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Highlights |
6th Roland V-Accordion International Festival, Rome - Italy
‘Behind The Bellows’ Documentary About Accordion - USA
15th Montrond les Bains International Competition & Concert & Live Video Broadcast – France
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Kimmo Pohjonen CD Award Nomination, London – UK
Mirek Salmon Performs on BBC Radio 4, Bristol - UK
2012 Frank Marocco Accordion Event in Mesa, Arizona – USA
Discussions About Accordion Work Reported in New York Times - USA
The Music of Eugene Ettore Performed by Rita Davidson is Released - USA
Ciudad Juarez City Bans Los Tigres del Norte - Mexico
‘14 Years Ago’ – News from Japan
Future events |
Pascal Contet Course at CNIMA J. Mornet, Auvergne – France
Bow & Bellows @ the National Theatre, London – UK
Paulo Jorge Ferreira Concerts - Italy
Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham Tour Dates, England – UK
Volodymyr Kurylenko in The Netherlands
Romano Viazzani in ‘Transatlantic’, London – UK
New and Updated Sites |
Lionel Reekie eTracks MP3 Album site updated
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Frankfurt Musikmesse Live Report - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 View the Frankfurt Musikmesse Frankfurt_Musikmesse_2012_Accordion_Live_Report.The 2012 Frankfurt Musikmesse is taking place from Wednesday 21st to Saturday March 24th, with a day for the public on March 24th. The hours of opening are from 9am to 6pm. Almost all accordion manufacturers from Italy and Germany will exhibit in Hall 3.1. The fair has international exhibitors from 46 countries presenting musical instruments, music software and hardware, sheet music, accessories and services connected with music making. Public day has many accordion demonstrators at the displays of the accordion manufacturers. Frankfurt_Musikmesse_2012_Accordion_Live_Report. |
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6th Roland V-Accordion International Festival, Rome - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Roland Europe S.p.A. and Roland Corporation announce the 2012 and 6th Roland V-Accordion International Festival for accordion soloists, November 9th and 10th in Rome, Italy. The Festival is divided into two steps: National Finals which qualify each national winner to then participate in the 6th Roland V-Accordion International Competition in Rome. The National Finals must take place before 23rd September 2012. The National Finals will have a senior soloist category (minimum age 18 years) and a junior soloist (maximum age 17 years) category. Only senior soloists participate in the International Finals. The main Senior requirements are: - any genre of music is allowed - every contestant has to play two different programs. A 10-15 minute program and a 5 minute program - contestants may not use any internal/external audio playback as Wave, MP3, CD, iPOD etc. (as a backing track) and/or external sound modules, MIDI sequencers - the participants may only play V-Accordion, and without singing. The 6th Roland International V-Accordion Finals in Rome has excellent prize money: 1st € 5,000 2nd € 2,000 3rd € 1,000 and will be broadcast by streaming video. . The full rules are available as a pdf download: 2012Rol-Rules For further information email your national Roland distributor. |
‘Behind The Bellows’ Documentary About Accordion - USAby Rob Howard |
 ‘Behind The Bellows’ is a 60 minute documentary film about the accordion, produced by Steve Mobia, available on DVD. The film chronicles the accordion’s variety, history and effect on popular culture. Included are interviews with accordion legends such as Anthony Gall-Rini, Guy Klucevsek, and Dick Contino, and ventures through piano and button accordions, concertinas, bandoneons, as well as a presentation of MIDI accordions. There are historic clips of Guido Deiro, Art Van Damme, Lawrence Welk and Frankie Yankovic. The producer looks at why ‘Lady of Spain’ is associated with the accordion, and ponders where the accordion might be headed in the future. For further information email: moviebeast@gmail.com |
15th Montrond les Bains International Competition & Concert & Live Video Broadcast – Franceby Gérard Chassagneux |
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 On the 14th and 15th March, the 15th International Competition ‘Festival Jeunes Talents’ 2012 organised by Gerard Chassagneux was held in Montrond les Bains, France. This very successful event attracted over forty entries in the four categories with participants from 12 countries (France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Moldavia, Germany, Bosnia, China, Poland, Serbia, Denmark, U.S.A and Russia) competing for over five thousand euros prize money. Junhao Mao (China) won the Junior Classical and the winners of the Senior Categories were Alexander Veretennikov from Russia (Classical Category, picture above) from the famous Gnessin Academy of Moscow (Profs. Alexander Selivanov and Viatcheslav Semionov) and Dorin Grama from Moldavia (Variety category, picture lower left) from the HOHNER Conservatory of Trossingen (Prof. Hans-Günther Kölz) both also trained by the French teacher Frédéric Deschamps. For the first time there