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Highlights |
Reminder: 2017 Coupe Mondiale Entries Closing, 31st July - Italy
AAA Master Class and Concert Series, New York City – USA
Shenzhen Open Virtuoso Entertainment Knock-Out Competition - China
Lars Ek Returns, Norfolk – UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Martynas Levickis meets Gorka Hermosa, Barcelona – Spain
‘Dragspelsskola.SE’ Accordion Tutor, Varberg – Sweden
‘Time to Sing’, Burton-on-Trent, UK
Future events |
Vilda’s Summer Tour Dates – Spain, Latvia, Finland, Canada
Richard Galliano Concerts – Italy, France, Slovenia, Poland
Carolinas Accordion Group Meeting, North Carolina – USA
Helen Maher @ Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool – UK
Emmanuel Gasser @ Swiss National Day, Ontario - Canada
Finbarr Dennehy and Chloe Dance Gig, County Cork – Irish Republic
‘Zomer Festival Accordeon’, Borculo - Netherlands
Gary Blair @ Carlisle Accordion & Fiddle Club, Cumbria – UK
New and Updated Sites |
New Lips Album "Hymn to Aphrodite" Released - Austria
New CD by Tian Jianan, De Profundis Release, Beijing - China
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
New Guiness World Record of 2,260 Accordionists, Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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 A new Guiness World Record was achieved at the 2017 China Shenzhen Bao'an International Accordion Art Festival in Shenzhen, a relatively new city in Southern China close to Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Canton).On the 24th July, exactly 2,260 accordionists formed an enormous ensemble under dual conductors, Prof. Li Cong (President, China Accordion Assoc.) and Tong Jianhua (President, Shenzhen Accordion Assoc.). This huge ensemble performed 'The Story of the Spring" composed by Jiang Kai Ru which has been a national hit in China. See the video. Daily Reports, pictures and video of the 2017 China Shenzhen Bao'an International Accordion Art Festival are at: 2017 Shenzhen |
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Reminder: 2017 Coupe Mondiale Entries Closing, 31st July - Italyby Harley Jones |
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 Teachers, contestants and national associations are reminded that the entry closing date for the 2017 Coupe Mondiale is 31st July for all 8 international accordion categories of competitions.Categories are: - Coupe Mondiale - Masters Coupe Mondiale - Junior Coupe Mondiale - Virtuoso Entertainment - Junior Virtuoso Entertainment - Intl. Chamber Music - Classical - Intl. Chamber Music - World Music The Coupe Mondiale in Italy will be an outstanding musical event. Osimo City with the Italian Accordion Culture (IAC) are preparing a very exciting schedule of competitions and musical events for participants, delegates and guests. CIA President Raymond Bodell looks forward to welcoming competitors from all quarters of the globe, for the 70th Coupe Mondiale to be held in Osimo, Italy, from 5th – 10th September as well as International guests and supporters of the accordion. The entry system for competitors for the 70th Coupe Mondiale is online. Full information, accommodation and entry details at: Coupe Mondiale |
AAA Master Class and Concert Series, New York City – USAby Rob Howard |
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 This year’s annual American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Master Class and Concert series takes place over the weekend July 28th, 30th and 31st.Dr William Schimmel is again the Moderator-Curator and this year’s event will be the 23rd consecutive year he has been the Moderator-Curator. The theme is ‘The Red Lantern Accordionist’. Last year Dr William Schimmel received the American Accordionists' Association Distinguished Service Award in commemoration of over fifty years of accordion endeavors, which includes a lifetime of concerts, recordings, compositions and accordion seminars and for some years, also service as a distinguished AAA Lecturer in Residence. The Master Classes begin at 3 pm, and concerts at 7 pm. The venue is the Tenri Cultural Center, 43A W 13th St, between 5th and 6th Avenues, New York. For further information and registration at: 2017AAAMC.pdf |
Shenzhen Open Virtuoso Entertainment Knock-Out Competition - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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 The Shenzhen Open Virtuoso Entertainment Knock-Out Competition attracted 21 entrants and was a very enjoyable and close competition. After 4 rounds, the quarter finalists were Wang Xiao and Yu Shitong of China, Gustavo Almeida from Brazil and Chinese born Australian resident Xue Jiacheng. The final 6th round was between Gustavo Almeida and Xue Jiacheng and video of the close competition can be seen at: 2017 Shenzhen (25th July). |
