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Highlights |
Tan Jialiang Wins Senior Virtuoso Knock-out Competition, Shenzhen - China
Accordions Around the World in Bryant Park, NY - USA
Jiang Bolong (China) Wins Adult Category Competition, Shenzhen - China
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Pavel Feniuk (Ukraine) Performing in Shenzhen - China
Classic Kyiv Duo Concert, Huddersfield – UK
Yu Sitong Wins Junior Virtuoso Knock-out Competition, Shenzhen - China
‘14 Years Ago’: Bastille Day in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 14th 2001
Future events |
Accordion Octet Concert, Pontevedra – Spain
Balkan Swing @ The Shed, Stellenbosch – South Africa
2nd Accordion Festival in Carinthia/Gorenjska - Austria/Slovenia
Neil Hardie Band @ Banchory Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UK
Debra Peters Concert, Texas – USA
Chester Accordion Club’s ‘Grand Day Out’, Cheshire - UK
Schwäbisch Gmünd Accordion Orchestra Concert, Barnsley – UK
Kimmo Pohjonen Concert, Würzburg – Germany
New and Updated Sites |
Charnwood Publish New Douglas Ward Composition - UK
Site Updated: Florida Accordion Association - USA
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Successful 1st China Shenzhen Xixiang Music Valley International Accordion Competition - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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  The 1st China Shenzhen Xixiang Music Valley International Accordion Competition has been deemed a great success. The interesting competition categories, particularly the Knockout Virtuoso Entertainment category, the quality of the festival concerts in a first class venue with excellent acoustics and lighting all contributed to this success. Raymond Bodell (President of the CIA) and Tong Jianhua (Executive Director of China Accordion Association and President of Shenzhen Accordion Association) spoke at the Closing Ceremony. Tong Jianhua congratulated everyone on the major success and announced that this event will be held biannually, the 2nd China Shenzhen Xixiang Music Valley International Accordion Competition to be held in July 2017. All the sponsors were thanked: - Chinese Musicians Association; - Publicity Department of Communist Party of China of Bao’an, Shenzhen; - Shenzhen Bao’an Federation of Literary and Art Circles; - China Accordion Association; - Shenzhen Accordion Association; - Xixiang Music Valley; - People’s Art Center of Bao’an Shenzhen; - Xixiang Center of Art and Sports, Bao’an, Shenzhen; The high quality printed program for the 2015-1st China Shenzhen Xixiang Music Valley International Accordion Competition is online at: 2015 Shenzhen (Program page). Daily Reports of pictures, video and results at: 2015 Shenzhen |
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Tan Jialiang Wins Senior Virtuoso Knock-out Competition, Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Viivi Maria Saarenkylä (Finland)
  Video above - Final Round:1st Tan Jialiang (China) 2nd Viivi Maria Saarenkylä (Finland) Video in report of 3rd place Nicol Gutu (Moldovia) at: 2015 Shenzhen (19th July). Tan Jialiang previous international successes include: 3rd place 2011 Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment 2nd place 2013 Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment 1st place Primus Ikaalinen 2012 Viivi Maria Saarenkylä was the winner of the entertainment category at Castelfidardo last year. This new idea competition was an exciting part of the 1st China Shenzhen Xixiang Music Valley International Accordion Competition. Some 19 contestants started in Round 1. For each round, the contestant plays one peice and at the conclusion of the round, the judges decide who is able to proceed to the next round. The audience also had a vote to decide which two from those not selected by the jury would proceed to the next round. As a reward for contestant passing through to the next round, the contestants can then choose between taking a cash prize and leaving the competition, or return the prize and proceed to the next round for an even bigger cash prize with the risk of the possible elimination. This new concept met with enthusiasm from the contestants and audience alike, making an exciting and quick moving event. The full report of this category with photos of all contestants and video of the last three rounds of competition is at: 2015 Shenzhen (19th July). |
Accordions Around the World in Bryant Park, NY - USAby Harley Jones |
