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Highlights |
Editor’s NoteNAO Area Festivals, UK Championships, 2015 - UKPort gratuit, super promo sur les livres en cadeau de Noël,
Akordeon Art 6. International Accordion Festival - Bosnia & HerzegovinaXVII Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival, Kokkola - Finland‘Tresors De Lames’ Book Launch, Paris – FranceMario Stefano Pietrodarchi & Luca Lucini Concert in Rostov-on-Don - Russia
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Müller Harmonikas "Flying High",Martin Oberrauner , Carinthia - AustriaGraham Geddes Receives Loyalty Award, Bangkok – ThailandVideo: Beltango Quintet Accompany Fabian and Michaela, Munich - GermanyRae de Lisle Research of 'Musicians Cramp', Auckland - New ZealandVideo: Motion Trio Perform "Carrousel" - PolandVideo: International Mozart Accordion Competition, Salzburg - AustriaVideo: Roman Onyskiv Performs 'Devoted to I. Stravinsky' by Runchak - UkraineAccordion List, Higher Level Education in Europe, Paris - France‘14 Years Ago’: Award made to Gary Daverne in November 2000
Future events |
Septimo Encuentro Nacional de Acordeonistas, Rosario – ArgentinaFolkwang Accordion Week, Essen – GermanyZoltan Orosz CD Launch Concert, Budapest – HungaryJimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Christmas Concert, Paisley – UKTres Movimentos (or Sinfonia opus 15: Buenos Aires) Swiss Premiere - SwitzerlandAccordion Orchestra Concert, New Jersey - USAChristmas Music @ The Lowry, Manchester – UKMusiques Hispaniques’ Concert, Sierre – SwitzerlandMario Pedone/Nick Ballarini Accordion Clinic, Texas – USACNIMA - Stage accordéon de Noël - France
VAMÖ-Akkordeonwettbewerb, 22nd February 2015 - Austria
New and Updated Sites |
New eBook Released, Traditional Polish Carols Arranged by Gary Dahl - USA
CD Reviews |
Accordion Sensations CD by Paul ChamberlainHelp Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
by Rob Howard
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 December is almost here, which means choosing Christmas presents for oneself or others. For accordion enthusiasts the task is made much simpler by looking through what Accordions Worldwide advertisers have to offer: a large range of instruments, accessories, books, CDs, DVDs, sheet music, etc. On Accordions Worldwide and MusicForAccordion there really is something for everybody, and ordering is simple and can save a lot of time otherwise spent visiting shops. The old Yellow Pages telephone advertisement slogan “let your fingers do the walking” springs to mind! |
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by Anna Bodell, Past NAO Chairperson
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  The NAO Area Festival season 2014/2015 continues its season with a busy time in February and March with five qualifying competitions for the NAO UK Championships 2015.Dates are: - 8th February, the NAO Thames Area (London) festival; - 28th February, NAO Area Festivals will be held in Glasgow, Scotland and Larne, Northern Ireland; - 1st March, NAO Area Festivals will be held in North West (Manchester) and East Anglia (Colchester). - 17th to 19th April. The 2015 NAO UK Championships attracts large entries and will be held again at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. As well as the National Finals, the NAO UK Championships will host International Solo categories in both classical and variety and an International Orchestral Category. Download rules and regulations: 2015NAO-UK.pdf Entry closing date: 28th February 2015 NAO Chairperson and CIA President Raymond Bodell (picture right) states “That the NAO Area Festivals continue to attract a good number of entries and I am sure the UK Championships will attract great support from all over the UK as well as international participation” For full details of the Area Festival season and the UK Championships, see the website: National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) or the Email: naouk@btinternet.com |
Port gratuit, super promo sur les livres en cadeau de Noël,by MusicForAccordion.com |
 Des idées de cadeau de Noël Accordéon pour les amis et la famille à : 2014Christmas IdeasL’expédition gratuite, jusqu’au 20 décembre seulement, rend très attractif le prix des livres suivants pour faire un cadeau de Noël. Un grand nombre de publications bénéficient de ce port gratuit. Ces idées de cadeaux de Noël ont été compilées avec l’espoir de voir votre budget cadeau consacré aux accordéonistes, compositeurs, arrangeurs et éditeurs de l’accordéon. Soutenez, s’il vous plaît, les arts de l’accordéon, en choisissant parmi plus de 2 248 partitions, 300 CDs/DVDs, 1 702 enregistrements numériques, 833 ouvrages imprimés et nombre de livres (texte). Faites votre choix ici : 2014Christmas Ideas |
by Harley Jones
