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2019 Harmonika World Championships - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
The 2019 Harmonika World Championships will be held at St. Peter-Freienstein, Steiermark (Styria), Austria from May 30th to June 2nd organised by Gottfried Hubmann (picture left). Approximately 400 players from all over Europe, Norway, Ukraine and Slovakia will attend this major event to show their skills at the Harmonika World Championships and the Austrian State Championships. The event will include a concert by the brass bands of St. Peter-Freienstein and Vordernberg followed by the official opening in the Culture Hall with the Grenzlandchor Arnoldstein (choir). This will be followed by entertainment with the Oberkrainer Ensemble Steirer Power. The Harmonika World Championships for juniors and adults and the 3rd Erich Moser Commemorative Contest will begin on May 31st followed by the Austrian State Championships for Styrian harmonica: solo, duo and folk music groups on June 1st. A prizegiving concert and award ceremony will be held in the culture hall from 8pm. The event will conclude on June 2nd with a 9 am Holy Mass in the Parish Church with musical accompaniment by competition winners. Holda Paoletti-Kampl will be attending and making a full report of the event at: 2019Harmonika View videos and pictures of the successful 2017 event at: 2017Harmonika |
Philharmonika Festival 2019 - Germanyby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
Video: Video: Omar Massa (bandoneon) with others as listed in video. The 2019 Philharmonika Festival gala concert was held on May 19th at the Kammermusiksaal of the Berlin Philharmonic organised by Pantonale eV. This is the 5th time the festival has been held and this year’s event marked the 25th anniversary of the link between Berlin and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event was supported by the Embassy of the Argentine Republic and the Berlin Senator for Culture and Europe, Dr. Klaus Lederer. The festival celebrated with an early concert entitled "Argentina in Zehlendorf" on April 5th in St. Paul's Church in Berlin. The artistic direction of the evening was in the hands of internationally known Argentine bandoneonist Omar Massa, who along with Vitaliy Schall (guitar), Pavlin Nechev (piano) and Julius Schwahn (violin) and his string quartet presented music by Argentine composers. The following day, the Accordion Festival “Master of Tomorrow” (organized by Pantonale eV) took place in the Paulus Church in Berlin-Zehlendorf. The aim was to give young accordionists and bandoneonists from Berlin and Brandenburg as well as other parts of Germany up to the age of 19, the opportunity to show their skills during this festival and to attend the evening concert in the church. All festival participants received certificates and those who participated in the evening concert also received a video clip of their performance in the church. Two young accordionists - Sophie Fischer and Daniel Grunski received a special award performance at the Philharmonika Concert on May 19th at the Berlin Philharmonic. This concert was the highlight of the festival. There, the Buenos Aires-born bandoneonist Omar Massa presented the peculiarities of Argentine music in an extensive program - both as a soloist and in collaboration with musicians such as Vitaliy Schall, Julius Schwahn and Pavlin Nechev, and the string orchestra under the direction of Symeon Ioannidis. Their program ranged from the classical repertoire, such as Marcello's "Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in D Minor" to early Tango to Astor Piazzolla. A highlight was the premiere of the "Concerto for Bandoneon, Piano and String Orchestra" composed especially for the occasion by Omar Massa, and dedicated to the connection between Buenos Aires and Berlin. Celebrated by the media as the successor to Astor Piazzolla, Omar Massa is playing a pioneering role in developing the academic repertoire for the bandoneon instrument, which is also the aim on Pantonale e.V. Omar Massa also held a masterclass on "Stylistic peculiarities of the music of Astor Piazzolla", and participants had the opportunity to work on their interpretations of works by Piazzolla. The Berlin audience also enjoyed performances by the internationally acclaimed Canadian accordionist Jelena Milojevic, Duo Aspera (Ghenadie Rotari - accordion and Valentina Vargiu - piano) and Croatian accordionist Martin Kutnar. Jelena impressed with the Franck Angelis work "Etude sur le thème Chiquilin de Bachin" as well as a premiere of Dmitriy Varelas's "Palette of Sounds". After Galliano's "Tango pour Claude", the Duo Aspera premiered the "Moldavian Rhapsody" by composer Petri Makkonen, who was present in the audience. The internationally successful young Croat Martin Kutnar was well received with two arrangements by Roberto Molinelli’s "Trittico, Quadro Primo" and the Viatcheslav Semionov "Bulgarian Suite". Special thanks go to the organizer of the festival, Waldemar Fleischhauer and his wife. Without their self-sacrificing dedication, such an event would not be possible in the Berlin Philharmonic. |
