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Highlights |
Finnish Composer and Conductor Veikko Huuskonen Celebrates 85th Birthday - Finland
CIA Merit Award to Vincenzo Canali (Italy) in Turku - Finland
Mirco Patarini Tour to Kolkata and Pune - India
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: 2015 Coupe Mondiale Masters Category Winners - Finland
Two New Accordion Compositions by Peter Machajdík, Berlin – Germany
1965 Coupe Mondiale Champion Roberts Curnow Performs for WMAS - USA
Cory Pesaturo Performing for the Coupe Mondiale Social Evening - Finland
‘14 Years Ago’: 3,500 at Shanghai Accordion Examinations, October 2001
Future events |
Karen Tweed’s Ceili Dates, Longford – Republic of Ireland
Quartet Recital, Stuttgart – Germany
World Premiere of ‘Podoba, jaz in sanje’, Ljubljana – Slovenia
Brent Buswell Concert @ NHAA, New Hampshire – USA
‘Accordion Showcase’ Concert in Glasgow, Scotland – UK
Squeez-in Orchestra, Minneapolis – USA
New and Updated Sites |
Renzo Ruggieri "Up To Christmas" €10 eSheet Music Special - Italy
Updated Site: Zoltan Orosz Contrasts CD Added to Site - Hungary
CD Reviews |
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Highlights |
Coupe Mondiale Results, Daily Reports and Videos, Turku - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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 The enormously successful 68th Coupe Mondiale hosted by the Finnish Accordion Association (Suomen Harmonikkaliitto) has huge Daily Reports online: http://coupemondiale.org/2015/fi_coupe_main.htm Full results at: 2015CoupeResults. and an array of music videos by many competitors and concert artists at Video Timetable: 2015CM-Video and 44 page color program at: 2015Program.pdf Pictured and playing on the Prize Winners Concert were (videos at 2015CMwin): 68th Coupe Mondiale: 1st Lev Lavrov (Russia); Masters Coupe Mondiale: 1st Aleksandr Komelkov (Russia); Junior Coupe Mondiale: 1st Artyom Tretyakov (Russia); Virtuoso Entertainment Music: 1st Mahatma Costa (Brazil); Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Music: 1st Valerio Russo (Italy); International Competition for Chamber Music - Classical Music: 1st Lion Trio of Lev Lavrov, Alexey Mykitenko and Simon Golikov (Russia); International Competition for Chamber Music - World Music: 1st Virtuosity Duo of Andrea Di Giancomo & Lorenzo Bosica (Italy); International Competition for Digital Accordion: 1st Netta Skog (Finland). As well as Coupe Mondiale competitions, there were concerts including Video: Mika Väyrynen concert at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2015/video09concert.htm Video: Guardia Nueva at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2015/video08concert.htm The Finnish commercial TV-Channel Alfa TV made 8 hours of live TV broadcasting daily from Tuesday till Saturday which will be available for viewing on the Alfa TV webste soon. An announcement will be made when the links are available. Overall, the Coupe Mondiale received superb TV coverage in Finland for the accordion. |
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Finnish Composer and Conductor Veikko Huuskonen Celebrates 85th Birthday - Finlandby Kimmo Mattila |
  The accordion has been a very important part of the musical life of Veikko Huuskonen who celebrated his 85th birthday on the 15th October. He won the Finnish accordion championship twice in the 1950’s and was the very first Finnish candidate to compete in the Coupe Mondiale in 1955, Brighton, UK. See signed picture (right) from the CIA Archives of the 1955 Coupe Mondiale program, which was also the first year that the USA was represented (by Joan Sommers and Lou Coppola) at a Coupe Mondiale. Huuskonen studied conducting and composing at the Sibelius Academy, 1947 to 1951. He has written hundreds of compositions and arrangements for various ensembles, choirs and symphony orchestra. He has composed two concertos for the accordion and symphony orchestra. No. 1 ”Baltic” and No. 2. ”Aurora Borealis”. In 1955 he published an accordion tutor book for the small piano accordion. That tutor book (picture left) was an important book for several decades for young accordion students in Finland. I (Kimmo Mattila) began with this book when I started learning the accordion. Sailing has been Huuskonen’s hobby for many years and he used to make long trips on the Baltic Sea during the summers. The Sea has also inspired him to write many compositions. Veikko Huuskonen lives in Kirkkonummi, near Helsinki, and is still active writing new compositions and arrangements and he recently attended the Opening Concert of the 2015 Coupe Mondiale in Turku Finland. |