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 The 6th International Accordion Festival Akordeon Art will be held, 29th April to 2nd May 2015 in East Sarajevo. The event features competitions and concerts and is organised by the Academy of Music, University of East Sarajevo (Dean Zoran Rakic, picture left) and the Association for Fostering Academic Music "New Sound". The event consists of competitions, concerts, lectures and composers presentation and an exhibition of accordions and accessories. Competition categories include 9 age groups from under 10 years through to no age limit. Download Rules and Regulations in three languages and entry form: 2015Art Entry closing date is 27th March 2015. For further information email: makss@spinter.net |
by Harley Jones
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  Video above: Guardia Nueva performing Tango pour Claude at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Germany. Published 4th July 2014.The 17th Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival takes place from February 15th to 22nd, presenting a diverse offering of daily performances and events. Artistic Director is Raimo Vertainen (picture right). Program download at: 2015Kokkola This year’s lineup will feature both the old and the new. A wintry program with wide appeal and accordion music will be heard everywhere – in the villages, markets and street-corners. At the conservatory, we’ll hear Wagner’s compositions arranged for accordion. Then there’s Young Virtuosos, concerts for children and seniors, music at the market, accordion orchestras and even opera singers! In other words, something for everyone. And for the second year in a row, we have worked in cooperation with our beloved neighboring city of Pietarsaari to present a spectacular festival Thursday. The eventful week will be crowned the traditional way – but with a whole new twist in the form of a Grand Entertainment Concert by Guardia Nueva, conducted by Raimo Vertainen on Saturday, February 21. Soloists include Tango King Teemu Roivainen, Satamakadun Seiroeenit and Oona Airola Come and enjoy the festival! For further information, download the program at: 2015Kokkola or email: talviharmonikka@gmail.com Picture below of Guardia Nueva |
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by Rob Howard
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 The book launch for ‘Tresors De Lames’, by accordion/bandoneon maker/restorer Laurent Jarry, takes place on Friday December 5th, 7pm, at the bookshop Librairie La Manouevre, 58 rue de la rocquette, 75011 Paris.‘Tresors De Lames’ is a beautiful coffee-table book, presenting 200 accordions and bandoneons selected for their beauty, the richness of the materials and fabrics they are made of, their diversity, and the originality of the craftsmanship they display. Some of these instruments are rare and unique. This carefully crafted book is enhanced by documents and archives, and includes a variety of texts and quotations from art world personalities, describing their views about these instruments. The text is in French. For this project, Laurent Jarry has worked with photographer Olivier Eumont for the illustrations, and with graphic designer Cendrine Bonami-Redler. Publication is in early December 2014 For further information email: contact@laboitedaccordeon.fr |
by Yuri Shishkin
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 Video above: Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (bandoneon) and Luca Luccini (guitar) featured at the V International Festival ‘Accordion Plus’ March 27th to 31th, 2014, Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Full event report at: 2014RostovReportOn 23rd December, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (bandoneon) and Luca Luccini (guitar) return again to the Philharmonic Hall in Rostov-on-Don to perform and evening of music accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra of Rostov. Charismatic and inimitable Mario in a duet with Luca will introduce a new program, the history of tango "Dolce Tango". These musicians have performed in concerts with Andrea Bocelli, Anna Netrebko and Jose Carreras. This concert is organised by the International Music Center "Harmony" which is the CIA member and host organiser of the 2016 Coupe Mondiale which will be held in Rostov-on-Don. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Harley Jones
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| The Carinthian Paragliders published a really different video. Alexander Klünsner says: "I was just the pilot. Martin Oberrauner the musician. Paragliding is our mutual hobby that we started together almost 5 years ago. At this time, we also started the "Carinthian Paragliders" to share our activities with others." Lucky it was not me on the paraglider - with my bad head for heights, you would have heard only the "bellows shakin" and the knees knockin!!! |
by Rob Howard
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 Accordionist Graham Geddes and his Scottish Dance Band played for the St Andrew’s Ball on November 22nd at the Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok. This was their 19th year in Bangkok for this annual function.Graham Geddes was “very proud” to receive a ‘team loyalty award for continued support over many years in Bangkok' from the Bangkok St Andrew’s Society. |
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by Harley Jones
