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Highlights |
Editor’s Noteby Rob Howard |
The Chinese Lunar New Year is on Friday February 16th 2018, initiating the Year of the Dog, and heralding one China's largest celebrations. We at Accordions Worldwide are aware of this important event and we would like to take this opportunity to express to all our many readers in China, our very best wishes for a happy celebration and for the year ahead. Rob Howard |
Sad News: Alexander Sevastian Fatal Heart Attack - Mexicoby Harley Jones |
Alexander Sevastian (October 2, 1976 to 16 February 2018) has died in Mexico suddenly of a heart attack, while touring South America with Quartetto Gelato. He is survived by his wife Anna, a 14 years old son (Vova) and 4 year old daughter. Alexander Sevastian was a winner of the 2007 Coupe Mondiale in Washington, DC, a prominent musician and ambassador for the accordion. Full details of his musical achievements are listed at: Alexander Sevastian Alexander was a much loved musician and will be greatly missed. |
Informes diarios: XX Festival de Invierno de Kokkola y Congreso de Invierno de la CIA 2018 - Finlandiaby Harley Jones |
XX Festival de Invierno de Kokkola y Congreso de Invierno de la CIA 2018, del director artístico Raimo Vertainen, se realizará desde el 11 al 18 de febrero y los Reportes Diarios presentarán música finlandesa de los 100 años de historia de Finlandia, que es rica en actividades de acordeón. El evento de 2018 también incluirá el Congreso de Invierno de la CIA con muchos delegados de las 43 asociaciones de miembros internacionales. Vea los Informes Diarios en videos e imágenes aquí: 2018KokkolaReports Descarga el afiche: 2018Kokkola.pdf |
Jacques Pellarin grabó para la TV japonesa, Tokio – Japónby Harley Jones |
Video abajo: Fleur de bossa" compuesta por Jacques Pellarin y la performance por el Cuarteto Jacques Pellarin. El acordeonista y compositor francés Jacques Pellarin ha grabado dos números, “Resistango” y “Melodía del día”, para NHK, la compañía japonesa de la televisión pública nacional. Las grabaciones fueron supervisadas por el productor de televisión con sede en Tokio, Aya Ito. La música se agregará a un próximo documental, como “Títulos de canción”. Jacques Pellarin y su vocalista Corinne trabajan como el dúo “Jac & Co”, y han tomado canciones tradicionales de 'chanson' francesas de artistas como Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, Francis Lemarque, etc. en muchos países, incluido EE. UU., donde ellos son visitantes frecuentes. Los dos CDs más recientes de Jacques Pellarin son "Mi cine francés" y "París Ma Jeunesse", disponibles a través de su sitio web. Para más información, escribir a: jacques.pellarin@wanadoo.fr |
Campeonato Abierto de Acordeón de Irlanda del Norte NAO, Carrickfergus - Reino Unidoby Rob Howard |
El 21° Campeonato Abierto de Acordeón de Irlanda del Norte NAO, organizado por Clyde Johnston (imagen derecha), se llevará a cabo en el Loughshore Hotel, Carrickfergus, el sábado 24 de febrero de 2018, desde las 9am hasta las 5pm, y la presentación del premio tendrá lugar esa noche en el hotel en una Gala Bailable. Catering para todo tipo de música de acordeón con secciones de Solo, Dúo, Grupo, Orquesta y Banda para todas las edades y grados, desde estilos clásicos y continentales hasta tradicionales, promete ser otra fiesta musical a gran escala con tres salas en uso todo el día. Los campeonatos se realizarán bajo las reglas de la Organización Nacional de Acordeón del Reino Unido (NAO) y son un evento clasificatorio para los campeonatos del Reino Unido de 2018 que tendrán lugar en Liverpool desde el 27 al 29 de abril de 2018. Además de las secciones NAO, se han introducido varias secciones que no son NAO. Para más información, escribir a: clyde.johnston@hotmail.co.uk |
Ezequiel Tatich entregó premio en el Faro de Oro VIP, Mar del Plata - Argentinaby Rob Howard |