CIA Merit Award to Vincenzo Canali (Italy) in Turku - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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| CIA Merit Award: Presented by CIA President Raymond Bodell to Vincenzo Canali (born in Castelfidardo, Italy in 1937). Vincenzo Canali has devoted much of his life for the accordion and its historical and cultural development. The International Accordion Museum Castelfidardo and the "Premio Internazionale Citta di Castelfidardo" was founded with the support, influence and assistance of Vincenzo Canali. Since 2007 he has been the President of the International Accordion Museum Castelfidardo and in that position continues to promote the accordion and its strong position in Castelfidardo. For some 20 years, Vincenzo has organised a series of concert tours in collaboration with Italian Embassies and the institution Region Marche to many countries and continents promoting accordion music and exports to Asia, Australasia, North and South America, Scandinavia and the middle East. In 2012, the City of Castelfidardo conferred on Vincenzo Canali the important "Sigillo di Castelfidardo" award for a citizen of special merit and the same year, the President of Italy conferred the honor of "Cavaliere dell'Ordine al merito della Repubblica Italiana". |
Mirco Patarini Tour to Kolkata and Pune - Indiaby Lorenzo Baiocco |
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 Indian people love the accordion. A proof of that is the great success by the soloist Mirco Patarini at three different accordion recitals in the cities of Kolkata and Pune.The Indian tour of Mirco Patarini was sponsored by the Consulate General of Italy in Calcutta, in collaboration with the Calcutta School of Music and the Mumbai Italian Cultural Institute. The first recital was on September 24th in Calcutta. The event was attended by 200 invited guests with guest of honor being Cesare Bieller, the Italian General Consulate. Cesare Bieller appreciated the accordion concert so much, that he has invited Mirco Patarini for further concerts. The second concert was on September 25th and was organized by the Calcutta School of Music. The auditorium was completely full. Another great success for Mirco Patarini, with his talent recognized by so many Indian musicians. The third and last concert, on September 27th, was organized by the Mumbai Italian Cultural Centre. The recital was held in Pune. "I'm very satisfied with this tour”, said Patarini, especially that “people enjoyed very much my music and the accordion. I would love to come back soon and collaborate with the Indian musicians". At all three concerts Patarini played a virtuoso musical program: ‘10 km al finestrino’ (L. Fancelli), ‘Danza delle spade’ (A. Katchaturian), ‘La Cumparsita’ (Rodriguez-Fancelli), ‘Suite Bulgara’ (V. Semjonov), ‘Dark Eyes’ (arr. C. Magnante), ‘Valzer in D# op. 64’ (F. Chopin), ‘Capriccio n. 24’ (N. Paganini), ‘Ottobre dalle Stagioni’ (P. Tchaikovsky), ‘Concerto Rondò’ (N. Tschaikin), ‘Finale della Sonata III’ (V. Zolotarjow), ‘Barcarola’ (S. Rachmaninov), ‘Don Rhapsodie’ (V. Semjonov), ‘Il Volo del Calabrone’ (Korsakow). |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
CIA Honored Friend of the Accordion Award to Bete Ilin (Macedonia) in Turku - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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| Picture above: CIA President Raymond Bodell making the presentation to Bete Ilin. Elizabeta Ilievska (popularly known as Bete Ilin) was born in 1982 in Skopje Macedonia and graduated in Pedagogy in 2005, Composition in 2008 and Master of Arts in 2011. Currently she works as a professor at the State Music and Ballet School Center Skopje, Macedonia. Bete Ilin's opus comprises of over 50 compositions, vocal works (solo songs and choir) and amongst the instrumental music are compositions for accordion solo, accordion group and accordion with other instruments. Bete Ilin's accordion compositions have been widely performed both in Macedonia and in many other countries in Eastern and Western Europe and also Eastern USA. Bete Ilin has received many positive reviews for her work and has won national and international awards. |
Video: 2015 Coupe Mondiale Masters Category Winners - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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2nd. Marko Lukic (Serbia)
3rd. Giancarlo Palena (Italy)