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| Published on Nov 5, 2014. An improvisation by dancers Fabian and Michaela with the Beltango Quintet, ""A Evaristo Carriego" at the 2014 Einstein Kultur, München, Germany. Triple CD Pack available online at: Beltango |
by Harley Jones
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 Focal dystonia of the hand, also known as ‘musician’s cramp’, has been the subject of almost a decade of study for pianist Rae de Lisle from the University of Auckland. The Senior Lecturer and Head of Piano at the School of Music, who graduates this week, undertook the research for a Doctor of Philosophy degree. A neurological disease that causes involuntary muscle contractions, focal dystonia is estimated to affect one in a hundred professional musicians or approximately 10,000 performers worldwide. The condition occurs when the brain sends incorrect information to the muscles and is thought to be due to a blurring of the areas in the brain responsible for individual finger movement. The disorder is believed to result from repetition of specific tasks and usually occurs in musicians of a high level, who have intensively practiced their instruments over a number of years. Rae de Lisle investigated whether it was possible to recover from focal dystonia through retraining at the instrument. The study, conducted with the guidance of renowned sports physician Dr Ben Speedy, clearly showed, with scientific method, that retraining a person’s neural pathways can improve the symptoms of the devastating condition in musicians. Music performance at a professional level is one of the most demanding tasks for the human central nervous system as it involves the precise execution of fast and, in many instances, extremely complex physical movements at the same time as engaging the ears and the emotions. For concert pianists, who have continually practiced the fine motor skills professional level playing involves, the stress on the body can be enormous. In such a competitive environment, musicians are required to practice long hours to try and achieve the level of perfection the public are accustomed to hearing on CDs, which increases the risk of developing focal dystonia. The consequences of the condition have traditionally been dire for professional musicians, often ending their performing careers. A personal interest initially drew Rae, a celebrated pianist, to the area following an overuse injury that she was unable to recover from. It was while searching for her own answers to what ailed her that she learnt about other musicians’ injuries, and became intrigued with focal dystonia. Rae’s research showed that it was possible to improve the symptoms following a case study of six musicians afflicted with focal dystonia. Under her guidance they painstakingly reprogrammed their finger, hand and arm movements to activate new neurological pathways. “For recovery from focal dystonia the brain needs to be reorganised through learning to play in a different way. With concentrated and focused repetition of the biomechanically most natural movements, gradually these pathways could become the default channel of communication, resulting in the return of playing ability,” says Rae. New Zealand’s most revered concert pianist Michael Houstoun was helped by her retraining. The findings suggest rehabilitation from ‘musician’s cramp’ is achievable and the condition is possibly preventable. For her next project Rae de Lisle is researching and writing a book on piano technique and injury prevention. |
by Harley Jones
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| Motion Trio perform "Carrousel". Published on Oct 8, 2014. Formed in 1996, the highly successful Motion Trio are Janusz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek, and Marcin Galazyn. They continually explore the new possibilities of the accordion in their performances and recordings, changing the way that it is perceived. Their concerts are musical performances that contain action and drama. The group has worked with such artists as Bobby McFerrin and Michal Urbaniak, and won such prizes as the grand prix 4th Edition of the Krzysztof Penderecki International Contemporary Chamber Music Competition. Its members consist of accordionists Janusz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek, and Marcin Galazyn. |
by Harley Jones
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1st Duo Karolina Mikolajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki (Poland) Program:
W.A. Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 5 A Major K 219, Mov. III Rondeau, Tempo Di Menuetto
2nd Mozart International Accordion Competition, Mladen Vukmir (Serbia) Program:
W.A. Mozart Concert for Piano and Orchestra A Minor Mov. 2 Andante
3rd Mozart International Accordion Competition, Violin and Accordion Duo (Lithuania) Salijus, Laimonas (Accordion) Kazakeviciute, Milda (Violin) Program:
W.A. Mozart, Sonata for violin and clavier G Major KV 301
| Coupe Mondiale Video Archive and Education Project is sponsored by Pigini srl, with the assistance of Accordions Worldwide and the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA). |
