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Highlights |
Mengascini Nello Accordion Factory Interview, Castelfidardo - Italy
Friedrich Lips @ Royal Academy of Music, London – UK
X International Accordion Composition Competition Francisco Escudero - Spain
Northern Ireland and West Scotland Festivals, 25th February - UK
5th MEH Festival, 8-11 April, Belgrade - Serbia
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Group Visit, London to PIF Accordion Festival, Castelfidardo – Italy
Video: Una Fiesta Accordeon Mix
Leonard Brown’s second DVD completed, Scotland – UK
Future events |
Cherish the Ladies Tour – USA
Zoe Tiganouria & Athens Symphony Orchestra Performing - Greece
Ezequiel Tatich Concerts, Buenos Aires – Argentina
The Russian Winter Ball, London – UK
Declan Aungier Plays for Dancing – Irish Republic
Full Moon Quartet Concert, Padua – Italy
Concerto de Acordeons, Portas – Spain
Ivano Battiston Recital, Prato – Italy
Chico Chagas ‘Interpreta Astor Piazzolla’ Concert, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Angie and David Lukins @ Harlow Accordion Club, Essex – UK
VAMÖ Accordion Competition, Vienna - Austria
Zoltan Orosz Concert, Nesvady - Slovakia
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri Two New Works Released - Australia
NZAA Site updated: Presentation to Prof. Li Cong (China) - New Zealand
Two New Works by Douglas Ward Released by Charnwood Publishing - UK
Updated Site: New Information Alessandro Mugnoz CD
New Site: Lars Ek Original Compositions - Sweden
Updated Site: Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) by Heather Masefield
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Celebrate World Accordion Day, Saturday 6th May 2017 - Internationalby Harley Jones |
 World Accordion Day, 6th May, event notifications are starting to come in: Accordionists Karen Street and Karen Tweed invite you to join them in Colston Hall Foyer, Bristol to celebrate World Accordion Day from 2 pm on Saturday May 6th. "We are looking for 46 accordionists to play a wonderful array of sing-a-long favourites. It promises to be a great free family event - come along to sing, to dance, to watch and listen to a grand celebration of this extraordinary instrument." Italian Accordion Culture (IAC) and the support of the City of Castelfidardo are organising on May 6th their qualifications for Italian accordionists to compete in the 2017 Coupe Mondiale, being held in Italy, 5th - 10th September 2017. The Santa Maria Accordion Band in Malta is hosting a May 6th concert. Karlssons Musik, Sweden, as in previous years is having an "Open House" (no entrance fee, no time booking) from 9 am to 5 pm with various artists to be announced, performing. The Macedonian Association of Accordionists is organising for the 9th time, a World Accordion Day concert supported by the national program of the Ministry of Culture of Macedonia. A World of Accordions Museum in the USA is hosting a two day festival of performances and discussion topics about the history of the accordion, featuring a number of well known accordionists. What are you doing to promote the accordion on World Accordion Day? Further information at: World Accordion Day |
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Mengascini Nello Accordion Factory Interview, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Video: Matteo Petronio demonstrating Mengascini accordions in China in July 2015
| "Know the People" Mengascini Nello Accordion Factory Interview: 2017MN-Interview with: Nello Mengascini (Owner - Father) Fabio Mengascini (Owner - Son) Stefano Mengascini (Owner - Son) Editor: Holda Paoletti-Kampl Beautiful 2017 calendar available for download: 2017calendario.pdf "Know the People" behind the manufacturing of accordions in Castelfidardo who have made this small city so famous around the world for their quality accordions. Interview at: 2017MN-Interview |
Friedrich Lips @ Royal Academy of Music, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 Friedrich Lips, Dean of the Gnessin Academy of Music, Moscow and Visiting Professor of Accordion at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), London visits the RAM this month for three events:Thursday February 23rd, 1.05pm - Russian Chamber Music, ‘De Profundis’, David Josefowitz Recital Hall, involving: Katariina Ahjoniemi, Junchi Deng, Iñigo Mikeleiz Berrade, Iosif Purits, Benjamin de Souza and Ilona Suomalainen (accordion), Henry Hargreaves (cello), William White (clarinet). Program: Zolotariev – ‘Sonata No.3’ (excerpts), Sofia Gubaidulina – ‘De Profundis’, Efrem Podgaits – ‘Ave Maria’, ‘Rendezvous with Haydn’, Zolotariev – ‘Rondo Capriccioso’. Free, no tickets required This concert will be followed by a lecture on Russian bayan repertoire by Friedrich Lips at 2.30pm in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall. Free, no tickets required. Friday February 24th, 2pm until 5pm - Accordion Masterclass, Henry Wood Room. Free, no tickets required. For further information email: K.INGRAM@ram.ac.uk |
