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Highlights |
Happy Xmas and New Year
20th International Moscow Festival "Bayan and Bayanists" – Russia
Triumphant Marocco Concert, Rostov – Russia
Owen Murray and the Smith Quartet in Concert, London - UK
Accordion Magazine – ‘Hanuri’, Ikaalinen – Finland
AccordionRepairs and Sales - Italy
Tango Nuevo Trio, new CD ‘Adios Astor’, Aarhus – Denmark
Happy Xmas from Roberto Mangosi and Accordions Worldwide
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Happy Xmas and New Year
Bruce Millers European Accordion Festival, Aberdeen – UK
Festival of Arjona, Bolivar - Colombia
Future events |
Richie Ahearne Concert, Guildford – UK
Guy Klucevsek and Alan Bern Concerts, Pennsylvania – USA
New Year’s Eve Entertainment, Prague = Czech Republic
New Year’s Eve in Cape Cod Village, Maine – USA
Rafal Luc at the Purcell Room, London – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Yulia Amerikova New Site
Vladislav Pligovka New Site
MusicForAccordion new eSheet work
Leonard Stack new music
Peter Piccini new work
United States National News Updated
Gary Dahl New Arrangement and Updates
CIA Winter Congress 2009 Registration Information online
CD Reviews |
Beltango Trilogia CD Review
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Editors Noteby Rob Howard |
 Another year of great worldwide accordion activity has passed, and Christmas and New Year are here once again. Mind you, the way time flies I’m thinking of leaving the Christmas tree where it is, ready for next year! Please note that the next Accordions Worldwide news will be published on January 9th, and we thank all those who have contributed to our pages during 2008. All of us at Accordions Worldwide wish all our readers, wherever you happen to be, a very merry Christmas, great happiness and good health for 2009. |
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Happy Xmas and New Yearby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Happy Xmas from Accordions Worldwide Staff (music: Jingle Bells by Renzo Ruggieri - cartoon by Roberto Mangosi) |
20th International Moscow Festival "Bayan and Bayanists" – Russiaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 With the participation of the federal agency of culture, Russian Gnessin Academy of Music and the Friedrich Lips Fund, the traditional XX International Festival “Bayan and bayanists” took place in the concert hall of the Russian Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow from December 10th to 14th 2008. Certainly this year’s festival was under the sign of Friedrich Lips celebrating his 60th birthday and 40 years of concert activity. This can be said without any exaggeration since all five concerts were played either by himself or at least by students and graduates of his bayan class. A full report XX International Festival “Bayan and Bayanists”, with photos, is online. |
Triumphant Marocco Concert, Rostov – Russiaby Harley Jones |
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 The area of Rostov-on-Don has a strong Jazz following with many Jazz Festivals held in the area. Before his concert, Frank Marocco visited the Rostov Jazz School and was very impressed with the high level of performance when the Destky Jazz Orchestra performed in his honor! Rostov has become quite a center for Jazz in recent years.On December 16th the legendary American accordionist Frank Marocco appeared on stage at the Gorki State Academic Theater in Rostov-on-Don, with the famous Rostov Jazz Quartet ‘New Sentropezn’, led by Aram Rustamyants. The 1,000 seat hall was full for this concert organized by the International Music Foundation ‘Harmony’. Performing with Frank Marocco were the American accordionists John Simkus and Stas Venglevski. This duo performed the first part of the concert to a very appreciative audience. Also performing was Alexander Poeluev with the ‘New Sentropezn’ Quartet enjoying strong acclaim. For the second part of the concert, Frank Marocco - the king of improvisation, along with the ‘New Sentropezn’ Quartet were a sensation, which the audience loved. These wonderful jazz musicians spoke without the words! Frank Marocco was moved to tears by the rapport between the musicians and the audience was very joyful and moved by the performance too. A triumphant concert by Frank Marocco, his American friends John Simkus and Stas Venglevski, the ‘New Sentropezn’ Quartet and Alexander Poeluev. |
Owen Murray and the Smith Quartet in Concert, London - UKby Rob Howard |
