Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Melissa Naschenweng Wins Amadeus Austrian Music Award 2023 - Austriaby Christine Johnstone |
Video 1: Melissa Naschenweng performing a medley of hits at the 2021 New Year's Eve Show with Jörg Pilawa. Video 2: Interview in German language with Melissa Naschenweng. Melissa Naschenweng won the 23rd Amadeus Austrian Music Award 2023. The award ceremony took place on April 28th at the Volkstheater in Vienna and was broadcast by ORF 1. The popular Carinthian Melissa Naschenweng was once again crowned queen in the category "Schlager/folk music". |
![]() |
Ishøj Accordion Festival – Denmarkby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
The annual Ishøj Harmonika Festival (Ishøj Accordion Festival) will be held in Ishøj, Denmark on June 9th and 10th, 2023 organised by the Ishøj Harmonika Klub. The event will include performances by the Mademoiselle de Paris Trio which features Kristian Rusbjerg (accordion), Duo Jensen & Bugge (Mette Kathrine Jensen on accordion and Kristian Bugge on violin) and the Ishoj Accordion Orchestra among others. For details email: ishojfestival@gmail.com |
45th Vancouver Folk Music Festival – Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
![]() ![]() Accordion performers include Rum Ragged (picture above right), Cedric Watson (accordion) & Jourdan Thibodeaux (violin) pictured above left, and Kalàscima (Italy – picture below). For details email: info@thefestival.bc.ca |
![]() |
James Crabb: Performance of “Dragspil” – New Zealandby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
![]() This was first premiered by accordionist James Crabb in 1995 at the BBC Proms and only performed one other time. Scotsman James Crabb was now found to be living in Sydney, Australia and was agreeable to perform. He had studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen and was a teacher there for some years. The APO ask soloists to give a talk prior to the concert and this took place in the concert chamber, where many concert goers were introduced to how the accordion works and about the composition “Dragspil” commissioned for Crabb. Many accordionists attended the well-advertised concert and afterwards had the opportunity to meet him. The performance in the Auckland Town Hall was extremely well received by the large audience in spite of the raging storm outside stopping some ticket holders from attending. Read the professional review (picture below) by the New Zealand Herald titled "Thrills aplenty in energetic concert" at: 2023NZHerald |
![]() |
Storm Duo Performs at Tonehimmel 2023 - Norwayby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
“Storm Duo” consisting of Ásta Soffía Thorgeirsdóttir (Iceland) and Kristina Farstad Bjørdal (Denmark) will perform at the Tonehimmel 2023 contemporary music festival held in Sunnmøre, Norway from June 18th to 25th, 2023. The festival artistic director is Magnar Åm. “Many of the concerts are outdoors, as organisers believe that nature is far more than a nice backdrop, it gives us a presence and an open mind both for music, nature and for each other.” |
![]() |
Kevin Friedrich Entertains at "Royal High Tea" - New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
![]() Picture 2: Full hall for the High Tea. Picture left: Margaret Tier presenting a prize basket. On May 21st, 2023, the Dargaville Lion's Club held a "Royal High Tea" at the Lighthouse Function Centre in Dargaville, New Zealand, to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. The afternoon featured a variety of entertainment to an excited full house audience of senior citizens (aged 65 and over). Kevin Friedrich opened the event with "God Save the King" and closed the event with a performance of some good old favourites which included “Tipperary”, “Pack up Your Troubles”, “Roll out the Barrel”, “There’s a Tavern in the Town”, “English Country Garden” and "The White Cliffs of Dover", with pictures of the white cliffs showing on the big screen in the background (picture below). This was followed by a rousing rendition of “We’ll Meet Again” by all the performers and the audience. Picture lower: Kevin Friedrich playing with the White Cliffs of Dover in the background. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Report: International Accordion Competition Klingenthal - 60 years - Germanyby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
![]() |
