Sponsors
Books (Text)
eSheet (pdf file)
eTracks sound files
Sponsors
Free Services
Books (Text)
Statistics
Sponsors
Highlights |
UMKC Community Accordion Celebrates 49th Year, Kansas City - USA
Tommaso Arena’s Success at ‘AMA Calabria’, Lamezia Terme - Italy
Fratelli Alessandrini Accordion Company has moved, Castelfidardo – Italy
39th New Zealand & South Pacific International Accordion Championships – New Zealand
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Ferran Martinez’s New CD Presentation, Barcelona – Spain
‘Gypsy romances and not only...’ Concert, Brzeg - Poland
Polka Times Newspaper, Pennsylvania – USA
Baillies Mills Accordion Band Activities – UK, Denmark
Bor-Kuan’s Song Accomplishments, Auckland – New Zealand
Future events |
1st European Accordion Festival, Campobasso - Italy
Roland V Accordion Event, Sydney - Australia
Ksenija Sidorova Recital, London – UK
Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov Master Class, La Bourboule - France
Accordion Summer Course, La Roche - Switzerland
New and Updated Sites |
HS Production releases new music
MusicForAccordion.com releases new music
Yehuda Oppenheimer releases new work
Franck Angelis releases new music
Vassily Glubochenko releases new music
Donald E Grzanna releases new music
William Schimmel releases new piece
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
3rd Strumenti & Musica Festival, Spoleto - Italyby Davide Fabrizi |
 |
 Artists and competitors from New Zealand, Italy, Serbia, United Kingdom, Russia, Slovakia and Finland, participated in the third edition.Over 2500 admissions, 9 days of music including 7 concerts, 2 recitals, 2 galas, a popular music event and nearly 100 of the best accordionists, Italian and international, divided into 6 competition categories, attended the 3rd Strumenti & Musica Festival. The Cultural Association IAC (Italian Accordion Culture) in collaboration with publishing and recording Ars Spoletium organized the 3rd Strumenti & Musica Festival of Spoleto, 15th to 23rd May, which ended with a concert by 2009 Coupe Mondiale winner Grayson Masefield (New Zealand). "This year, the festival has experienced a remarkable breakthrough” - said the artistic director Mirco Patarini – “not just with regard to increased attendance recorded at the Teatro Nuovo, Teatro Caio Melisso and coffee during the concert, but especially for the level of participants and artistic performances in this third edition.” There were six categories of competition: Senior Classic, Junior Classic, Senior Virtuoso, Virtuoso Junior (15 & Under, 12 & under). The international jury headed by Lech Puchowski (Poland) and the CIA President Raymond Bodell (United Kingdom), Mika Väyrynen (Finland), Frederic Deschamps (France) Alexander Selivanov (Russia), Romano Viazzani (United Kingdom), Aleksandar Nikolic (Serbia) and Patrizia Angeloni (Italy). Results: Samuel Telara (1st place, Junior Classic) and Angelo Miele (2nd place, Senior Classic) are the two Italian accordion players who will be sponsored by the Cultural Association IAC (travel, accommodation and food) to compete in the 2010 Coupe Mondiale to be held by the CIA in Varazdin (Croatia) 19 to 25 October 2010. Other winners included Grayson Masefield (Senior Classic and Senior Virtuoso), Matthew Marinelli (Junior Virtuoso), Michael Toppo (Virtuoso 15 & under) and Fausto Crediddio (Virtuoso 12 & under). "The participation of Maestro Nicola Piovani, Mika Väyrynen (Finland) considered by many as the finest contemporary classical concert artist, concerts of current world champions Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) and Petar Maric (Serbia) and the presence of so many nations” - said Mirco Patarini – “encouraged the Cultural Association IAC to accept hosting the CIA Coupe Mondiale International Accordion Championships to be held in Spoleto in 2012. The Cultural Association IAC has already started preparation, so the city of Spoleto can prepare in the best way for this great event. " "Obviously the cultural achievements of the festival in only three years are not achieved alone” - added the President of the Cultural Association IAC, Gianluca Bibiana – “There are many institutions and sponsors that we wish to thank for all their assistance”. The Ministero of Culturali, Embassy of Finland, Regione Umbria, Provincia Perugia, Società Spoletina, Impresa Trasporti (SSIT), International Accordion Museum Castelfidardo and finally the CIA”. |
 |
Share
UMKC Community Accordion Celebrates 49th Year, Kansas City - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
 |
