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Highlights |
Anmeldungen für den Tag der Harmonika 2021 - Österreich jetzt möglichby Werner Weibert |
Ab sofort sind Anmeldungen für den Wettbewerb Tag der Harmonika 2021 möglich, der vom 3. bis 6. Juni 2021 in Perg, Österreich, stattfinden und vom HVO - Harmonika Verband Osterreichs organisiert wird. Der Wettbewerb für Steirische Harmonika, Diatonische und Buttonbox etc. wird Kategorien für Solisten, Duos, Ensembles und Orchester sowie Klassen für Unterhaltungsmusik, Kammermusik und Weltmusik beinhalten. Die Alterskategorien reichen von 6 Jahren bis zu Erwachsenen (maximal 32 Jahre). In diesem Jahr wird es eine neue Kategorie für die Steirische Harmonika geben: den Cyrill-Demian-Preis für internationale Kandidaten! Anmeldeschluss ist der 23. April 2021. Download Reglement hier in Deutsch und Englisch: 2021TagHarmonikaRules.pdf |
Antonio Spaccarotella Künstlerischer Leiter für 2021 PIF Castelfidardo - Italienby Grayson Masefield |
Video: Tango Revenga komponiert von Antonio Spaccarotella und aufgeführt vom OFC Calabrian Philharmonic Orchestra unter der Leitung von Volodymyr Runchak, Solist Grayson Masefield. Die Stadtverwaltung von Castelfidardo (Region Marken, Italien) organisiert in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Tourismusverband Castelfidardo Pro Loco den PIF Internationalen Wettbewerb "Città di Castelfidardo" für Akkordeon-Solisten und -Gruppen, der klassischen Musik und anderer Genres. Die Gemeindeverwaltung von Castelfidardo wird von Bürgermeister Roberto Ascani geleitet, der Verein Castelfidardo Pro Loco von Ruben Cittadini, und der am 15. Februar 2021 neu ernannte künstlerische Leiter des PIF Antonio Spaccarotella. PIF Castelfidardo 2021 wird vom 22. bis 26. September laufen, und Antonio Spaccarotella wird bisher der jüngste künstlerische Direktor sein. Zu seinen Qualifikationen gehören, Event Production Director, hervorragender Lehrer mit vielen internationalen Erfolgen, Musikarrangeur und seit kurzem auch erfolgreicher Komponist. Anotonio Spaccarotella ist Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Akkordeon an der Musikhochschule von Catanzaro P.I. Tchaikovsky und außerdem Produktionsdirektor des OFC Calabrian Philharmonic Orchestra, eines der beliebtesten Nachwuchsorchester der internationalen Szene. Spaccarotella hat großen Respekt und Dankbarkeit für die vielen früheren Ausgaben des PIF Castelfiidardo, die es zu dem gemacht haben, was es heute ist. Aus diesem Grund hat er vor, eine innovative Prägung zu geben, die gleichzeitig die traditionelle Vision respektiert, in der Überzeugung, dass die Balance zwischen den beiden Seelen des Akkordeons sehr wichtig für die Zukunft ist. Regeln und weitere Informationen zum PIF 2021 werden zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt veröffentlicht: 2021Castelfidardo |
2021 Piazzolla-Musikwettbewerb - Kroatienby Christine Johnstone |
Promo-Video des Piazzolla-Musikwettbewerbs. Der von Miran Vaupotic, dem künstlerischen Leiter, organisierte Piazzolla-Musikwettbewerb wird zu Ehren der Musik von Astor Piazzolla und seines 100. Geburtstages veranstaltet und in Zusammenarbeit mit der Fundación Astor Piazzolla präsentiert. Der Wettbewerb, der sich sowohl an Solisten als auch an Ensembles richtet, sucht Musiker aller Instrumenten- und Stimmarten, die eine Affinität zu Piazzollas Werk haben und den Katalog des Komponisten erweitern können. Der Hauptpreis beinhaltet eine Geldprämie, einen Aufnahme- und Veröffentlichungsvertrag mit PARMA Recordings Navona Records sowie eine von PARMA arrangierte und finanzierte Konzerttournee durch China. Die Wettbewerbsjury, die von Pablo Ziegler (ehemaliges Mitglied von Piazzollas Quintett) geleitet wird, besteht aus den Bandoneonisten Hector del Curto (Argentinien), Daniel Binelli (Argentinien/Spanien), Walther Castro (Argentinien) und dem Akkordeonisten, Bandoneonisten und Komponisten Cesare Chiacchiaretta (Italien). Einsendeschluss für den Wettbewerb ist der 18. April 2021. Die Gewinner werden am 15. Juni 2021 bekannt gegeben. |
XXXIII. Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival Erfolg - Finnlandby Harley Jones |