X International Accordion Composition Competition Francisco Escudero - Spainby Harley Jones |
 The association "Haupoz"- Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea / Basque Association of Accordion Players are the organisers of the X International Accordion Composition Competition Francisco Escudero.The objective of the contest is to promote the creation of works for solo accordion and for accordion in chamber music. The works may not exceed 10 minutes. Works of chamber music must be composed for a maximum of four players in which there is at least one accordion. The competition is open to composers of any age and nationality. Pieces composed before 2013 are not eligible. The closing date for entries is: 5th September 2017. Download full information at: 2017Escudero.pdf The prize giving ceremony will be held on 16th of September 2017. |
Northern Ireland and West Scotland Festivals, 25th February - UKby Anna Bodell, Past NAO Chairperson |
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 The NAO Area Festival season 2016/2017 continues its season with a busy day on Saturday 25th February with two qualifying competitions for the NAO UK Championships 2017 to be held be held 21st - 23rd April again at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. The NAO Northern Ireland Festival will be held in Larne, Northern Ireland and the NAO West of Scotland Festival will be held in Glasgow, Scotland. Each festival caters for all types of accordion music. There will be solo, duet, group, orchestral and band sections suitable for all ages and grades ranging in styles from classical and continental to traditional. The NAO West of Scotland is to be held in Sherwood Church Paisley, organised by Brian Laurie and has attracted entries from all over Scotland – and of course the evening will feature a traditional Scottish Ceilidh. The NAO Northern Ireland Festival, being held for the 20th time, will take place in the Loughshore Hotel Carrickfergus organised by Clyde Johnston. This year there shall be a Grande Finale featuring a Massed Accordion Band with over 60 accordions on stage..... Not to be missed! NAO Chairperson and CIA President Raymond Bodell wrote: “That both these Area Festivals attract a good number of entries and I am sure the UK Championships will also attract good support from all over the UK as well as international participation” For full details of the Area Festival season and the UK Championships, see the website: National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) or Email: naouk@btinternet.com |
5th MEH Festival, 8-11 April, Belgrade - Serbiaby Harley Jones |
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| The 5th MEH Festival takes place in "Guarnerius" Hall, Belgrade from 8th to 11th April. Competitions are for accordion solo (12 different categories) and chamber music ensemble (3 categories). Ensembles must have a minimum of one accordion, and ensembles are limited to 9 people. Entry closing date is 20th March. Competition information at: 2017MEH.pdf |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Arseniy Strokovskiy at XXVIII International Moscow Festival – Russiaby Harley Jones |
| Video of Arseniy Strokovskiy performing at the Opening Concert of the XXVIII International Festival “Bayan and Bayanists” in the concert hall of the Russian Gnesin Academy of Music in Moscow, 14 December 2016. Arseniy Strokovskiy performs: "Insomnia" - four poems by Marina Tsvetaeva for accordion solo, composed by Mikhail Bronner. |
Group Visit, London to PIF Accordion Festival, Castelfidardo – Italyby Rob Howard |
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| Peter Le Geyt is proposing to organise a group visit from London, UK, to the PIF International Accordion Festival, Castelfidardo, September 10th to 17th. The group will need a minimum of 20 people to be viable. Players and accordion enthusiasts come from all over the world to this important festival and competitions, where music is everywhere during the festival week, and one can see top professional players and also watch the competitions taking place. Visitors can enjoy the many different styles of music by soloists, duets, ensembles and orchestras. The group departure would be on September 12th returning September 16th (5 days/4 nights). For further information email: plg@plgmarketing.com |
Video: Una Fiesta Accordeon Mixby Harley Jones |