| Videos of the Coupe Mondiale Masters Category. 1st. Aleksandr Komelkov (Russia) Program: 1. Prelude And Fugue G Major WTC I, J.S. Bach 2. Ghost A. Letunov 3. Divertimento Mov. 2,3 A. Kusyakov 4. Perpetuo Mobile V. Subitsky 2nd. Marko Lukic (Serbia) Program: 1. Sonata D Major K 435 L 361 D. Scarlatti 2. Barcarolle G Minor Op. 10 No.3 S. Rachmaninov 3. Sonata No. 4 (1. And 2. Movement) A. Kusyakov 4. Toccata Op.2 Z. Bozanic 3rd. Giancarlo Palena (Italy) Program: 1. Sonata B Flat Major K 551 L 396 D. Scarlatti 2. Sonata No. 2 Basqueriad Mov. 2 Carnaval V. Semyonov 3. Nimrod Enigma Variations For Orchestra Op. 36 No. IX E. Elgar 4. Toccata Fanfare A. Pushkarenko The music requirements of the Coupe Mondiale Masters category are: Own Choice Program consisting of three (3) or more pieces including one from the Baroque era, one piece to be of a slower, lyrical style and one piece of a technical virtuosic style. It must contain at least one Original Work but transcriptions may also be used. Single movements from cyclic works are acceptable. Competitors must present themselves as artists to an audience; presentation, dress and stage-craft all being important. Playing time: suggested minimum of 15 minutes to maximum 20 minutes playing time. The Scandalli Accordion Factory and Accordions Worldwide sponsor the 2015 Video Archive and Education Project which places online videos of competitors in each Coupe Mondiale category for the educational benefit of accordion teachers and students around the world. |
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Two New Accordion Compositions by Peter Machajdík, Berlin – Germanyby Rob Howard |
  EFFUGIUM and GREEN are the titles of two new accordion compositions by Peter Machajdík.Peter Machajdík is a composer of a wide range of chamber, orchestral, electronic and multimedia works. His music has been commissioned and performed by celebrated soloists, orchestras and ensembles, including accordionists Boris Lenko, Peter Katina, Jerry Rocco, harpist Floraleda Sacchi, the Janácek Philharmonic Orchestra, Slovak Chamber Orchestra, Lugansk Symphony Orchestra, Elina Mustonen, I.J.Paderewski State Philharmonic Orchestra, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Europea, Carson Cooman, and Arte Quartett to name just a few. He has also worked with David Moss, Nicolas Collins, Malcolm Goldstein, and the rock singer Jon Anderson. Heard in a diverse array of venues ranging from classical to experimental to jazz, Peter Machajdík's works have been featured in festivals such as Early Music Festival in Boston, Inventionen in Berlin, New Work in Calgary, LakeComo Festival, Nuovi Spazi Musicali in Rome, Young Euro Classic in Berlin, Melos-Ethos and the Bratislava Music Festival as well as in music series set in modern art galleries. He has also composed scores for feature films and documentaries, theatre and radio plays. Once of the central figures in the avant-garde and contemporary music scene in former Czechoslovakia for over 25 years, Peter Machajdík has been awarded a 1992 DAAD artist residency in Berlin, a 2011 International Visegrad Fund individual artist grant, and the Ján Levoslav Bella Composition Prize. Download sample pages of EFFUGIUM and GREEN at: Machajdik.pdf The complete scores are available on Weebly. For further information email: mango@machajdik.de |
1965 Coupe Mondiale Champion Roberts Curnow Performs for WMAS - USAby Joan Grauman Morse |
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| On September 20, 2015 members of the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society (WMAS) and guests were treated to a dazzling concert by Beverly Roberts Curnow. A student of famous accordionist Carmen Carrozza, Beverly won the title of AAA Virtuoso Champion in 1965. Although she had a full schedule as a college student, dancer, gymnast and accordionist, Beverly practiced long hours on Liszt’s "Concerto #2 in A Major", arranged for her by Carmen Carrozza, for her Coupe Mondiale competition. The 28-page, 12 minute piece won her the world title that same year. Fifty years later, Beverly relearned and memorized this piece to play for us during her concert, which also included Pietro Deiro’s “Mimicri”, “Scherzo” by John Gart, “Malaguena” by Ernesto Lecuona and several other selections. The excitement in the room lasted throughout her very impressive performance culminating in a long standing ovation. |
