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42nd “Citta di Castelfidardo” International Accordion Competitions and Festival - Italyby Harley Jones |
The 2017 Castelfidardo Accordion Competitions & Festival is underway and Daily Reports are online at: 2017Concorso The 2017 Castelfidardo Premio e Concorso Internazionale di Fisarmonica is organised by the Castelfidardo Municipal Administration headed by Mayor Roberto Ascani (picture left), the Castelfidardo Pro Loco led by Ruben Cittadini (picture right) and event Artistic Director Christian Riganelli. Daily Reports of pictures, video and competition results are on accordions.com at: 2017Concorso |
Results and Daily Reports, 2017 Coupe Mondiale, Osimo - Italyby Harley Jones |
View the 2017 Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports and Videos of all the contestants. Daily Reports http://www.coupemondiale.org/2017/it_rev_04.html Video Homepage & Video Timetable at: 2017CM-Video Enjoy the superb music by the exceptional young musicians competing in Osimo, Italy last week. |
Mika Väyrynen begins series of World Premieres - Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
Mika Väyrynen performed the World Premiere of a new work by Aulis Sallinen 'Dance Music Suite Op. 107' for accordion, violin, cello and piano. The Premiere of the work which is dedicated to Mika Väyrynen, took place at The Porvoo Church as part of the Loviisa Sibelius Festival on 8th September with the composer in attendance. Pictured from left to right are Paavali Jumppanen (piano), Elina Vähälä (violin), Aulis Sallinen, Jan-Erik Gustafsson (cello) and Mika Väyrynen (accordion). Mika is also pictured with Mr. Sallinen before the concert. Within one month Mika Väyrynen will be performing the World Premieres of six new works. It is probably the only time that an accordionist will have undertaken this monumental accomplishment. The Aulis Sallinen World Premiere is the first out of the six premieres. The other five works will be premiered on 11th October at Mika´s 50th birthday concert "Finland 100 - Väyrynen 50" at The Camerata Hall of the Helsinki Music Center. On that same evening Mika Väyrynen will release a new CD of Jouni Kaipainen´s (1956-2015) accordion works. For more information, please visit www.accordions.com/mika. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Arthur Spink (1943-2017), Sydney – Australiaby Rob Howard |
Arthur Spink, originally from Dundee, was one of the most inspirational and respected Scottish accordionists of the 1960s and 70s era. He went through the conventional stage of NAO competitions in the 1950s until embarking on a career as a professional solo accordion entertainer in the 1960s. He made a series of albums for Beltona (Decca), which showcased both his superb playing technique and his talent for producing imaginative arrangements of Scottish and other music. The distribution and sales of these records and his stage performances helped make Arthur Spink well-known around Scotland and beyond, and his music was much admired and also imitated, especially his ‘Flying Scotsman’ recording. In the 1960s Arthur Spink toured Canada and the USA with the White Heather group concert parties. He was most proud of playing at the Carnegie Hall in New York and the Sydney Opera House. He often worked with as a duo tenor Dennis Clancy, with whom he recorded two albums, and the pair also were members of the Royal Clansmen, a Scottish concert party troupe alongside fellow accordionist, Will Starr. In the late 1970s Spink switched to playing an electronic accordion, and pioneered this innovative instrument in Scottish music. Arthur Spink, a very modest man, emigrated to Australia in 1979 and left the music business, but he is especially remembered for a very fine series of albums that have all been reissued on CD. Arthur Spink leaves behind wife Ray, sons Arthur Jnr and Steven, and their wives Sarah and Karan respectively, grandchildren Jessica, Dylan, Tiffany, Cameron, and Lachlan, and great-grand-daughter Aubree. His son Arthur Spink Jr is a leading special effects technician in the Hollywood movie industry. Arthur died on September 7th 2017, and his funeral took place on September 14th at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Sydney, NSW. He has been widely mourned in Scotland and beyond. |