| Video titled Una Fiesta Accordeon Mix by EuroDancePlanet was published on Feb 1, 2017 and already has 140,000 views. "Eurodance Party Planet of the 80-90's - Accordion in the Mix Hot Disco. The best of what is in our great world" and they invite you to subscribe on youtube. |
Leonard Brown’s second DVD completed, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
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| Leonard Brown, an All Scotland Champion, writes: Well, that’s two mammoth days of filming at The Salutation Hotel completed for the upcoming DVD – ‘A Toast to Scotland’ - which is to be launched in April. Huge thanks to both filming companies, Red Barn Studios, with Gill Duncan and Stuart Duncan, and ANH Digital Media Ltd with Alan Helm and Fran Biggs. Thank you for making the process so effortless and easy. My thanks also to the All Star Band - Liam Stewart, John Sinton, Duncan Findlay and Malcolm Ross, with special guests - Paul Anderson - on fiddle for the tributes to James Scott Skinner and Ian Powrie. My thanks to the Two Highland Lads - Liam Bonthrone and Kenneth Maciver for their tribute to The Alexander Brothers and to Kenneth for his version of ‘The Rumour’ by Andy Stewart. My thanks to the presenter - Roya MacLean - whose professionalism knows no bounds, and my thanks to the narrator - Ian Lees who is due to record with Red Barn over the next few days, a great voice, thank you. My thanks to the young Aberdeen dancers - who came down with their teacher, Heather McKenna to film the Scottish Country Dance – ‘Bonnie Ann’. My thanks to Alex Hodgson for his great version of ‘Loch Lomond’ and to Shona Donaldson for her lovely version of ‘Caledonia’. To Kyle Rowan - for his piping in of the Haggis and his work on ‘Highland Cathedral’ (thanks to his mum Mairi Rowan for driving him). My thanks to Heather Donaldson for her expert kilt making. I’m delighted with my new Kilt, thank you so much. Thank you to Joan Blue, Ian Cruickshanks, Malcolm Ross, John Carmichael, Derek Hamilton, Iain MacPhail, Brian Griffin, Paul Anderson who have all either spoken or had interviews with Roya about various topics. Final thanks go to Stuart Hamilton at Castlesound Studios who has produced a great album for us. Thanks Stuart. My thanks also to Steven Carcary who has been recording the band right from the start and we have used a couple of tracks that we recorded at Stevens, on the DVD and CD. Thank you to The Salutation Hotel for hosting us once again. Looking forward to seeing the final product next month and look forward to seeing you all at the various launches around Scotland and Northumberland in the coming months. For further information email: leonardbrownaccordion@gmail.com |
Future events |
John MacDonald Tour of Queensland – Australiaby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist John MacDonald is on tour with the singer Mary Kiani, in a ‘Scotland – The Music and the Memories’ show in Queensland between February 14th and March 2nd.John MacDonald, originally from Scotland, moved to New Zealand in the early 1960s, and to New South Wales, Australia in the 1970s, where he entertains with his Scottish traditional music. He has many recordings to his credit. He has toured with, and supported many overseas acts including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Des O'Connor, Kenneth McKellar, Andy Stewart, Johnnie Ray, Al Martino, Frank Ifield, The Drifters, The Krankies, Sir Harry Secombe, and has also appeared on all major cruise lines throughout the world including the ‘Love Boats’. For further information email: squeezebox120@hotmail.com |
Cherish the Ladies Tour – USAby Rob Howard |
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 The all-female band Cherish the Ladies, who specialize in Irish traditional music, are currently on a tour with dates throughout February and March, as indicated on the poster."It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn't enjoy what they do", says the Boston Globe speaking of Cherish the Ladies, the long-running, Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene. Since then, the group has toured the world, played the White House and the Olympics, recorded 16 outstanding albums including ‘An Irish Homecoming’, a live recording of their Emmy winning TV special that aired across America and Ireland. For further information email: contact@cherishtheladies.com |
Zoe Tiganouria & Athens Symphony Orchestra Performing - Greeceby Harley Jones |
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| Zoe Tiganouria will be featured with the Athens Symphony Orchestra on 20th February in Athens. A Carnival music program including some music composed by Zoe will be presented, conducted by Eleftherios Kalkani, who is pictured above rehearsing with Zoe Tiganouria. |