Das XXXIII Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival wurde sehr erfolgreich online vom 6. bis 14. Februar 2021 in Kokkola, Finnland abgehalten. Das Kokkola Winter Festival hat großzügigerweise alle Hauptkonzerte der Welt kostenlos zur Verfügung gestellt unter: 2021Kokkola Sehen Sie sich die Berichte der vergangenen Jahre an. 2018KokkolaReports 2020Kokkola Der künstlerische Leiter der Veranstaltung seit der Gründung, Raimo Vertainen, möchte sich bei allen Unterstützern, dem Organisationskomitee und den Sponsoren dafür bedanken, dass sie das 2021 XXXIII Kokkola Winter Festival möglich gemacht haben, mitten in einer Pandemie. |
Martynas Levickis tritt beim Piazzolla Celebration Concert auf - Deutschlandby Christine Johnstone |
Martynas Levickis wird zusammen mit Arabella Steinbacher (Violine) und dem Aurora Orchestra unter der Leitung von Nicholas Collon am 12. März 2021 in der Tonhalle in Düsseldorf auftreten, um den 100. Geburtstag von Astor Piazzolla zu feiern. Das Aurora Orchestra zieht es vor, seine Auftritte etwas anders zu gestalten, indem es auf der Bühne steht und auswendig spielt, da sie glauben, dass sie mit diesen kleinen Veränderungen mehr Energie freisetzen. Auf dem Konzertprogramm mit Martynas Levickis steht unter anderem Piazzollas "Libertango". Für weitere Informationen: info@martynasmusic.co |
Kevin Friedrich Konzert "An American Journey" in Dargaville - Neuseelandby Christine Johnstone |
Kevin Friedrich wird am 28. März 2021 um 13 Uhr ein Konzert "An American Journey" geben. Präsentiert vom Dargaville Museum - Te Whare Taonga o Tunatahi, wird der 14. jährliche Musiknachmittag mit Kevin Friedrich und Freunden eine Reihe von amerikanischer Musik präsentieren und mit einem Sing Along zum Thema Amerika enden. Amerikanische Musik umfasst eine Vielzahl von Genres, von Vaudeville bis Vegas, von Ragtime bis Rock n' Roll, von Cajun bis Country, von Broadway bis Bluegrass, von Golden Oldies bis Gospel, von amerikanisch inspirierter Musik und vieles mehr! Bild oben links: Kevin mit einem in den 1930er Jahren in New York, USA hergestellten Akkordeon von Excelsior Zu den Gastkünstlern gehören ein Akkordeon-Orchester, das sich aus Mitgliedern verschiedener Gruppen aus Auckland zusammensetzt, Roslyn Gilmour, Jone Yelcich, Colin Horsefall und sein Akkordeon-Ensemble von Keri Keri, der beliebte Akkordeonist und Sänger Lionel Reekie, Pianist Thomas Koloi, Maurice Jones und Tochter Alanah Jones, Dargavilles ureigene Liedermacher, die Rivertown und Take 6 Singers, die jungen Sänger Abbey und Isaac Skelton sowie Cindy und Mark Vincent an Geige und Gitarre. Das Dargaville Museum beherbergt die einzige öffentliche Akkordeonausstellung in der südlichen Hemisphäre "Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time". Gegründet und kuratiert von Kevin Friedrich, zeigen die 140 ausgestellten Instrumente die faszinierende Entwicklung des Instruments über seine fast 200-jährige Geschichte. Die Tickets sind im Dargaville Museum erhältlich, kosten $25 für Erwachsene und $10 für Kinder und beinhalten den Afternoon Tea. Für Informationen rufen Sie bitte an: (09) 439-7555. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Wu Qiong on CCTV Spring Festival Gala Concert - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video: Excerpt featuring accordionist Wu Qiong, CCTV 2021 Spring Festival Gala Concert. Accordionist Wu Qiong has been a member of the China Oriental Performing Arts Group since 2010. At 13, Wu was admitted to study the accordion at Tianjin Conservatory of Music and graduated from the school with a master's degree in 2009. Music is a family tradition. Her grandfather was a keyboard player, her father was a pianist and accordion player and her mother a violinist. Wu started learning piano when she was 3 years old, and at 9, she played her father's accordion recreationally and was drawn to the sound of the musical instrument. She decided to learn playing accordion with her father. During the third season of I Am a Singer, Wu collaborated with Chinese singer-songwriter Li Jian on the song, Baikal Lake, which Li wrote and performed in 2011. The song not only won Li positive reviews from the audience and music critics but also led to TV performances on various shows, including The Voice of China by Zhejiang Satellite TV Station. "The accordion is an amazing instrument," says the now 35-year-old musician, who was born and grew up in Tianjin. "It's powerful yet delicate and sensitive." "I want to display the versatility of the musical instrument, melody, chords and accompaniment," says Wu. "I hope more young composers will write original music pieces for the musical instrument." |