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 The Accordions Around the World Festival in Bryant Park, New York runs each Wednesday, from July 1st to August 26th, at 6 to 8 pm.Each week, 10 accordionists perform throughout the park, playing music from many countries and genre. Bryant Park invite you to "Take a cross-cultural musical journey - from France to Colombia, from the Balkans to Louisiana, from Cumbia to Jazz, and more - with accordions, harmoniums, concertinas, and bandoneons." On Friday August 28th, there is a special event, Accordion Band Festival, 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, with 6 groups featuring an accordion and music from Eastern Europe, Colombia, France, Ireland, Argentina, and New Orleans. List of remaining performances and information: Wednesday, July 29, 2015 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Throughout Park Emilio Magnotta - Italian Traditional; Mindra Sahadeo - Harmonium: Indian-Derived Music; Gregorio Uribe - Colombian Cumbia + Vallenato; Bob Nusbaum - 60's Classics + Americana; Brooke Watkins - French Musette; Pete Scalzitti - Classical + Film Soundtracks; John Sherman - Cajun, Appalachian + Blues; Zoran Dobrijevic - Balkan; Paul Belanich - Balkan + Polka; Albert Behar - French Musette. Wednesday, August 12, 2015 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Throughout Park Papa Joe De Clemente - Italian + American Standards; Maestro Tito Castro - Bandoneon: Argentine Tango; Eli Bass - French Musette + Jazz; Ismail Butera - World; Alma Mia - Colombian Cumbia + Vallenato; Melissa Elledge - American Rock + Roots; Shoko Nagai - Japanese + Jewish; Tony Kovatch - French Musette; Jeremy Bloom - Balkan; Eduardo de Carvalho - Brazilian Forró. Wednesday, August 19, 2015 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Throughout Park Gregory Grene - Irish; Matt Dallow - American Rock + Blues; Christina Crowder - Klezmer; Yuri Lemeshev - World, Classical + Jazz; Kenny Margolis - Zydeco + Blues; Suzanne Davenport - Musette; Eva Salina - Balkan; Sadys Rodrigo Espitia - Colombian Cumbia + Vallenato; David Hodges - Bandoneon: Argentine Tango; Lyndon Blaylock - Concertina: English; Wednesday, August 26, 2015 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Throughout Park Charley Layton - Vaudeville, Ragtime + Musette; Christy McNamara - Concertina: Irish Traditional; Karl Sandeman - Celtic, French + Latin; Yuri Lemeshev - World, Classical + Jazz; Art Now - American Standards; Uri Sharlin - World; Jenny Luna - Balkan + Turkish; Maestro Tito Castro - Bandoneon: Argentine Tango; Phil Passantino - Zydeco, Cumbia + Vallenato; Melissa Elledge - American Rock + Roots. SPECIAL EVENT: Friday, August 28, 2015 | 4:30pm – 10:00pm | Throughout Park 6 groups featuring an accordion and music from Eastern Europe, Colombia, France, Ireland, Argentina, and New Orleans. Slavic Soul Party: Throbbing funk grooves, Gypsy accordion wizardry, and virtuoso jazz chops: an acoustic mashup of the gospel, techno, funk, dub, jazz, and Latin influences of NYC’s neighborhoods into a fiery Balkan brass setting. slavicsoulparty.com Foncho Castellar & Los Alegres De Colombia: Cumbia and vallenato rhythms led by the renowned accordionist and folklorist who has been promoting Colombian culture in the US for 30 years. Avalon Jazz Band: Parisian and Golden Age swing with a repertoire of timeless American standards and French jazz songs: old classics with a hot twist celebrating France, love, and music. Niall O'Leary Irish Band: A celebration of Irish music brought together by the former All-Ireland and World Dance Champion, who is in demand as a musician, dancer, choreographer and master dance instructor in North America, Ireland, Mexico, Japan and Thailand. Los Chantas: From the guardia vieja to the present in the great Argentine tango tradition, the multinational ensemble plays original arrangements of songs by Gardel, Troilo, Salgán, and Piazzolla with an improvised style in milongas and clubs around NYC since 2002. Krewe de la Rue: Heartfelt and punchy dance hall mix of Cajun and Creole music, capturing the style and energy of the festivals and clubs throughout Southwest Louisiana. |
Jiang Bolong (China) Wins Adult Category Competition, Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
