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Highlights |
CIA Winter Congress to be held in Ikaalinen - Finland
International Accordion Festival 2011 Press Party, Vienna - Austria
International Accordion Competition, Vilnius – Lithuania
2011 Championships & Festival and NZAA 40th Anniversary – New Zealand
New Theatre Production, ‘The Accordionist’, Poole, Exeter, London – UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
CD Nominated for the Norwegian ‘Grammy Awards’, Oslo - Norway
Kronos Quartet/Kimmo Pohjonen/Samuli Kosminen – ‘Uniko’ CD release – Finland
7th Accordion Trophy in VERSUTTA 2011 - Italy
’Silver Disk’ Award to Owen Murray, Moscow – Russia
Frédéric Deschamps Seminars - France, China
Film Music Ensemble Concert - Italy
‘14 Years Ago’ – ‘Toccata for Accordion’ wins 1st prize - USA
Future events |
Marco Lo Russo in Theatrical Productions, Rome - Italy
‘Scotia’s Hardy Sons’ 5th Tour, South Island - New Zealand
The Lila Butler Memorial Ceilis, Sligo – Ireland
Erika ‘Princess of the Accordion’ Plays For Dancing, Ethe – Belgium
Stefan Andrusyschyn @ Harlow AC, Essex – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Prof. Li Cong Website is Updated, Shanghai - China
NAA Publications New Music Releases
Sites Updated with Photo Text
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Accordion Russia News Site Opens - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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| The Accordion Russia News website opened on January 15th 2011 and will be published monthly from February 1st 2011. The Accordion Russia News website plans to be “an important information resource about ‘Accordion Russia’ with: - information for professionals and amateurs of all interesting events taking place in Russia and abroad with the participation of Russian artists - reviews of new CDs, books and music - analysis and background articles - reports from the major competitions and festivals - accordion industry information.” The editors are Alexander Selivanov and Yulia Amerikova, graduates of the Gnessin Academy of Music, Moscow, well known internationally for performances of the duo Una Sinistra, Coupe Mondiale jury members, international competition winners, tutors at Gnessin Academy. The Accordion Russia News can be translated online into most languages. |
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CIA Winter Congress to be held in Ikaalinen - Finlandby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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| The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) will hold their Winter Congress and 125th General Assembly of Delegates in Ikaalinen, Finland from March 4 - 6, 2011. Delegates and attendees will stay at the beautiful Ikaalinen Spa Hotel, the largest Spa Resort in Scandanavia, which is located on the shores of what will be the very 'frozen' Lake Kyrösjärvi, the site of many spectacular winter activities and nature settings. Hosted by the CIA member, the Suomen Harmonikkaliitto (Finnish Accordion Association), Ikaalinen profiles some of the many accordion activities found in Finland such as the Finnish Accordion Association which has some 5,000 plus members and features a regular publication of their news, a 50 plus page high quality magazine entitled ‘Hanuri’, the Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival, attracting some 40,000 people offers performances and concerts covering a broad range of held in a variety of settings, as well as an all accordion winter cruise which attracts thousands. In addition, Ikaalinen is also home to the Finnish Accordion Institute which caters to academic accordion activities with the archives of accordion activities, publishing new and past accordion works, CDs and other important accordion projects and the CIA Archive Center featuring a tremendous array of historical material pertaining to the history of not only the CIA, but many of its member organizations. Ikaalinen is also home to an Accordion Museum showcasing over 100 instruments of various styles as well as an Accordion Making School where students learn the age old craft of making accordions from scratch. For more information on the 2011 Winter Congress, please visit the CIA website and follow the link to the Winter Congress. |
International Accordion Festival 2011 Press Party, Vienna - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 A press party with music, to announce the forthcoming International Accordion Festival 2011, was held on January 18th in Vienna. Performing were Sasha Shevchenko (accordion) and Maciej Golebiowski (clarinet).The 12th International Accordion Festival 2011 takes place at venues in Vienna from February 26th until March 27th, and includes some 42 events by such famous musicians as the Richard Galliano Sextet, Otto Lechner, Martin Lubenov, Klaus Paier, Chango Spasiuk, and many more. A host of accordion stars from around the world will be performing virtually every type of music. Download the .pdf program file (4.9MB). 2011 Festival Wien For further information email: friedl.preisl@aon.at |
International Accordion Competition, Vilnius – Lithuaniaby Rob Howard |
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 The International Accordion Competition Vilnius 2011, organized by the Lithuanian Accordion Association, takes place from April 6th to 9th. The venue is the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.This increasingly prestigious festival also includes the ninth annual National Lithuanian Accordion Competition, which also serves as a selection process for entry to the International Accordion Competitions. Competitors are grouped into 11 categories by the age and the chosen genre of the performance. We will hear the soloists and ensembles of various configurations, also the orchestras performing various genres of music. Entries close, March 10, 2011. The rules of the competition in English may be downloaded: 2011 Vilnius The Chairman of the International Accordion Competition Organizing Committee is Raimondas Sviackevicius, President of the Lithuanian Accordionists Association. For further information email: info@laas.lt |
2011 Championships & Festival and NZAA 40th Anniversary – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 The Prospectus (Regulations) for the 2011 South Pacific International & New Zealand National Accordion Championships & Festival, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June, is now online on the NZAA website for easy download. 2011 NZ Prospectus.There are lots of exciting activities planned for the 40th Anniversary, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The aim is to have over 120 players in the Massed Orchestra, the return of 2009 Coupe Mondiale and 2010 Trophée Mondiale Champion Grayson Masefield (picture right) to perform a classical and entertainment music concert, getting together with all our past NZ Champions and South Pacific Champions, competition winners performing, a trip to Dargaville and the 40th Anniversary display in the museum there, finishing with a dinner to honor John Statham (picture right) who is retiring as the NZAA President after 27 years in the position. The NZAA has a free email newsletter system and we are asking all NZ accordionists to please put their name on the free email information list so they are kept up to date with all that is planned. Its on the front page of the NZAA website. International people are welcome too. For full information, prospectus and to join the free email newsletter list, view the NZAA website. 2011 NZ Prospectus |
New Theatre Production, ‘The Accordionist’, Poole, Exeter, London – UKby Rob Howard |
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| ‘The Accordionist’ is the title of a new musical production, written by and starring the singer Bethany Jameson and accordionist Romano Viazzani, is about the relationship between an Edith Piaf tribute singer and her accompanist. Romano Viazzani has an acting role, plays accordion on stage, and has composed/arranged most of the music. One of the songs is written by Karen Street. The other songs used are classic Piaf numbers. Performance details: February 8th to 11th, 7.30pm (matinee at 2.30pm, on Thursday 10th) – Lighthouse Centre, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole, Dorset BH15 1UG March 1st to 5th, 7.30pm – The Bike Shed Theatre, 163/3 Fore St, Exeter EX4 3AT April 5th to 24th, 7.30pm (matinees at 3pm on 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 23rd, 24th) – New End Theatre, Hampstead, London NW3 1JD For further information email: romanoviazzani@btconnect.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Great Success for the 2nd Accordion Festival, San Vito al Tagliamento – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 In the splendid setting of the Theatre Arrigoni, S. Vito al Tagliamento (Pn) the 2nd edition of the Accordion Festival was held on December 18th and 19th, organized by Pro Loco Borgna, with the support of local musical instruments and the region Friuli Venezia Giulia, and attended by many renowned international artists.The concert held on December 18th, ‘From Baroque to Contemporary’, was dedicated to the bayan accordion and performed by Adolfo Del Conte from Friaul, Professor at the Conservatory U. Giordano in Foggia, and Massimiliano Pitocco, from Pescarar, Professor at the Conservatory S. Cecilia in Rome. The two well-known musicians played masterfully works by J. S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, F. Mendelssohn, R. Schumann, A. Beloschitsky, M. Constant, and Solotarev. The concert on the 19th, ‘The Classical Accordion and Varietè’, involved Saria Convertino, Angelo Miele (lower picture) and Mario D'Amario (upper picture). These are three young, but already established musicians, masterfully performed works of J. S. Bach, I. Albeniz, A. Kusiakov, F. Angelis, R. Galliano, and R. Ruggieri. Both concerts were highly acclaimed by music critics and the large audiences. For the first time, an accordion master class was held by Del Cont and Pitocco, with the participation of excellent students from Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. Due to its success, plans are already in progress for the third festival in the month of October. |
CD Nominated for the Norwegian ‘Grammy Awards’, Oslo - Norwayby Rob Howard |
 This week accordionist Øivind Farmen's latest CD, ‘Norwegian Safari’, (cover left) was nominated for ‘Spellemannprisen’ (the Norwegian equivalent to the ‘Grammy Awards’) in the category of contemporary music. Øivind Farmen - picture lower left.The announcement of the winner will be held on a national TV show, on March 5th 2011. The CD contains music from the composers H. Berge, A. Bibalo, W. Plagge, T. Bjørklund and S. Lillebjerka. It is all solo accordion, except one piece played together with the renowned violinist Elise Båtnes, concert master of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. For further information email: farmen@farmen.net |
Kronos Quartet/Kimmo Pohjonen/Samuli Kosminen – ‘Uniko’ CD release – Finlandby Rob Howard |
 The long awaited album ‘Uniko’, by Kimmo Pohjonen, Samuli Kosminen and the Kronos Quartet will be released on CD and digital download in Finland on February 9th by the Finnish company Ondine. International releases: Germany - February 14th, North America – February 22nd, Japan - February 23rd, UK - February 28th, and worldwide throughout February and March 2011.‘Uniko’ is the seven-part work composed by accordionist Pohjonen and sampling guru Kosminen, which had its World Premiere concert with the Kronos Quartet at the Helsinki Festival in 2004. Subsequent ‘Uniko’ performances took place in Moscow, Norway, and its North American Premiere took place with three sold-out concerts at the BAM NEXT WAVE Festival in New York in 2007. The ‘Uniko’ album was recorded at Avatar studio in NYC, produced by Iceland's Valgeir Sigurðsson, mixed at Greenhouse studio in Reykjavik, with additional recordings and mixes in Helsinki. “The music is sheer physicality”… ‘Uniko’ is like an ocean tide coming in. Big waves of sound build in complexity, animation and sometimes sheer frenzy, then abruptly retreat into small lyrical moments, amplified pizzicatos or buzzings by some huge and imaginary insect. Mr Pohjonen, a virtuoso on an accordion wired for sound, guided things along and became so excited at the end that one worried about his well-being.”– Bernard Holland, New York Times For further information email: pap@hoedown.com |
7th Accordion Trophy in VERSUTTA 2011 - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
  The 7th Accordion Trophy will be held in – SAN GIOVANNI DI CASARSA – Pordenone/Italy on the 23rd of January, starting at 4 pm. Un important appointment under the guidance of BIASIN Denis / Azzano Decimo and the ZAHRE ACCORDION ORCHESTRA.The company BIASIN Strumenti Musicali is organizing an exhibition with accordions from the most prestigous manufacturers such as.... VICTORIA, SCANDALLI, PAOLO SOPRANI, COOPERFISA, V-ACCORDION ROLAND e ZAHRE Present also the italian winner of the Roland Digital Competition Daniele Rossi (foto above) and Giliano Sessolo - Sculpture (foto right) More information from BIASIN Denis info@biasin.com |
’Silver Disk’ Award to Owen Murray, Moscow – Russiaby Rob Howard |
 The prestigious ’Silver Disk’, for special accomplishments in the field of accordion culture, was awarded to Owen Murray at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, Moscow, on December 19th 2010 at the closing ceremony of the 5th International Competition of Bayanists and Accordionists. The citation was made in recognition of his outstanding contribution to accordion culture as a teacher and performer. To be recognized in this way, in the heart of the Russian accordion world, is a great honor. Owen Murray is the first UK accordionist to be awarded a 'Silver Disk'. In 1993 he was made an 'Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music', Hon RAM, the Academy's highest honour. Professor Murray founded the Accordion Department at the RAM in 1986, and has successfully worked over the years to raise the profile of the accordion in the UK. |
Frédéric Deschamps Seminars - France, Chinaby |
 From December 25th to 31st, Frédéric Deschamps held seminars at la Selle sur le Bied, a small commune about 1 hour from Paris. Young and old from all corners of France and Europe attended to learn teaching and performance techniques.From January 7th to 9th, a VIP Intensive Master Class was organized by Frédéric Deschamps preparing students for TV programs that are planned for 2011. Also teaching during these master classes was Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) and Pietro Adragna (Italy), both winners of numerous international competitions in recent years and making their first steps in the field of education under the watchful eye of Frédéric. The profession of teacher, a broad topic and often the opposite of that of concert performance, will be integrated into the traditional Deschamps courses being held throughout this next year for the purposes of training accordion teachers. Following intensive preparation in January, Grayson Masefield and Pietro Adragna will accompany Frédéric Deschamps to Shanghai, China from January 14th to 22nd to perform a concert and also, to work alongside Frédéric teaching students. Further courses are planned at la Selle sur le Bied for February 20th to 26th and February 26th to March 3rd, preparing students for the the upcoming pre-casting qualifications in April for the Armony TV 'Accordeon Academy' Reality Show Series. For further information email: frederic.deschamps@wanadoo.fr or phone: 06 17 85 38 19 |
Film Music Ensemble Concert - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| The Film Music Ensemble presented at their concert on the 23rd of December in the l’Auditorium-Chiesa del SS. Sacramento in Offagna a concert, of many well known film themes by composers such as Morricone, Williams, Piazzolla, Mancini, Schifrin, Micalizzi, Piccioni, Ellington, Rota. The Film Music Ensemble director is Paolo Picchio (accordion), Deborah Vico (saxaphone), Gloria Frontini (flute). The concert was very popular and the ensemble received several standing ovations from the full auditorium. |
‘14 Years Ago’ – ‘Toccata for Accordion’ wins 1st prize - USAby Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending January 17th 1997 carried a story noting the competition success of ‘Toccata for Accordion’, a new composition by William Popp, then serving in the US military. Hopefully, this work is still being performed today…A WINNING COMPOSITION BY ACCORDIONIST WILLIAM POPP Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association SMSgt William Popp, noted accordionist with the U.S. Air Force Band, is an accomplished composer as well. His work ‘Toccata for Accordion’ recently won first place in a composition contest held in California. Competing with more than 200 other entries, Popp's piece took top honours and is scheduled to be performed in the Spring of 1997. Popp majored on accordion, studying under Professor Robert Davine, at Lamont College of Music at the University of Denver. In 1995 he performed at the Second International Accordion Art Festival in Beijing by invitation from the Chinese Government. |
Future events |
Bin Lu at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall - Australiaby Harley Jones |
 2010 AATA International Open Accordion Champion Bin Lu (China- picture right) has continued living in Sydney for some 18 months and studying with accordion teacher Zeljko Bedic (picture left). Bin Lu for his performance music HSC (Higher School Certificate) examinations had received top scores and the New South Wales education authorities requested a couple of hundred of the very best HSC music students to submit a video of their HSC solo and ensemble performance programs. From that, only 22 have been selected to perform at the famous Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on the 7th February 2011 for the ENCORE concert. ENCORE is an annual NSW Board of Studies concert program of outstanding music performances and compositions from HSC music student examinations, held annually at the Sydney Opera House. Congratulations to Bin Lu for his performance and having the accordion represented at the concert. |