El acordeonista Ezequiel Tatich fue invitado a entregar los premios “Faro de Oro vip” (“Golden Gold Lighthouse”) el 15 de febrero en Mar del Plata. Representó la música de la tradición popular chamamé. Ezequiel Tatich, conocido como El gringo del Acordeón, es uno de los acordeonistas jóvenes más populares de Argentina, entreteniendo al público en y cerca de Buenos Aires. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Opening Concert, Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival - Finlandby Harley Jones |
Left to right: Sonja Vertainen, Sari Viinikainen and Raimo Vertainen perform at the Opening Concert, the Bach Trio Sonata No. 2 in Cm, BMV 526 by J S Bach. Other videos of Opening Concert and pictures can be viewed at: 2018KokkolaReports (11th February). |
Admission Examination, Conservatoire l'HEMU de Lausanne - Switzerlandby Stéphane Chapuis |
Stéphane Chapuis is the teacher of accordion at the Conservatoire l'HEMU (Haute Ecole de Musique) de Lausanne. The University of Music is located in French-speaking Switzerland and is renowned for its highly qualified staff, its challenging and comprehensive program of studies, and its firm commitment to music on the regional, national and international levels. Stéphane Chapuis wishes to inform that the admission examination for the accordion classes will take place on 2nd May 2018. The deadline for registration 1st March 2018. Courses are: - Bachelor - Master of Pedagogy - Concert Master - Soloist Master Further information and a list of successful Swiss and international students is at: 2018HEMU.pdf Stéphane Chapuis asks potential students to contact him and he will answer your questions and provide you full information about l'HEMU de Lausanne University accordion courses. The HEMU’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are accredited by the Swiss Confederation and the “Musique et arts de la scène” division of the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES -SO), Switzerland’s largest professional training network. |
Video: Opening Concert, Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival - Finlandby Harley Jones |
Video: Sonja Vertainen is studying at the Sibelius Music Academy, University of the Arts, Helsinki, with tutor Matti Rantanen. Sonja Vertainen performs 'Ikonit', a major work by Einojuhani Rautavaara, who is possibly the most performed composer of Finland, after Sibelius. Apologies for the first bars missing due to the camera operator error. The names of the movements are: - Jumaläidin kuolema - Kaksi maalaispyhimystä - Blakernajan musta Jumalanäiti - Kristuksen kaste - Pyhät naiset haudalla - Arkkienkeli kukistaa Antikristukse Other videos and photos of Opening Concert can be viewed at: 2018KokkolaReports (11th February). |
Petosa Accordions Moves To New Premises, Washington – USAby Rob Howard |
Petosa Accordions have moved to new premises, and are based at 19503 56th Ave W, WA 98036. Their new business hours are Wednesday 10am-8pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am-5pm; Tuesdays by appointment. Petosa Accordions have moved to new premises, and are based at 19503 56th Ave W, WA 98036. Their new business hours are Wednesday 10am-8pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am-5pm; Tuesdays by appointment. The new premises has a large accordion display, an enlarged museum with instruments dating back to the early 1800s, acoustically isolated demo studios, Roland V Accordion station, a workshop, and free parking. |
Video: Pascal Contet & Wu Wei Concert in Kokkola, Finlandby Harley Jones |
Video: The opening piece in the program by Pascal Contet (accordion) & Wu Wei (Cheng). This composition by the two performers is titled "Introduction". Other videos and photos of this concert can be viewed at: 2018KokkolaReports (13th February). |
Video: 2018 XX Kokkola Daily Reports Young Performers Concert - Finlandby Harley Jones |
Video: The Young Performers Concert is to showcase the talents of the young students in solo, group and orchestra formats from the Ostrobothnia Conservatory. Johannes Koivisto performs Scherzo by Paul Norrback. Other videos and photos of the Young Performers Concert can be viewed at: 2018KokkolaReports (12th February). |
Video: 2018 XX Kokkola Daily Reports Young Performers Concert - Finlandby Harley Jones |
Video: The Young Performers Concert is to showcase the talents of the young students in solo, group and orchestra formats from the Ostrobothnia Conservatory. Vilma Wiren (accordion soloist) and the Conservatory Young String Orchestra conducted by Andrei Sytchak perform "Five Finnish folk songs for the accordion and string orchestra" composed by Matti Murto Other videos and photos of the Young Performers Concert can be viewed at: 2018KokkolaReports (12th February). |
Future events |
Petar Maric Concert, Belgrade – Serbiaby Rob Howard |
Petar Maric performs in concert on Friday February 16th, 8pm-9.30pm, at the Kulturni Centar, Banski dvor, Trg Srpskih Vladara br.2, 387 Banja Luka, Belgrade, Serbia. Petar Maric, born in 1990, studied at the Belgrade State Music Conservatory ‘Vuckovic’ under Aleksandar Nikolic. He then spent one year in Paris, to improve his ‘variete’ style with Frederic Deschamps and Franck Angelis, and later also studied in Bratislava, Slovakia. His competition successes include winning the CIA Coupe Mondiale and CMA Trophee Mondial in various categories. He has also won many social awards, including the ‘Belgrade Angel’ by the Ministry of Culture of Belgrade, the Medallion of his local municipality for musical contributions, and the Charter of Crown Prince Aleksander Karadjordjevic. For further information email: maestromaric@gmail.com |
Marko Kassl Diary Dates – Germanyby Rob Howard |
Austrian accordionist Marko Kassl has the following forthcoming dates in February and March: February 17th, 8pm – Duo Mares, 265 Dielenabend, Mauritiusstr 5, Enniger, Germany February 23rd, 8pm – Sternzeichen Mozart, Tonhalle, Ehrenhof, Dusseldorf February 25th, 11am - Sternzeichen Mozart, Tonhalle, Ehrenhof, Dusseldorf February 26th, 8pm - Sternzeichen Mozart, Tonhalle, Ehrenhof, Dusseldorf March 2nd, 7.30pm – Hof Junger, Marko Kassl is a member of the quintet Black Pencil Ensemble, whose latest concert show ‘La Volta’ has now been released as a CD. They have also recently recorded a CD, ‘KAISEKI’, published by the German label GWK-RECORDS. For further information email: info@marko-kassl.de |
Erika & Jean-Marie Tea Dance, Aisne – Franceby Rob Howard |
On Sunday February 18th, 3pm, the popular Belgian accordionist Erika and her keyboard accompanist Jean-Marie play for a tea dance at ‘La Guinguette de Saint Quentin’, Avenue Leo Lagrange, Saint-Quentin, Aisne, in northern France. |
Joanna Strand and Jacqui Tate in Cabaret, London – UKby Rob Howard |
Vocalists Joanna Strand and Jacqui Tate, well-known for their roles in West End productions, perform a jazz cabaret program on Sunday February 18th, 7pm, at The Crazy Cogs, 20 Sherwood St, Soho, London W1F 7ED. The duo will be accompanied by Romano Viazzani (picture right - accordion), John Bailey (piano), Nick Pini (double bass), and Jason Reeve (drums). For further information email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk |
Accordionaires’ Pops Orchestra Concert, California - USAby Rob Howard |
The Accordionaires’ Pops Orchestra (MD Janet Hane) performs in concert on Tuesday February 20th, 7pm, at Victorio’s Restaurant, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, California. Admission is the suggested donation of $10 at the door. The concert will feature soloists Gail Campenella (accordion), Kocharyantsa (vocals), and Bob Rokos (trombone). The program includes the ‘Poet and Peasant Overture’ (Franz von Suppe/Herold), ‘Farandole’ (Georges Bizet), ‘Moulin Rouge Medley’ (arr. Desiderio); a tango ‘Por Una Cabeza’ (Carlos Gardel), and ‘Just Another Polka’ (Loesser- DeLugg/Desiderio). For further information email: accordionconnect@sbcglobal.net |
NY Klezmer Series Concert & Jam Session, New York - USAby Rob Howard |
The NY Klezmer Series continues on Thursday February 22nd, 9pm, at Funky Joe's, 455 W.56th St. (between 9th & 10th Ave), New York, with the London-Winograd-Zions-Confurius-Alexander quintet, performing traditional and new klezmer music. The concert is followed at 10.15pm by a jam session. The quintet line-up is: Zevy Zions (accordion), Frank London (trumpet), Michael Winograd (clarinet), Marty Confurius (bass), and Aaron Alexander (drums). Zevy Zions is one of the top accordionists in the klezmer world, and has recorded and performed with Andy Statman, Klezmerfest, and many others. He first played the piano, then moved on to the accordion, and was taught by Charles Nunzio. He has to date recorded 5 solo accordion CDs: ‘Olive Blossoms’, ‘Dizzy Accordion’, ‘William Tell’, ‘Bolero Fantaisia’, and ‘Valse Elena’. For further information email: kvetcher@oliveblossoms.com |
Pre-NAO Northern Ireland Open Championships Concert, Northern Ireland – UKby Rob Howard |
On Friday February 23rd, 8pm, there will be a concert at the Loughshore Hotel, Carrickfergus, featuring many leading accordionists, including Gordon Shand, Keith Dickson, Roy Hendrie, Nigel Black, Sean O’Neill & Anne-Marie Devine, Helen Rich, Nigel Pasby & Helen Newton, and Barry Smith. The concert precedes the NAO Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships, organised by Clyde Johnston, in the Loughshore Hotel, Carrickfergus, on Saturday February 24th, from 9am until 5pm, with the Prize Presentation taking place that night in the hotel at a Gala Dance. The Championships are run under the rules of the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) and are a qualifying competition for the 2018 UK Championships being held in Liverpool, from 27th – 29th April 2018. For further information email: clyde.johnston@hotmail.co.uk |
Ferran Martínez Concert, Barcelona – Spainby Rob Howard |
Ferran Martinez performs in concert on Saturday February 24th, 7pm, at the Auditori Pepita Selles, Barcelona. The concert programme includes: ‘The Postman’ - L. Bacalov, ‘Moon River’ - H. Mancini, ‘Flick-Flack’ - A. Vossen, ‘L’Hivern’ - A. Vivaldi, ‘Dansa del sabre’ - A. Khatchaturian, ‘Impasse’ – F. Angelis, ‘Suite Hongaresa’ – V. Semionov, ‘Veus de primavera’ – J. Strauss, ‘Don Rhapsody’ - V. Semionov, and ‘Vals’ - popular. Ferran Martinez, born in 1971, is a graduate of the Barcelona Conservatory. He plays solo classical concerts and is a member of the Cavall Bernat group, performing Catalan popular music. He is also both an accordion and computer teacher. His latest CD, ‘Collage’, is available through his website www.ferranmartinez.net For further information email: ferranbayan@gmail.com |
Sy Kushner’s Klezmer Afternoon @ Brooklyn Accordion Club, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
On Sunday February 25th, 2-4pm, Brooklyn Accordion Club’s first meeting of the New Year features a presentation of klezmer music by accordionist Sy Kushner. Sy Kushner, from the Bronx in New York, has been immersed in klezmer and other forms of Jewish music throughout his life, and has played accordion and keyboard in variety of bands and as a soloist for many years. Please note that Brooklyn Accordion Club now meets at the Great Room at the LuEsther T. Mertz South Oxford Space/A.R.T., 138 South Oxford Street (between Atlantic Avenue and Fulton Street), Brooklyn, NY 11 217. Also note that meeting times have changed from 3-5pm to 2-4pm. For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Vivaldi Four Seasons Revisited, Western Cape – South Africaby Rob Howard |
On Sunday March 4th, 5.30pm, and Friday March 9th, 8.30pm, the World Café trio performs ‘Vivaldi Four Seasons Revisited’ at the Kyknet Fismer Hall, Conservatorium, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. The members of the World Café trio are Stanslav Angelov – accordion, Petrus de Beer – violin, and Schalk Joubert – guitar. Stanislav Angelov studied the accordion in his native Bulgaria, and received a degree in accordion in 1991, after which he taught at the ‘Constantine Preslavsky’ University, Shumen. In 1992 he moved to Cape Town, South Africa, where he performs, records and teaches. For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