![]() • in the promotion of solo accordion playing for all age groups • in the manifestation of the diverse possibilities of accordion music in solo and in ensemble • in the practice of playing the solo accordion with a symphonic orchestra • in the interpretation of chamber music for several accordions and in the interplay of the accordion with other musical instruments • in presenting new compositions for the accordion • in maintaining the exchange of experiences on the accordion and the bandoneon, on accordion and bandoneon music in the areas of music aesthetics and music education, but also on technical instrument building issues with local musical instrument manufacturers The organizers are to be congratulated that, despite all the difficulties and changes in various areas of our times, they have always carried out their program undeterred, so that Klingenthal has become a trademark in the international accordion world. This year the jury was made up of famous teachers and artists such as Stefan Hussong, Andreas Nebl, Claudia Buder, Ulf Seifert, Stephan Bahr, Stefan Fraas (Germany), Na Song (China), Vladimir Blagojevic, Djordje Gajic (Serbia), Iñaki Alberdi (Spain), Grzegorz Stopa (Poland), Veli Matias Kujala (Finland), Werner Weibert (Austria), Jacques Mornet (France) and Raimondas Sviackevicius (Lithuania). The festive opening was performed by the duo AMuse Arseniy Strokovskiy (accordion) and Michiru Soeda (violin) with works by Georg Katzer, Alfred Schnittke, Mikhail Bronner and Béla Bartók. Arseniy Strokovskiy was the first prizewinner of the Klingenthal competition in 2016 and, after studying with Prof. Hussong, took up a position at the Würzburg University of Music. He gives concerts worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician. The duo Nebl & Nebl (accordion / clarinet) has long been one of the protagonists for this line-up internationally. In their studio concert, they delighted the audience with works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Uroš Rojko, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Tapio Nevanlinna, Carl Phillipp Emanuel Bach, Robert Schumann and Jürgen Ganzer. As the winner of the "Premio Internazionale della Fisarmonica" in Castelfidardo, the Chinese Hang Ding was invited to a special concert in Klingenthal. The well-known Russian bayan artist Yuri Shishkin called him "a young artistic and musical talent with extremely high playing skills", which he impressively demonstrated with works by Olivier Messiaen, Ole Schmidt, Johann Sebastian Bach, Uroš Rojko, Domenico Scarlatti, Kahlevi Aho and Franz Liszt. Under the direction of Professor Gero Schmidt-Oberländer, the SchuMu Big Band from the "Franz Liszt" Weimar University of Music and accordion soloist Daniel Roth organized an entertaining evening with traditional jazz, swing, beat, Latin and much more in a big band sound. As part of a discussion forum, an open panel discussion was held on the subject of “Focus on the present – where to go in the future”. Current topics for the development of the accordion were taken up: • Training at music schools and universities internationally • Development and access to new accordion literature and its structural understanding • Competitions, festivals, etc. and their influence on the development of accordion culture • New tuning systems - an experiment? In the final concert of soloist category IV for accordion and symphonic orchestra, for which the four best soloists of the preliminary rounds traditionally qualify, this year Krzysztof Penderecki's "Double Concerto for Violin, Viola and Orchestra" (arranged for accordion by the Polish accordionist Maciej Frackiewicz) was on the program. The prizewinners' concert on the last day of competition at the 50th International Accordion Competition in Klingenthal was the gala performance of the winners of all competition categories. The final concert of soloist category IV for accordion and symphonic orchestra is a unique feature of the world-renowned competition. The prizewinners' concert was framed by the Vogtland Philharmonic Greiz/Reichenbach conducted by Dorian Keilhack. The importance of the International Accordion Competition in Klingenthal becomes particularly clear. Winners present their masterly skills and receive invitations to concerts all over the world. The 61st International Accordion Competition Klingenthal from April 28th to May 4th, 2024 will again be a lasting experience for the accordionists and all their friends. Advertisements and application documents can be requested from: International Accordion Competition Office - email: Intern.Akkordeonwettbewerb@t-online.de Full results and picture report are now online at: 2023KlingenthalResults Picture below: Raimondas Sviackevicius (left) and Iñaki Alberdi |
![]() |
Video: Raffaele Gareri Jam Session - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Raffaele Gareri enjoying a Jam Session in Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Calabria, Italy after “an intense day of lessons” with one of his favourite songs. |
Future events |
Giorgio Dellarole Cathedral Accordion Concert - Italyby AWW |
![]() |
Giorgio Dellarole will perform a concert at the Conservatorio di Musica Arrigo Boito in Parma, Italy on May 31st, 2023 at 5pm. His program will include works by Bach, Scarlatti, Kilar, Piazzolla and others. See poster for details. |
“Cordeone” Entertains at Brooklyn Accordion Club - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() His program will include a variety of "Afro-Caribbean” music. Admission is free of charge. For details email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Accordion Orchestra Zug-Bar Concert - Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The orchestra is conducted by Sergej Simbirev. Download poster for details: 2023Zug-Bar |
Accordionists Entertain at 2nd Wesselinger Musikmesse - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