Ezequiel Tatich Concerts, Buenos Aires – Argentinaby Rob Howard |
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| The accordion entertainer Ezequiel Tatich, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and known as ‘El Gringo del Acordeon’, performs as follows: February 18th - Arresife Junto al Gaucho de Nogoya, Prov.De.BS.AS February 19th - Club Los Andes, Calle Los Patos 2448, Hurlingham, Prov. De. BS. AS February 26th to March 3rd – Rosario Tala Junto al Gaucho de Nogoya en Entre Rios March 5th – San Miguel. Prov. De. BS. AS March 19th - San Miguel. Junto as Gaucho de Nogoya, Prov. De. BS. AS |
The Russian Winter Ball, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 The Russian Winter Ball takes place on Saturday February 18th, 7pm onwards at the Drapers Hall, Throgmorton St, London EC2N 2DQ. The music will be provided by Mazaika – accordionist Igor Outkine and violinist Sarah Harrison.The programme for the evening includes: 7pm – Sparkling wine reception 7.45pm – Three course gala dinner with half a bottle of wine Performances by Mazaika, balalaika player Bibs Ekkel, ballroom dancers Michael and Martina Burton, and others 9.30pm-12.30am – dancing to Mazaika, performing Viennese and Russian waltzes, standard ballroom, Russian folk and gypsy music. For further information email: info@mazaika-music.com |
Declan Aungier Plays for Dancing – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Declan Aungier plays for dancing this weekend, as follows:Friday February 17th - The Auld House, Killamery, County Kilkenny Saturday February 18th - McHales Stretford End Bar, Causeway, County Kerry Sunday February 19th, 3pm to 6pm - Kilmacsimon Community Centre, County Cork Sunday February 19th, 9.30pm to 12 midnight – Ballyglass House Hotel County Tipperary Born in 1970, Declan Aungier began studying the piano accordion at the age of 9, became interested in Irish/Scottish traditional music at age 13, and became an All-Ireland Champion in 1987. He later switched to the 5-row Continental button accordion, and works exclusively as a solo entertainer, with many albums to his credit, providing music ranging from Country and Irish, some Irish traditional music, and music from the present day, including some jazz. For further information email: declan@declanaungier.com |
Full Moon Quartet Concert, Padua – Italyby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday February 19th, 5pm, there will be a concert at the Salone Nobile, Via del Seminario, Istituto Barbarigo, Padua, northern Italy. Performing are the Full Moon Quartet: Stefania Miotto (soprano), Mirko Satto (accordion), Matteo Mignolli (flute), and Davide Squarcina (piano). The concert features music by Rota, Mancini, Webber, Gardel, and Piazzolla. |
Concerto de Acordeons, Portas – Spainby Rob Howard |
 The 10 strong accordion ensemble, the ‘Asociación Cultural Amigos do Acordeón das Rías Baixas, performs in concert on Sunday February 19th, 7pm, at the Auditorio da Azuereira de Portas, Spain. Entrance is 4 Euro. Portas is a municipality in Galicia, in the province of Pontevedra, northern Spain. |
Ivano Battiston Recital, Prato – Italyby Rob Howard |
| Video above: Ivano Battiston performs Contrapunctus I, Die Kunst der Fuge, composed by J S Bach, transcribed S. di Gesualdo. Ivano Battiston performs a recital of Baroque and contemporary music on Sunday February 19th, 5.30pm, at Mesotonica, Via Luigi Muzzi 36, Prato, Tuscany. Admission is 8 Euro. Ivano Battiston studied the accordion with Salvatore di Gesualdo, graduating with a first-class honours degree from the Castelfranco Veneto Conservatoire. In 1978 he was awarded first prize at the XXVIII Trophée Mondial de l’Accordéon and subsequently he achieved a Diploma in Choral Music and Bassoon; he also studied composition with Bruno Coltro. He has since pursued a successful career as an international concert soloist and with leading orchestras, and held many master classes. He has made numerous recordings for such labels as Belumat Editrice, Warner Fonit, Sargasso Records, Promo Music, Profil - Hanssler, Velut Luna, Ema Records, Deutsche Grammophon, Raitre, Radiotre, etc. |
Chico Chagas ‘Interpreta Astor Piazzolla’ Concert, Sao Paulo - Brazilby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Chico Chagas performs the works of Astor Piazzolla in concert on Tuesday February 21st, 8pm, at Teatro Sesi, Avenida Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil.Chico Chagas comes from Rio Branco, Acre, in the Brazilian Amazon. He began playing the accordion aged 7, following a family tradition. Aged 19, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to study classical and jazz piano, harmony, arranging, improvisation, and Brazilian popular music. He has worked with many musicians and has composed many pieces for cinema, TV, and theatre. |