New and Updated Sites |
Entrevista “Conoce gente” sobre Fuelles Galassi, Castelfidardo - Italiaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Entrevista “Conoce gente" en: 2017Galassi Con: Renzo Galassi (dueño) Editora: Holda Paoletti-Kampl "Conoce gente" de Castelfidardo ha hecho de esta pequeña ciudad muy famosa en todo el mundo por sus productos de acordeón de calidad. Entrevista en: 2017Galassi Imagen abajo: Renzo Galassi con sus padres, Rino y Vanda, quienes comenzaron el negocio en 1948 y aún hoy, trabajan a diario en la fábrica. |
Updated Site: Mika Väyrynen, Enrollment Deadline for Zurich Classes is 15th Marchby Kevin Friedrich |
Accordionists interested in enrolling at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste/Zürich University of the Arts (ZHdK) in Zurich, Switzerland for the new accordion classes offered by Mika Väyrynen, are invited to apply by the March 15th, 2018 deadline. Entrance examinations will take place on May 3rd, 2018. Accordionists may take Bachelor, Master and Post Graduate studies and degrees studying under renowned Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen who will being the news courses in addition to his regular teaching at The Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and The Tampere University of Applied Sciences in Tampere, Finland. With around 2,800 students and 650 teaching staff, the Zurich University of the Arts is one of the major Universities of the Arts in Europe and easily accessible from all over Europe and abroad. The University Campus features many venues for exhibitions and performances, where the results of the education provided can be showcased to the public. Mika Väyrynen has distinguished himself as one of the world's leading exponents of the accordion not only as a performing and recording artist, but in working with and commissioning some of the world's most well known composers to include the accordion in their work. with worldwide performances as a soloist, a chamber musician and with symphony orchestra, his recording work, his teaching at the elite academic institutions Finland, his global Master Classes and working with some of the world's leading and most well known composers, inspiring them to create valuable new repertoire for the accordion. For more information at https://www.zhdk.ch/en/classical-music-2445 or you may contact the head of the Master's Department Prof. Cobus Swanepoel at e-mail: cobus.swanepoel@zhdk.ch or Mika directly at e-mail: mikaaccordion@gmail.com. |
Renzo Ruggieri New Accordion Duo Composition 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro', Italyby Harley Jones |
This composition is taken from the OPERA? project, CD rruggieri09, for accordion, orchestra and reciting voice, which had the world premiere in Italy in 2008 in Pineto and in 2010 at the "State Theater" of Rostov-on-Don (Russia). This newly published version of 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro' is a reduction for duo accordion and is very effective, usually used in international competitions as well as in concert repertoires. Video above: Performance of Lo Scuro e il Chiaro (accordion duo) by Lorenzo Bosica and Andrea Di Giacomo "Virtuosity Duo" who won the "World Music" category in CIA Coupe Mondiale, Turku (Finland) in October 2015. Purchase and view sample pages at: rrenzo516 |
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UKby Harley Jones |
UK composer Douglas Ward and Charnwood Publishing have released 6 new compositions. Click the links to learn more about each work and see a sample page. DW944 - Bananas for Two DW945 - Countryside March DW946 - Emergency Tango DW947 - Chasing Rabbits DW948 - Mosaic Waltz DW949 - Forest Waltz |
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