was a very diverse international jury of Bernard Albaynac (France), Andreas Nebl (Germany), Franck Angelis (France), Xiao-Qing Cao (China), Pascal Meurge (France), Gorka Hermosa (Spain), Crystal Wang (China) , Grayson Masefield (New Zealand, picture top left), Jerome Chassagneux (France), Domi Emorine (France) and Alexander Selivanov (Russia). There were performances by past winners Dmitri Bouclier, Camille Privat, Grayson Masefield and a performance by Alexander Selivanov with Andreas Nebl. Grayson Masefield performed the world premiere of the new work ‘Ka Mate Ka Ora’ dedicated to him and Frédéric Deschamps by composer Gorka Hermosa. Grayson began his program performing another Hermosa work ‘Fragilissimo’ and ‘Tango Toccata’ by Petri Makkonen which he world premiered at this event last year. Gorka Hermosa was enthusiastically clapped by the audience. For further information email Gérard Chassagneux: jeunes-talents@montrond-les-bains.fr Picture below - Some of the Jury, left to right, Andreas Nebl (Germany), Xiao-Qing Cao (China), Domi Emorine (France), Jerome Chassagneux (France), Franck Angelis (France), Bernard Albaynac (France), Alexander Selivanov (Russia), Gorka Hermosa (Spain). |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Academy Award "Best Original Score" won by French Accordionist - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
 French composer, Ludovic Bource, was awarded the 2012 Academy Award for the Best Original Score for the movie, "The Artist". This was his first time nominated for an Academy Award. He also was the recipient of the Best Original Score for a Motion Picture at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beerly Hilton in Beverly HIlls, CA on Sunday, January 15, 2012. Bource has already won a European Film Award and a BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts). He was also named Breakout Composer of the Year in 2011 by the International Film Music Critic Association (IFMCA).Bource, 41, grew up in Brittany and from the age of eight played accordion at local dances and weddings. His first time in the spotlight happened when he played the accordion on stage at a Bastille Day Ball in his native Brittany. At the age of 17, he switched to the piano and studied classical piano at the conservatoire with Anne Magadur and at 18 he began to study jazz. A more extended article is available on the Accordion USA News, March edition. |
Kimmo Pohjonen CD Award Nomination, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 The CD ‘Uniko’, by Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, Samuli Kosminen, and the Kronos Quartet, has been nominated for the annual ‘Songlines Music Awards’, in the category ‘Cross Cultural Collaboration’. The awards are organized by the London-based magazine ‘Songlines’, and the winners, to be selected by the ‘Songlines’ editorial team, will be published in the June issue, on sale from May 27th. For further information email: pap@hoedown.com |
Mirek Salmon Performs on BBC Radio 4, Bristol - UKby Rob Howard |
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| Mirek Salmon, an accordionist from Bristol, appeared on BBC Radio 4's ‘Broadcasting House’ on Sunday, presented by Paddy O'Connell, and performed onstage in front of a live audience at St George’s Concert Hall in Bristol. The show was broadcast live to over 2 million listeners! Mirek had to play excerpts from ‘Wallace & Gromit’, Chopin's ‘Minute Waltz’, and the ‘Imperial March’ from ‘Star Wars’ to correspond to the various guests appearing on the show. Mirek played throughout the show and finished it off with a rendition of The Archers theme tune to usher in the Sunday omnibus, something his mother, listening at home, particularly enjoyed! You can still catch the episode on the BBC iplayer until March 25th at this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01dh7c6/Broadcasting_House_18_03_2012/ Mirek, a student of Karen Street, is a very versatile and busy jazz accordionist. He performs with ‘Moscow Drug Club’ and also with a new project ‘Bluesette’. They will be performing at London's Le Quecumbar, the UK home of gypsy jazz on Monday May 14th. |
2012 Frank Marocco Accordion Event in Mesa, Arizona – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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 The annual Frank Marocco Accordion Event (FMAE) event took place at the Arizona Golf Resort in sunny Mesa, Arizona, February 16th to 20th. 50 accordionists from around the world gathered from 14 states, 2 Canadian provinces, and Italy. Unfortunately, due to illness, Frank Marocco was unable to attend and Stas Venglevski assumed the role of FMAE Orchestra Conductor, soloist, workshop presenter, plus more! Stas Venglevski composed a beautiful orchestral piece, ‘Memories of Joe’, to honor the memory of the late Joe Smiell. Its World Premiere was performed at the Saturday evening concert by 11 FMAE participants, who had played under Joe's baton over the years. On the final evening concert, attended by about 400 people, the accordion being presented in high quality in many combinations. Thank you to FMAE organizers Joan and Dan Grauman (picture right) for their excellent organisation and enthusiastic dedication for our favorite instrument….. the accordion! A more extensive article of the event with full lists of the workshop presenters and the performers has been published in the March USA News. |