| The University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Orchestra, under the direction of Joan C. Sommers, performed to an enthusiastic audience as they presented their 49th Annual Concert at the University. Performing both original works and transcriptions, the concert program included: ‘Serenade in E Major, Op. 22’ (Antonín Dvorák), ‘On The Trail from The Grand Canyon Suite’ (Ferde Grofé), ‘Ballade for Accordion Orchestra’ (Fritz Dobler), ‘Adiós Nonino’, ‘Close Your Eyes and Listen’, ‘Cité Tango’ (Astor Piazzolla), ‘The Star Wars Epic’ (John Williams), ‘Tango Fugitativo’ and ‘Milonga Feliz’ (Gerie Daanen), Medley from ‘Wicked’ (Stephen Schwartz) and ‘The Blackbird Polka’ (Vladimir Ushakov). For the works by Astor Piazzolla, the orchestra was joined by French National Dance Champions, Louis Bar and Laura Cantu, and members of their dance studio based in Kansas City, who dazzled the audience with their spectacular dancing. In addition, a video prepared by UMKC Professor Caitlin Horsmon was screened as a backdrop to the music and dance. The UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra is due to celebrate their 50th Anniversary Concert during a special reunion weekend of former Orchestra Members and friends on May 22nd 2011. For more information on the Orchestra and available recordings, please visit the UMKC website. |
 |
Tommaso Arena’s Success at ‘AMA Calabria’, Lamezia Terme - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 |
 On Sunday May 23rd the 32nd edition of the ‘AMA Calabria’ National Music Competition was held in Lamezia Terme. This contest has for over 30 years presented thousands of young musicians with a significant opportunity to meet and exchange ideas, music and skills.In the section ‘Contemporary Music’ the young accordionist Tommaso Arena, a student of Maestro Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, was acclaimed as the winner. His program of original literature for accordion, including pieces by Frank Angelis and Fermin Gurbindo, convinced the jury. Tommaso Arena - born in 1987, began to play the accordion at the age of 6 years, and graduated with honors from the Conservatory ‘Fausto Torrefranca’, Vibo Valentia. He has participated in numerous courses, competitions, concerts and festivals, always arousing great interest. His achievements include being a contest winner at the II International European musical ‘Città d’Acri’, is 3rd ranked at the seventh International Competition ‘FISA ... Harmony 2009’, held in Trieste, 2nd at the International Competition ‘The Estro Armonico’, held in Ladispoli ( RM); 2nd at the Fifth International Competition ‘Città di Greci’ (AV), 1st at The European Music Competition held in Philadelphia, and 1st at the 32nd National Music Competition held in Lamezia Terme, the ‘Contemporary Music’. Many other events in Calabria have involved Tommaso Arena performing solo concerts for the Musical Association Rotary Club, for the Association Island Music in Brescia and in Athens/Greece, and collaborations as soloist with the orchestra Pizzo Calabro of Limonest. He has recorded for the label FIRE MUSIC CD ‘Edupatès’ for oboe and accordion, and has made recordings on behalf of Vatican Radio and the Music Editions Physa. Currently he is specializing with Maestro Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi. |
Fratelli Alessandrini Accordion Company has moved, Castelfidardo – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 |
 In March 2010 the Fratelli Alessandrini company transferred their laboratory from G. Marcora, 6 - Industrial Zone Cerretano, Castelfidardo, to the former Sonerfisa premises, where the world's largest accordion was built by Mr Giancarlo Francenella. So, for those who have lost track of the Guinness accordion can from now go back to admire it and hear its sound next to the exposure of Fratelli Alessandrini, where it is in good company, surrounded by their accordions....an excellent opportunity to try and appreciate instruments of highest craftsmanship!The mega accordion travels accompanied by Alessandrini, whenever a good opportunity presents itself, to various events around Italy. Recently it attended the 5th accordion festival in Notou Sounadour ‘Robilante’ (Cuneo), which was held on May 15th and 16th 2010. |
39th New Zealand & South Pacific International Accordion Championships – New Zealandby Harley Jones |
 |
