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Highlights |
Video: World Accordion Orchestra VIII, Salzburg - Austria
Roberta Cantow's Documentary "A Word" to be Released Soon - USA
Video - "I Love You, Life" Concert Featuring Shishkin & Poeluev - Russia
Don Lipovac Hall of Fame, 51st Thanksgiving Polka Weekend, Ohio – USA
Accordion Festival Stamp Issued, Salto – Uruguay
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Internet Spoof: Pope Francis Absolves Accordion Players! - Cyberspace
Videos: Coupe Mondiale Masters Category Winners - Austria
Milos Milivojevic Granted Permanent Residence in the UK
Video: Motion Trio Perform "The Heart" - Poland
Video: International Competition for Ensemble Music Winners - Austria
Video: Petar Maric’s Autumn Tour - USA, Canada, Portugal, and Norway
Video: Artem Nyzhnyk Performs La Nativité du Seigneur - Netherlands
‘14 Years Ago’: Caister Accordion Festival Success in November 2000
Future events |
30th Nuit de Accordion, Andreze - France
Erika & Jean-Marie Bal Populaire, Rochefort – Belgium
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina, Rome - Italy
NAO North Central Championships, West Yorkshire – UK
Annual Charity Concert, Macclesfield – UK
Edo and Dina Krilic Concert, Ancona - Italy
London Accordion Orchestra's Winter Concert, London – UK
New and Updated Sites |
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Joan Cochran Sommers CIA Honorary Member Award - Austriaby Harley Jones |
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 At the 2014 Coupe Mondiale in Salzburg, the 132nd CIA International General Assembly of Delegates Congress unanimously voted that Joan Cochran Sommers (USA) be a CIA Honorary Member. Joan Sommers spoke: "Thank you very much for this great honor, which I accept with sincere pride and great humility. One of the greatest gifts my mother and father gave me was to purchase an accordion and enroll me in lessons to learn how to play it. I loved the instrument and eventually earned the right to compete in the Coupe Mondiale competitions held in Brighton, England (1955) and again in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland (1956). It was there that I began making friends from all over the world. I learned that I really wanted to be a teacher. Luckily, I had many very outstanding students who also eventually earned the right to represent their country in the Coupe Mondiale. And during those years I began serving in various positions representing both the Accordionists and Teachers Guild (USA) and the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes. I thank each one of you, my very dear accordion friends, for this great honor. I love all of you!" The delegates responded with a standing ovation to thank Joan Sommers for an incredible life of music and so many years of superb service to the accordion community. The CIA presented Joan Sommers with a book (prepared by Alison Worthington) profiling her life as a contestant from 1955 (picture left) and 1956, through to today. She was a competitor, teacher of competitors, Coupe Mondiale Organiser, Executive Officer, Delegate, Jury Member and more recently founded the World Accordion Orchestra which just celebrated its eighth edition. Joan retired from the Executive Committee at the Salzburg Congress after 60 years of CIA activities. The Honorary Member Certificate was presented to Joan Sommers at the Saturday night Coupe Mondiale Prize Giving. Joan Sommers spoke: "I found out that the delegates had voted this in and I had many tears..... I can tell you, that I accept this with real humility, its a wonderful honor. I am eager to keep my hand in the accordion world, they're the best friends, you can't beat an accordion friend, they are your best friends. I urge all of the young people here to stay with the accordion, there are many ways you can stay in music without being a concert artist. You can do many things with music and it will be the love of your life. Thank you so much." Heartfelt huge applause followed. |
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Video: World Accordion Orchestra VIII, Salzburg - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Video 2: A Tribute to Bernstein conducted by Werner Weibert
Video 3: Let There Be Peace on Earth conducted by Joan Cochran Sommers
| Pictures, videos and a full report of the World Accordion Orchestra VIII is online at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/at_report_wao.html Picture below: CIA President Raymond Bodell presenting commemorative trophies to the World Accordion Orchestra VIII conductors Jacob Noordzi, Joan Cochran Sommers and Werner Weibert. |
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Roberta Cantow's Documentary "A Word" to be Released Soon - USAby Rob Howard |
