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Highlights |
International Music Accordion Campus, Dolomites - Italy
36th NAAFC Festival, Scotland – UK
World Accordion Day – World
Art Van Damme Tribute Wall - Cyberspace
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
NAO Area Festival Season continues - UK
Corrado Rojac opens ‘Rondò 2010’ season, Milan - Italy
Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Sussex – UK
Future events |
Mika Väyrynen to perform in Ourense - Spain
Marco Lo Russo CD Presentation, Rome – Italy
Claudio Allodi @ Uxbridge Accordion Club, England – UK
Gorka Hermosa Concerts - Spain
RAM Masterclass and Showcase Concert, London – UK
Victor Prieto Concerts, New York – USA
Kimmo Pohjonen Concerts – USA, Germany, Turkey
‘Songs of Sea’, Tallinn, Jõhvi – Estonia
New and Updated Sites |
NAA Publications New Music Releases
Vassily Glubochenko releases 3 new works for accordion
Finland Recordings selling a new CD
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Pieces
NAA Publications New Music Releases
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Accordion O Rama event at NAA Convention, Texas - USAby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Accordion-O-Rama Accordion Sales and Service, the accordion superstore, in conjunction with Excelsior Accordions, the Italian accordion manufacturer, will present Jeff Lisenby playing an Excelsior MIDI accordion at the National Accordion Association (NAA) Accordion Convention in Dallas, Texas, March 11th to 13th. Jeff will combine real accordion sounds with up-to-date electronic voices and electronic rhythms creating the effect of an amazing trio. Peter Shearer, of Accordion-O-Rama, will be available in the Accordion-O-Rama booth during National Accordion Association (NAA) convention-show hours to discuss specific accordions. Jeff Lisenby will be present to demonstrate and play acoustic as well as MIDI accordions. There will be a special presentation in the Accordion-O-Rama Accordion Sales and Service booth on the ‘Basics of MIDI’ on Friday March 12th, at 5pm. Jeff Lisenby and Peter Shearer will present a virtual ‘Orchestra via MIDI and a real Excelsior accordion’ on Saturday March 13th at 11am in Ballroom no1. Jeff is a headliner at the NAA show. Jeff’s ‘Jazz Accordion’ workshop will be at 1pm on Friday. His workshop on ‘Working in Studios’ will be held on Friday March 12th at 3pm. Jeff will also be entertaining on Saturday evening following the banquet. For further information email: bws@monmouth.com |
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International Music Accordion Campus, Dolomites - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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  International Music Accordion Campus welcomes accordionists and music lovers of all levels and all ages, and encourages all styles of music. International Music Accordion Campus offers 7 days of master-classes, seminars, lectures, group playing and private instruction from Jean Louis Noton, Peter Soave and Mady Soave in a professional setting that harmonizes nature and learning. Participants can anticipate a healthy musical environment full of friendship and learning in a 3 star hotel and will enjoy the breathtaking panorama of Italian Dolomites! - July 25th to August 1st 2010 - August 1st to 8th 2010 For further information email: madysoave@hotmail.com |
36th NAAFC Festival, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
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  The 36th National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs (NAAFC) Championships take place on Saturday March 13th, from 9am, at the Inchyra Grange Hotel, Polmont, Falkirk, Scotland. This year’s festival has a record 277 entries, including lots of younger competitors. The contest composers this year are: accordion – Calum MacLean, and fiddle – J. Scott Skinner. The accordion adjudicators are: Sandy Nixon - Traditional Michael Philip - Traditional Charlie Kirkpatrick - Traditional Bill Smith - Classical Graham Laurie - Classical From 6.15 to 8.15pm, at the hotel, there will be a concert featuring the festival prize winners, and from 9pm to 1am there will be a dance featuring the Alan Gardiner Scottish Dance Band. For further information email: lorna@mair4080.fsnet.co.uk |