 The 39th New Zealand Accordion Championships & South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival will be held Saturday 5 June and Sunday 6 June at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre in Epsom, Auckland. The competition also selects New Zealand contestants for the 2010 Coupe Mondiale in Croatia.Guest artist for the event is He Qian (China), the 2009 Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion category winner who is completing a Masters degree at Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China. Born in 17 May 1985, she is performing at two concerts. Concert to “Honor the 2009 New Zealand Coupe Mondiale entrants”, 5pm to 6pm Saturday 5th June and at the Farewell Concert 2:30 pm Sunday 6th June. Honored guest will be Kevin Friedrich, CIA President just retired, who has returned to New Zealand to thank the NZAA Committee, led by President John Statham (photo top), for their superb organizing of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale in Takapuna, New Zealand and also to thank the New Zealand Coupe Mondiale entrants for their fine performances in that international competition. There will be a New Zealand Orchestra performance with popular NZ composer, conductor, arranger Gary Daverne (ONZM) directing the orchestra. Another highlight of the weekend is the South Pacific Accordion Championship category with Edward Giffney (photo middle) and Bor-Kuan Song (photo lower), both successful 2009 Coupe Mondiale candidates, expected to make an exciting competition with a very high level of performance. The South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival will conclude with a Celebration Dinner on Sunday evening. For further information email: nzaasecretary@yahoo.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Rosemary Wright’s Great Performance, Stockport – UKby Rob Howard |
 On May 19th Rosemary Wright was the guest at Stockport Accordion Club. She wasn't feeling at all well before she began playing, then – like the trouper she is - rallied and turned in a 5 star performance. Rosemary played ‘Washington Post’, ‘Carte Postale’, ‘Temptation Rag’, ‘Petite Fleur’, ‘A Night in Montmartre’, ‘The Stack of Wheat’/‘Harvest Home’/‘The Merry Reapers’ (hornpipes), ‘Chineuse’, ‘Intermezzo’ from ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’, ‘Scherzo’ (J.Gart), ‘Preludio’ (A. Volpi), ‘Caracole’ (R. Binge), ‘Blue Danube’, ‘Danza Orientale’ (Fugazza), Prelude to Act 3 from ‘La Traviata’ (Verdi), ‘Pupazetti’ (L. Fancelli), ‘The Flying Dance’, ‘Flight of the Angels’ (C. Carozza), ‘The Flying Scotsman’, ‘The Dancing Dustman’/’Woodland Flowers’/’The Highland Brigade’ (Felix Burns), ‘Indifference’ (J. Colombo/T. Murena), and ‘Douche Ecossaise’ (A. Verchuren/G. Ghestem). This was a varied and entertaining programme, and with much for the more discerning ear to appreciate. Rosemary Wright, who last played at Stockport AC in 2005, is one of Britain’s finest and most accomplished accordionists. The Stockport AC Band (MD Derek Stubbs), opened the concert, performing the march ‘150 Squadron’ (Clifford Wood), ‘Waltz for Eva’ (John Jones), and the 1930s tango ‘La Morenita’ (Matyas Seiber). Playing supporting spots were Betty Molloy/Christine Green, Dave Holt (playing his first ever spot in public – well done!), John Higham, Ray Peacock, Rob Howard, and John Trigg/Derek Pritchard. Rob Howard was the MC. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Ferran Martinez’s New CD Presentation, Barcelona – Spainby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Bayan player Ferran Martinez presents his new CD ‘Formes Musicals’, on Friday June 11th, 9.30pm, at the Auditori Escola de Música, Viladecavallss, Barcelona. The CD includes works by J.S.Bach, F.Angelis, V.Vlasov, W.Zolotarew, and A.Piazzolla.For further information email: fmc_martinez@yahoo.com |
‘Gypsy romances and not only...’ Concert, Brzeg - Polandby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 |
| Last week there was a concert, ‘Gypsy romances and not only...’, held in the Silesian Piast castle courtyard, Plac Zamkowy, Brzeg, Poland, featuring Swietlana Ermolenko (Moscow) - vocals and guitar with the ensemble S-ART, from Wroclaw, whose members are Olexiy Suslov? (accordion), Monika Gorzelana (violin), and Piotr Wróblewski (percussion). Swietlana Ermolenko together with accordionist Olexiy Suslov? have performed concerts in many countries, including Austria (Graz), Belarus (Minsk), Lithuania, Germany (Berlin, Halle), Poland (Warsaw, Wroclaw), Russia (Moscow, St.Petersburg), Ukraine (Kiev), and Italy. For further information email: marta.flicinska@wp.pl |
Polka Times Newspaper, Pennsylvania – USAby Rob Howard |
 |