 Owen Murray performs a program that includes ‘Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean’, with the Smith Quartet, at the Wigmore Hall, London, on January 5th, 7.30 pm. This is the concert that should have taken place last year but was cancelled due to ill-health, so it is good to see Owen Murray back on the concert stage, where his program also includes works by Gubaidulina, Schnittke and Abrahamsen. Owen & Smith Quartet 2009 poster.Owen premiered ‘Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean’ at the Aldeburgh Festival, having commissioned it from Poul Ruders, Demark's premier contemporary composer. Professor Owen Murray is well known for his work in producing top flight accordionists at the Royal Academy of Music since 1986, and for expanding the repertoire of serious music written specially for the accordion. He has also performed with many leading orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Glyndebourne Opera Touring Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the SWF Sinfonieorchestra Baden-Baden. For further information email: murray@mail.dk |
Accordion Magazine – ‘Hanuri’, Ikaalinen – Finlandby Kimmo Mattila |
 The current issue of the Finnish accordion magazine ‘Hanuri’, Vol. 4-2008, is now available. This issue includes wide reports from several international events: the Coupe Mondiale in Scotland, the Accordion Festival in Moscow, an in-depth article about the Russian music school system, reports from the Roland Competition in Italy, 30th anniversary of the accordion in the Sibelius Academy in Finland, Pärnu Festival in Estonia, etc.In this magazine there is an article of the Finnish sport shooter Satu Mäkelä-Nummela, who won the gold medal in the Women's Trap event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She plays accordion as her hobby, and was interviewed for the magazine. The Finnish magazine ‘Hanuri’ is mailed free to all 4,500 members in Finland as well as to several international addresses, including the members of the CIA. It is regularly published 4 times a year by the Finnish Accordion Association. For further information email: kimmo.mattila@harmonikkaliitto.net |
AccordionRepairs and Sales - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Robert Rolston of AccordionRepairs.co.uk and Sales, Camerano, Italy (near Castelfidardo) had problems with his email and did not receive emails. If you have emailed AccordionRepairs/Robert Rolston and not received a reply, please email again to: robertrolston@alice.it Robert Rolston reports that www.accordionrepairs.co.uk service centre for Europe, specializing in tuning and repairs, midi installation, sales advice, is now established and that All work is guaranteed for a period of 1 year, from minor jobs through to major overhauls. For further information www.accordionrepairs.co.uk |
Tango Nuevo Trio, new CD ‘Adios Astor’, Aarhus – Denmarkby Emir Bosnjak |
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| A new CD release with Tango Nuevo Trio, named ‘Adios Astor’, dedicated to Astor Piazzolla, has been released. Tango Nuevo Trio are Emir Emir Bosnjak – bandoneon and arrangements, Jens Munch - piano, and Mads Uldall - double bass. All 3 musicians were educated on Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. Astor Piazzolla probably never dreamed of the popularity his music would reach as it is played and heard over most of the world today and appeals to such a wide spectrum of people. Therefore, it is not really so odd that three young people living in Denmark play his music and even dedicate a CD to him. This is not a short fever that has struck them or a sudden outburst of longing towards the southern hemisphere (an occurrence not uncommon in cold Scandinavia!); it is simply because Piazzolla’s music has moved them to such a degree that they just can’t help it. |
Happy Xmas from Roberto Mangosi and Accordions Worldwideby Roberto Mangosi |
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| Happy Xmas from Roberto Mangosi and Accordions Worldwide |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Concert "In Memory of Teachers", Rostov – Russiaby Harley Jones |
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  It is 80 years since the beginning of the accordion bayan department of the Rostov College of Art. In the concert hall of the college, a concert was held on December 6th "In memory of Teachers" to honor all those teachers who opened the office, worked through the years, telling about them with accompanying slide show of photos of that period. Current Head of the office is one of the first students Sergei Galkin. Among the graduates is some of the best known of all accordionists, winners of international competitions, People's Artist of Russia, including Viacheslav Semionov, the Honored Artist of Russia, Yuri Shishkin, Vladimir Ushenin, Anatoly Zaikin Vladimir Shishin, winners Klingental, Gregory Osmanov, Michael, Zatsepin, Leonid Bondarenko, Leonid Setrakov, bright young artistes Alexander Poeluev, Danil Stadnyuk, and many other famous artists and educators. A Principal was the famous composer, People's Artist of Russia, Anatoli Kusiakov, whose compositions are performed in concerts and competitions all over the world. In honor of the memory of these teachers there was a concert attended by teachers and students from all over the Rostov region. The concert was attended by bayan orchestras, ensembles, with over 100 musicians involved. Along with the young players, two well-known artists Yuri Shishkin and Alexander Poeluev also performed. The concert attracted great interest and was a colossal success. |