World Accordion Day – Worldby Raymond Bodell, President, Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) |
 What are you plans for World Accordion Day on the 6th May? Join us on May 6th (the day the accordion was patented in 1829). We invite you to join our international tribute to the accordion by holding an accordion event in honor of World Accordion Day on or close to May 6th. A key part of this event is the World Accordion Day website. Everyone can register their World Accordion Day activity on the website and send a report of their event after, for that website. This site is already a very valuable resource for the media reporting World Accordion Day so please let your local media know about your event and this website. No event is too big or too small. ALL accordion events celebrating World Accordion Day are welcome. This is a promotion for the accordion in which every accordion enthusiast can participate and help bring our accordion world together as well as strongly promote the accordion to your population. |
Art Van Damme Tribute Wall - Cyberspaceby Harley Jones |
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| From the International Accordion Museum, Castelfidardo comes this historic photo taken in 1988 at the Teatro Astra in Castelfidardo, Italy. From left: Yuri Kasakov (Russia), Beniamino Bugiolacchi (then Artistic Director of the Premio Città di Castelfidardo) Art Van Damme (USA), Alain Musichini (France), Wolmer Beltrami (Italy), and Peter Soave (USA). A unique photo of famous accordion celebrities. Art Van Damme died on February 15th 2010 after being ill with pneumonia for several weeks. A Memorial to this great accordion jazz legend is now online and you can add your Tribute to his Tribute Wall on the Art Van Damme Memorials site. Thank you for all the nice tributes sent so far. The Tributes Wall will be open for 7 more days to send tributes. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Marathon Accordion in Kaunas - Lithuaniaby |
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 Photo top: All participants, Lower: Mindaugas Labanauskas, Frédéric Deschamps, Augustinas Rakauskas and Grazina Lukosiene.On 20 February, the National Association of Kaunas (Lithuania) organized a Marathon accordion event with over 140 participants. This association is chaired by the very dynamic Grazina Lukosiene (a professor at the Conservatory "J. Gruodism) and has over 500 active members including some forty professors located throughout the region. Frédéric Deschamps was invited to the Kaunas Association event t by Mindaugas Labanauskas, teacher and international delegate at the CIA and the CMA. Very young accordionists were playing all day successfully impressing the audience. Frédéric Deschamps was giving a master classes on Saturday morning for all the teachers present showing the innovative teaching techniques that his teaching of talented accordionists such as Jerome Richard, Julien ‘Speedy’ Gonzales, Grayson Masefield, Petar Maric and many others, has enabled him to discover and develop. The young prodigy Augustinas Rakauskas, student of Grazina Lukosiene, who came to public notice when qualifying for the famous National Televised Show "2 minutes of Glory", served as a model student for the occasion. Augustinas is familiar with the techniques of Deschamps through working with him regularly on internet using Skype. The Festival marathon included the 2009 Coupe Mondiale dual winner (classic and variété), Grayson Masefield of New Zealand, who is also a pupil of Frédéric Deschamps. His concert program consisting of classical and variété music, strongly excited the packed auditorium of over 600 people and included a standing ovation for this young artists performance. The next day, Grayson Masefield performed another very successful concert in Vilnius. See the Grayson's Fan Club for video of the Lithuania concert. Join the Fan Club for a free gift. Only information needed is your name and email, no password or sign in required. |
NAO Area Festival Season continues - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