  Video above: 1st Jiang Bolong - first round. Second round video is online at: 2015 Shenzhen (17th button).This was a two round competition and the rules are listed in the program at: 2015 Shenzhen (Program button). Category results were: 1st Jiang Bolong, 2nd Song Qian (picture left) and 3rd Li Chu Ran (picture right). |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
John Kirkpatrick’s new CD ‘Tunes from the Trenches’, Shropshire – UKby Rob Howard |
  Folk singer/diatonic accordionist John Kirkpatrick has recently been performing a solo show, in period costume, featuring songs from the two world wars. A great deal of research has gone into this project to ensure authenticity. He has now recorded a CD, ‘Tunes from the Trenches’, on the Fledgling label, catalogue number is FLED 3099, and available from John Kirkpatrick’s website.The songs and parodies are full versions, sung by John, with chorus support from his four sons “representing the British army on the march”! He accompanies himself on the 3-row British chromatic accordion and the Anglo concertina, plus various rhythmic instruments. Tracks: Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag/It’s a Long Way to Tipperary; The Squaddie in London; Old Joe Mills; Lloyd George’s Beer; Cleanin’ My Rifle (and Dreamin’ of You); The Thing-Ummy-Bob (That’s Going To Win The War); Here’s To The Mums and Dads; I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier; Down Forget-Me-Not Lane/They Can’t Black Out The Moon/When They Sound The Last All Clear; Run, Rabbit, Run; Would You Rather Be A Colonel?/Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts For Soldiers; Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye/(We’re Gonna Hang Out) The Washing on The Siegfried Line/Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major/Bugle Call – “Rouse”/Browned Off; Never Mind The Food Controller; The Dying Soldier; Keep The Home Fires Burning/The Last Long Mile. |
Video: Pavel Feniuk (Ukraine) Performing in Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
| Pavel Feniuk (Ukraine) was a Guest Artist at the recent 1st China Shenzhen Xixiang Music Valley International Accordion Competition. Here he performs Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Johannes Brahms, arranged by Yashkevich. More videos from the Pavel Feniuk concert are online at: 2015 Shenzhen (18 July button) |
Classic Kyiv Duo Concert, Huddersfield – UKby Rob Howard |
 The Classic Kyiv Duo - accordionists Igor Sayenko and Oleksiy Kolomoiets – on their annual British tour from Kiev in the Ukraine, performed last week at New Mill Parish Church in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The concert also involved the Holmfirth Choral Society. Their performance was reviewed for The Huddersfield Daily Examiner by William Marshall:“This unusual concert – English choral singing alongside two accordionists from Ukraine – attracted a large audience to New Mill Parish Church. The Kyiv Classic Accordion Duo of Igor Sayenko and Oleksiy Kolomoiets are repeat visitors to the area. Their concert tours raise money for Ukrainian charities, notably survivors of the Chernobyl disaster, and this year’s trip to the UK takes place in the shadow of the military conflict that has now erupted in their homeland. This was alluded to before a performance of Albinoni’s solemn ‘Adagio’. There is no doubting the exceptional virtuosity achieved by the duo on their chromatic button accordions. This was best reflected, perhaps, in their second set, which included some specific compositions and arrangements for the instrument, including folk-influenced material from Eastern Europe. The duo’s first set established the classical credibility of the accordion. The two instruments were utterly organ-like in Widor’s ‘Toccata’, and in movements from Bach’s ‘Suite in B Minor’, the dynamic possibilities were fully explored. The accordion being a reed instrument, we could hear clarinets and bassoons evoked by the duo and in a sequence from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker’, the inner parts and the chord voicings came over with exceptional clarity. |
Yu Sitong Wins Junior Virtuoso Knock-out Competition, Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
  Video of Yu Sitong, rounds 3 and 4. 1st Yu Sitong, 2nd Liu Hongtin (picture left), 3rd Zhang Hanwen (picture right). The full report of this category with photos of all contestants and video of the last three rounds of competition is at: 2015 Shenzhen (17th July). |
‘14 Years Ago’: Bastille Day in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 14th 2001by Rob Howard |