Cory Pesaturo Performing for the Coupe Mondiale Social Evening - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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| Cory Pesaturo (USA) was performing for the late night social evening in the bar of the hotel where the 2015 Coupe Mondiale delegates and jury were staying. Above are two video clips showing Cory performing and improvising, especially in the 2nd video of Under Paris Skies. This was a social evening so you will hear background noise. On the ships cruise after the Coupe Mondiale, Cory gave a terrific entertainment performance of nearly 2 hours for the very appreciative accordionists. |
‘14 Years Ago’: 3,500 at Shanghai Accordion Examinations, October 2001by Rob Howard |
| The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending October 12th 2001 reported that there were over 3,500 entries for accordion examinations in Shanghai, China, held over three days. The scale of the event is hard to imagine. Over 3,500 at Shanghai Accordion Examinations – China Contributed by Prof. Li Cong The 2001 Shanghai City Annual Accordion Examinations were held at the Fengyang Road Primary School from October 4th to 7th. Young accordionists gathered at this venue and spent four days testing their accordion progress and levels. Over 3,500 children and 5,000 parents made the school and surrounding areas looks like "Accordion Square"! The Shanghai Accordion Examination Board was set up in 1991 and have held 12 examinations. In recent years, the entries have increased steadily, but this year was an all-time record with over 3,500 entries. The exams have 10 grade levels with 91 entries in the top level, Grade 10. |
Future events |
Rob Curto Workshop @ Brooklyn Accordion Club, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
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 Rob Curto leads a participatory workshop, ‘Brazilian Music and Groove Creation on the Accordion’, at Brooklyn Accordion Club on Sunday October 18th, 2-4pm. Brooklyn Accordion Club meets at 61 Local, 61 Bergen St., Brooklyn, New York. Admission: $3-$5 (Suggested. Pay what you can!). Open for all levels, bring your accordion! Rob Curto is a accordionist, composer, arranger and keyboardist based in New York City. He is a founding member of the band Matuto which was selected to showcase at WOMEX (world music conference) in 2011 and chosen to represent the United States State Department overseas as part of the American Music Abroad program in 2012. He has released 4 CDs as a band leader and is a prolific composer/arranger. His musical collaborations include performing and recording with Latin Grammy award winner Lila Downs, Klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer, trumpeter/composer Frank London, Punjabi Indian singer Kiran Ahluwalia, and Brazilian Forró accordionist Dominguinhos. Curto is widely regarded as forró’s foremost ambassador in the USA. An early devotee of North American swing music, bebop piano, funk, rock, and blues, he has combined these influences with his mastery of their Brazilian counterparts forró, chorinho, samba, maracatu, and frevo to produce stunning new results. He spent years living and playing in Brazil, completely absorbing and interpreting the country’s musical traditions. For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Karen Tweed’s Ceili Dates, Longford – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist and teacher Karen Tweed performs next week, as follows:October 19th (and every 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month) - 6.30 to 7.30pm: SongWeavers Community Choir (no experience necessary / no auditions) 2€; 7.30 to 8.30pm: Ceili and Folk Dancing for the Terrified (but curious) 5€, Temperance Hall, Longford, Ireland For further information email: karentweedsmailinglist@gmail.com |
Quartet Recital, Stuttgart – Germanyby Rob Howard |
 There will be a performance of ‘Schub’rdy G’rdy’ for soprano, percussion, accordion and piano, composed in 2014 by Vito Zuraj, on Monday October 19th at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende, Kunst, Stuttgart, Germany. The performers will be Alessia Park (soprano), Stefan Hussong (picture right - accordion), Robert Bärwald (piano) and Lucas Gérin (percussion). For further information email: contact@stefan-hussong.de |
World Premiere of ‘Podoba, jaz in sanje’, Ljubljana – Sloveniaby Rob Howard |