 February 6th has seen three very successful NAO Area Festivals – all qualifying festivals for the NAO UK Championships 2010 to be held in April.The NAO West Scotland Area Festival, attracted over 250 entries from various parts of Scotland, with a predominant number from the Paisley Academy under the direction of the Organiser Brian Laurie. Picture left shows Graham Laurie ad Larysa Bodell. The members of the Jury with a busy day were Alistair Gillespie, Larysa Bodell (who also demonstrated the Roland digital accordion) and Graham Laurie. Anna Bodell NAO Deputy Chairperson commented at the prize presentation how nice it was to see so many orchestras featured including those of Gary Blair, Keith Dickson, Brian Laurie and Graham Laurie. The NAO North Central Area Festival attracted over 200 entries, under the direction of the Organiser Harry Hinchcliffe, and a wonderful array of young talent was heard at this Festival. NAO Chairperson Raymond Bodell commented how “the project promoting the accordion in local schools in the region in recent years is now bringing forward many young enthusiastic and talented accordionists”. Additionally, local boy – Thom Hardaker who is now studying in St Petersburg delighted the audience with an excellent recital. The NAO Northern Ireland Area Festival had a good entry from both Northern Ireland and Eire. Organiser Clyde Johnston was delighted with the wonderful array of talent that was heard throughout the day. The NAO Area Festival Season concludes with the East Anglia Festival under the direction of Elaine Beecham on February 28th. All the results of the NAO Festival season can be found at NAO website. |
Corrado Rojac opens ‘Rondò 2010’ season, Milan - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 On January 25th, ‘Rond’, an annual season of contemporary music, began at the Theatre Franco Parenti in Milan. This festival has become an important part of the cultural highlights of the Lombardy.‘Rond 2010’ offers eight concerts featuring contemporary music, with the opening concert presenting theatrical music – a monograph, dedicated by Sandro Gorli (‘Rond 2010’ Artistic Director) to Mauricio Kagel, one of the great interpreters of contemporary music, who died in 2008. The program was a sort of comedy of the absurd, in which the author's eclectic musical theatre was combined with the vein of a variety show. Included were ‘Episoden’ and ‘Figuren’, (solo works) written by Kagel in 1993, performed by accordionist Rojac Corrado, of Trieste. Rojac Corrado is now one of the most popular Italian contemporary accordionists. Since 2008 he is an Accordion Professor at the Conservatory Giuseppe Tartini in Trieste. The mimic Bustric together with the Divertimento Ensemble, a chamber group from Milan, directed by Dario Garegnani, enchanted the audience with diverse characters, from a cleaner, to a fire-eater, juggler, and dog trainer. The season will last until June, offering a broad spectrum of contemporary music. The public of Milan will have the opportunity to hear the Ensemble Kuraia, from Bilbao, with the best of new Spanish music, but the absolute highlight of ‘Rondò 2010’ will be the evening of May 26th, when the new compositions of the young composers competition will be presented. Closing event of the season “notes for friendship” will be on June 7th– both events are dedicated to Franco Donatoni (a Milan composer who died 10 years ago) |
Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Sussex – UKby Rob Howard |
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 Last weekend’s Eastbourne Accordion Festival took place at the Queens Hotel on the seafront, and was well organized and supported. The organizers were Jackie and John Romero. The opening concert began with spots by Harry Hussey and Gennaro Fiondella, after which Jack Emblow and Tony Compton performed two lengthy sets of jazz standards. The following morning Emblow and Compton returned to play more music and to take questions about their careers and influences, how they improvise, create harmonies, etc. They also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Art Van Damme, cited as a major influence. Italy’s Mauro Carra appeared twice in concert, on Saturday and Sunday evenings, giving outstanding performances of Italian and French musette music, and some classical and jazz pieces. There were also two concert performances by London accordionist Romano Viazzani, one of which was a demonstration of the new Roland FR7X digital accordion. Other accordionists performing during the festival included Alan Young, Gennaro Fiondella, Harry Hussey, Harvie Sharpe and Roman Volushchuk. The Saturday evening concert was followed by a lively Scottish ceilidh to the music of Harvie Sharpe – accordion, and Alan Young – piano. Harry Hussey and Alan Young led jam busking sessions. Workshops included ‘Orchestra’ and ‘Playing Bel Viso’ - Gennaro Fiondella, and ‘Playing By Ear’ – Trevani. The trade show included The Accordion Shop, Trevani, Birmingham Accordion Centre, and Rob Howard’s ‘An A to Z of the Accordion’ 4-volume series of books. The next festival is set for October 8th to 11th, at the Langholm Hotel, Eastbourne. For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.co.uk |