| The ‘Polka Times’ newspaper, started in 2003, is owned and published by Editor Paul Mirkovich in Pennsylvania, USA. In January 2008, Polka Times purchased the Polka News published in Michigan and expanded its readership. The monthly Polka Times gives details of dances and festivals, new CD releases, polka events, clubs, the musicians, trips, what’s new in the polka world, etc. Photos are printed in color and the newspaper includes a section, ‘Accordion Today!’, with accordion related news from the polka scene. For further information email: accordiontoday@gmail.com |
Baillies Mills Accordion Band Activities – UK, Denmarkby Rob Howard |
 |
| The Baillies Mills Accordion Band, which recently celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a concert and a capacity audience at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, raised a substantial amount for various charities. Charities benefitting from the proceeds are Marie Curie Cancer Care, Camphill Communities Trust (N.I.) and Stepping Stones (N.I.) Each will receive a cheque for £2,500. The Baillies Mills Accordion was invited to lead the Independence Day Parade in Bergen, Norway on May 17th 2010 - the first accordion band from the UK who have been invited to join the celebrations and mark the day in 1814 when Norway became independent from Denmark. |
Bor-Kuan’s Song Accomplishments, Auckland – New Zealandby Rob Howard |
 Bor-Kuan Song is 17 years old and began learning the accordion at the age of 12 with Chelsey Mayes. He is a first year student of Auckland University, studying for a Bachelar of Music degree, majoring in accordion performance, with Tatiana Lanchtchikova as his tutor. Bor-Kuan has achieved Grade 8 in piano, flute and theory in the ABRSM exams. He also obtained Grade 8 in accordion in the Trinity-Guildhall exams, including gaining the highest mark in New Zealand for Grade 7 music. Last year, Bor-Kuan was awarded ‘Top in the World’ for both his AS level and A level Music exams in the Cambridge International Fellowship Awards, which he sat in May and November respectively. Bor-Kuan was one of the New Zealand candidates competing in the 2009 Coupe Mondiale and gained 7th place in the Junior Coupe Mondiale class. |
Future events |
Ansambel Roka Zlindre & Kalamari in Eurovision, Ljubljana – Sloveniaby Rob Howard |
 A pop rock band and an ensemble of pop folksters have combined to win Slovenia's place in this year's Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Narodno zabavni rok’, a song combining accordion-pop music with rock rhythm.Ansambel Roka Zlindre & Kalamari won a televised national contest, against 13 other bands and singers, to win entry qualification to the final of Saturday evening. May 29th, in Oslo, Norway. |
1st European Accordion Festival, Campobasso - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 |
 The Cooperativa Sociale Accademia Musicale ‘Nuccio Fiorda’, in collaboration with the Cooperativa Sociale Giovanile ‘Antonio Cardarelli’, organizes the first European Accordion Festival in Campobasso on June 5th. This new cultural event follows the five previous editions of the National Festival that has received plaudits from many worldwide known professionals and can now claim the title of a ‘European competition’. The European Accordion Festival will see the collaboration of 2 different Italian regions, Molise and Emilia Romagna, who share the great passion for this instrument. * The contest is open to all accordionists, male and female. * The competition will be held in the Convitto Nazionale ‘Mario Pagano’, Campobasso, Molise * Participants may perform with acoustic instruments of all kinds and brands and may subscribe to various categories presenting applications for registration. SECTIONS, CATEGORIES AND MUSIC DURATION: The sections are: CLASSICAL SECTION - SECTION VARIETE '- JAZZ SECTION. Categories for classical and Varieté: A) up to 10 years old: free program lasting up to 7 minutes; B) up to 12 years old: free program lasting up to 8 minutes; C) up to 15 years old: free program lasting max of 9 minutes; D) to 18 years old: free program lasting max 10 minutes; E) at any age: free program lasting max 12 minutes. For the jazz section: - Free program lasting max 12 minutes with accordion solo. - Compulsory piece entitled ‘Dallas’, by Antonio Colagiovanni, with accompaniment of a jazz quartet (provided by the organization). NB-The compulsory piece can be downloaded at the following addresses: www.cooperativanucciofiorda.com or www.img-edizioni.it |
Roland V Accordion Event, Sydney - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