Lars Ek Returns, Norfolk – UKby Rob Howard |
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 In September Swedish accordionist Lars Ek returns to the UK as the chief guest at the Seacroft Accordion Festival, Hemsby, Norfolk. The festival runs from September 18th to 22nd at the Seacroft Holiday Centre and includes concerts, workshops, free & easy sessions, and a trade show. Other guests include Denise Leigh & Stefan Andrusyschyn, Rosemary Wright, Jovan Rnjak, Harry Hussey, and Bert Santilly. Lars Ek made his UK debut in November 1986 at Malcolm Gee’s first Caister Autumn Accordion Festival, performing as chief supporting act to Norway’s Toralf Tollefsen. Although he has performed at two subsequent festivals in Norfolk, Lars Ek’s overseas appearances are rare. One of his most notable achievements is founding the international Frosini Society dedicated to preserving and promoting the music of Pietro Frosini and other composers of accordion music. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Jörgen Sundeqvist and Friends Performances - Swedenby Harley Jones |
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 This last weekend we had a VIP-ceremony where we showed our new accordion archive at Hembygdsgården here in Kramfors. We invited special guests like politicians, important cultural people, newspapers etc,etc. It was a huge success.We had also invited many famous accordionists from Finland, like, Matti Rantanen, Raimo Vertainen and his daughter Sonja Vertainen, who is a student of Matti Rantanen at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Mikko and Kalle Makkonen, Pasi Raukola. Minna Plihtari from the Accordion House and Finnish Institute in Ikaalinen was also here. The official opening will be on July 29th. Our Finnish guests were here June 10th/11th and we had a big concert at Mannaminne, near Kramfors, where we have this famous Accordion House (picture above), which is also an accordion museum. This concert was called "Finnish and Swedish Accordion masters celebrate Finland 100th Anniversary". It was a huge success and completely sold out (picture below). or further information contact Jörgen Sundeqvist, email: sundeqvist@yahoo.se |
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Martynas Levickis meets Gorka Hermosa, Barcelona – Spainby Rob Howard |
 On Tuesday July 25th Lithuanian accordionist Martynas and Spanish accordionist Gorka Hermosa just happened to be performing concerts at different venues in Barcelona on the same night. They arranged to meet up afterwards for a 'cuba libre' – a rum and coke.Gorka Hermosa performed tangos using a bandoneon as a soloist with a Symphonic Orchestra at the San Joseph’s church, Mataró, to a sell-out audience. Martynas’ concert, at BARTS (Barcelona Arts on Stage) was a solo recital that included music by JS Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Galliano, Mozart, Paganini, Piazzolla, Saluzzi, Soler, Tchaikovsky, and Vivaldi. This was also a sell-out concert. |
‘Dragspelsskola.SE’ Accordion Tutor, Varberg – Swedenby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist, teacher, and composer Hakan Widar has written and published ‘Dragspelsskola.SE’, a 160 page tutor book for accordion, which includes a 105 track mp3 CD. The tutor is aimed at both piano and button accordion players, and the text is written in Swedish.The accordion tuition is built on playing tunes, so although the text is in the Swedish language the method contains a lot of interesting tunes, carefully and progressively graded from beginner level to semi-advanced. For further information email: info@karlssonsmusik.se |
‘Time to Sing’, Burton-on-Trent, UKby Rob Howard |
 Four members of Stockport Accordion Club – Adrienne Sharpe, John Jones, Rob and Marj Howard plus our President Pearl Fawcett-Adriano and her cousin Philip Watson – all attended a one day workshop, ‘Time to Sing’, expertly organised and led by accordionists Karen Street and Karen Tweed at the Rolleston Club near Burton-on-Trent, Derbyshire. There was a rehearsal of well-known songs, such as Bring me Sunshine, Strangers in the Night, Somewhere, Moon River, Goodnight Irene, Over the Rainbow, etc, plus an arrangement of the tango ‘Por Una Cabeza’, by Carlos Gardel. The two Karens offered playing tips, and the rehearsal was lighthearted yet very productive for the 20 accordionists involved. After lunch the afternoon performance for an audience of locals went very well, with lots of enthusiastic singing and spirited playing from our impromptu accordion ensemble. The concert was topped off by brilliant short performances by Pearl Fawcett-Adriano and the Classic Kyiv Duo, the latter on tour from the Ukraine. Pearl’s pieces included ‘The Dance of the Comedians’, ‘O Sole Mio’, ‘La Vie Pariesienne’, and ‘Granada’. The Classic Kyiv Du’ performed ‘Toccata in D’ (JS Bach), selections from ‘Swan Lake’ (Tchaikovsky), and ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Libertango’ (Piazzolla). The event ended with a collection for the Alzheimer’s Society and families still suffering from the Chernobyl disaster. The two Karens have produced a spiral bound songbook + CD, which sold well. It’s fair comment to say that we all left in a happy mood, and of the opinion that we could do with more days like this one! |
Future events |
CNIMA Graduate Training Courses - Franceby Harley Jones |
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| New graduate training at CNIMA J.Mornet Are you an untitled music teacher or do you have a good practice and teaching tempts you? The CNIMA J.Mornet, in collaboration with Ansep2a offers to prepare and pass the DFPM, Diploma of Pedagogical Training of professor of Music, qualification inscribed in the national repertoire at level IV. 3 ways to prepare this diploma: - By full-time full-board studies - By the program Vacataire (6 to 20 weeks of training over the year). - According to your level, by the initial program, 6 sessions of 2 to 3 days spread from September 2017 to October 2018. In all cases, possible funding, Regions, CPF, AFDAS, FIFPL, ... Full information at CNIMA J.Mornet |
Vilda’s Summer Tour Dates – Spain, Latvia, Finland, Canadaby Rob Howard |
 The duo Vilda - accordionist Viivi Maria Saarenkylä and singer/lyricist/percussionist Hildá Länsman - are from northern Finland, and perform the Saami songs and dance tunes of Lapland. They take their little known Lapp music repwertoire this summer to performances in Spain, Latvia, Finland, and Canada. |
Richard Galliano Concerts – Italy, France, Slovenia, Polandby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Richard Galliano performs in late July and early August, as follows:July 28th – New Jazz 4t with Jean-Marie Ecay, Mestre, Italy July 29th – Mare Nostrum, St Moritz, France August 1st – Concertos with Orchestra, Ljubljana, Slovenia August 5th - New Jazz 4t, Suleczyno, Poland August 6th – solo, Gardone, Italy August 8th – solo, Festival Jazz, Marciac, France August 9th – sextet, Festival 1001 notes, Limousin, France August 11th – solo, Sienna, Italy August 12th - New Jazz 4t, Cervo, Italy Accordion and bandoneon virtuoso, composer Richard Galliano performs in many musical fields, from classical to jazz. He records for the prestigious classical music label ‘Deutsche Grammophon’, and has recorded more than 50 albums, many under his own name and some with many other artists. For further information email: gingaproductions@yahoo.fr |
Carolinas Accordion Group Meeting, North Carolina – USAby Rob Howard |
| All accordion players, accordion enthusiasts and fellow musicians are welcome to join the Carolinas Accordion Group on Saturday July 29th, from 12noon-4pm at Jonathan's Restaurant, 10630 Independence Pointe Blvd, Matthews, NC, 28105. The gathering is open to the public. Come join the fun - you will hear a wide variety of music styles. Food and drinks available for purchase. For further information email: info@jonathansogunquit.com |
Helen Maher @ Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist and singer Helen Maher performs with singer Ian Prowse and violinist Laura McKinley on Saturday July 29th, 8pm, at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Helen Maher performs solo and with various bands, including the Pete Best Band, led by the former Beatles drummer. Her music covers French Chanson, Gypsy Jazz, Folk, Russian and Classical, to name but a few. She also teaches both the accordion and piano. For further information email: helen@helenmaher.com |
Emmanuel Gasser @ Swiss National Day, Ontario - Canadaby Rob Howard |
 The annual Swiss National Day, organized by the Swiss Club Toronto, takes place on Sunday July 30th, 12noon until 6pm, at the Country Heritage Park, Milton, Ontario, Canada. Accordionist Emmanuel Gasser is one of the entertainers at this year’s event.Emmanuel Gasser is a versatile concert accordionist and composer from St Charles, Ontario, whose many competition successes include winning first place at the International Accordion Convention in Las Vegas and in the Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition hosted by the American Accordionists’ Association with his classical composition ‘Spring Blizzard’. He has to date composed 40 pieces and also recorded three CDs. |
Finbarr Dennehy and Chloe Dance Gig, County Cork – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