Marco Lo Russo in Theatrical Productions, Rome - Italyby Rob Howard |
| Accordionist Marco Lo Russo performs in three theatrical shows, as follows: January 18th to 23rd – with Isabel Russinova, Teatro dell'Orologio, Rome February 1st to 6th – with Fiorenza Marchegiani, Teatro dell'Orologio, Rome February 8th to 13th – with Mita Medici, Teatro dell'Orologio, Rome For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
‘Scotia’s Hardy Sons’ 5th Tour, South Island - New Zealandby Rob Howard |
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| The duo ‘Scotia’s Hardy Sons’, David Vernon (accordion, bagpipes) and Dennis Alexander (guitar, vocals) from Scotland, return to New Zealand for their 5th tour during February. This time all their gigs will be on the South Island, as follows: February 4th - RSA Club, Timaru February 5th - Suburban Club, Nelson February 6th - Richmond Club, Christchurch February 8th - venue tbc, Fairlie February 9th - venue tbc, Ranfurly February 10th – RSA Club, Mosgiel February 11th - Country Club, Milton February 12th – RSA Club, Gore February 13th – RSA Club, Ashburton For further information email: dvernon100@aol.com |
The Lila Butler Memorial Ceilis, Sligo – Irelandby Rob Howard |
| The Lila Butler Memorial Ceili dances take place on February 5th and 6th at the Southern Hotel, Sligo, in the Irish Republic, with all proceeds donated to the North West Hospice. On Saturday evening February 5th, 10pm, the Innisfree Ceili Band provide the music for a ceili. The following morning, Sunday February 6th, 11.30am - 1 pm, there is a Sean Nos Irish dancing workshop, led by Gerald Butler, and in the afternoon, 2.30 to 5.30, a ceili with The Swallows Tail Ceilidh Band. |
Erika ‘Princess of the Accordion’ Plays For Dancing, Ethe – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday January 23rd, 3pm, Erika ‘Princess of the Accordion’ accompanied by Jean-Marie, play for a dance at Echo du Thon, Ethe, Belgium.For further information: 0032(0)475.20.58.04: |
Stefan Andrusyschyn @ Harlow AC, Essex – UKby Rob Howard |
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| Accordion virtuoso Stefan Andrusyschyn and opera singer Denise Leigh perform in concert at Harlow Accordion Club on February 17th, 7.30pm. Also appearing will be the Harlow Accordion Band (MD Jean Hanger). The organizer is Jean Hanger, and the venue is The Links Social Club, Parsloe Road, Harlow, Essex CM19 4RT. Chris Lovell will present a display of instruments representing The Accordion Shop. For further information email: jeanhanger@ntlworld.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Charnwood Publications Releases New Piecesby Charnwood Publishing |
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| Charnwood Publications releases 6 new pieces by composer Douglas Ward titled, 'Khalif of Kotar', catalog:DW912, 'Lamentosa', catalog:DW913, 'Rhapsidium for a Rainy Day', catalog:DW914, 'Three Down Up', catalog:DW915, 'Two Boots', catalog:DW916 and 'Jabbermouth', catalog:DW917. Samples of the music are available online. Purchase with credit card. |
Prof. Li Cong Website is Updated, Shanghai - Chinaby Prof. Li Cong, President, China Accordion Association |
 Prof. Li Cong website is updated. 1995, President of Shanghai Accordion Association; 1998, Accordions Worldwide China Director 2002, Vice President of Chinese Accordion Association (CAA); 2009, Vice Director of Normal Universities Accordion Committee, Chinese Society of Education; 2009, Director of Chinese Musicians Association; 2010, Member of Music Committee, CIA Professor and also dean of Music College in Shanghai Normal University. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
| National Accordion Association releases 4 new pieces, 'Over The Waves (Medium Level)', catalog:naa187, 'Polly Wolly Doodle', catalog:naa189, 'Golden Slippers', catalog:naa190 and 'I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover', catalog:naa197. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Sites Updated with Photo Textby Harley Jones |
| Sites Updated with Photo Text to be found for better search engine response. CMA Trophée Mondiale website Coupe Mondiale website http://www.accordions.com/roland http://www.accordions.com/index/squ/archives/0911/roland/ http://www.accordions.com/concorso/ http://www.accordions.com/brazil_concurso http://www.accordions.com/aata/ |
CD Reviews |
Viva Voce CD Reviewby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Viva Voce CD by Joan Sommers. Performer is Friedrich Lips. Review in English and German languages. |
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