Happy Xmas and New Yearby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Happy Xmas from Accordions Worldwide Staff (cartoon by Roberto Mangosi) |
Bruce Millers European Accordion Festival, Aberdeen – UKby Rob Howard |
 Bruce Millers European Accordion Festival held recently at Aberdeen Arts Centre, Scotland, was organised by Norman English. Concert performers included accordionists Romano Viazzani, Ksenija Sidorova, Norman English, Craig Paton, Tom Orr, and Gordon Middler.Norman English began the concert using a Roland FR7 and an acoustic accordion, playing ‘El Cumbanchero’, ‘A Bright Star in Cepheus’, ‘Highland Cathedral’, ‘Norwegian Wood’, and ‘Summertime’, as well as bringing smiles of amazement with the unique sounds of the Roland’s “scat voices” used to set off ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’. Romano Viazzani’s program included: ‘Winter’ (‘Four Seasons’) – Vivaldi, ‘Prelude and Fugue in C minor’ - J.S.Bach, ‘Party Chambers’ - Paul Weller, ‘Tango Pour Claude’ – R. Galliano, ‘Jealousy’ – J. Gade, ‘Indifference’ – Colombo/Murena, ‘Il Silenzio Fuori Ordinaza’ - G.Stok, and ‘Carnival of Venice Variations’ – N. Paganini. Romano admirably demonstrated the versatility of the accordion and when he handed the stage over to Ksenija Sidorova, it was obvious that the audience was about to be enjoy another dimension. Ksenija, from Latvia, proved to be a mature, impressive and talented accordionist. Her program included: ‘French Suite’ – JS Bach, ‘12 Variations on a theme’ - WA Mozart, ‘October’ from ‘The Seasons’ - PI Tchaikovsky, and ‘Who’s the Puppet?’ – A. Vassiliev. The finale with Romano Viazzani joining Ksenija Sidorova in an amusing musical conversation, performing ‘Clarinet Polka’ (arranged by Lars Holm), gave the audience a light hearted end to what had been a truly exhilarating evening. |
Festival of Arjona, Bolivar - Colombiaby Rob Howard |
 On December 7th 2008, Hansel Quesada, from Mahates, was crowned like new Accordion Champion of the 33rd Festival Bolivarense, which was held in the sports Center of Arjona, in the State of Boloivar. Second was Freddy Jattín, and third was Omar Fernández. The festival, postponed from its usual summer date, was well supported as usual, and offers a presentation of Colombian folk music, song and dance. In Colombia, diatonic button accordions were introduced in the 19th Century and are the most numerous of the free reed instruments, used extensively in traditional music. In the Accordion Entertainment Category, the first place went to Javier Álvarez, of Valledupar; with Gustavo Rodriguez, of Monteria, second, and Camilo Carvajal, of Valledupar, in third place. The Junior Championship was won by Camilo Molina, with Duván Pérez in second place. |
Future events |
Christmas Jug Band, California - USAby Rob Howard |
| The Christmas Jug Band, a seasonal ensemble whose members include accordionist Paul Rogers (usually to be found playing with Those Darn Accordions), have been entertaining throughout December. Their remaining performances are: December 19th, 8pm – Mystic Theater, Petaluma, California December 20th, 8.30pm – Masonic Center, Mill Valley, California December 21st, 7.30pm - Masonic Center, Mill Valley, California |
Richie Ahearne Concert, Guildford – UKby Rob Howard |
| Irish diatonic button accordionist Richie Ahearne is the guest artiste at Guildford Accordion Club’s Christmas Club Night on December 19th, 7.30pm. Guildford AC, whose concert organizer id John Cumiskey, meets at Ripley Village Hall, near Guildford, Surrey GU23 6AF. For further information email: myrabee@btinternet.com |
Guy Klucevsek and Alan Bern Concerts, Pennsylvania – USAby Museum Stradella |
 On December 31st Guy Klucevsek – accordion, and Alan Bern - accordion/piano, will perform at First Night®, Oil City, Pennsylvania, an alcohol-free, family-oriented celebration of the arts, which has been held annually since 1998.Klucevsek and Bern will do sets at 8, 9, 10 and 11pm, performing selections from their two ‘Winter & Winter’ recordings, ‘Accordance’ (2000) and ‘Notefalls’ (2007). Since its debut in 1997, First Night® has received high praise for the quality and variety of entertainment and experiences it offers. First Night® has welcomed a steady stream of between 3,000 to 5,000 people who have come despite frigid weather. Shuttle buses transport people throughout the town to indoor sites where performances are scheduled. Revelers wishing to brave the cold are warmed at the bonfires throughout the city. People wear crazy, decorative hats, walk through rooms filled with balloons, parade down the street making noise, view two fireworks displays, visit their choices of entertainment options, and sample great food. For further information email: gklucevsek@si.rr.com |