| Accordionist Finbarr Dennehy and his fiddle playing daughter Chloe perform for dancing at The Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, County Cork, on Sunday evening July 30th, 8 pm. Finbarr Dennehy, from Glanmire, County Cork, plays the Shand Morino – a British chromatic diatonic system – and has recorded two CDs, ‘Not Before Time’, ‘Groves of Glanmire’, and ‘All the Best’. For further information email: reception@parkwayhotel.ie |
‘Zomer Festival Accordeon’, Borculo - Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
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| The first ‘Zomer Festival Accordeon’ takes place in Borculo, in the eastern Nertherlands, on Saturday and Sunday August 5th and 6th, featuring accordionists Dirk Overbeek, Vincent van Amsterdam, Annemarieke van der Ploeg, Conny Essbach, and Ellen Zijm. The festival includes concerts, workshops and master classes – everything from classical to jazz. For further information email: info@accordeonkamp.nl |
Gary Blair @ Carlisle Accordion & Fiddle Club, Cumbria – UKby Rob Howard |
| On Thursday August 10th, 7.30pm, Gary Blair is the guest at the Carlisle Accordion & Fiddle Club, St Margaret Mary’s Social Club, Scalegate Rd, Carlisle CA2 4JX. The well-travelled Gary Blair has performed in the USA, Canada, Russia, France, Spain, Dubai, and many other parts of the world. He is the Musical Director of the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, plays for ceilidhs and in concerts, leads workshops at festivals, adjudicates, teaches, composes, arranges, makes recordings, and has organised NAO area festivals in Scotland. |
New and Updated Sites |
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention 2017 - USAby Paul Pasquali Event Organizer |
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  The lineup for the 18th annual Las Vegas Int. Accordion Convention (LVAC) starts with visionary accordionist and friend to all, Cory Pesaturo, and bookends with a grand finale starring Grayson Masefield and the International Accordion Orchestra under the direction of Professor Joan Sommers. Event organiser Paul Pasquali writes: "By popular demand we are back to the fall – a great time of the year to come to Las Vegas to hear a superb list of star performers. Now is the time to register for the 18th Annual Las Vegas Int. Accordion Convention and save with early registration. Details at: 2017LVAC-Reg.pdf Read the latest newsletter: 2017LV-News.pdf Oh what a fun time we will have come October 23-26, 2017 – we have lots of great music so please accept my invitation to come join the best accordion FUN & entertainment event ever in Las Vegas!" Website: LVAC |
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New Lips Album "Hymn to Aphrodite" Released - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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 Friedrich Lips Productions has released the new album, catalog CD028 "Hymn to Aphrodite" which features the revered Friedrich Lips performing with three different chamber and symphony orchestras.The album tracks include: 1. "Hymn to Aphrodite" (2013) by Konstantin Yaskov 2-9. "I'm floating on the waves of love" (8 sonnets) by Michael Bronner 10. Tanguango by Astor Piazzolla 11. La Cumparsita by GM Rodríguez The CD album is also available as eTracks mp3 download files for only € 9.50 Sound samples and full information at Catalog: CD028 "Hymn to Aphrodite" This brings to 28 albums now published by the most remarkable Friedrich Lips and available online at: Friedrich Lips |
New CD by Tian Jianan, De Profundis Release, Beijing - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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 On 24th June, the new CD, catalog tjianan05 De Profundis was released at the Central conservatory of Music in Beijing. Poster above. Picture left of Tian Jianan performing at the CD release.This new CD by winner of international competitions, Tian Jianan, will be her 5th album release. The track list of De Profundis is: 1. Prelude and Fugue in F# minor BWV 883, J. S. Bach 7:08 2. Sequenza XIII "Chanson" L. Berio 8:58 3. De Profundis, S. Gubaidulina 11:26 4. Jeux D'anches, M. Lindberg 7:16 5. Sonata for Piano, (III) S. Barber 3:11 6. Sonata for Piano, (I, III) I. Stravinsky 5:19 7. High way for one, I. Hölszky 8:52 8. Sonata No. 6, A. Kusyakov 11:46 Some words by Tian Jianan about the new CD. "This is an album regardless of the cost." "This is a challenging performance album" "This is a high artistic taste positioning album" Further details and sound samples of each track at: tjianan05 |
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