Video: Exciting Renzo Ruggieri New Releases - Italyby Harley Jones |
Video: Renzo Ruggieri has released his new work "Il Bosco Incantato" for accordion and string orchestra. The accordion soloist is Claudio Azzaro. Catalog: rrenzo517 - Il Bosco Incantato for free bass accordion Catalog: rrenzo524 - Il Bosco Incantato for free bass accordion and string orchestra (full score and individual parts). Renzo Ruggieri is pictured right with his new accordion by Bugari Armando, has also published an update of his very popular composition "Tango Italian" (ver. 1.3) for solo virtuoso accordion. Real value for only Euro 10 and ideal for competitions and concerts. Catalog: rrenzo503 Tango Italiano is also released in 5 versions: accordion & orchestra and accordion & string orchestra accordion & strings, rhythmic section accordion & rhythmic section added piano (full score and individual parts). Catalog: rrenzo522 |
Online: VI Odin International Music Competition 2021 Resultsby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Odin International Music Online Competition, 1st prize winner 17 – 18 years Sofia Ros Gonzalez (Spain). Sofia's prize included an Online Masterclass with Jury member Margherita Berlanda. The VI Odin International Music Competition was held online in January 2021, organized by the European Academic Artists Association, a non-profit organization with the aim to promote worldwide cultural and educational exchange. The international jury included Margherita Berlanda (accordion, Italy - picture right). Results: • Accordion 11 - 12 years: 2nd place - Maksymilian Sztabinski (Poland) • Accordion 15 – 16 years: 1st place - Žygimantas Vyšniauskas (Lithuania) • Accordion 17 – 18 years: 1st place - Sofia Ros Gonzalez (Spain) • Accordion 17 – 18 years: 2nd place - Martin Kot (Czech Republic) • Accordion 19 – 22 years: 1st place - Marek Mikác (Slovakia) |
Ricardo Llanos Pitch Bending Paper - Spainby Christine Johnstone |
A paper has been released entitled “Accordion acoustics: A study on pitch bending”, written by M. Jesús Elejalde-García, Erica Macho-Stadler and Ricardo Llanos - Vázquez. The paper is published by Acoustics in Practice (AiP) which is an open access electronic journal (free to read, no submission fees but contributions are limited to EAA - European Acoustics Association society members). Download the paper to read at: https://euracoustics.org/activities/acoustics-in-practice/acoustics-in-practice Thank you to the three authors for their generosity in making the paper freely available. |
Online: Uruguay Tropical Festival - Uruguayby Christine Johnstone |
The online event “Uruguay Tropical Festival” was held on February 12th, 2021. Over 30 artists from Uruguay took part in the event including popular group “Fuelles Salteños”. You can see their performance in the video above. |
Historical Video: K Trio Performance in 2005 - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
Video: Connecticut Accordion Association - The K Trio perform at Seven Angels Theater on January 30, 2005. This video is from Marilyn O'Neil’s collection. Sadly, Julie Kasprzyk Cardona, 72, of North Haven, USA passed away unexpectedly on January 15th, 2021 at her home. She was a member of the K Trio, AAA, American Accordionists' Association and the Connecticut Accordion Association. The K Trio performed all over the United States and were truly a trio of champions. Siblings Mary Kasprzyk Tokarski, Julie Kasprzyk Cardona and Walter Kasprzyk performed nationwide in competitions and concerts as youngsters. As young adults, life moved them to different areas of the United States! After 25 years apart, they all relocated to Connecticut again, and soon after began performing as The "K" Trio. You can read more about her at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=22-Jan-2021&lang=en#art17215 |
