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Highlights |
NAO UK Championships 2018, Liverpool - UK
Alexander Sevastian (1976-2018), Ajijic - Mexico
2018 Toronto International Accordion Festival - Canada
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
War Veteran John Nixon, 88, Takes On Thugs, London – UK
Video: In Memorium, Alexander Sevastian (1976 - 2018) - Canada
Ferran Martínez Concert Dedicated to Alexander Sevastian, Barcelona – Spain
Future events |
Francesco Palazzo Recital of "Fisarmonica Classica" - Italy
Blowzabella Folk Dance, Manchester – UK
Café Accordion Orchestra Concert, Minnesota – USA
Tango Music Concert, Kiev – Ukraine
Roy Hendrie MIDI Demonstration, Northern Ireland – UK
Astor Piazzolla Summit 2018, Paola (CS) – Italy
Cambridge Accordion Day, Cambridge – UK
‘Bach in the Dark’ Concert, Sydney – Australia
Blackpool Accordion Festival, Lancashire – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Renzo Ruggieri New Accordion Duo Composition 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro', Italy
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UK
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
100th Year Celebration of the Death of Paolo Soprani - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| In the presence of the niece of Paolo Soprani, Mrs. Elena Soprani, major celebrations took place in Castelfidardo on the 20th of February at the Auditorium San Francesco. Castelfidardo City Hall in collaboration with the Circolo Culturale Filatelico Numismatico “F.Matassoli” with its compere Pigini hosted a unique event to honor Castelfidardos' historically most important citizen, Paolo Soprani, the man who gave birth to the production of accordions in the small city of Castelfidardo. All authorities of Castelfidardo City were present and everyone received a warm welcome by the Mayor Roberto Ascani and the director of the Museum Castelfidardo, Christian Riganelli. Castelfidardo’s Historian, Beniamino Bugiolacchi (Chronology of Italian Accordions and many other publications), gave a very interesting view of the history and life of this unforgettable personality, not only for Castelfidardo, but the entire world of the accordion. For this special occasion, a personalized stamp was put into circulation by the Luxembourg Post Office (picture above). The students of the local Music School Paolo Soprani made a lively animated event with their music. To complete this day of remembering – an evening concert took place in the Theatre Astra with Luigi Presta, who won this concert during the PIF 2017 and Manuel Marchegiani, winner of the Varieté PIF 2017 category who is a student of Renzo Ruggieri, Artistic Director of the PIF 2018. View a detailed picture report of the event at: Paolo_Soprani_100 |
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NAO UK Championships 2018, Liverpool - UKby Anna Bodell, NAO Chairperson |
  The NAO UK Championships 2018 is again to be held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. The event is to be held from 27th - 29th April with the closing date for entries being 28th February. The NAO UK Championships attracts entries from all over the United Kingdom for competition in Solo, Duo, Ensemble and Orchestra categories with competitors from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England participating. The NAO Chairperson, Anna Bodell is pleased to welcome international entries to join our entries from UK, Ireland and Germany. Category information at: 2018NAO This year, we are pleased to welcome a good number of instrumental and Music Trade exhibitors and the festival will incorporate the UK Qualifying sections for the CIA Coupe Mondiale 2018 to be held in Kaunas, Lithuania in September, the NAO Composers’ Competition, an International Workshop as well as the diverse categories of competition which go to make up this renowned UK competition. Saturday will also feature the traditional Scottish Celidh and Annual General Meeting of the NAO. Full details on the NAO website or email: naouk@btinternet.com |
Alexander Sevastian (1976-2018), Ajijic - Mexicoby Rob Howard |