by Harley Jones
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| Roman Onyskiv Performs 'Devoted to I. Stravinsky' by Volodymyr Runchak. This was recorded in the Ukraine and published May 2014. |
by Rob Howard
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  Vincent LHermet (picture left) has published the Accordion Higher Level Education in Europe List, with information about 108 accordion classes from 25 European countries.This project was undertaken as part of his doctoral research by Vincent LHermet with the support of the Paris Conservatoire, the Association Européenne des Conservatoires (AEC), the Pigini manufacturing company, and carried out through the collaboration of 122 teachers, heads of institutions and students. Download the list at: AHLE |
by Rob Howard
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 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending November 24th 2000 included an article about an award made to Gary Daverne, New Zealand’s most prolific and successful composer and arranger of music for the accordion. A highly accomplished pianist, conductor, composer, etc, Gary Daverne’s achievements in music would fill a book, and he is still actively involved as a guest conductor with orchestras and as a musical arranger and composer. Orchestra Conductor Awarded Scroll of Honor – New Zealand Contributed by Heather Masefield Well known New Zealand accordion composer and orchestra conductor Gary Daverne was presented with the prestigious Scroll of Honor by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand on November 19th by Auckland magician, Jon Zealando. The Event was held at the Aotea Centre in Auckland during a performance by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Gary) before an audience of nearly 2,000 people. The scroll read: “for his dedication and skill in his craft and for bringing the joy of orchestral music to the people. We acknowledge his achievements and salute his professionalism”. Gary has composed and arranged many pieces for solo and group accordion Including ‘Sonatina in G’, ‘Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra’, and ‘A Pocket Overture’. |
Future events |
by Rob Howard
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| The Septimo Encuentro Nacional de Acordeonistas takes place on Saturday November 28th, 9pm, at the Auditorio AMR (España y Tucumán), Rosario, Argentina. This is a concert featuring Morais Do Acordeon (Brazil), Jose Benavidez (Entre Rios), Guillermo Codino (Entre Rios), and Luis Farias (Entre Rios). |
by Rob Howard
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  The Folkwang Accordion Week takes place from December 1st to 5th at Campus Essen-Werden, Folkwang Universität der Künste, Essen, Germany. The Artistic Director of the Folkwang Accordion Week is Professor Mie Miki (picture right). The week includes concerts, lectures, master classes, and an accordion competition. Highlights include:Monday December 1st, 7.30pm - Chamber Music Hall, Norwegian bayan virtuoso Geir Draugsvoll, now based in Copenhagen, performs a recital Wednesday December 3rd, 7.30pm - Chamber Music Hall, Yuri Shishkin performs Viatcheslav Semionov – ‘Sonata No.3’, Franz Liszt – ‘Etude S. 484 Nr.16, Op.20’, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov – ‘The story of the Calendar Prince’, Vladimir Shishin - Suite ‘Im Zoo’, and George Gershwin – ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ The Folkwang Accordion Week includes a public master class with Professor Geir Draugsvoll on December 2nd, the first Folkwang Accordion Competition on December 3rd, and a lecture by Professor Mie Miki on December 4th. The week ends with a final concert featuring the students in the classes of Professors Mie Miki and Heidi Luosujärvi on December 5th. |
by Rob Howard
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 Hungarian accordionist Zoltan Orosz and some of his musical friends host a CD launch concert on Friday December 5th, 7pm, at Csoma Kobányai Cultural Center, Szent László, Budapest. The CD is titled ‘Csak játék’ (‘Just play the game’).Zoltan Orosz studied the accordion and the organ in Budapest. He has become a highly regarded professional accordionist, with an international repertoire and appeal, and with many recordings to his credit. These are available online at: Zoltan Orosz For further information email: info@harmonika.hu |
by Rob Howard
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 The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra (MD Gary Blair) perform in concert at St Paul’s Church, 120 Brediland Rd, Foxbar, Paisley, Renfrewshire, on Friday December 5th, 7pm. Tickets cost £5, and the evening includes guest spots, carol singing, and a raffle.The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, originally formed by Jimmy Blair in the early 1970s, won many championship titles in NAO All Britain competitions until it was disbanded in the late 1980s. The orchestra was revived in 2009 by Gary Blair, and has since won several competition honours, and often performs. For further information email: gazzapt@yahoo.co.uk |