Future events |
Alex Meixner Band Entertainment in Florida - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Alex Meixner Band will be making its premiere performance at the Martin County Fair in Stuart, Florida on February 20th at 4pm. The band will play a “90 minute power set”. They will also be joined by Polka Hall of Fame and multi-instrumentalist Wally Dombrowski, who plays concertina, trumpet, and vocals! The following day, (February 21st) the band will perform at the Summer Crush Vineyard and Winery in Fort Pierce, Florida from 1pm to 4pm. This concert will be in a Covid safe outdoor setting under the pavilion where everyone can spread out. For this performance the band will be joined by Rick Piotrowski on sax, clarinet, trumpet, and vocals and their repertoire will include lots of Polish-style polkas. For details email: info@alexmeixner.com |
Concert "Europe Dances: Music of Palaces and Cabaret", Moscow - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
A concert entitled "Europe Dances: Music of Palaces and Cabaret” will be held on February 21st at 2pm, in the Musical Lounge "Watercolour Salons" in Moscow, Russia. Performers include Maksim Fedorov (bayan & bandoneon), winner of international competitions and artistic director of the ensemble "Fandango" along with Vladislav Domogatsky (guitar). Their program will include works by J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, J. Rodrigo, A. Piazzolla, K. Gardel and L. Bakalov. See poster for details. |
Accordionists Entertain at Benefit Concert - Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionists will entertain at a special benefit concert for music friends on February 21st, 2021 at 4pm in Santa Bárbara d’Oeste, Brazil. Popular trio “Catuaba Com Red Bull” (picture below) will perform. Everyone is encouraged to attend to show their support for these musicians. See poster for details. |
Vardos Trio “Cookbook” Concert, Melbourne - Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
The Vardos Trio (which includes accordionist Sophia Chapman) will perform a “Cookbook” concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on February 26th 2021 at 9pm UTC+13. “Vardos delves into the great melting pot of music from Hungary, Romania and their neighbours, stirring up many delicious discoveries to savour. Original arrangements of rarely heard songs about cooking and food provide a glimpse into the region’s wonderful culture”. The concert is part of a series entitled “Local Heroes 2021”. Due to Covid-19 safety regulations a range of public health, hygiene and physical distancing measures will be in place. For details email: vardos@hotmail.com |
Online: Tiina Kiik and Tuulikki Bartosik Perform at Music Week - Estoniaby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionists Tiina Kiik (Canada) and Tuulikki Bartosik (Estonia) will perform an online concert entitled “Memories of Home” on February 25th at 8pm, (February 26th at 2pm UTC+13) to kick off the Estonian Music Week celebrations The event is free of charge and donations are gratefully appreciated. The Memories of Home Online Concert Series embraces the duality of having roots in one country while starting afresh in another. Organisers asked artists to show what memories of home mean to them. Tiina Kiik reimagines contemporary classical compositions for the accordion bringing unexpected textures to the instrument. Estonian accordionist and composer Tuulikki Bartosik is slated to record a special performance for the concert, a series of her original compositions. She will be performing from the ancient St Catherine's Monastery which is one of Tallinn's oldest buildings in Estonia, founded by Dominican monks back in 1 246. See poster for details. |
Online: Day of the Accordion - USAby Rob Howard |
The Day of the Accordion annual event, usually held in the greater Seattle (USA) area, will be held online this year due to Covid-19. With events still shutdown in early 2021, chairman Bonnie Birch did not want to miss doing something for DOTA. Online performances will be posted for all to enjoy on February 27th, 2021. |