Future events |
‘Day of the Accordion’, Seattle – USAby Rob Howard |
 The Northwest Accordion Society presents their annual Day of the Accordion, February 28th, from 11am to 5pm at Center House, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, Washington. In addition to nonstop accordion music and dancing, there will be workshops, seminars, and free lessons. Performances by beginners and professionals alike. Artistes performing include Murl Allen Sanders, Ken Olendorf, Sasson Klezmer Band, Northwest Accordionaires, Happy Wanderers Band, Bonnie Birch Band, Folkvoice Band, and the Smilin’ Scandinavians. Workshops include ‘Caring for your accordion’’, by Jim Tobler, and ‘Introduction to Balkan music and songwriting’, by Marchette DuBois. For further information email: bonniebirch@msn.com |
Mika Väyrynen to perform in Ourense - Spainby Kevin Friedrich |
 Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen will perform a solo recital on March 7th, at the upcoming ‘Pórtico do Paraíso’ Music Festival in Ourense, located in the Galicia region of Spain. The recital will be held at the historic Church of Santa Eufemia (opened in 1653) at 8pm. Prior to the concert, at 12mid-day, Mika will visit with accordion students from the Conservatory of Ourense during a special meeting and lecture. Mika’s program will include Chaconne by Bach/Busoni/Väyrynen, Sonata No. 1 ‘Ultra’, by Paavo Korpijaakko, as well as works by Jancek, Couperin, Hannikainen, Scriabin and the 2004 CIA Coupe Mondiale Test Piece ‘Impasse’, by Franck Angelis. Established two years ago, the 10-day festival aims to bring high quality soloists and ensembles to Ourense, presenting concerts in the historical and landmark venues such as churches, the Town Hall and the main theatre. For full details, please visit www.porticodoparaiso.com |
Marco Lo Russo CD Presentation, Rome – Italyby Rob Howard |
 On Mrch 4th, 6pm, accordionist Marco Lo Russo plays selections from his new CD, ‘World Music’, at the Galleria l'incontro d'arte via del Vantaggio, Rome.The tracks on ‘World Music’ include ‘Vento di Sabbia’, ‘Risveglio Mattutino’, ‘Danza sull'aia’, ‘Ombelico’, ‘Risaia’, ‘Valzer del mulino’, ‘Dub Tango’, ‘Fisa malinconica’, ‘Marcetta villana’, ‘Dolly Valtz’, ‘Api’, ‘East Market’, ‘Ice’, ‘Shadow’, ‘Red Tango’, and ‘Carillon’. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Claudio Allodi @ Uxbridge Accordion Club, England – UKby Rob Howard |
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 Claudio Allodi is the guest artiste at Uxbridge Accordion Club on Monday March 8th, 8pm, at The Anglers Retreat, Cricketfield Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7HG. The organizers are Angie and David Lukins.The Uxbridge Accordion Club meets on the second Monday of every month. |
Gorka Hermosa Concerts - Spainby Rob Howard |
 Important Spanish concert accordionist Gorka Hermosa performs ‘Opale Concerto’ (Galliano) and other works at venues in Granada, Salamanca, Oviedo and Santander, as follows:March 8th – ‘Tangosophy’: Javier Berná (clarinet) and Gorka Hermosa, at the Auditorium of the Conservatorio de Santander 9th – ‘Opale Concerto’ (Galliano) with the Camerata Sotileza (MD Emilio Otero) at the Auditorium of the Conservatorio de Santander 10th - Francisco San Emeterio (piano) and Gorka Hermosa the Auditorium of the Conservatorio de Santander 17th – ‘Bach by Bulerías’: duo with José Luis Montón (flamenco guitar) at the Centro Cultural Cajastur de Oviedo, Asturias. 25th – ‘Tangosophy: Garúa’ at the Auditorio Biblioteca Torrente Ballester, Salamanca For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
