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18th International Akkordeonfestival Wien - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Video 1: Will Pound & Eddy Jay - Floating Candle, published 13 June 2015. Video 2: Motiv performs Bebê (Hermeto Pascoal). Players are: Inês Vaz (accordion), Miguel Majer (percussion) and Múcio Sá (portuguese guitar) published 29 Nov 2016. The 18th annual International Accordion Festival, organised by Friedl Preisl, takes place at numerous venues in Vienna from February 25th to March 26th. Program/Schedule: 2017wien.pdf The focus this year is on Austria's neighbouring countries. The festival begins on February 25th with Großmütterchen Hatz & Klok and the ladies from Karat Apart. The next day audiences will be treated to performances by Otto Lechner, a leading act of the festival, and The Wiener Zieharmoniker at Theater Akzent. A few highlights from the concert series include: The Klezmatics from the USA on March 13th at the Theater Akzent, Asja Valcic and Klaus Paier perform with their new quartet in Porgy & Bess on March 15th, there is a performance by the Wiener Tschuschenkapelle on March 19th at Schutzhaus Zukunft, and there is a traditional concert with Dobrek Bistro on March 22nd at Orpheum. Attwenger, a two-man band from Upper Austria, will play their innovative folk music on March 24th at Schutzhaus Zukunft. The festival will come to a close with the Italian diatonic button accordionist Riccardo Tesi and Bellaciao in Metropol. The Accordion Festival Lounge takes place from 9pm in Café Mocca on Saturdays, hosted by musician Franziska Hatz, and there are silent film matinees with live musical accompaniment and Swing Nights for dance enthusiasts on Sundays. The festival also includes five workshops on accordion and harmonica playing, and participants should bring their instruments. For further information email: friedl@akkordeonfestival.at |
In Harmony, 2017 Coupe Mondiale and 2017 Castelfidardo PIF - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
"Two competitions without competing" was a heading for a feature article by Corriere Adriatico newspaper of Marche region. View article: 2017Corriere.pdf The newspaper highlights the cooperation by the two cities for these two major international accordion competitions - 2017 Coupe Mondiale (5th to 9th September) in Osimo and the 2017 PIF Castelfidardo (10th to 17th September). After a series of meetings, the Mayors of Castelfidardo Roberto Ascani and Mayor of Osimo Simone Pugnaloni are co-ordinating international promotion of both events to increase international competitors, supporters and music lovers tourism to their cities. No doubt, promotion will highlight the attraction for enthusiasts, of being able to attend two major international accordion competitions and festivals in two beautiful ancient cities with economic accommodation and only have the cost of one international airfare. 2017 PIF Castelfidardo Artistic Director is Christian Riganelli and Commissioner of Culture is Ruben Cittadini. The 2017 Coupe Mondiale is hosted by the Italian Accordion Culture (IAC) and pictured in the newspaper are Mirco Patarini Artistic Director and CIA Executive with co-ordinator Vincenzo Canali, co-founder of the International Museum Castelfidardo. |
Accordion-YellowPages.com Future Events Free Listing - Cyberspaceby Harley Jones |
All concert, competition and festival organizers are reminded to list their Future Events for 2017 in the Accordion-YellowPages.com website. Its free to list and you can do it yourself. You can also change and update your listing yourself as further information becomes available. The Accordion-YellowPages.com Future Events calendar displays at the top right hand side of this Weekly News of accordions.com in all 7 languages and also on the USA News, Diatonic News and Russia News. Huge numbers of readers, about 5,000 visitors per day, view also the Future Events calendar display, so all accordion event organizers are reminded to take full advantage of this free service to keep the accordion community informed. Any internet challenged organizers may email their event details: harleyaccordion@yahoo.com |
2017 International Competition and Festival "Accordion Plus", Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Alexander Poeluev |
The 2017 International Competition and Festival "Accordion Plus" takes place from 24th to 28th March 2017 in Rostov-on-Don. For the first time, "Accordion Plus" now adds the Amateur category, so almost everyone can participate! The competition includes: classical accordion, bayan, folk accordion (all types) in such nominations as "Classics", "Entertainment", "Folk accordion", "Electronic instruments", "Ensembles", "Orchestras" and "Amateurs". "Accordion Plus" is organised by the International Music Center "Harmony" who want to thank sponsors Hohner, Scandalli and Akko for their assistance with prizes and thank the Rostov State College of Arts (competition venue) and the Rostov State Music Theater (concert venue). Head of Jury will be Victor Romanko and jury includes Mirco Patarini (Italy), Murza, Sharibov, Zatcepin and many other important Russian teachers. Download competition rules and regulations, entry form: Russian: 2017AccPlus_ru.pdf English: 2017AccPlus_en.pdf Closing date for entries is: 20th February 2017 The festival concerts will be held in the biggest concert halls of Rostov. A number of famous accordionists such as Yuri Shishkin, Vladimir Murza, Alexander Poeluev, Mikhail Zatsepin and others will be performing supported by symphony and folk orchestras and jazz bands. Festival concert information will be available nearer the festival. |
'The Art of Tango' Concert @ RAM, London – UKby Rob Howard |
There will be a very special event at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in February: a concert 'The Art of Tango' featuring bandoneon virtuoso Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi in concert with Academy accordion students and the RAM string quintet. The concert takes place in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall on Thursday February 2nd at 7.30 pm. The day before, Wednesday February 1st, 10am, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, Professor of accordion at the Conservatorio Torrefranca, Vibo Valentina, Italy, gives an accordion master class in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall. For further information email: o.murray@ram.ac.uk |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Big Changes at the New England Accordion Museum! – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
Paul Ramunni, founder of the New England Accordion Museum, announces: I am very happy to announce that the New England Accordion Museum located in Canaan, Connecticut, is expanding its facility and operations. In addition to our accordion museum, we are now offering new and used accordions for sale, servicing and repairs. Accordion Connection of New Hampshire closed its doors last August 2016. After discussion with Arthur and Sue Welch, we have decided to continue their legacy here in Connecticut. Consequently, our museum name will change to The New England Accordion Connection and Museum Co. We offer: - 100+ new and used accordions are available for sale in our newly renovated studio and showroom. - Lessons for beginners. - Saturday gatherings for group and individual play. - Our travelling museum which visits senior centers, nursing homes and other locations to play, display and present older accordions and their stories. - Our repair loft with repair supplies, accessories and repair services. - Sponsoring speaker seminars and workshops (on and off the premises). - Multimedia presentations of performing artists found online at various websites. - Accordions accepted as donations for the museum or purchased outright. - Customer owned accordions accepted for sale on a consignment basis - Accordion appraisal services. - Over 10,000 pieces of sheet music, instruction books and song books offered for sale at reasonable prices. - The reminiscent sounds of a newly renovated Wurlitzer Jukebox in our showroom. We are booking visits by appointment only. Paul Ramunni, The New England Accordion Connection and Museum Co. For further information: ramunni@comcast.net |
Tirana Acoustic Trio at Gallery of Arts - Albaniaby Harley Jones |
The Tirana Acoustic Trio of Elton Balla (accordion), Ergi Papadhimitri (violin), Viola Papadhimitri (violin) perform two popular pieces at the Gallery of Arts for the Hungarian Embassy. Published Jun 30, 2016. Video 1: Csardas Monti - Tirana Acoustic Trio Video 2: Two Guitars - Tirana Acoustic Trio |
Future events |
Pascal Contet Concerts - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Video: Accordionist Pascal Contet performs on the set of the show "Un pays une déchirure". Published on Jan 21, 2016 French classical accordionist Pascal Contet performs as follows during January: January 20th, 7.30pm – with the Orchestre d’harmonie du Conservatoire d’Annecy, Auditorium Cité des Arts Jardin du Verney, Chambery January 24th, 8.30pm – with the Orchestre d’harmonie du Conservatoire d’Annecy, Auditorium, Seynod January 27th and 28th – master class, Conservatoire PESM Pole Enseignement Supérieur de Musique, Bayonne Pascal Contet is well-known as pioneer of contemporary music in France. He studied in Fribourg, Switzerland, the Hanover Academy of Music with Elisabeth Moser, the Copenhagen Royal Conservatory, Denmark, and at the Graz Academy of the Arts, Austria, with Mogens Ellegaard. He is the laureate of many foundations and prizes including the Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet Vocational Foundation (awarded and bestowed by French President, François Mitterrand), the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation, the Gyorgy Cziffra Foundation, the Lavoisier Foundation, the Gus Viseur Prize, and the Samfundet Prize (awarded by the Danish government). As a soloist, Contet has performed under the direction of conductors such as Pierre Boulez, François Xavier Roth, Pascal Rophé, Esa Pekka Salonen, Diego Masson, James Wood, Susanna Mäkkli, Denis Comtet, Arie Van Beek, Laurent Petitgirard, and Daniel Tosi, among others. He performs with many ensembles and as a soloist. For further information email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr |
Declan Aungier plays for dancing – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
Accordionist Declan Aungier plays for dancing this weekend, as follows: Saturday January 21st - Midleton GAA Pavilion, CountyCork Sunday January 22nd, 3pm-6pm - Castle Arms, Durrow, County Laois Sunday January 22nd, 9.30pm-11.45pm - Piltown GAA Complex, County Kilkenny Declan Aungier began studying the piano accordion at the age of 9, became interested in Irish and Scottish traditional music at age 13, and became All-Ireland Under 18 Piano Accordion 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. Equally skilled on keyboards, piano and guitar, Declan is also church organist in his home village of Rathangen, County Kildare. For further information email: declan@declanaungier.com |
Gran Gala della Fisarmonica, Milan - Italyby Rob Howard |
On Sunday January 22nd, 7pm onwards, there will be an evening of dancing to the music of the accordionist Giuseppe Spinelli, the orchestra of Davide Trotta, and several guest accordionists at Luna Rossa, San Giulano Milanese, Via Risorgimento 27, Milan. |
Erika’s Sunday Afternoon Dance Date, Floreffe – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
On Sunday January 22nd, 2pm, the popular accordionist Erika, known as ‘The Princess of the Accordion’ and her keyboard accompanist Jean-Marie, play for dancing at the restaurant 11 S’Y Sent Bien, Riverre 11, Floreffe, Belgium. Erika Honorez is from Tilly, a village close to Villers La Ville in Belgium. She comes from a musical family, and received her first accordion at the age of 5 years. Erika's teacher was Mr Franz Lebrun from the Brussels Conservatory, and she studied the theory of music and classical music, and then specialized in the musette genre. Since 1981 Erika has been performing, composing, and recording. She has appeared on radio and TV in Belgium and France. Erika has recorded many CDs and DVDs, which are available through her website. For further information email: erika@erika.be |
Quinteto del Fuego Tour, New York, Princeton, Philadelphia – USAby Rob Howard |
The Quinteto del Fuego, from Switzerland, perform the music of Astor Piazzolla on a short concert tour organised by and as part of the New York Chamber Music Festival. The dates include: Sunday January 22nd, 7.30pm – St Stephen’s Church, New York City Monday January 23rd, 7.30pm – Miller Chapel (Theological Seminary), Princeton, New Jersey Tuesday January 24th, 7.30pm - Trinity Memorial Church, Philadelphia Wednesday January 25th, 7.30pm - St Stephen’s Church, New York City The members of Quinteto del Fuego are Stéphane Chapuis (bandoneon), Elmira Darvarova (violin), Lionel Monnet (piano), Irina-Kalina Goudeva (double bass), and George Vassilev (guitar). Upcoming in the Spring of 2017 is their debut CD recording of masterpieces by Piazzolla on Affetto/Naxos. |
‘From Paris with Love’ – Joanna Strand and Friends, London – UKby Rob Howard |
‘From Paris with Love’ is a concert on Sunday January 22nd, 7pm, starring vocalist Joanna Strand at Live at Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED. She will be ably backed by Romano Viazzani on accordion, John Bailey on piano, and Yaron Stavi on double bass. Sensational jazz-cabaret songstress Joanna Strand returns to Live at Zedel with her ‘beautiful, pure and richly melodic voice’ (John Etheridge). She is joined by the French opera star Olivier Dumait, who will bring his warm lyric tenor to this evening of sumptuous French masterpieces including songs by Kosma, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Glanzberg. For further information email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk |
Motion Trio Concert Tour – Franceby Rob Howard |
Video: Szalone akordeony - Motion Trio The superb Motion Trio perform several concerts in the La Folle Journee Festival in France in late January and early February, as follows: January 28th, 2.45pm – Theatre Saint-Louis, Cholet January 28th, 8.30pm – Salle Louis-Calude Roux, Challons January 29th, 4pm – Grande Halle, ‘Espace culturel René Cassin’, Fontenay-le-Comte February 1st - Nantes February 2nd - Nantes February 3rd - Nantes February 4th, 9.15am – Nantes February 4th, 1pm – Nantes February 5th – Nantes February 10th – L'Espace du Roudour, Morlaix Also performing at the La Folle Journee Festival, in concerts between January 27th and February 5th, will be the Richard Galliano Sextet. The Motion Trio is an internationally renowned Polish accordion trio. Formed in 1996, the Motion Trio are Janusz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek, and Marcin Galazyn. Using all the advantages of the accordion in their creations, the Motion Trio continually explore the new possibilities of this instrument, changing the way that it is perceived. Their concerts are musical performances that contain action and drama. For further information email: annawojtarowicz@akordeonus.com |
CNIMA Accordion Courses, Auvergne – Franceby Rob Howard |
There are accordion courses, aimed at professional and advanced level amateur accordionists, dealing with techniques, harmony and styles, including the Brazilian Forro genre, from February 13th to 17th and 20th to 24th at CNIMA J.Mornet. Further details are on the CNIMA J.Mornet website. CNIMA-J. Mornet is the well-known accordion school founded and run by Professor Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix. CNIMA-J. Mornet is based at Les Ludines, 63950 Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne, situated in the south of France. There is easy access to Cnima by highways A71, A75 and A89, and a train station locally where the CNIMA’s team will pick up. Information at www.cnima.com For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
New and Updated Sites |
Alessandrini Accordions Factory Interview, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Video 1: Giorgio Conte at CQFP 2011 Video 2: Piotr Rangno @ Jazzfest Gronau 2013 "Know the People" Alessandrini Accordions Factory Interview 2017Alessandrini with: Tonino Alessandrini (Owner) Daniela Alessandrini (Owner) Editor: Holda Paoletti-Kampl "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 2017Alessandrini |
New Site: Lars Ek Original Compositions - Swedenby Lars Ek |
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: ek131 - Mikaelas Polka ek132 - The Norrtulls Waltz ek133 - Nu Blommar Angen ek134 - Oh Wunderful Archipelago ek135 - Polka for Fun ek136 - Ransaterjoy ek137 - Samba Isopor ek138 - Sambo Hambo ek139 - Schottis på Vikafjallet ek140 - Ska Vi Dansa Schottis |
New release: Jessi Teich & Laurent Derache Duets eTracks Album - USAby Harley Jones |
mp3 eTracks album by Jessi Teich & Laurent Derache released on 8th December. Sound samples now online. Singer Jessi Teich, International Award Winning Indie Singer, Songwriter, Musician, and Performer based in Los Angeles writes: "I have added a video above that my amazing team put together so you can see some of the footage from the recording session. Enjoy! It is with great pleasure that I share one of my most treasured projects with you today - "the duets". Rarely do I perform covers, but these particular ones are all very special to me.' Each one of these songs has moved my musical heart in one way or another throughout my life. I hope they bring you joy and peace in this upcoming holiday season!" The single mp3 tracks and album are available online at: TheDuets00eT |
NAA New Website & Promoting 30th Anniversary Convention in Texas - USAby Norman Seaton |
The National Accordion Association (NAA) President Norman Seaton (picture left) announces the new NAA website which has been totally reconstructed to be mobile friendly and allow people on phones as well as on computer, to look for any accordion-related information within 3 clicks. The new site also promotes the the 30th Anniversary Convention of the NAA at the Hyatt Regency in Richardson, Texas from March 8- 11, 2017. Full information and registration details are online on the new website at: http://www.NationalAccordion.org |
Updated Site: Yehuda Oppenheimer (1925-2012) Music Published - Israelby Harley Jones |
Further music composed or arranged by Yehuda Oppenheimer (1925-2012) has been published. OY509 - Serenade - Tosselli OY523 - Debka (Oriental Dance OY579 - Souvenir d'amour (Valse Romantique) OY594 - Ave Verum corpus - Mozart OY596 - Mazurka (Traditional Polish) OY559 - Tumbalalaika (4 part arrangement) OY608 - Toy Symphony Haydn View sample pages of the music and purchase online. |
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