Online: John Kirkpatrick “Morris Music Special” - UKby Rob Howard |
Following his sell-out online concert on January 24th, 2021 and by popular demand, John Kirkpatrick will present his “Morris Music Special” concert on February 28th, 2021 at 7.30pm. The concert will feature tunes and songs from his CD’s “Morris On”, “Plain Capers”, “Sheepskins”, “The Duck Race” as well as lots of Cotswold Morris from his days with Hammersmith Morris Men, a dip into the repertoire of the Shropshire Bedlams and Martha Rhoden's Tuppenny Dish, and a few surprises. For details email: squeezer@johnkirkpatrick.co.uk |
Tracey Collins Entertains at Auckland Fringe Festival - New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
Auckland accordionist Tracey Collins will entertain at the Auckland Fringe Festival, Tapac Performing Arts Centre in Western Springs at 3pm and 6pm on February 28th, 2021. The 2021 festival runs from February 14th to March 6th and includes a variety of exhibitions, workshops, theatre, music, comedy, art and children's events. Tracey will perform at Voyagers “An Epic Journey”, which is a collective of award-winning and International musicians who feature "traditional and World sounds colliding with contemporary and popular forms." For details email: tracey@traceycollins.co.nz |
Online: Talisk Features in CCM Live Music Festival - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
Scottish trio Talisk (which includes concertina player Mohsen Amini) will feature in a live broadcast from Capture Works in Glasgow, Scotland on February 28th, 2021 at 10.30am GMT+13. The festival is presented by CCM Live and will run from February 26th to 28th, 2021, featuring nine artists from Scotland, Finland and Canada. Attendees are welcome to “tune in from the comfort of your sofa as we stream live, full-length, full production and fully covid-safe festival sets to your homes!” For details email: taliskmusic@gmail.com |
Online: Ian Lowthian “Eastern European Tunes” Music Weekends – UKby Rob Howard |
Ian Lowthian (picture left) will run an online Eastern European Tunes music weekend on February 27th and 28th, 2021. Ian believes much of the Eastern European music uses some more unusual time signatures and as we are currently living in “interesting times” perhaps we can spend some time de-stressing these “difficult times”! For details email: ianlowthian@yahoo.co.uk |
Online: Music From Before the Accordion was Invented - USAby Christine Johnstone |
Daddy Squeeze (Dan Newton) will give an online concert with a difference on March 1st, 2021 at noon CT. The concert is one of a regular series of lunchtime online concerts and will feature “Music from before the invention of the accordion”. Requests are welcome. For details email: daddysqueeze@yahoo.com |
1st International Conducting Festival - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
The 1st International Conducting Summer Academy and Festival will be held from July 5th to September 30th, 2021 in Brescia, Italy, presented by the Master Orchestra Artematica. The festival will give attendees the opportunity to work with conductors and professors as listed in the above poster. They will also be given the opportunity to conduct the Master Orchestra Artematica. Applications close on May 30th, 2021. For further information email: info@masterorchestra.it |
Childrens Corner |
Kokkola Childrens Concert - Finlandby Harley Jones |
The first concert of the XXIII Kokkola Winter Festival featured young people. Here are the very youngest beginners, Anna Hirvinen and Joel Koivisto, playing a traditional melody Lumiukkojen tanssi. View the excellent concert of many young performers of different levels at: http://www.accordions.com/kokkola/2021/index.htm#eight |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Jeff Lisenbyby Harley Jones |
Updated information and videos on the new page about Jeff Lisenby who passed away on January 6th, 2021. Heinz Siemens has generously made available a video of the full 20 minute concert by Jeff Lisenby on August 11th, 1990 "to honor and remember this great talent and kind and giving gentleman." View it at: Jeff Lisenby |
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