Tony Lovello (1932-2017), Kentucky - USAby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Tony Lovello, often referred to as ‘The Liberace of the accordion’, who lived in Lexington, Kentucky, was a natural showman and one of the most brilliant players of modern times. His dynamic performances – including his trademark bellows shake - were much anticipated and admired wherever he performed throughout the USA and beyond. During his long career Tony Lovello worked with many famous names in show business, including Red Skelton, Abbott and Costello, Dinah Shore, Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Durante, Scatman Crothers, Debbie Reynolds, Pat Boone, and Frank Sinatra. Tony was born in New York in 1932, and began to play accordion in 1937, but initially suffered from the prejudice that the instrument’s players sometimes encounter: "People always made fun of you. Especially in school, when the accordion case looked like an accordion. They would remark 'Here comes the Polka King' and the like. I hated the accordion, but I didn't want to break my father's heart, so I took it up and kept going." He kept at the accordion, and was ‘discovered’ in Los Angeles at the age of 12 by Eddie Cantor. By the time he was called up to serve in the US Army during the Korean War in 1950, Tony Lovello was enjoying a successful career in music, which he resumed after discharge. He performed on the Arthur Godfrey TV Show, then joined the Three Suns, with whom he recorded and toured extensively for several years. By the end of the 1960s, following an illness that left him deaf in the left ear, he opted for a change of career and worked in the hotel business, managing the Campbell House Inn In Kentucky until retiring in 2000. In 2000 Tony Lovello went back to performing and quickly became a frequent and popular high profile guest at accordion festivals and clubs around the USA, where he gave concerts and led workshops. More recently he also used skype for giving private lessons. Scottish accordionist commented: “Tony Lovello once took my accordion from Leavenworth to Las Vegas through a monster forest fire with flames on both sides of the road ....he said to me in las Vegas , that had his car broken down , he would have grabbed both his and my accordion and ran through the flames ....I believe he would have!” Tony Lovello, a family man and grandfather, passed away on September 3rd 2017, and was widely mourned by the accordion fraternity. He is survived by his wife Jo Ellen, four daughters, eight grandchildren, five 5 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Joe (Dianne) Lovullo, sister-in law, Grace Lovullo and numerous nieces and nephews. |
John Kirkpatrick’s new CD ‘Coat-Tails Flying’, Shropshire – UKby Rob Howard |
Leading diatonic accordionist and folk singer John Kirkpatrick has released a new CD, featuring 12 songs and 2 instrumental tracks. For this recording Kirkpatrick mainly used his Casali 3-row diatonic British chromatic accordion, but also played a 2-row melodeon and Anglo concertina on a couple of tracks. The CD’s title ‘Coat-Tails Flying’ derives from the penultimate track, ‘See Me Dance The Polka’, a bouncy and joyous Music Hall song written in the 19th Century. The CD is available through John Kirkpatrick’s website. Tracks: Come All You Jolly Ploughboys, On The Quarter Deck, The Hi Ho Hare, The Middle Of The World, The Captain With The Whiskers, Bum She Addity, My Soul Is Drowned in Sorrow, Harry Tuffin’s Musical Ride/Golden Greenery, The Green Mossy Banks Of The Lee, The House That Jack Built, Sing A Full Song, Ranging The Woods, See Me Dance The Polka, Blue Moon. |
Accordionist Dwight Lamb Receives NEA National Heritage Fellowship, Washington DC – USAby Rob Howard |
Diatonic button accordionist Dwight ‘Red’ Lamb, also known for his left handed fiddle playing, is renowned for his mastery of Danish traditional music. Born in 1934, and of 4th generation Danish heritage, he has been immersed in the folk music of his ancestors, and also American folk dance tunes. Dwight Lamb won many contests on both accordion and fiddle, and went on to become an adjudicator. As a young man Dwight served in the US Army from 1956 to 1958. He is retired from the U S Postal Service in Onawa and also served as the town's Mayor. Lamb’s international reputation came about late in life when his inclusion of old-time Danish button accordion tunes on the album ‘Joseph Won A Coated Fiddle’ (1999) attracted interest in Denmark, where the music of his forebears had vanished. In 2010-11, Danish accordionist Mette Kathrine Jensen and fiddler Kristin Bugge invited him to Denmark, where he played to sold-out halls. In 2015, the Danish National Commissioner of Musicians awarded Lamb their highest honour, the Rigs Fiddler (Silver Coat) Award, for his work in returning Iowa’s Danish music to its homeland. Dwight Lamb has been honoured with an NEA National Heritage Fellowship. The NEA awards ceremony took place on Thursday September 14th, 5.30pm, in the Library of Congress' Coolidge Auditorium in the Thomas Jefferson Building at 10 First Street SE in Washington DC. Following the ceremony, there was a reception with the artists, who also included the Tex-Mex accordionist Eva Ybarra, from Texas. This event was open to the public. A concert honouring and featuring the recipients will be live streamed Friday September 15th at 8pm on arts.gov |