 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending July 20th 2001 included an article about a Bastille Day concert held in Russia featuring the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble, who are renowned musicians. Bastille Day is a great excuse for accordionists to play musette music, and not just in France!Bastille Day Celebrations, St. Petersburg – Russia On July 14th over 500 people gathered in the Roses Pavilion of Pavlovsk Palace Park to participate in Bastille Day celebrations. Invited guests of the General Consul of France in St. Petersburg, Aleksander Kilchevsky, included chapters of General Consulates of overseas countries in St. Petersburg, cultural figures of St. Petersburg and administrative representatives of city and public organizations. Three hours of entertainment was provided by the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble (Vladimir Ushakov on accordion and piano, Sergei Likhachev and Svetlana Stavitskaya on accordion, Boris Nikolaev playing bass and Victor Shafranov on drums). Their program included popular French and dance music. They also played a composition by Michael Likhachev entitled ‘Evening in Pavlovsk’, which is so popular that it is recognized as the official melody of the ensemble. Vladimir Ushakov has formed an agreement with the General Consul of France to implement various cultural projects by the ensemble, to increase the popularity of the accordion. |
Future events |
Joao Gentil Concerts, Coimbra, Cantanhede - Portugalby Rob Howard |
  Portuguese accordionist Joao Gentil performs as follows:Saturday July 25th, 10.30pm - Joao Gentil presents and performs in ‘Conlatinidades’, a show featuring singer Luanda Cozetti, at the Salao Brazil, Coimbra. Wednesday July 29th, 10.30pm – cabaret show at Expofacic Palco 1, Cantanhede. |
Accordion Octet Concert, Pontevedra – Spainby Rob Howard |
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| The accordion octet ‘A.C. Amigos Do Acordeon Das Rias Baixas’ (MD Pablo Dovalo Lopez) perform in concert on Saturday July 25th at Fragoso, San Andres Xeve, Pontevedra, Spain. For further information email: pdovalo@gmail.com |
Balkan Swing @ The Shed, Stellenbosch – South Africaby Rob Howard |
 Stanislav Angelov and his Sharena Sol Orchestra perform at the Spier Shed, Santa Road, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa, on Sunday July 26th, 5pm. The music will be a fusion of Gypsy Jazz, Balkan and Klezmer. The concert is the second in the Sun Light Concert Series. The line-up for this concert is Stanislav Angelov – accordion, Petrus de Beer – violin, Dave Ledbetter – guitar, Charles Lazar – double bass, and Frank Paco – drums. For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
2nd Accordion Festival in Carinthia/Gorenjska - Austria/Sloveniaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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  The Carinthian Accordion Association, in collaboration with the Cultural Association Gorenjska, organizes, for the second year, an accordion festival. From July 26th to July 31st there will be concerts at the Castle Landskron (Austria) and the Castle Bled (Slovenia).The duo Furioso - accordionists Nikola Furic and Mirko Jevtovic - (picture left) will be performing on Sunday July 26th, 4pm, in Landskron, Austria. On Friday July 31st the Swiss accordionist Nando Betschart will appear at 7pm in the castle Landskron. The entrance fee is €15 / €10 (concessions). For further information email Christoph Hofer: christophofer@hotmail.com |
Neil Hardie Band @ Banchory Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
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| Neil Hardie and his Band are the guests at the Banchory Accordion & Fiddle Club on Monday July 27th, 7.45pm. The venue is the Burnett Arms Hotel, 25 High St, Banchory AB31 5TD, Scotland. The Neil Hardie Scottish Dance Band work extensively throughout Scotland, and have toured Australia. |
Debra Peters Concert, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
 Debra Peters & The Love Saints band will perform at the Broken Spoke cafe in Austin, Texas, on next Tuesday July 28th, 6-8pm. Debra writes, “Accordion Round-up! Looking forward to the return of long time Love Saint Spencer Jarmon on guitar and Larry Eisenberg on bass... and also, back after a spell...the return of Michael Christian on the drums. With those three wonderful musicians, a girl cannot go wrong!!! See you there friends”. |