 The accordion world was shocked to learn of the sudden and untimely death on Friday February 16th of Alexander Sevastian, at the age of 41, who suffered a fatal heart attack in Ajijic, Mexico, a few hours before he was due to give a concert with the Quartetto Gelato. Alexander Sevastian was born on October 2nd 1976 in Minsk, Belarus. He started playing the accordion at the age of seven. He studied at the Glinka Musical College in Minsk, the Gnessin Institute in Moscow in the class of Professor Friedrich Lips. In May 2002 he completed his post-graduate course in Moscow with Friedrich Lips, and also completed an Advanced Certificate in Performance program from the University of Toronto (class of Professor Joseph Macerollo). In 1996 - 2001 he was a member of the Russian TV and Radio Orchestra, recording many TV and radio performances. He won various competitions, most notably the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Washington DC in 2007. From April 2001, Alexander lived in Toronto, Canada. He joined the Toronto Woodwinds, an ensemble that was awarded the first prize at ‘The Golden Accordion International Competition’ in New York in December 2001. In September 2002 Alexander formed ‘Quartetto Gelato’, with whom he toured Canada and the USA. He performed solo concerts in 30 Russian cities as well as concerts in Belarus, Ukraine, Germany, Serbia, Portugal, Italy and Japan. He has given several premiere performances, including the works of Berinsky, Bronner, Korolchuk, Zelenski and Khondo. He also performed as solpist with orchestras such as the Hamilton Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, as well with orchestras in Victoria, Quebec City, Kelowna, Kamloops, Windsor, Edmonton, Charleston, Mississauga, Sioux City, and Nanaimo. Alexander was a much loved musician, a great ambassador for the accordion, and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Anna, a 14 year old son Vladimir and 4 year old daughter Maria. |
2018 Toronto International Accordion Festival - Canadaby Harley Jones |
 The 2018 Toronto International Accordion Festival will be held at the Infinite Concert Hall in Toronto from 16 - 25 July 2018.The event is hosted by the Classical Accordion Society of Canada Inc. (President Joseph Macerollo O.C.), undertaken by the Toronto "Infinite Strings" and Artistic Director is Yicheng Chris Gao, 2009 Coupe Mondiale laureate and graduate of Sichuan Conservatory of Music and University of Toronto. As well as festival concerts, the event also includes competitions for: 1. Childrens Solo (Born after September 1, 2009) 2. Juvenile Solo (Born between September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2006), standard bass and free bass categories. 3. Youth Solo (Born between September 1, 2000 and August 31, 2003), standard bass and free bass categories. 4. Adult Solo (Born before August 31, 2000), Adult Group A (For accordionists of a non-performance direction) and Adult Group B (For concert soloists) 5. Category Ensemble 6. Category Chamber Music 7. Category Light Music 8. General Performance Closing date for entries: 10 May 2018 Download the rules and entry forms in English and Chinese languages at: www.accordions.com/toronto |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: 2018 XX Kokkola Daily Reports, Lars Karlsson Band - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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| Video: The superb Lars Karlsson Band concert and very enjoyable pub performances and school concerts were loved by the audiences and they were always called back for more and more. Easy to see why they have been a chart topper in Sweden. Performers are: Lars Karlsson (4 diatonic accordions), Thomas Anderson (guitar), Dan Heribertsson (bass) and Göran Viksten (drums). Other videos and photos of the Lars Karlsson Band Concert can be viewed at: 2018KokkolaReports (15th February). |
War Veteran John Nixon, 88, Takes On Thugs, London – UKby Harley Jones |
 War veteran and accordionist John Nixon, 88, floored a thug with a karate chop to save a young woman from knife gang, but an accomplice then slashed his hands and head. The attackers fled as the woman ran away screaming. Mr Nixon was taken to hospital after a neighbour raised the alarm. The violent incident took place in Raglan Street, Kentish Town. “My initial thoughts were to divert their attention away from the girl who was screaming. I shouted ‘leave her alone’,” he said, “but they turned on me, saying ‘We’ll take your money instead’ and I said ‘No you don’t’. Kids this age are full of bravado, you see, they weren’t expecting a surprise. My training kicked in. I landed a blow to his neck which rendered him semi-conscious. I disabled one but another one pulled out a knife so I had to try and deal with him too. I tried to disarm him and in the process I got stab wounds here, there and everywhere. There was a lot of blood. He wasn’t trained and it was more of a pocket knife. Luckily my wounds were shallow.” Mr Nixon, a widower with a grown-up daughter, said: “My thoughts were just to help her (the woman). I’ve been shot in the leg and even bitten by a snake, and the venom lay dormant in my spine for years. I’ve been near death so many times that situation just doesn’t worry me. The woman ran off screaming but I hope she is okay.” He was commended by Detective Inspector Will Lexton-Jones for his “extraordinary bravery”, which took place at 8pm on January 27th. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked call police in Camden via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. John Nixon trained as a commando at the army in the 1940s, joined an elite special services unit and fought in the Korean War. He also served in Egypt, the Middle East and Germany, and after leaving the military accompanied Médecins Sans Frontières to Nigeria as a bodyguard. More recently John has been studying the accordion in London with Matt Scott. |