Discussions About Accordion Work Reported in New York Times - USAby Harley Jones |
 The following is segments from a recent article in The New York Times:Osvaldo Golijov (picture lower left), one of today’s most sought-after composers, was said to have borrowed excessively from a work for accordion and ensemble, ‘Barbeich’, by Michael Ward-Bergeman (picture top left), a composer, accordionist and close friend. ‘Sidereus’, the subject of this fracas, is a nine-minute overture by Golijov. Osvaldo Golijov, however, said that both works, as well as a string quartet he recently wrote, were partly derived from several discarded minutes of a film score that the two composers collaborated on. That movie was ‘Tetro’, a 2009 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Osvaldo Golijov has the film credit for original score, although, he said, Mr. Ward-Bergeman helped out on sections. “There was this beautiful material,” Mr. Golijov said. “It didn’t work for the movie, but it worked for music. We decided both: ‘Let’s grab it. Each one can do what he wants.’ ” He said that the two had worked so closely on the scene that it was impossible to separate who wrote what. “Joint ideas, joint material, same room,” he said. Plagiarism? Excessive borrowing? The normal creative process? |
The Music of Eugene Ettore Performed by Rita Davidson is Released - USAby Harley Jones |
 A new eTracks Rita Davidson Album titled "The Music of Eugene Ettore" has been released. This coincides with the 90th anniversary of the birth of Eugene Ettore (1921-1985). Rita Davidson writes: “For the first time, the music of Eugene Ettore is available worldwide to accordionists. As you listen to these virtuoso selections, you will realize the great value and musical contribution that he made to accordion repertoire.” Eugene Ettore, former president of the American Accordionists' Association, wrote over 300 compositions at all levels including works for solo, duet, ensembles, band, and orchestra. In addition to being an accordionist, he was a professional French Horn player, having played in many symphony orchestras. His great involvement in symphonic music is reflected in his virtuoso compositions which not only showcase the capabilities of the accordion but also have a distinctly orchestral flavor. His unique compositions challenge the musicianship and technique of the performer while they provide a musical treat for all to hear. Rita Davidson is preparing further recordings which will include: The Manhattan Concerto (3 movements), Springtime Caprice, Prelude and Scherzo, Accordion Miniatures, Five O'Clock Rush, Spanish Holiday. Rita Davidson is seeking information, photos, etc. for the Eugene Ettore historical website. Please email her: Ritabelll@aol.com Click Rita Davidson Album to read the tracks list and hear sound samples. |
Ciudad Juarez City Bans Los Tigres del Norte - Mexicoby Harley Jones |
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| Ciudad Juarez, the capital of Mexico's Chihuahua state has indefinitely banned the famous norteno group Los Tigres del Norte from playing in the city after the band sang ballads glorifying drug traffickers during a weekend concert. There have been other attempts in Mexico to ban the ballads known as "narcocorridos," but seldom have they affected a mainstream group as popular as Los Tigres. The band has been a mainstay of norteno music for decades, with hits like ‘Contrabando y Traicion’ (Contraband and Betrayal) and ‘Jefe de Jefes’ (Boss of Bosses). "The musical group will not get permits for future shows in the city limits, until such time as authorities decide otherwise," the city said in a statement. The Chihuahua city government said the band violated a three-month-old city ordinance prohibiting songs that glorify traffickers, and that the concert's organizers would be fined "at least 20,000 pesos" ($1,585). |
‘14 Years Ago’ – News from Japanby Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide news for March 23rd 1998 included a brief report of an accordion concert on board a street car in Tokyo, which presumably was an unusual event, albeit popular. We wonder who played, and if there was ever a repeat? The following week, Japanese accordion virtuoso Mie Miki, nowadays domiciled in Germany and continuing to be very active, performed in concert in Tokyo. ACCORDIONISTS PERFORM IN TOKYO STREET CAR - JAPAN Contributed by Izuru Shinmyo On Sunday March 8th at 1.30pm a concert entitled ‘Motoko and Sonora Accordion Concert’ was held in a Tokyo Street Car while it was running from Waseda to Sannowa Bridge and back to Waseda, Japan. Enthusiastic passengers enjoyed the entertainment in this unusual venue. On Friday March 20th at 7pm, Mie Miki performed accordion works to an appreciative audience at Kazarusu Hall, Ochanomizu, Tokyo, Japan. |
Future events |
Irish Open Accordion Festival, County Meath – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