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by Harley Jones
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  Astor Piazzolla work Tres Movimentos (or Sinfonia opus 15: Buenos Aires) will appeal to a wide range of people with percussion and two bandoneon players. The Swiss premiere of this work will be on December 6th by two bandoneonists (William Sabatier and Stéphane Chapuis) and the Orchestra of l’HEMU led by Leonardo García Alarcón. Venue on poster left. Prof. Stéphane Chapuis (picture right) is the accordion head of department at l’HEMU-Lausanne and EJMA-VS in Switzerland. This work, a symphony composed in 1953 for a contest to try to win $250 and a scholarship to study in Paris with Nadia Boulanger. Piazzolla wins, sailed for Europe with the score and recording, which he presented in his first meeting with the illustrious educator. The meeting did not overflow with enthusiasm, far from it, that "the work is well written but lacks emotion." It was not until nearly sixty years and the "flair" of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for it to resurface in 2010 with a Naxos recording creating a new birth for this masterpiece. After this first American, the partition is experiencing a triumphant re-creation in Belgium and northern France two years later, thanks to the leadership of the chief Leonardo García Alarcón and work of "Sherlock Holmes" directed by guitarist Daniel Romagnoli, project manager "Greater Region" from the Royal Conservatory of Liege. It is thanks largely to them that we can now perform this music. |
by Rob Howard
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| The Westmont Philadelphia Accordion Orchestra (MD Stanley Darrow) performs in concert on Saturday December 6th, 3pm, at the William G. Rohrer Memorial Library, 15 MacArthur Boulevard, Westmont, New Jersey. |
by Rob Howard
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 Members of the Stockport Accordion Club - Rob Howard, Brennan Wilson, Leo Hickey, Dorothy Brincat, and Josie McFarlane – will perform carols and seasonal tunes in aid of The Christie, the world famous cancer treatment hospital, outside at The Lowry Christmas Fair on Saturday December 5th, between 1 and 2pm. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
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by Rob Howard
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 A concert titled ‘Musiques Hispaniques’ takes place at theTheatre les Halles, Sierre, Switzerland, on Sunday December 7th, 5pm. Performing are Stephanie Chapuis – bandoneon, Alain Metrailler – saxophone, and George Vassilev – guitar and the Orchestre du Conservatoire Cantonal conducted by Elie Fumeaux. The program includes music by C. Chavez, H. Villa-Lobos, A. Piazzolla, J. Rodrigo, and A. Marquez. |
by Rob Howard
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  Professional accordionists Mario Pedone and Nick Ballarini join forces to run their Texas Accordion Clinic at the TBarM Ranch, New Braunfels, Texas from December 11th to 15th. The Accordion Clinic includes concerts, solo performances daily, study groups/bands of 4-6 players, ballroom dancing, group lessons, workshops, jam sessions, and the guest appearance of Tony Lovello. Topics will include: Embellishments, Technique, Computer Music/Writing, Bellows Technique ‘A la Tony Lovello’, Delivering Your Message, Fake Books, and Harmonizing. For further information email: Ballarini@sbcglobal.net |
CNIMA - Stage accordéon de Noël - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
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| CNIMA J.Mornet - Stage accordéon de Noël. Information: Nathalie Boucheix, directrice, Téléphone : +33473222745, Email : cnima@wanadoo.fr Website: CNIMA J.Mornet |
by Harley Jones
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| The Annual VAMÖ-Akkordeonwettbewerb for accordion soloists will be held on the 22nd February 2015 in Vienna. There are categories from 10 years through to adults. Download rules and entry information in German and English at: 2015VAMÖ Entry closing date is 15th January 2015 For further information email: kaleta.hermi@aon.at |
New and Updated Sites |
by Gary Dahl
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  Gary Dahl has released a new eBook titled Traditional Polish Carols which he has arranged in collaboration with Fr. Boleslaw Zadora, advisor. The book contains 28 Polish titles and you can see samples of many pieces at Catalog: DH07-eB eBook means that the book is emailed to you. Purchase online for only USD$16.50 or Euro equivalent at: DH07-eB This eBook Traditional Polish Carols is Collection #7 in a series of eBooks by Gary Dahl that have proved to be very popular. There is a special for clients wanting to purchase all 7 eBooks at: DH01-07eB |
CD Reviews |
by Joan C. Sommers
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 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Accordion Sensations CD by Paul Chamberlain, Accordion, in English language, reviewed by Joan C. Sommers. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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