Video: In Memorium, Alexander Sevastian (1976 - 2018) - Canadaby Harley Jones |
| Thank you to Dan Grauman for providing the video from the 2016 American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Festival, "An Evening with the Stars" presenting Quartetto Gelato, led by accordionist Alexander Sevastian. Recorded at the Tralf Music Hall, Buffalo, New York on July 8th, 2016. |
Ferran Martínez Concert Dedicated to Alexander Sevastian, Barcelona – Spainby Rob Howard |
| Video: Concert acordió Sabadell 2018 by Ferran Martínez, Published on February 17, 2018. Ferran Martinez performed on Saturday February 24th at the Auditori Pepita Selles, Barcelona. He dedicated his concert to the memory of Alexander Sevastian, whose untimely death on February 16th has shocked the international accordion fraternity. The concert programme included: ‘The Postman’ - L. Bacalov, ‘Moon River’ - H. Mancini, ‘Flick-Flack’ - A. Vossen, ‘L’Hivern’ - A. Vivaldi, ‘Dansa del sabre’ - A. Khatchaturian, ‘Impasse’ – F. Angelis, ‘Suite Hongaresa’ – V. Semionov, ‘Veus de primavera’ – J. Strauss, ‘Don Rhapsody’ - V. Semionov, and ‘Vals’ - popular. Ferran Martinez is a graduate of the Barcelona Conservatory. He plays solo classical concerts, and is also both an accordion and computer teacher. His latest CD, ‘Collage’, is available through his website www.ferranmartinez.net For further information email: ferranbayan@gmail.com |
Future events |
Volodymyr Kuryienko Ensemble Concert, Krolevets - Ukraineby Rob Howard |
 Bayan player Volodymyr Kuryienko and several of his musician friends present a concert on Saturday afternoon February 24th, 2pm, at the Krolevets Children’s School of Art in the Ukraine.Volodymyr Kuryienko (born 1973) studied at the Donetsk Conservatory in the class of Professor Vyacheslav Voyevodin. He won prizes in several competitions, and has become well known for performing in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. His current repertoire includes pieces by composers from Bach up to modern times, from classical to jazz and entertainment music. He often performs pieces by Soviet, Ukrainian and Russian composers specially written for bayan. For further information email: bayan.ukraine@gmail.com |
Francesco Palazzo Recital of "Fisarmonica Classica" - Italyby Rob Howard |
 The Association Cultural Harnadeus is sponsoring a concert in Bari, Italy on the 25th February, 18:30 hours. Tiicket price only 5 Euro. CDs by available online, purchase with credit card at: Francesco Palazzo |
Blowzabella Folk Dance, Manchester – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday February 25th, 7pm to 10.30pm, the folk band Blowzabella performs for dancing at Chorlton Irish Club, Manchester M21 9DJ. There will be dance lessons at 7pm, followed by dancing at 8pm.Blowzabella is a genuinely unique band that makes an inimitable, driving, drone-based sound played with a fabulous sense of melody, rhythmic expertise and sheer feeling. 2018 is their 40th year! All the band members compose and many of their tunes are ‘standards’ in the modern British/European folk repertoire and are played by musicians all over the world. |
Café Accordion Orchestra Concert, Minnesota – USAby Rob Howard |
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| Dan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra presents a concert on Saturday afternoon February 25th, 4.30pm to 6.30pm, at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103. Café Accordion Orchestra, featuring accordionist Dan Newton, performs an eclectic mix full of French flare, Latin heat and Bohemian attitude. The heart of the CAO repertoire is the romantic, gypsy-influenced valse-musette. The group complements the musettes with swing, ballads, tangos, cha chas, rumbas, and cumbias to create a wonderfully varied show. |
Tango Music Concert, Kiev – Ukraineby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday February 25th, 5pm, bayan player Igor Sayenko, tango dancer Myroslava Kotorovich, and the Fantastic Chamber Orchestra, together perform a tango programme at Pavilion No 6, VDNG (Gents Park), Glushkov Ave, Kiev. |
Roy Hendrie MIDI Demonstration, Northern Ireland – UKby Rob Howard |