 As a part of the 2010 Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival, the AATA and Roland Corporation Australia present a Roland V Accordion Interactive session with product specialists Tracey Collins and Liam French. This takes place on Sunday June 13th, 11am until 12.30pm, The Christina Lounge, Marconi Club, Marconi Plaza (off Prairievale Rd), Bossley Park, Sydney. Reports of past events at: Australian International Championships The Roland V Accordion range is available locally at Bava’s Music City. For further information email: tats64@gmail.com |
Ksenija Sidorova Recital, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 Ksenija Sidorova performs in concert on Saturday June 19th, 12.45pm, at St Jude-on-the-Hill, Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 7AH. Her programme includes music by Alessandro Scarlatti, Luciano Berio, and Moritz Moszkowski. Admission is free. |
Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov Master Class, La Bourboule - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 |
| Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov?, known professionally as the Paris-Moscow Duo, will hold their next master-class will be in the town of La Bourboule from August 1st to 6th 2010. http://www.rencontres-musicales-des-monts-dore.fr/2.html For further information email: duopm@sfr.fr |
Accordion Summer Course, La Roche - Switzerlandby Rob Howard |
 |
| An ‘Accordion Summer Course’ takes place in La Roche, Switzerland, August 16th to 20th. The teachers include Fanny Vicens, Marie-Andrée Joerger, Vincent Lhermet, and Sylvain Tissot. This course has been arranged in response to the success of the 2009 accordion summer course in France, and is designed for all ages, all levels (from beginner to advanced), and all styles. The course content includes individual tuition, an approach to chamber music in small groups focusing on one specific theme (the fugue, contemporary music, tango, folk music…), accordion ensemble. The course is also suitable for English, German, Italian and Finnish speakers. Applications should be made by May 30th. For further information email: sylvain77@bluewin.ch |
New and Updated Sites |
Grayson Masefield updated his siteby Grayson Masefield |
 Grayson Masefield has updated his website with many wonderful photos of accordionist friends on his USA Tour 2010. Join Grayson's Fan Club on Accordion-Space4U.com |
HS Production releases new musicby H S Productions |
 H S Production releases 6 new pieces, 'Russian Song (Solo and Duet)', catalog:hs389, 'Etude 11', catalog:hs387, 'Etude 9', catalog:hs384, 'Etude - Waltz', catalog:hs385, 'Etude 5', catalog:hs380 and 'Etude 6', catalog:hs381. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
MusicForAccordion.com releases new musicby MusicForAccordion.com |
 MusicForAccordion.com site release 1 new music with 3 parts - 'Sonatina in C Part 1-Part 3', catalog:mfa6016. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Yehuda Oppenheimer releases new workby Yehuda Oppenheimer |
 Yehuda Oppenheimer releases 2 arrangements for acccordion - 'Sailing (Duet)', catalog:OY602 and 'Silent Night', catalog:OY604. Sample of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Franck Angelis releases new musicby Franck Angelis |
 Franck Angelis releases 2 new pieces, 'Impasse II (Duet)', catalog:angelis558 and 'Comastor, catalog:angelis562. Sample of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Vassily Glubochenko releases new musicby Vassily Glubochenko |
 Vassily Glubochenko - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, and scientist, releases 2 new works for accordion available for purchase online - ‘Sleepwalker , catalog:gvassily036 and 'Schemer, catalog:gvassily037. 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. |
Donald E Grzanna releases new musicby |
 Donald E. Grzanna releases 3 new pieces, 'Elm Street Boogie', catalog:grza109, 'Spring Waltz', catalog:grza110 and 'Escapade', catalog:grza111. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
William Schimmel releases new pieceby William Schimmel |
 William Schimmel releases 2 new music, 'Stonehenge', catalog:sch130 and 'Concerto For One', catalog:sch143. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
"Conversation of the Muses"by Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of "Conversation of the Muses" by Alessandro Mugnoz. Performers are Andreas Borregaard (accordion -fisarmonica classica) and Asbjorn Norgaard (viola-track7). |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Generated in 6.1691506 / 0.0009985 / 0