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 "The A Word: Accordions Live and Kickin" is a new documentary on the accordion. The trailer will be released very soon.According to its creator, filmmaker Roberta Cantow, it is "a film about a maligned musical instrument. For some, it is the forbidden one. For others in the know, there has been an explosion of interest over it and its many faces and facets. Let the accordion music story begin!" |
Video - "I Love You, Life" Concert Featuring Shishkin & Poeluev - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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| Video of the the "I Love You, Life" concert on Sunday November 16th in Rostov-on-Don featuring Yuri Shishkin, Alexander Poeluev, laureates of the "Accordion Plus" competition, folk ensemble "The Dontsy" and "Any" and the outstanding baritone from Moscow Vasily Pianoff. All videos of the concert (14 video boxes) at: 2014Life This concert was organised by the International Music Center "Harmony" which is the CIA member and host organiser of the 2016 Coupe Mondiale which will be held in Rostov-on-Don. |
Don Lipovac Hall of Fame, 51st Thanksgiving Polka Weekend, Ohio – USAby Rob Howard |
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 The Thanksgiving Polka Weekend, incorporating the Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show, takes place from Thursday November 27th until Saturday 29th at the Cleveland Downtown Marriot Hotel, Key Center, Cleveland, Ohio.Popular accordionist Don Lipovac (April 3, 1935 - April 26, 2014) is being inducted posthumously to the Polka Hall of Fame. Don Lipovac was America's champion accordion player in 1958 and went on to lead the best-known polka orchestra in the Kansas City area. He wrote and arranged more than 500 songs and taught two generations of accordion and tamburitza students. Don Lipovac was once described as a "cultural treasure" by the Kansas Art Council and was voted by the membership and board of the Polka Hall of Fame for his lifetime of musical achievement. The event involves three days of dancing with top Cleveland-Style and Slovenian polka bands and performers from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canada. Performers include the Polka Band of the Year, the Frank Stanger Orchestra, Walter Ostanek, Nashville’s Joey Miskulin of Riders in the Sky, Alex Meixner, Mike Schneider and TV’s Chardon Polka Band. Other featured artists include: Frank Svet, Frank Moravcik, Fairport Jammers, Bob Kravos, Linda Lee Brown, Klancnik & Friends, Ralph Turek, Skovenski Band, Fritz’s Polka Band, Dale Bucar, Rob DeBlander, Button Box Divas, Fred Ziwich, Mike Luteran, and Patty C & The Guys. For the first time, the Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show will be staged in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel on Saturday November 29th at 2pm. The gala 27th Annual Awards Show is the high point of the three-day Thanksgiving Polka Party Weekend hosted by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum at the Marriott. Two long-time musicians will be inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame: musician and WINT radio host Denny Bucar, of Euclid, Ohio, and the late accordionist and bandleader Don Lipovac of Kansas City. For further information email: Polkashop@aol.com |
Accordion Festival Stamp Issued, Salto – Uruguayby Rob Howard |
  This week the Mail Uruguayan Mail Service has issued a special this stamp commemorating the 5th International Meeting of Accordions festival held in Salto this summer. The stamp is an acknowledgment of the long-term work on behalf of the accordion and the festival by the organisers Silvio Previale and his son of the same name. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Beltango Quintet Accompany Fabian and Michaela, Munich - Germanyby Harley Jones |
| Published on Nov 5, 2014. An improvisation by dancers Fabian and Michaela with the Beltango Quintet, "Milonga Del 900" at the 2014 Einstein Kultur, München, Germany. Triple CD Pack available online at: Beltango |
Internet Spoof: Pope Francis Absolves Accordion Players! - Cyberspaceby Rob Howard |
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| There is a story currently circulating on Facebook and Twitter, almost certainly a spoof, concerning the Pope. It reads: In breaking news, Pope Francis absolves all accordion players. In a statement to the press, Pope Francis said, "It's time to forgive them for all the past suffering they have inflicted - as long as they play something cool, like Zydeco or Tex-Mex." An official ceremony will be held at "Our Lady of Spain Catholic Church". |
Videos: Coupe Mondiale Masters Category Winners - Austriaby Harley Jones |
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J.-P. Rameau La Villageoise
J.-P. Rameau Le Rappel Des Oiseaux
K. Aho Black Birds Movs. 1, 3
S. Voitenko Revelation
M. Moszkowski Tarantella
Coupe Mondiale Masters Category 2nd Place: Knezevic, Aleksandar (Serbia), Program:
J.P. Rameau l'Egyptienne
J. Ganzer Passacaglia
A. Kusyakov Partita
C. Bom Perpetuo Mobile
Coupe Mondiale Masters Category 3rd = Place: Bendas, Vasil (Ukraine), Program:
J.P. Rameau Le rappel des oiseaux
S. Rachmaninoff Barcarolle Op.10 No. 3
G. Hermosa Fragilissimo
V. Semyonov Caprice No. 1
Coupe Mondiale Masters Category 3rd = Place: Lazic, Nikolas (Austria), Program:
J.S. Bach French Suite No. 1 Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue D Minor BWV 812
S. Haapamäki Power
F. Angelis Intérieur
| Coupe Mondiale Video Archive and Education Project is sponsored by Pigini srl, with the assistance of Accordions Worldwide and the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA). |
Milos Milivojevic Granted Permanent Residence in the UKby Rob Howard |
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| Milos Milivojevic, from Serbia, has been granted permanent right to residence in the UK. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Milos Milivojevic has been a first prizewinner at international competitions in Germany, France, Italy and Denmark. In July 2007 he became the first accordionist ever to win the RAM Club Prize at the Royal Academy of Music. After completing his studies in Kragujevac Music School in Serbia with Vojin Vasovic, in 2002 he moved to London to study at the RAM with Owen Murray where he obtained the Postgraduate Diploma in July 2009 and was awarded with Dip RAM. Since graduation Milos has performed with distinction in many parts of the UK, and is well-known as a first rate ambassador for the accordion. Miloš has performed in venues such as the Wigmore Hall, St Martin in the Fields, National Portrait Gallery, Colston Hall Bristol, Keble College Oxford, and has performed at the Foundation Day awards ceremony in front of HRH The Princess Royal. Appearances at festivals include Cheltenham International Festival of Music, Aldeburgh Festival, Oxford Chamber Music Festival, Berio Festival, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Chichester, Swaledale, Hexham, and Grad Teatar Festival. He has premiered works by Anthony Gilbert, Howard Skempton, Elena Firsova, Stephane Altier, Patrick Nunn, Ben Foskett, Tom Lane, Elena Vorotko, Carlos Duque, Mark Bowden, Emily Hall, Chris Mayo, Anna Meredith, Philip Venables, and Robert Percy and has given the UK premiere of ‘Sequenza No.13’ by Luciano Berio. In master classes he has received guidance from many distinguished musicians, including Nicholas Cleobury, John Williams, Steven Isserlis and Gorgy Kurtag. Miloš is also a keen chamber musician. He is a member of the London Tango quintet, Kosmos Ensemble and AccordDuo. Internationally, he has performed in Russia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Serbia and Montenegro, Spain and the Canary Islands, Malta, Australia and New Zealand. He also performed live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, ABC and the Serbian National Radio and TV network. |
Video: Motion Trio Perform "The Heart" - Polandby Harley Jones |
| Motion Trio perform "The Heart". Published on Oct 8, 2014. Formed in 1996, the highly successful Motion Trio are Janusz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek, and Marcin Galazyn. They continually explore the new possibilities of the accordion in their performances and recordings, changing the way that it is perceived. Their concerts are musical performances that contain action and drama. The group has worked with such artists as Bobby McFerrin and Michal Urbaniak, and won such prizes as the grand prix 4th Edition of the Krzysztof Penderecki International Contemporary Chamber Music Competition. Its members consist of accordionists Janusz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek, and Marcin Galazyn. |
Video: International Competition for Ensemble Music Winners - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Program:
G.F. Händel Concerto grosso B Minor Mov. 2 Allegro
A. Marcello Oboe Concerto D Minor Mov. 2
A. Beloshitsky Spanish Tryptich
B. Precz Toccata
2nd International Competition for Ensemble Music, Duo Jedynecki-Mikolajczyk (Poland), Jedynecki, Iwo (Accordion)Mikolajczyk, Karolina (Violin)
Program:
B. Kaszuba Humoresque for violin and accordion
G. Finzi Impression Tango
Y. Takahashi Le double de Paganini
R. Shedrin Imitating Albeniz
3rd International Competition for Ensemble Music, Fantazy (Russian Federation), Mikhalev, Pavel (Accordion) Zhebrovskaia, Antonina (Domra)
Program
A. Tsigankov Padespania
B. May Green Hornet
M. Fuchsmann Last Farewell
S. Dzen China Fantasy
| Coupe Mondiale Video Archive and Education Project is sponsored by Pigini srl, with the assistance of Accordions Worldwide and the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA). |
Video: Petar Maric’s Autumn Tour - USA, Canada, Portugal, and Norwayby Rob Howard |
 Video: Petar Maric, performing at the 2nd Festival Acordeão in Tomar, Portugal. Published on Oct 8, 2014.Petar Maric, from Belgrade, Serbia, has recently finished his autumn tour of the USA, Canada, Portugal, and Norway. For a month and a half in the USA and Canada from the middle of August until the end of September Petar played a total of 35 concerts all over the East Coast region. He had a unique opportunity to present a solo accordion recital at the Kennedy Opera House in Washington DC. Early in October he went to Portugal for full week of a master class and several concerts. His Fall Tour finished in Norway at a popular accordion festival that has been organized for the last 40 years. Petar Maric – a competition winner at the Coupe Mondiale, Trophee Mondiale, Klingenthal and Castelfidardo - is currently preparing for a two months long Hawaiian and American tour starting early in December. |
Video: Artem Nyzhnyk Performs La Nativité du Seigneur - Netherlandsby Harley Jones |
| Published 6 November 2014. Artem Nyzhnyk performs La Nativité du Seigneur (The Birth of the Saviour) by O. Messiaen at Musica Sacra Maastricht Art Festival, the Netherlands on 21 September 2014. Artem Nyzhnyk, is a performer, teacher and composer from Ukraine. He has been a Laureate of international competitions in various countries. Since 2006, he has been the leading teacher at Donetsk State Music Academy. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Caister Accordion Festival Success in November 2000by Rob Howard |
  The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending November 17th 2000 included a report by Mike O’Regan about that year’s Caister Autumn Accordion Festival, and praising its success. Founded by the late Malcolm Gee (1940-97) in 1986, Caister proved to be a popular and prestigious annual event. Many well-known international accordionists appeared at Caister, which eventually moved location several times until it finished up at nearby Mundesley, where the final festival was held last month. We may never see its like again in this part of the UK. Something for Everyone at Caister Accordion Festival – England Contributed by Mike O'Regan From November 10th to 13th the Haven Holiday Camp in Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, England, became the focus of accordionists and accordion fans from the UK and abroad. The Caister Accordion Festival is fast becoming a major world event, and this year certainly added to its fame. The weekend was a mixture of contrasts. At one time the stage was occupied by Serge Duchesne (Canada), playing the latest in technology, an electronic, radio-controlled accordion, while later a band solely consisting of “vintage” accordions performed. There were numerous concerts by international competition winner Frédéric Langlais and Italian Vincenzo Abbracciante and later the same stage was used by amateur players, some of whom were playing for the first time in public! The “age” contrast came from 5 year old Andrew Lukins, playing with his mother and father (both professional accordionists). Andrew’s grandfather was a very well-known broadcasting accordionist in the 40’s and 50’s. At the other end of the time scale was “Mister Jimmy”, at the age of 88 and still a performing professional. On Saturday morning an attempt was made to break the Guinness Book of Records figure for accordionists playing simultaneously. A group of 201 played a short medley of Scottish Airs. The weekend had something for everyone, with workshops, impromptu bands and orchestras and even meals were eaten to the accompaniment of Harry Hussey. Guest of honor was Giancarlo Borsini, head of the Italian firm that bears his name. |
Future events |
St Andrew’s Ball, Bangkok – Thailandby Rob Howard |
  Video: Graham Geddes and Dave Morrice (violin) filmed for a Limex video demonstration. Published 2013.Accordionist Graham Geddes and his Scottish Dance Band have travelled to Thailand to play for the annual St Andrew’s Ball on Saturday November 22nd, 6.30pm until 2.30am, at the Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok. Graham and the band, from Aberdeen, will spend a week in Thailand, combining work with a holiday. This will be their 19th year in Bangkok for this dance. |
30th Nuit de Accordion, Andreze - Franceby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Jerome Richard and his orchestra perform at the 30th Nuit de Accordion on Saturday November 22nd, 7pm, at the Salle Omnisports, Andreze-Jub-Jallais FC, Andreze. Andrezé is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France. Also performing are accordionists Mickaël Vigneau and Fred Langlais. Admission is 25 € (including Apéritif, Assiette Anglaise, Pâtisserie, Café). This event has featured some of France’s leading accordionists, such as André Verchuren, Louis Corchia, Bruno Lorenzoni, Angelique, Sylvie Pulles, Emilio Corfa, etc. This year the organizers have entrusted the coordination of this event to Richard Jerome. |
Erika & Jean-Marie Bal Populaire, Rochefort – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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| On Saturday November 22nd, 2pm, Erika, known as ‘The Princess of the Accordion’ and her keyboard accompanist Jean-Marie play for dancing (un bal populaire) at the Salle le Velodrome, Rochefort, Belgium. |
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina, Rome - Italyby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist and composer Marco Lo Russo performs twice in the next week. On Sunday November 23rd, 4pm, during the celebrations of the feast of St. Cecilia, he will perform a short concert at the Loggia dei Mercanti in the centre of the medieval village of Sermoneta, Latina. Marco Lo Russo participates in an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of the writer and artist Giuseppe Fava, who was murdered by the Cosa Nostra. There will be readings by Ida di Benedetto, Ninni Bruschetta, Marta Bifano, Fabrizio Monaldi and Lorenza Sorino, accompanied by the improvisation of Marco Lo Russo, presenting the ideas of Giuseppe Fava. This takes place on Thursday November 27th, 8pm, at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (Experimental Centre of Cinematography) in Rome. Admission is free. For further information email: dina@marcolorusso.com |
NAO North Central Championships, West Yorkshire – UKby Rob Howard |
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 The NAO North Central Championships and Yorkshire Music Festival, a joint event, take place on Saturday November 29th at Beckfoot School in Bingley, West Yorkshire. The day includes a wide range of contest sections for accordion, plus competition classes for piano and guitar.Festival organiser Harry Hinchcliffe said: “The festival is in its 19th consecutive year and has grown over the years, providing a platform for musicians to experience the heart of playing live music at their respective level. Everyone is welcome to go along to listen to the soloists, groups and orchestras. Admission is free. Call 07749 76827 or 07749 76827 or visit cravenaccordionorchestra.co.uk for more details”. |
Annual Charity Concert, Macclesfield – UKby Rob Howard |
 Since 1999 Stockport Accordion Club has performed a fund raising concert in aid of the East Cheshire Hospice at the Broken Cross Club, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 8TU. The organizer is SAC member John Jones MBE. This year’s concert takes place on Friday December 5th, 7.45pm. The Stockport AC Band (MD Derek Stubbs) will perform, and there will be solo spots by soloists Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, Walter Perrie, and Helen Rich. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Edo and Dina Krilic Concert, Ancona - Italyby Rob Howard |
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| Video: Edo and Dina (violin) Krilic perform Tico Tico. Published 2013. Edo and Dina Krilic – an accordion/violin duo from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina - perform in concert on Monday December 8th, 9pm, at the Church of St Andrea, Castelferretti, Ancona, Italy. Edo Krilic, is a Bosnian musician, accordionist, composer and educator. A versatile musician equally skilled in Eastern and Western musical traditions, he retains his love for the folk music of his people, often appears with many traditional music stars, and actively helps young, talented musicians seeking to take their places in the music world. |
London Accordion Orchestra's Winter Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
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| The London Accordion Orchestra's Winter Concert takes place on Saturday December 13th, 5pm until 7pm, at St. Gabriel’s Church, Warwick Square, London SW1V 2AD. The LAO’s conductor is Ian Watson. The music will include everything from classical to jazz, with guest soloist Michael Atkinson, cellist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. For further information email: mail@londonao.co.uk |
New and Updated Sites |
New eBook Released, Traditional Polish Carols Arranged by Gary Dahl - USAby Gary Dahl |
  Gary Dahl has released a new eBook titled Traditional Polish Carols which he has arranged in collaboration with Fr. Boleslaw Zadora, advisor. The book contains 28 Polish titles and you can see samples of many pieces at Catalog: DH07-eB eBook means that the book is emailed to you. Purchase online for only USD$16.50 or Euro equivalent at: DH07-eB This eBook Traditional Polish Carols is Collection #7 in a series of eBooks by Gary Dahl that have proved to be very popular. There is a special for clients wanting to purchase all 7 eBooks at: DH01-07eB |
CD Reviews |
Tango Dreams CD by Alexander Sevastianby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Tango Dreams CD by Alexander Sevastian, Accordion, in English language, reviewed by Joan C. Sommers. |
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