Future events |
Alan Kelly Gang 7th Annual Tour – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
The Alan Kelly Gang, led by Irish accordionist Alan Kelly and featuring the popular Scottish singer Eddi Reader, are on tour in Ireland during September, as follows: September 15th, 8.30pm – Ionad Dara, Goresbridge, County Kilkenny September 17th, 8pm – Coughlan’s, 7 Douglas St, Cork September 19th, 9pm – Roscommon Arts Centre September 20th, 8pm - Linehall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Mayo September 22nd, 8pm – The Plaza, Buncranna, Donegal September 23rd, 8pm – The Buncairn, Belfast Alan Kelly, from Roscommon, is one of Ireland’s leading piano accordion players, and is widely credited with leading a revival of the instrument in traditional music circles. He has a background in traditional Irish music and dance, and his father, Frank Kelly was All-Ireland Champion on piano accordion in 1964. In his early music years, Alan won All-Ireland titles on piano accordion and piano, and has since pursued a career in music with much success. For further information email: info@blackboxmusic.ie |
Iain MacDonald Ceilidh and Concert, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
The versatile accordion entertainer Iain MacDonald performs at The Whitebridge Hotel, Stratherrick, near Inverness, on Saturday September 16th, 8.30pm. In the afternoon of September 16th, 2pm until 5pm, Iain MacDonald plays for a ceilidh at Cobs at Nevisport, Fort Wiliam. |
The Leonard Brown Show, Northumberland – UKby Rob Howard |
The Leonard Brown Show, a variety show featuring accordionist Leonard Brown and other entertainers and dancers, takes place at the Whitley Bay Playhouse in Northumberland in the North-East of England on Saturday afternoon September 16th, 2pm until 5pm. Leonard Brown, an accordion champion and pianist, has become well-known for promoting concerts in Scotland, including lifetime achievement tribute concerts for Tom Alexander and Davie Stewart. He has many CDs and DVDs to his credit, most notably ‘A Toast to Scotland’, a double DVD celebrating the music of some of Scotland’s accordion legends such as Jimmy Shand and Will Starr. For further information email: leonardbrownaccordion@gmail.com |
Ersten Kölner Akkordeon-Orchester 1935 e.V. Concert, Cologne – Germanyby Rob Howard |
The Ersten Kölner Akkordeon-Orchester 1935 e.V. (MD Peter Lohmar) performs in concert on Saturday September 16th, 6pm, at the Evangelische Kirche, Köln Weiden, Cologne. Admission is free. This orchestra, founded in 1935, has performed in the USA, Canada, UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Italy, Austria, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, South Africa, and Namibia. |
Trio NeuKlang ‘Goodbye Astor’ Concert, Sasolburg - South Africaby Rob Howard |
The Trio NeuKlang, from Berlin, Germany, performs a ‘Goodbye Astor’ concert on Sunday September 17th, 3pm to 5pm, at the ERT Etienne Rousseau Theatre, John Vorster Drive, Sasolburg, South Africa. The members of the Trio NeuKlang are Nikolaj Abramson – clarinet, Arthur Hornig – cello, and Jan Jachmann – accordion. Formed in 1998, the Trio NeuKlang has been honoured with numerous awards such as the City of Berlin Music Interpretation Grant, the Brandenburg Chamber Music Award, and the City of Moers Ensemble Prize. In its two latest concert programmes ‘lost in tango’ and ‘Goodbye Astor’ the Trio NeuKlang have ‘tangoised’ works of classical composers, which have received excellent press reviews and commendation of audiences. With the two programs, the Trio played concerts at many festivals such as the International Ludwigsburg Castle Festival, the Brandenburg Summer Concert Series, and the Music Festival Schleswig-Holstein. |
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert, Pennsylvania – USAby Rob Howard |
The Accordion Pops Orchestra (MD Al Terzo) performs in concert on Sunday September 17th, 3pm, at Shannondell at Valley Forge – Auditorium, 10000 Shannondell Drive, Audobon, PA 19403. This will be the APO’s eighth concert at beautiful Shannondell, a retirement home near historic Valley Forge. The concert is open to the public, and will feature a wide range of music from movie themes to tangos. |
Marko Kassl Diary Dates – Denmark, Germanyby Rob Howard |