Hainaut Belles Bretelles Festival – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
Video: La FaBulleuse AccordéOmnibulle The 2019 Hainaut Belles Bretelles Festival will be held from June 8th to 10th in Place de la République, Hergnies, 59199, France organised by the Club Léo Lagrange d’Hergnies. The festival will include three days of music and celebrations (with over 30 acts) to the sound of all accordion styles from musette to rock'n'roll, klezmer, cajun, classical and folk. The festival program includes an afternoon dedicated to children and families on June 8th with games, dancing and songs. Performers include "Accordion Omnibubble" who will entertain with giant soap bubbles that the children can dance around - all with live accordion music (see video above), The Giants of the North puppets, Youplaboum Orchestra playing cartoon music and Audrey Champenois (accordion and vocals). On June 9th entertainment will be provided by Alexis & Lucas Passion, Existence Saine (accordion, vocals and guitar), accordion duo Claude Caron & Vassily Yourchenko, Kalkanos band, plus many more. On the final day you can listen to The Arsène Salon, Le municipal Bal, Les P'tite Fils de Jeanine plus performers from the previous 2 days. For further details see the website listed on the poster above or email: contact@leolagrangehergnies.fr |
2019 South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
The 2019 NZAA South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival will be held at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre on June 1st and 2nd, and will celebrate the “10th Anniversary of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale” which the NZAA hosted in Takapuna, New Zealand. As part of the celebrations, the NZAA has invited three of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale winners as guest artists. They are Grayson Masefield (NZ) winner of 2009 Coupe Mondiale and winner of 2009 Virtuoso Entertainment, Tian Jianan (China) winner of 2009 Junior Virtuoso Entertainment and Cory Pesaturo (USA) winner of 2009 Digital category. This exciting weekend will also feature a Massed Orchestra and all of those who took part in the "World Accordion Orchestra III" will be invited to perform again. Gary Daverne is conducting Auckland March (a commissioned work for the 2009 Coupe Mondiale New Zealand Orchestra) and Bryan Holden (conductor of the Mandolinata Orchestra) will conduct "Rumanisch". Daily reports will be online at: 2019SouthPac See Poster below for event information. Past events reports at: South Pacific Daily Reports |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Joyce Davis, Long Time UMKC Accordionist Passes Away - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
Joyce Christine Davis (1955 – 2019) The University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Accordion family recently lost one of their longest-term players, Joyce Davis. Joyce Christine Davis, 63, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on May 2, 2019 after a short illness. Joyce was born August 7, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the only daughter of Lawrence and Zelma Davis. She had three brothers, Larry, Gary and Ronnie. Joyce had just retired from a 31-year career working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a department of the United States Federal Government. After beginning accordion lessons in Kansas City with Cecil Cochran when she was eight years old, Joyce continued with Joan Cochran Sommers throughout her advanced studies, receiving her Bachelor of Music in Accordion Performance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Music in 1978. Joyce was a member of the renowned UMKC Accordion Orchestra for many decades playing accordion parts, as well as being entrusted with the bass accordion and elektronium parts. After the 50th anniversary and retirement of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra in 2011, Joyce