Accordionists will entertain at the 2nd Wesselinger Musikmesse, held at the Rheinforum in Wesseling, Germany on June 3rd, 2023 at 3.30pm. Performers include the Akkordeon-Orchester Wesseling, Aleksander Olek Gelba, Günter Mauel and Anita Brandtstater. See poster for details. |
Maciej Frąckiewicz Accordion Masterclass - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
![]() The event will cover mastering accordion performance technique, expanding knowledge of practicing ideas and learning new repertoire for the accordion - classical and classic contemporary music. Chamber music ensembles are also very welcome. Attendees will receive five lessons, full board, with a participant’s concert at the end. For details email: fundacjaarmoniadellarte@gmail.com |
Jakob Steinkellner 2023 Summer Tour Concerts - Various countriesby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
Video: Jakob Steinkellner (Austria) performing in a masterclass, introducing attendees to compositions inspired by the traditional music of his country. Accordionist Jacob Steinkellner (Austria) is currently on his 2023 Summer Tour, performing concerts in Vietnam, Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. His June concerts in Greece areas as follows: • June 17th, 2023 in Kythnos • June 18th, 2023 in Athens For details email: steinkellner1@gmx.at Picture below: Concert in Vietnam |
![]() |
Lelo Nika Trio Entertain at Jazz Club - Denmarkby AWW |
![]() This event is Paolo’s Jazz Club first concert in their Summer 2023 program. The trio will perform Balkan music “creating a blend between Scandinavian and East European folklore with freedom and improvisation, beautiful passages of modern classical music to hard swinging grooves”. |
Zbigniew Chojnacki June Solo Concerts - Belgiumby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Zbigniew Chojnacki (Poland) will perform two solo concerts in Belgium this June as follows: • June 22nd: Concert at the Brussels Fair • June 25th: Concert at the La Nature Festival in Vielsalm For details email: zbigniewmanagement@gmail.com |
UKAAT (UK Association of Accordion Teachers) Teacher and Student Workshop, England - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The event will begin with a welcome by UKAAT President, Romano Viazzani. Guest speakers include Owen Murray (RAM Professor of Accordion) and Anthony Beckwith (Teacher at Diocese of Leeds). The workshop will include “topics such as what to cover in the lesson of a brand new student. It will also look at how to critique and offer advice on improving students of more advanced pieces. Finally it will look at how to prepare your student for an audition at a further education establishment”. After a lunch break there will be a workshop on “how to lay good foundations for jazz teaching taken by Italian jazz accordionist/teacher/festival organiser Renzo Ruggieri who will also give a short concert at the end of the day”. There will also be performances from some of the accordion students at the RAM (Royal Academy of Music). |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
![]() |
Release of 2023 Coupe Mondiale Rules and Regulations 2022 Coupe Mondiale, October 04 - 09, Switzerland Daily Reports from 05 October |
![]() |
PIF Castelfidardo 2023 Competition Information PIF Castelfidardo 2022 Daily Reports |
![]() |
XXXIV International Festival, Moscow Daily Reports |
![]() |
Information 2023 World Accordion Day, 6th May each year News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article |
![]() |
2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
![]() |
Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
![]() |
Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article Link |
![]() |
Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
![]() |
2022 AAA Recent publications, USA 2023 AAA Festival News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: World Accordion Day Eventsby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
Read all about accordionists in many countries of the world that have supported World Accordion Day (WAD) to promote the accordion both nationally and internationally. 2023WADreport |
UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble Concerts - USAby Mary Ann Covone, ATG President |
![]() |
The (UMKC) Community Accordion Chamber Ensemble directed by Joan Cochran Sommers will perform concerts in June 2023 as follows: • June 24th at 3pm – concert at the Swan Dive Events Centre, Vivilore restaurant in Independence, Missouri. • June 25th at 2.30pm – concert at the Kansas City United Church of Christ Social Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. Admission is free. See poster for details. |
Updated AAA Composers Commissioning Committee Publication - USAby Dr. Robert Young McMahan Chair of AAA Composers Commissioning Committee |
![]() |
![]() American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Composers Commissioning Committee: - Henry Cowell: Concerto Brevis, for Accordion & Orchestra - Otto Luening: Rondo - Paul Pisk: Salute to Juan View this 2023 update at: http://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions14.php |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |