accordion is definitely safer! (Wayne Knights, Editor) |
Future events |
Zoltán Orosz Siberian Tour Dates - Russiaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Hungarian accordionist performs concerts this month in Russia, as follows: March 15th – Chelyabinsk, March 17th – Smolensk, March 18th – Moscow, March 22nd – Kemerovo, March 24th – Kemerovo. Zoltán Orosz studied the accordion and the organ at the Bela Bartok Conservatory and the Franz Liszt Music College in Budapest, and at the age of 13, made his name at the international accordion competition in Klingenthal, Germany. He has since become a virtuoso performer, with an international repertoire and appeal, and with several recordings to his credit. CD's available online at: Zoltán Orosz |
NHAA Meeting, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
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| The New Hampshire Accordion Association monthly meeting takes place on Saturday March 16th, 12.30pm until 4pm. The agenda is: 12.30pm - Informal Pre-meeting Jam Session/Warm-up 1pm - Open Mike – ALL accordionists, including guests, are welcome to play 1.30pm - Business Meeting • Welcome to guest visitors, invitation to join NHAA • News of members’ recent and upcoming activities • Details about Catfish Howl performance at May meeting • Update on ACCORDIONS NOW! 2013, August 9th -11th • Other Business 1.45pm - Social Time – Snacks by NHAA, beverages by Accordion Connection LLC 2.15pm - Just-for-Fun (JfF) Music-Making • New music to be distributed for sight-reading • Members’ selections – Sylvia Miskoe will coach the group 2.50pm - Break – Non-orchestra members may leave or stay to listen silently to the rehearsal 3pm - Orchestra Rehearsal – Bring your parts for ‘Historia de un Amor’ and ‘Rock Medley’ NHAA meets at Accordion Connection, LLC, 136 Route 106, Gilmanton, NH 03237. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
Petar Ralchev Online Master Class - Iconic Music Academyby Rob Howard |
 Bulgarian accordionist Petar Ralchev holds an online master class via the Iconic Music Academy, 12 until 2pm, on Saturday March 16th. The topics will be Balkan music, jazz, and improvisation. For further information email: office@iconicacademy.com |
John Nolan’s St Patrick’s Day Celebration, New Jersey – USAby Rob Howard |
 Diatonic button accordionist John Nolan celebrates St Patrick’s Day on Sunday March 17th, 4pm until 8pm, at the Blackthorn Restaurant, 735 Rte 46, Parsippany, NJ.New York-based John Nolan, specializing in 2 and 3 row diatonics, repairs, tunes, sells and teaches accordions, and has his own website. Born and raised in the Bronx, John Nolan’s first introduction to Irish music was listening to his father play a Baldoni D/C# button accordion. He learned the fundamentals of the B/C accordion from John Glynn and Billy McComiskey. In 1982, John journeyed to Listowel, County Kerry, to compete in the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann and became the first American to win the Senior All Ireland Championship on both the two and three row button accordions. For further information email: john@accordionwizard.com |
Concert ‘Carte Blanche’, Paris - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Concert by ‘Carte Blanche’ take place at l'Amphithéâtre de la Cité de la Musique, Paris, on March 17th and June 14th, as follows:March 17th, 3pm – 1st half: Manuel Vioque-Judde, alto, Cédric Lorel, piano, performing music by Brahms and Hindemith; 2nd half: Vincent Lhermet, accordion, performing music by JP Rameau, B. Mantovani, Couperin, Lievonen June 14th, 8pm – Vincent Lhermet – accordion, Cécile Kubik – violin, François Robin – cello, performing music for trios by Bernard Cavanna, Philippe Hersant, Jexper Holmen, Philippe Leroux, Wolfgang Rihm For further information email: lhermet.vincent@gmail.com |
Tynedale Accordion and Fiddle Club, Northumberland - UKby Rob Howard |
 Tynedale Accordion and Fiddle Club start their 2013 season on Thursday March 21st at 7.30pm with a concert starring Dick Black's Band.Tynedale Accordion and Fiddle Club meet at the Hexham Ex-Service Club, 1 Hallstile Bank,Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3PQ, NE England. For further information email: secretarytafc@hotmail.co.uk |
XV1 Grand Prix International, Montrond-les-Bains – Franceby Rob Howard |
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| The 16th Grand Prix International competition for ‘Jeunes Talents’ (young accordionists) takes place at the JOA Casino, Montrond-les-Bains (42), on March 20th and 21st. The jury members include Vogan Vasovic (Serbia), Alexander Selivanov (Russia), Xia-Qing Cao (China), Franck Angelis, Andréas Nebl (Germany), Bernard Albaynac, Grayson Masefield (New Zealand), Domi Emorine, Jérôme Chassagneux, Crystal Wang (China), Gorka Hermosa (Spain). For further information email: jeunes-talents@montrond-les-bains.fr |
Arizona Accordion Club Orchestra Concert, Phoenix – USAby Rob Howard |