Austrian accordionist Marko Kassl has the following forthcoming dates in September and October: September 17th, 2pm – Ensemble Black Pencil, Open Days Festival, Utzon Center, Slotspladsen 4, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark September 21st, 7.30pm – Sunset Boulevard, Theatre Bonn, Am Boeselagerhof 1, D-53111 Bonn, Germany September 24th, 6pm – Beethovenfest Bonn, Leoninum, Noeggerathstraße 34, D-53111 Bonn September 29th, 7.30pm - Musiktheater in revier, Kennedyplatz, D-45881 Gelsenkirchen, Germany October 7th, 7.30pm - Sunset Boulevard, Theatre Bonn, Am Boeselagerhof 1, D-53111 Bonn October 8th, 6pm – Auferstehungskirche, Dusseldorf October 11th, 7.30pm - Sunset Boulevard, Theatre Bonn, Am Boeselagerhof 1, D-53111 Bonn October 14th, 4.30pm – Munster Monchengladbach, Abteistr 41, D-41061 Mönchengladbach October 14th, 7.30pm - Musiktheater in revier, Kennedyplatz, D-45881 Gelsenkirchen For further information email: info@marko-kassl.de |
‘The Music of Tony Dannon’, Michigan - USAby Rob Howard |
On Tuesday September 19th the Michigan Accordion Society presents a concert titled ‘Belleau Notte’, featuring the music of Tony Dannon. The venue is Nonna's Kitchen, Shelby Township, Michigan. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tony Dannon (1924-2011), born in Italy, was one of America’s foremost jazz accordionists, composers and arrangers. "Watching him perform was truly a mesmerizing experience," said his nephew Joe Recchia, the organizer of the September 19th concert. "He had such amazing ability, and he touched the lives of so many people in the accordion industry." For further information: jrecchia@comcast.net |
Motion Trio Concerts, Seoul, Leipzig, Halle – Germany, South Koreaby Rob Howard |
The Motion Trio perform in concert this month, as follows: September 20th - master class at the Pianocentrum, Leipzig, Germany September 21st, 6.30pm – Global Music Festival, University, Halle, Germany September 23rd - Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival, Seoul, South Korea September 24th - Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival, Seoul, South Korea The Motion Trio is an internationally renowned Polish accordion trio. Formed in 1996, the Motion Trio are Janusz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek, and Marcin Galazyn. Using all the advantages of the accordion in their creations, the Motion Trio continually explore the new possibilities of this instrument, changing the way that it is perceived. Their concerts are musical performances that contain action and drama. For further information email: annawojtarowicz@akordeonus.com |
Festival National D’Accordeon, St Just St Rambert - Franceby Rob Howard |
The takes place on Thursday September 21st, 12.30-7.30pm, at the Salle L’Embarcadere, 58 Avenue Des Barques, Saint Just Saint Rambert (42), a commune in the Loire department in central France. Organised by Mathilde Royet, this one-day dance event features musette accordionists Mathilde Royet, Chris Cortes, Dany Moureaux, Anaïs Besssieres, Angélique Neuville, and the Etienne Denormandie Orchestra. |
Ezequiel Tatich Concert, Buenos Aires – Argentinaby Rob Howard |
Accordion entertainer Ezequiel Tatich performs in concert on Saturday September 23rd, 9pm, at Club Juventud, Avenida Santa Maria 2700, Rincon de Milberg, Tigre, Buenos Aires. Free admission. |
Hanzhi Wang Concerts, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
Hanzhi Wang performs three concerts in New York next week, as follows: September 23rd, 2pm - Knox Octagon Barn, 588 Middle Road, Delanson, New York September 24th, 1pm - Troy Public Library, 100 Second Street, Troy, New York September 24th, 3.15pm - Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York Her programme will include transcriptions by Bach, Mozart and Grieg, and original works by Lohse and Moszkowski. She will be joined by accordionist Rocco Anthony Jerry who will perform Gene Pritsker’s ‘Stressor’ and ‘Curves’ and Conrad Kehn’s ‘Maximinimal’. Hanzhi Wang is one of the rising stars amongst the young upcoming generation of classical accordionists. She tours internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, and has been described in reviews as "Masterfully", "Technically flawless" and "remarkable stage presence", which adds to her innovative musicianship. Her competition successes include winning the Beijing International accordion competition in China and Klingenthal International Accordion Competition in Germany, the Arrasate International Accordion Competition in Spain, and the Premio category of the International Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy. For further information email: hanzhi@hanzhiwang.dk |
Romano Viazzani @ South Hampshire Accordion Club – UKby Rob Howard |
Romano Viazzani performs a solo concert on Sunday September 24th, 2pm, for the South Hampshire Accordion Club, organised by Barbara Proud. The venue is St. Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Close, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2US. The programme is likely to include a wide variety of music from classical, tango, jazz, musette and other musical styles. Entry is £5 payable on the door. For further information email: proud1969@msn.com |
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