 On Friday October 23rd, 7.30, there will be a world premiere performance by the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra (conductor Beat Furrer) of ‘Round-robin for accordion and electronics’ (‘Podoba, jaz in sanje’), composed by Vito Zuraj, at the Marjan Kozina Hall, Ljubljana, Slovenia. The guest soloist will be accordionist Luka Juhart (picture left). The concert also includes ‘Strane Costellazioni’ (2013) - Beat Furrer (born 1954), ‘Six Pieces, Op. 6’ - Anton Webern (1883–1945), and ‘Symphony No. 4 in c-minor, D 417’ - Franz Schubert (1797–1828). This concert is an event in the Slowind Festival. For further information email: info@vitozuraj.com |
Brent Buswell Concert @ NHAA, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
 The New Hampshire Accordion Association monthly meeting on Saturday October 24th, 12.30pm until 4pm, features virtuoso entertainer Brent Buswell in performance. All are welcome, free of charge.A casual jam session from about 12.30pm will, as usual, precede the meeting's start at 1pm with Open Mike. All accordionists - members and non-members alike - as well as other instrumentalists and/or singers - are invited to perform solo or in ensemble. After a short break, Brent's concert will begin at 2pm. A reception with light refreshments will follow the performance. NHAA meets at Accordion Connection, LLC, 136 Route 106, Gilmanton, NH 03237. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
‘Accordion Showcase’ Concert in Glasgow, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
 ‘Accordion Showcase’ is a concert featuring a variety of styles, including Scottish, Irish, French, Jazz, Classical and Tango. The accordionists performing include Paul Chamberlain, Paddy O’Callaghan, John Burns, Iain MacPhail, Robert Black, and Liam Stewart. The MC is John Carmichael, and the organizer is Roy Hendrie. The concert takes place on Sunday October 25th, 7.30pm, at Renfield St Stephen’s Church, 260 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JP, Scotland. A trade show is also featured. For further information email: denton_dene@tiscali.co.uk |
Squeez-in Orchestra, Minneapolis – USAby Rob Howard |
 This year’s Squeez-in Orchestra takes place on Sunday November 8th at Waite Park Recreation Center, Enter Door #2 (34th Ave.), 1810 34th Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55418. The running times are:10am until 10m - Squeez-in Orchestra rehearsal 1pm until 2pm - Pizza party 2pm until 3.30 (or 4pm) - Concert for friends and family featuring the Squeez-in Orchestra and any group or person who wants to perform. We'd love to have you play in the orchestra and/or come to the concert, it's great family fun! Orchestra participation, Concert and Pizza party $25 all ages. Concert only $10, ages 16 and under are free! To obtain music and further information email: squeezermn (at) yahoo.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Complete Friedrich Lips Collection of 28 CD's - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 Updated Site: Purchase the Complete Friedrich Lips Collection of 28 CD's (value €448) for a super special price €291 or the US$ equivalent. Also special postage price. You can order online in Euro or US$ the Complete Friedrich Lips Collection of 28 CD's via the high security eCommerce site run by WorldPay.com, one of the world's largest payment processing system at. Order at: CDPack |
Renzo Ruggieri "Up To Christmas" €10 eSheet Music Special - Italyby Harley Jones |
  Famous Renzo Ruggieri is making an "Up To Christmas" special for all his eSheet music (able to be sent to you by email) at the super price of only €10 each. The music includes compositions and arrangements by Renzo Ruggieri. Click the links below to view sample page and/or video and to order: rrenzo501 - Song For S.B (Solo) rrenzo502 - Volo Degli Angeli (Solo) rrenzo503 - Tango Italiano (Solo) rrenzo504 - Carnevale (Solo) rrenzo505 - Roma Tango Solo rrenzo506 - Cinema (for 4 parts and drums, electronic accordion) The online shopping basket links to the high security eCommerce site run by WorldPay.com, one of the world's largest payment processing system. |
Updated Site: Zoltan Orosz Contrasts CD Added to Site - Hungaryby Harley Jones |
 Updated Site: Zoltan Orosz Contrasts CD has been added to the Zoltan Orosz homepage. There are 4 Zoltan Orosz CD's available including sound samples at: oz701 Accordion In Black And White CD oz702 Thousandfaced Accordion CD oz703 Under The Paris Sky CD oz704 Contrasts CD |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Pauls Turn - Jazz Accordionby Paolo Picchio |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Pauls Turn - Jazz Accordion in English and Italian languages. Accordionist is Paul Betken. Review by Paolo Picchio. |
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