continued to play bass accordion in the UMKC Chamber Accordion Ensemble. In addition to the 1975 International Accordion Symposium held by Joseph Macerollo at the University of Toronto, Joyce attended many major accordion conventions throughout the United States. Joyce performed with her fellow UMKC colleagues including Jody Gillis on his senior recital and was one of the soloists performing the Bach/Vivaldi Concerto in A minor with the UMKC Symphony Orchestra alongside Jeff Lisenby, Robert (Bob) Sattler and Karen Fremar. Joyce participated in the International tours of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra to Europe (Germany, Switzerland and Austria - 1979), the United Kingdom (England and Scotland - 1987), Russia and Scandinavia (Stockholm, Moscow, Leningrad, Tallinn and Copenhagen - 1989) and New Zealand and Australia (1994). She also participated in accordion competitions and concerts throughout the United States. She most recently performed with the UMKC Chamber Accordion Ensemble at the 2018 80th Anniversary of the American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) in Alexandria, VA (Washington, DC). For her graduation from the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), Joyce’s Senior Concert Recital on April 29, 1978, included: Sonata in D Major and Sonata in G Major by Antonio Soler, Sonata No. 1 (in one movement) by William Kuehl, Divertissement pour Accordeon (Serenade and Gigue et Cortege) by Wolfgang Jacobi, Sonata for Two (Allegro guisto and Finale) by George Fiala with Ron Dake - Soprano Saxophone, Rhapsody by Janis Medins and Polonaise in E Major by Franz Liszt, arr. Anthony Galla-Rini. In addition to her active participation in the various UMKC Accordion performance groups throughout her career, Joyce had her own private accordion students plus she also taught accordion for the Music Arts Institute (MAI) and the United Teachers Of Music in Independence, Missouri. Joyce served as Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) for many years. She was also on the Board of Directors for the Mid-America Music Association (MAMA) for 22 years. Before the use of music notation software programs became mainstream, Joyce had a unique skill as a music copyist. Her stunning calligraphy can be seen on many scores published by Ernest Deffner Publications in New York (sample below). A memorial service will be held in her honor on June 1st, 2019, at 10:30 AM, at the First Assembly of God Church, 3711 S. Whitney Ct., Independence, Missouri. The UMKC Chamber Accordion Ensemble comprising director Joan Cochran Sommers, Kevin Friedrich, Samantha Jarquio Wagner, Christine Jarquio Nichols, Ron Dake, Ron Barrow, Betty Jo Simon and Cathy Sue Weiss will perform at the Memorial Service in honor of their dear friend and long-time fellow performer Joyce Christine Davis. They will perform two pieces Joyce liked to play including The Last Spring, Op. 34, No. 2 by Edvard Grieg and Flight, Mov. 3 ‘Arrival’ by Ian Watson. Joyce will be laid to rest in Brooking Cemetery, 10004 E. 53rd St, Raytown, MO, 64133, USA. Joyce will be dearly missed by her many accordion friends and family. |
Hotel Parco Welcomes Peter Le Geyt Accordion Group – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The Hotel Parco welcomed Peter Le Geyt and a group of 40 accordion enthusiasts in May recently. In April last month, Hotel Parco Directors Milly Cianforlini and Laura Davezza dedicated their hotel to the accordion and held a “Welcome” afternoon for accordion producers and manufacturers. This month was the 7th time Peter Le Geyt had visited Castelfidardo and this time he was hosted by the Hotel. He brought accordionists with him from as far away as Canada, USA and England. The Hotel has been newly decorated with an accordion theme and visitors enjoyed a wonderful evening with entertainment by the Trio "Concertino Salvia e Burro" which included Luigino Pallotta (Director of the Paolo Sopriani Music School in Castelfidardo). The whole group of visitors then enjoyed the rest of the evening, playing at the Hotel for fun. |
Video: Jane Christison on World Accordion Day - USAby Harley Jones |
World Accordion Day at the World of Accordion Museum - USA featuring Jane Christison of Music With A Smile and Jane Christison – Janie Next Door® fame. Video 1: Jane Christison performs Du, Du, Liegst Mir im Herzen. Video 2: Jane Christison performing Peanuts Polka, El Rancho Grande. |
London Accordion Orchestra 20th Anniversary Concert – UKby Alison Worthington |
On 18th May the London Accordion Orchestra (LAO) performed their 20th anniversary concert at the Sacred Heart Parish in Wimbledon, London. The LAO was an idea initiated by Neil Sanders who approached Julie Luck and Ian Watson about creating an Accordion Club within the London area. At the time there were a number of groups outside of London, but this was an opportunity to start something new. It started out as a way to perform and get feedback and then progressed to ensemble work. The Morley Accordion Orchestra was then formed from this group and the orchestra has since become the London Accordion Orchestra. The concert featured a number of pieces the LAO have enjoyed playing over the recent years, including Mars and Jupiter from The Planets (by Holst) and Danzon No 2 (by Arturo Marquez). They were also able to showcase the musical stars of the Scared Heart Parish and were joined by Giles Kennedy for Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin) and Robert Rathbone on the Organ for Toccata (Widor). Katy’s Songbirds Choir, a recently formed group, joined the orchestra to sing the hymn "I Vow to Thee, My Country" in Jupiter before performing Skyfall (by Adele). The LAO also showcased the pieces they will be performing at the World Music Competitions in Innsbruck in two weeks’ time. Short Ride in a Fast Machine (by John Adams, arranged by Ian Watson) and also Black Mountain composed by Ian Watson specifically for this competition. |
Future events |
Kosmos Ensemble at Music Nairn – Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
The Kosmos Ensemble which includes classical accordionist Milos Milivojevic, Harriet MacKenzie (violin) and Meg Hamilton (viola), will perform at the Nairn Community & Arts Centre in Nairn, Scotland on June 1st at 7.30pm. The ensemble, which has performed all over Europe and at some of the UK's most prestigious music festivals and venues, will play a mix of classical and world music with their innovative interpretations of emotive Jewish, Greek and Balkan music along with Argentine tango. For further concert information email: kosmos@kosmosensemble.com |
Marco Lo Russo to Perform at Santa Maria Church in Fondi - Italyby Rob Howard |
On June 2nd at 8pm, accordionist Marco Lo Russo will perform in concert at the Santuario Madonna del Cielo, Santa Maria Church in Piazza a Fondi (Latina), on the occasion of the final celebrations of the Marian month. The concert will include a variety of works from classical music to original compositions, through soundtracks, world music and sacred music. This performance will mark the beginning of a week of preparation for the Madonna del Cielo (Feast of Our Lady of Heaven), which will culminate with a celebration and service presided over by the Archbishop of Gaeta Mons on June 7th. For further information phone: +39 340 94 04 250 |
2019 Accordion Magic Festival – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
The 2019 Middlewich “Accordion Magic” Festival will be held in Middlewich, Cheshire, England from June 14th to 16th as part of the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (FAB), organised by John Romero (picture left) from Carillon Studios. Performers include Harry Hussey, John Penny, Helen Rich, John Romero, Colette McKeown and Gennaro Fiondella. The festival is also a fundraiser for two charities - "Winstons Wish" & "Middlewich Additional Needs Network". Organiser John Romero is looking for accordion volunteers who would like to offer their services for these wonderful charities. For details phone: 01 606 270148 |
CNIMA Accordion Lessons via Internet/Skypeby Christine Johnstone |
The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix are now offering accordion lessons in all styles and levels via Internet/Skype. All you need is a computer (if possible connected to a large screen), a webcam, a broadband Internet connection and the free version of the Skype software. Wherever you are in the world, you can have the opportunity to benefit from the unique pedagogy of CNIMA Jacques Mornet, to prepare you for a local, national or international competition or simply to perfect your playing. These classes will be run from October to June, excluding school periods (31 weeks). Thirty minute trials are available free of charge. For further details email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Save the Date – Special Guests at Brooklyn Accordion Club - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Brooklyn Accordion Club will host two special guests at their June meeting: Stephanie Simon (Gadji Accordion from France), and Cordeone Loic De Silva. The event will take place from 7pm to 9pm on June 24th at Jalopy Theatre and School of Music, 315 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, New York. Admission: $5.00 Stephanie will give a talk on accordion tuning and operation. Cordeone will then entertain with a mix of Jazz, Fado, Brazilian music, Funk, Reggae and hip hop. This event is open to the public, but space is limited. Please email to secure your spot: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Accordion Masterclass by Jean-Louis Noton - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
Jean-Louis Noton will run an Accordion Training Masterclass as part of a week dedicated to the accordion from July 17th to 24th at the Hotel Restaurant "Les Sapins" Wellness & Gourmet, 6762 route du Col de la Croix Fry, 74230 Manigod. In addition Julie Blocher will hold a masterclass to discuss the following: -Comfortable accordion positions -How to use the bellows -How to interpret music -Understanding the keyboard left hand/right hand -Improvement of technique with memory exercises, independence of the fingers (according to the method of Frédéric Deschamps) -Work on pieces according to requests. Michel Madeira will discuss “Dance Musette” and on July 22nd and 23rd Alpha magician will entertain (picture right). Amateur and professional accordionists are invited to attend. For further details phone Jean-Louis Noton: 06.03.16.42.83 |
Christmas Accordion Extravaganza! in Eastbourne – UKby Rob Howard |
A Christmas Accordion Extravaganza is currently being organised at the Queens Hotel Eastbourne, Marine Parade in Eastbourne, by CGF Music Ltd. The event will take place from December 13th to 16th, 2019. Entertainment will be provided Claudio Allodi (picture left), Steve Roxton, Julie Best & Jean Corrighan (picture right), Sammie Peckover, Jean Hanger and Gennaro Fiondella with displays by Harry Kipling's Accordion Treasures and The Accordion Shop. Organisers plan to add further accordionists to this line-up. If you are interested in attending this event, or have any questions please contact CGF Music: sales@cgfmusic.co.uk |
2020 Frankfurt Musikmesse 40th Anniversary - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The 40th anniversary edition of Musikmesse will be held next year from April 1st to 4th, 2020. The show will once again be positioned as the international trade fair for the music business with a clear focus on professional encounters. Additionally, a special ticket will be offered for private visitors on the Friday and Saturday when Musikmesse will present an expanded programme of events with numerous workshops, concerts and entertainment. For the coming anniversary edition, Musikmesse is banking on the decisive factors that had made it into the biggest platform for the sector for many years. They include not only a highly professional and international orientation but also a great emotional appeal to the entire music scene. Against this background, Messe Frankfurt is bringing the Saturday back into the event concept, to draw together companies and market participants from all over the world together with all the target groups of decisive importance to them. Their aim is to make the event more attractive for companies, retailers, trade visitors and the whole music scene”, says Michael Biwer, Group Show Director of the Entertainment, Media & Creative Industries Business Unit of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. Musikmesse will open its doors concurrently with Prolight + Sound, the Global Entertainment Technology Show, which runs for 3 days from 31st March to 3rd April 2020. On the Friday and Saturday, Musikmesse will be accompanied by the ‘Musikmesse Plaza’ sales area. Additionally, 2020 will see the fifth edition of the Musikmesse Festival with concert highlights at the Exhibition Centre and throughout Frankfurt. Information on the 2019 event is online at: Frankfurt2019 Further details about the 2020 event concept will be announced shortly. |
New and Updated Sites |
AAA 2019 Flier Updated Onlineby Linda Soley Reed, AAA Second Vice President |
The 2019 flier for the AAA Festival in July is updated on the site: American Accordionists' Association (AAA) |
Updated Site: Yehuda Oppenheimer (1925 - 2012), MusicForAccordion.comby Harley Jones |
Updated Site of Yehuda Oppenheimer has had added an obituary and generally updated site in preparation for some additional works that are being published shortly. View his works at: Yehuda Oppenheimer |
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