Chester Accordion Club’s ‘Grand Day Out’, Cheshire - UKby Rob Howard |
| Chester Accordion Club’s annual ‘Grand Day Out’ takes place on Saturday August 15th, 1pm, at The Hornsmill, Chester Road, Hapsford, Helsby, Cheshire WA6 0JE. This pub/restaurant is situated on the A56 by the traffic lights one mile from J14 on the M56. The Management and Staff are most welcoming and we have indoor facilities or outdoors depending on the weather. There is a choice of a large or small menu for those who wish to eat out. There’s no pre-booking or fee – just turn up with your accordion. If fine; on the terrace; if wet: indoors. Friends are welcome as are other accordion clubs. All are welcome. For further information email: limcc@dusque.plus.com |
Schwäbisch Gmünd Accordion Orchestra Concert, Barnsley – UKby Rob Howard |
 The Schwäbisch Gmünd Accordion Orchestra, special guests from Barnsley's twin town in Germany, perform in concert on Saturday August 1st, 7pm, at Emmanuel Church, Huddersfield Rd, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S75 1DT. Locally-based accordion virtuoso Pearl Fawcett-Adriano will also perform in this concert. The orchestra, a 26-member accordion orchestra, will perform a complete mix of music, from Mozart to German folk songs. Entrance to the concert is free, and tickets are available from Emmanual Church by ringing 01226 321511. Voluntary donations to the Mayor's Charities will be welcomed on the night. |
Kimmo Pohjonen Concert, Würzburg – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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| Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen performs with his daughter Saana Pohjonen on drums on August 3rd, 9.30pm, in a concert at the Hafensommer, Würzburg, Germany. Kimmo Pohjonen, from Finland, is known for his avant garde and experimental work with his custom-made electrified and modified instrument. He has released nine albums of his work and has toured Europe extensively, as well as performances in Japan and North America. He records and performs both solo and in collaboration with musicians and other artists, including notably the Kronos Quartet. Kimmo Pohjonen has been nominated for the Nordic Prize 2015. For further information email: pap@hoedown.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Chapter 16 Warm Up, Before You Play by John Bonica - USAby Harley Jones |
  Chapter 16 of the book "Play Your Accordion Without Pain" by John Bonica PT CMP NZRP is now released.This chapter is about protecting your body from potential injury and unnecessary stress while playing or practicing your accordion. - Warm Up Before You Play ... - Stretch Before You Squeeze.... addresses in detail with exercise examples, the subject of adequate warm-up preparation prior to practice or playing. A quote from Chapter 16: So often we blame good old “arther” (arthritis) for our aches and pains in the extremities when really it is merely ligament tightness, poor blood supply to the muscles, and lack of range of motion! So don’t give up because you feel stiff and achy — get out and stretch and exercise and you may be amazed at how your “arthritis” disappears! There will be a minimum of 24 chapters, 16 chapters released so far. Special introductory offer, you can purchase the whole book for US$22 (or Euro equivalent) and be sent each chapter by e-mail as it is released. For more information, and to purchase: John Bonica |
Charnwood Publish New Douglas Ward Composition - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
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  Charnwood Publishing have released a new composition by Douglas Ward titled: Catalog No. DW928 Musical Routes Suite. This is an album of four pieces for beginners. It's all about travel - the pieces being named Avenues, Bridges, Streets, and Tunnels. All are written in the key of C Major.The homepage of Douglas Ward is also updated. Order from Charnwood Music Publishing using the high security eCommerce site provided by Worldpay. |
Site Updated: Florida Accordion Association - USAby Harley Jones |
 The site of the Florida Accordion Association has been updated. |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Ivano Battiston plays Johann Sebastian Bach - Italyby Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Ivano Battiston plays Johann Sebastian Bach, in English and Italian languages. Performer Ivano Battiston, reviewed by Alessandro Mugnoz. |
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