 The annual Irish Open Accordion Festival (incorporating the 41st All Ireland Accordion Festival) takes place from March 30th to April 1st at the Newgrange Hotel, Navan, County Meath (about 40km north of Dublin). The event is organised by the Irish Accordion Association.The competition will include a full range of solo, duet, ensemble and orchestral categories, for all ages. The special guest artist is Cory Pesaturo, from the USA, winner of the 2009 CIA Coupe Mondiale Digital Accordion category and the 2011 Primus Ikaalinen Festival in Finland. Cory will be the main competition adjudicator and will be playing in the Saturday night concert. Other participants in the concert will be the Reunion Orchestra and the highly talented Katie Kavanagh, performance student at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. The concert will be followed by a Ceili. For further information email Yvonne Chilton: chilton_accordion@hotmail.com |
Pascal Contet Course at CNIMA J. Mornet, Auvergne – Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Pascal Contet leads an accordion techniques course from April 23rd to 28th at CNIMA J.Mornet, Les Ludines, 63950 Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne. Other courses to be held at CNIMA J. Mornet are listed above too. The course includes full board at CNIMA J.Mornet, in the beautiful area of the Auvergne. For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Bow & Bellows @ the National Theatre, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Friday March 23rd, 6.15pm until 7.45pm, the duo Bow & Bellows play and sing in the National Theatre foyer,Bow & Bellows are Martina Schwarz (accordion) and Sally Davies (violin). For further information email: schwarzmartina@hotmail.com |
Paulo Jorge Ferreira Concerts - Italyby Rob Howard |
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| Portuguese accordionist Paulo Jorge Ferreira visits Italy in the next week, playing as follows: March 23rd, 8.45pm - AltaVilla Vicentina, Vicenza March 24th, 8.45pm - Teatro Delle Garbere, Trento March 25th, 11am - Museo Delle Scienze, Trento Paulo will be performing with clarinetist Carlos Alves, and playing works by Buschmann, Berge, Ferreira, Hofmann and Galliano. For further information email: pjorgef@hotmail.com |
Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham Tour Dates, England – UKby Rob Howard |
 The popular Scottish duo Phil Cunningham (accordion) and Aly Bain (fiddle) are on tour again, and their dates include:March 24th, 7pm – The Union Chapel, Compton Ave, London N1 2XD March 25th, 8pm – Ariel Centre, King Edward V1 College, Ashburton Rd, Totnes, Devon March 26th, 7.30pm – National Centre for Early Music, Church Walmgate, York YO1 9TL March 29th, 8pm – Colston Hall, Bristol March 30th, 8pm – Sale Waterside Arts Centre, Greater Manchester M33 7ZS March 31st, 8pm – Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton SO17 1BJ April 1st, 7.30pm – Hitchin Folk Club, The Sun Hotel, Herts SG5 1AF April 4th – Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park, Castle Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 2RD April 5th, 7.30pm – The Sage, Gateshead NE8 2JR Further dates to be announced. For further information email: phil@philcunningham.com |
Volodymyr Kurylenko in The Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
 The highly accomplished accordionist Volodymyr Kurylenko from the Ukraine is currently on tour in The Netherlands and performs next week, as follows:March 28th, 12.45pm – Oude Kerk, Dorpsstraat 59, Netherlands March 28th, 8.30pm - Wim Beeren Jazz Society, Café Van Bracht, Kerkstraat 9 April 1st, 3pm - Magisch Theatertje, Molenweg 4, Amby, Maastricht For further information email: bayan.ukraine@gmail.com |
Romano Viazzani in ‘Transatlantic’, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday March 25th, 6pm, accordionist Romano Viazzani accompanies singer Joanna Strand in ‘Transatlantic’ at The Forge, 3-7 Delancey St, Camden, London, NW1 7NL. Joanna Strand presents a jazz – cabaret show in two acts featuring the music of composers that have crossed the Atlantic Ocean. For further information email: contact@forgevenue.org Three CD's available by Romano Viazzani. |
New and Updated Sites |
eTracks MP3 Albums Added Online this Weekby MusicForAccordion.com |
  New eTracks MP3 Albums have been added this week:New Rita Davidson Album of The Music of Eugene Ettore Friedrich Lips now has 12 eTracks MP3 albums online |
Lionel Reekie eTracks MP3 Album site updatedby Lionel Reekie |
 Lionel Reekie, well known accordionist, vocalist and TV performer, has performed extensively throughout North America, Asia and Europe, now has a new site selling eTracks MP3 album. The Lionel Reekie eTracks MP3 files are available for download. Priced at only € 0.70 a track with most albums costing € 8.00 or less its great value. Sample sound files on site. Tracks are: 1. Quando Quando 2. It's Now or Never 3. Cubanola 4. Love is all Around 5. Let's Twist Again 6. I Swear 7. Love is in the Air 8. Rave on 9. Unchained Melody 10. Lambada 11. My Way |
CD Reviews |
Kein Schöner Land CD by Leuchter - Melroseby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Kein Schöner Land CD, Italian and English, reviewed by Alessandro Mugnoz. Artists are Manfred Leuchter and Ian Melrose. |
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