RAM Masterclass and Showcase Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 Leading Italian accordionist Claudio Jacomucci conducts a master class at York Gate 150, Royal Academy of Music, London, on Friday March 12th, 10am–1pm and 2pm – 5pm. Free, no tickets required. Claudio Jacomucci is renowned for his active contribution to the accordion repertoire through both his collaborations with leading composers and his own compositions.At 6pm, in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall, current students perform works for solo accordion and chamber ensemble, including: Gubaidulina – ‘In Croce’ Angelis – ‘Concert Suite’ JS Bach – ‘Prelude and Fugue in G sharp minor, BWV863’ Grieg – ‘The Solitary Traveller and Butterfly’ from ‘Lyric Suite’ Mussorgsky – ‘Spanish Caprice’ This concert will also feature guest performer Claudio Jacomucci. For further information email: accordion@ram.ac.uk |
Victor Prieto Concerts, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
 New York-based Spanish accordionist Victor Prieto performs as follows:March 3rd – with Emilio Solla & the Tango Jazz Conspiracy at Queens College, NY 11th, 6pm and 7:20pm sets – Victor Prieto Trio, Puppets, 481 5th Ave, Park Slopet, Brooklyn, NY 13th, 7pm and 9pm sets - Victor Prieto Trio, La Lanterna, NY For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
Kimmo Pohjonen Concerts – USA, Germany, Turkeyby Rob Howard |
 Finnish accordionists Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen perform at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York, on March 13th, 10pm. This concert is called ‘Tundra Songs’ and also features the Kronos Quartet and Inuit singer Tanya Tagaq.Kimmo Pohjonen with the Proton String Quartet perform Pohjonen’s unique composition ‘Uniko’, a 70 minute work that features a variety of sounds plus surround sound and lights at concerts in March and April. The dates are: March 26th – Nikolaisaal, Potsdam, Germany April 27th - Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, Istanbul, Turkey For further information email: pap@hoedown.com |
‘Songs of Sea’, Tallinn, Jõhvi – Estoniaby Rob Howard |
| ‘Songs of Sea’, performed by singers Marko Matvere and Kihnu Virve, accompanied by accordionist Tiit Kalluste and the Virve Family Band, takes place at: March 16th, 7pm - Harjumaa, Tallinn 17th, 7pm - Ida-Virumaa, Jõhvi |
New and Updated Sites |
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
 MusicForAccordion.com site releases 6 new pieces - 'Sabre Dance, catalog:mfa6018', 'Lohengrin, catalog:mfa6036', 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone?, catalog:mfa6060, 'Skogsblommer, catalog:mfa6072', 'Valse, catalog:mfa7006' and '35 Traditional Songs From Russia, catalog:mfa7017', also release 2 new pieces arranged by Aleksandar Nikoli - 'Ole Guapa, catalog:niko106' and 'Aromas Mendocinas, catalog:niko107'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby National Accordion Association |
 National Accordion Association releases 4 new pieces, 'The Young Prince and the Young Princess, catalog:naa130', 'Canadian Sunset, catalog:naa131', 'Calliope, catalog:naa133' and 'Forgotten Dreams, catalog:naa135'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Vassily Glubochenko releases 3 new works for accordionby Vassily Glubochenko |
 Vassily Glubochenko - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, and scientist, releases 3 new works for accordion available for purchase online - ‘Tango for Natasha, catalog:gvassily033', 'Swing from by, catalog:gvassily034' and 'Confession, catalog:gvassily035'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Finland Recordings selling a new CDby Finland recordings |
 Finland Recordings selling a new CD titled "Misterium" with sound samples. Music performed by Mika Vayrynen. Purchase online. |
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
 MusicForAccordion.com site releases 2 new pieces - 'Tarantella, catalog:mfa8018 and 'Waves Of The Ocean, catalog:mfa8019'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
 National Accordion Association releases 4 new pieces, 'The Blue Skirt Waltz, catalog:naa125', 'Danse Russe Trepak (Trio), catalog:naa126', 'Dance Of The Mialitens, catalog:naa127' and 'Blue Danube, catalog:naa128'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
Misteriumby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Misterium” by Joan C. Sommers. Performer is Mika Väyrynen. |
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