 Scottish accordionist Roy Hendrie will give a MIDI accordion demonstration on Sunday February 25th, 5pm, at the Hilton Belfast Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club, Paradise Walk, Castle Upton Estate, Templepatrick, County Antrim BT39 0DD, Northern Ireland. Roy Hendrie, from Ayrshire in Scotland, performs and records with the ceilidh band Oran Mor. He has broadcast solo and with his band on numerous occasions on BBC Radio Scotland's ‘Take the Floor’ programme and a live TV broadcast on BBC1's ‘MOD’ programme. As a teenager he was an NAO Junior UK Champion. For further information email: rh@royhendrie.co.uk |
Astor Piazzolla Summit 2018, Paola (CS) – Italyby Rob Howard |
 The Astor Piazzolla Summit 2018 takes place from March 2nd to 4th at the Accademia di Musica, Paola (CS), Italy. Performing at this event are Laura Escalada Piazzolla, Duet Tango, Trio Astor Piazzolla, and Antonio Spaccatotella.This event marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992), legendary Argentine tango composer, bandoneon player, and arranger, who personally revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music. A virtuoso bandoneonist, he regularly performed his own compositions with a variety of ensembles. Paola is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. For further information email: antonio.accordio@alice.it |
Cambridge Accordion Day, Cambridge – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday March 4th the annual Cambridge Accordion Day, under the baton of Nigel Pasby, takes place at The Granary, Bury Road Stapleford Cambridge CB22 5BP. The cost is £17.50 for the day. All are welcome. Nigel Pasby is the Musical Director of The Kennett Accordion Orchestra. For further information email: susanna2018@cambridgeaccordionclub.co.uk |
‘Bach in the Dark’ Concert, Sydney – Australiaby Rob Howard |
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| ‘Bach in the Dark’ are concerts on Friday March 9th and Saturday March 10th, 7pm to 8.15pm, at St. James Church Crypt, 173 King St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. Rachel Scott – cello and accordionist Anthony Schulz perform a programme of works by J.S. Bach (including a movement from the ‘A minor violin concerto’, arranged by Anthony Schulz), Bela Bartok, Astor Piazzolla, and a new ‘Bach Construct’ written especially for these concerts by Sydney composer Richard Charlton. A ‘Bach in the Dark’ concert is a night that’s a little bit different – it’ll be an evening of great fun, fabulous music-making, a huge range of styles of music and two friends having the most wonderful time together making music that is very ‘in the moment’! For further information email: anthonyschultz@gmail.com |
Blackpool Accordion Festival, Lancashire – UKby Rob Howard |
 The second Blackpool Accordion Festival, organised by John Romero, takes place at The Carousel Hotel, South Shore, Blackpool, from Friday March 9th to 12th. The guests include Julie Best, Jean Corrighan, Rosemary Wright, Gennaro Fiondella, and John Romero. The trade show includes Acorn Accordions, Harry Kipling's ‘Accordion Treasures’, and Carillon Music. For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Galassi Bellows "Know the People" Interview, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 "Know the People" Interview at: 2017Galassiwith: Renzo Galassi (Owner) Editor: Holda Paoletti-Kampl "Know the People" of Castelfidardo who have made this small city so famous around the world for their quality accordion products. Interview at: 2017Galassi Picture below: Renzo Galassi with his parents, Rino and Vanda who began the business in 1948 and even today, work daily in the factory. |
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Renzo Ruggieri New Accordion Duo Composition 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro', Italyby Harley Jones |
  This composition is taken from the OPERA? project, CD rruggieri09, for accordion, orchestra and reciting voice, which had the world premiere in Italy in 2008 in Pineto and in 2010 at the "State Theater" of Rostov-on-Don (Russia). This newly published version of 'Lo Scuro e il Chiaro' is a reduction for duo accordion and is very effective, usually used in international competitions as well as in concert repertoires. Video above: Performance of Lo Scuro e il Chiaro (accordion duo) by Lorenzo Bosica and Andrea Di Giacomo "Virtuosity Duo" who won the "World Music" category in CIA Coupe Mondiale, Turku (Finland) in October 2015. Purchase and view sample pages at: rrenzo516 |
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UKby Harley Jones |
 UK composer Douglas Ward and Charnwood Publishing have released 6 new compositions. Click the links to learn more about each work and see a sample page.DW944 - Bananas for Two DW945 - Countryside March DW946 - Emergency Tango DW947 - Chasing Rabbits DW948 - Mosaic Waltz DW949 - Forest Waltz |
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