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 The Arizona Accordion Club Orchestra (Jack Dermody) will present a concert on Sunday April 21st, 2pm, at the Franciscan Renewal Center Chapel, 5803 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ.The program will include classical and standards. In addition, there will be solos, duets, trios to round out a 90 minute program. rector. The AZACO will play along with Gabe Hall-Rodrigues, 2010 AAA Virtuoso Champion, and Quinn and Liam Collins, 2012 AAA award winning accordionists. The AZAC monthly meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at St. Stephen's Church Hall, 8141 North 16th Street, Phoenix AZ 85020. Pre-meeting music begins at 5.45pm, and the main program starts at 6.30 PM. Local accordionists, musicians and music lovers are invited to attend and to participate as well. For further information email: dermody@cox.net |
‘Accordions at the Castle’, Blackpool – UKby Rob Howard |
 The festival ‘Accordions at the Castle’, organised by Heather Smith (pictured left), takes place from May 12th/17th at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool. The guests this year include Stefan Andrusyschyn & Denise Leigh, Giancarlo Caporilli (Italy), David Vernon (Scotland), Gennaro Ruffolo (Italy), Harry Hussey, Roy Hendrie & Dave Morrice (Scotland), Rosemary Wright, and Bert Santilly. Caroline Hunt will be there with a display of her fantastic antique accordions. There are concerts, workshops, dancing, and a trade show. There is also an organ/keyboard festival at the Norbreck Castle at the same time, with many great guest organists booked, so if organs or keyboards are your thing, it’s virtually two festivals for the price of one! To book, tel 01780 782 093 during office hours (Sceptre Productions). For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
Accordion Festival, Zagreb – Croatiaby Rob Howard |
 This year’s Accordion Festival in Zagreb, Croatia, takes place June 11th to 15th in the square Zrinjevac. There will be 5 world famous accordionists in 5 days performing, duets, orchestras – for all who love the accordion. The Festival Director is Semir Hasic, and the event is supported by the Ivana Art Studio and the Zagreb Tourist Board.For further information email: semir.sammy.hasic@gmail.com |
Quarteto de Cordas e Acordeão Concert, Braga – Portugalby Rob Howard |
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| Accordionist Paulo Jorge Ferreira guests with the chamber string ensemble Quarteto de Cordas in a concert at the Sala Principal, Theatro Circo, Braga, Portugal, on Saturday March 16th, 9.30pm. The programme includes music by A. Piazzolla, R. Galliano, Klaus Paier, and Paulo Jorge Ferreira. For further information email: pjorgef@hotmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Gary Dahl Music eBooks Now Released - USAby Gary Dahl |
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 Updated Site: Following on the big success of the Gary Dahl graded specials series of eSheet music (able to be sent to you by email), Gary Dahl has now released four Music eBooks.Cat No: DH01 Collection #1 Latin Spectacular - 10 titles, Besame Mucho, Amapola, Tico Tico, Brazil, Beyond the Sea, El Cumbanchero, Adios Muchachos, Spanish Eyes, A Day in the Life of a Fool, Amour, over 26 pages of high quality arrangements for only US$24.95 or Euro equivalent. Cat No: DH02 Collection #2 Favorite French Standards - 10 titles, La Vie en Rose, Les Bicyclettes de Belsize, Moulin Rouge, Clair de Lune, Pigalle, Domino, Michelle, Padam Padam, Under Paris Skies, The River Seine, 32 pages of high quality arrangements for only US$24.95 or Euro equivalent. Cat No: DH03 Collection #3 The American Songbook - 10 titles, Tenderly, Angel Eyes, Misty, September Song, Moon River, Summertime, Sentimental Journey, Crazy, The Godfather, Autumn Leaves, over 32 pages of music for only US$24.95 or Euro equivalent. Cat No: DH04 Collection #4 Favorite Waltzes & Polkas - 18 titles, Achtung Los, Amazing Grace, Beer Barrel Polka, Beer Barrel Polka (adv), Champagne Polka, Chicken Dance, Clarinet Polka, Edelweiss, Just Because, Let's Have A Party, Maria Elena, Liechtensteiner Polka, My Wild Irish Rose, Red River Valley and You Are My Sunshine, Sunrise Sunset, Vienna My City Of Dreams, Tulips From Amsterdam, You Can't Be True Dearover 56 pages of music for only US$24.95 or Euro equivalent. You can view sample pages of the music online (DH01, DH02, DH03, DH04) and order from the shopping basket which links to the high security eCommerce site run by Worldpay.com, one of the world's largest internet payment processing systems. There are nearly 200 arrangements on his MusicForAccordion.com website of Gary Dahl. |
Franco Cambareri release new musicby Franco Cambareri |
 Franco Cambareri - accordionist, composer, producer, releases 2 new composition for accordion available for purchase nline. 'A Lonely Soul', catalog:cfranco164 and 'Burnt Pot', catalog:cfranco165. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
“Wing Span” – Contemporary Danish Accordion Music & Classical Works CD by Adam Ørvadby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Wing Span” – Contemporary Danish Accordion Music & Classical Works CD by Adam Ørvad, in Italian language, reviewed by Alessandro Mugnoz. |
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