New Year’s Eve Entertainment, Prague = Czech Republicby Rob Howard |
| The U Fleku Beer Hall Restaurant & Brewery, Kremencova 11, near Wenceslas Square, New Town, Prague, is a large traditional Czech pub, restaurant and micro-brewery all rolled into one. There are accordionists playing all day and evening, adding to the typical beer hall style atmosphere. |
New Year’s Eve in Cape Cod Village, Maine – USAby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Fintan Stanley and the duo Irish Express perform at Cape Cod Irish Village, 512 Main Street, West Yarmouth, on New Year’s Eve, December 31st.Born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1941, in 1955 Fintan Stanley became the first player to win an All-Ireland Championship using a Continental button accordion. He has lived in the USA since the 1970s, and has performed in several European countries and Australia. Irish Express are John Connors – accordion and guitar, and Martin Battle – guitar and harmonica. |
Rafal Luc at the Purcell Room, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 Polish accordionist Rafal Luc, now a student of Professor Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music in London, performs in concert on January 6th, 7.45pm, at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre. His programme includes: ‘De Profundis’ – Gubaidulina, ‘Air’ – Abrahamsen, selected movements from ‘Musica Ricercata’ – Ligeti (London Premiere), and ‘Squeezy’ - Giles Swayne (world premiere). For further information email: rafal_luc@op.pl |
New and Updated Sites |
Coupe Mondiale 2009 Website Updatedby Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) |
| The Coupe Mondiale international accordion competition run by the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), has had the website has updated with all the rules and regulations for the 2009 Coupe Mondiale to be held in Auckland City, New Zealand, 25 to 29 August. For the first time, the Coupe Mondiale now has a Digital Accordion Category with rules that are different than what might be expected. |
Yulia Amerikova New Siteby Yulia Amerikova |
| New web site for Yulia Amerikova, graduate of Gnessins Russian Academy of Music, tutor Viatcheslav Semionov. Winner of international competitions. |
Vladislav Pligovka New Siteby Vladislav Pligovka |
| New site for Vladislav Pligovka, Winner of the Castelfidardo Competition 2008. and winner of the 2008 Coupe Mondiale in Scotland. |
MusicForAccordion new eSheet workby MusicForAccordion.com |
| MusicForAccordion.com site releases 6 new music of 'Giorni Belli', 'Praludium Arrangement', 'Words - Easy, 'Snow Bird', 'Stand Up For Jesus' and 'The Windmills Of Your Mind'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Leonard Stack new musicby Leonard Stack |
| A new site of Leonard Stack - accordionist, composer, publisher, performer and music writer, release 1 new work for accordion available for purchase online. 'Lest We Forget' with different accordion parts, accordion 1, accordion 2, accordion 3, accordion 4, accordion 5, accordion 6, bass, percussion 1, percussion 2, score, tenor and timpani. Samples of these different parts of music are available on the site. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Peter Piccini new workby Peter Piccini |
| Peter Piccini - accordionist, composer, arranger, performer, release 1 new work for accordion available for purchase online. 'Our Cajun Waltz'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
United States National News Updatedby Rita Davidson Barnea |
| USA News is updated with new items happening over the busy Christmas period and additional Xmas graphics. |
Gary Dahl New Arrangement and Updatesby Gary Dahl |
| Gary Dahl - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator, releases 1 new work and 6 new update works for accordion, available for purchase online. ‘Frosty The Snowman’, ‘Rag in D Minor’, 'Silent Night', 'Maple Leaf Rag', 'Sunrise Sunset' 'Its All In The Game' and 'You Belong To My Heart'. Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CIA Winter Congress 2009 Registration Information onlineby Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) |
| Information about the 121st General Assembly of Delegates Winter Congress in Bratislava, Slovakia from January 30th – February 1st, 2009 is now online . For the online reservation form, schedule and further information, please visit: www.accordions.com/cia/winter_09_register.htm |
CD Reviews |
Solo for Two CD Reviewby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Review of Solo for Two, a CD recorded by Alexander Shirunov and Nadia Guseva.CD Reviews Index. |
Beltango Trilogia CD Reviewby Frank Farmer |
 Beltango Trilogia CD Review, Beltango, headed by Aleksander and Ivana Nikolic.CD Reviews Index. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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