Angie and David Lukins @ Harlow Accordion Club, Essex – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionists Angie and David Lukins are the guests at Harlow Accordion Club on Thursday February 23rd, 7.45pm. The venue is the Links Social Club, Parsloe, Essex CM19 4RT. Admission is £7 in advance, £7.50p at the door.Angie and David Lukins are well-known and highly respected accordionists. Angie is a workshop leader at the Dudley and Eastbourne accordion festivals, and David Lukins is the son of the late Martin Lukins, one of the UK’s most prominent post-war accordionists. For further information email: jeanhanger@icloud.com |
VAMÖ Accordion Competition, Vienna - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 The VAMÖ Accordion Competition takes place on Sunday 26 February 2017 at Hasengasse 38, Waldmüllerzentrum, 1100 Vienna o rganised by the Verband Der Amateurmusiker Und –Vereine Österreichs.Chairperson Hermi Kaleta, is delighted to invite you to the competitions and the festival concert. Entry to the competition and festival concert is free. |
Zoltan Orosz Concert, Nesvady - Slovakiaby Rob Howard |
 Video 1: Belgorod Music Festival 2016, Zoltan Orosz performs Czardas.Video 2: Zoltan Orosz performs La Foule. with Mezzo Music Chamber Orchestra - Natalya Borovik. Published 6th February 2017. Zoltan Orosz performs a solo concert on Thursday March 3rd, 6pm until 8pm, at mks.hmk, Obchodná 21, 94 651 Nesvady, Slovakia. Zoltan Orosz studied the accordion and the organ at the Bela Bartok Conservatory in Budapest and at the Franz Liszt College, Budapest. He performs internationally, and has made several recordings. For further information email: mks.nesvady@post.sk |
New and Updated Sites |
Site Update: Francis Wright (1918 to 1997), Composer, Author, Publisher, Teacher - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
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 New site about Francis Wright (1918 to 1997), composer, author, publisher, teacher. Site includes biography and list of compositions and arrangements published by Charnwood Publishing.Chairman, Board of Administration of British College of Accordionists (BCA) 1969 - 1997 National Accordion Organisation of the UK (NAO) Chairperson 1966 - 1969 Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) Vice President 1968 - 1970 |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri Two New Works Released - Australiaby Franco Cambareri |
 Franco Cambareri has released two new compositions:cfranco218 - Calabrian Serenata Calabrian Serenata is a Slow Ballad with a Nostalgic Feeling. cfranco219 - Danza del Grillo Danza del Grillo (Dance of the Cricket) is a Regional Tarantella Dance alla Calabrese. These works are eSheet (pdf file, able to be emailed to you) and can be purchased online with secure server credit card. |
NZAA Site updated: Presentation to Prof. Li Cong (China) - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 NZAA Merit Award Presentation to Prof. Li Cong (China) - New ZealandPictures and award citation at: MeritAwardLiCong |
Two New Works by Douglas Ward Released by Charnwood Publishing - UKby Harley Jones |
 Two new works have been released by well known UK composer and performer Douglas Ward, published by Charnwood Publishing. DW940 Click for Info DW941 Click for Info The Douglas Ward page is now listing over 80 compositions and arrangements of eSheet and printed music available from Charnwood Publishing. Purchase with credit card online. |
Updated Site: New Information Alessandro Mugnoz CDby Harley Jones |
 Information updated on site for CD by Alessandro Mugnoz and Claudia Menghi.A CD review has also been linked. Sounds samples online for: mugnoz01 |
New Site: Lars Ek Original Compositions - Swedenby Harley Jones |
 Lars Ek, composer, arranger, performer and teacher of Sweden has now released his original compositions on the MusicForAccordion.com site. See samples of the music and further information at:ek141 - Snokangan ek142 - Sun over Bergen ek143 - Sunshine Dreams ek144 - The Path Beyond Nowhere ek145 - The Earthquake ek146 - The Musical Box ek147 - The Prayer of the Accordion ek148 - Triaden ek149 - Trosteskogsvalsen ek150 - Twilight on Iceland |
Updated Site: Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) by Heather Masefieldby Heather Masefield |
 The Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) has updated its website with the 2017 examination dates and 2017 entry fees and entry forms. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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