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Highlights |
Terem Crossover Competition, St Petersburg – Russia
Organ versus Accordion Competition, Khanty-Mansiysk - Russia
Music Competition Reports, Lanciano – Italy
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
‘ClubTango’ Quintet’s Recent Tour - Russia
Celebrity Interview of Steve Bach in Italian - Macau
Air Raid Shelters 70th Anniversary, Stockport – UK
Future events |
2010 National Accordion Convention, Texas – USA
CIA Winter Congress in Arrasate – Spain
Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen, Nebraska – USA
Beltrami Accordion Festival 2009, Aberdeen – UK
Rafal Luc Concert, Bristol - UK
Jiddiesj Festival 2009, Tilburg – Netherlands
New and Updated Sites |
November USA News on 1st November
Steve Bach Celebrity Interview in French, Italian and English
Grayson Masefield Website Updated
CIA Website Updated With Winter Congress Information
Available 2009 Coupe Mondiale Video Download
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
New CD: ‘ecLipse’, Moscow - Russiaby Herbert Scheibenreif |
 The latest CD release from Russian virtuoso Friedrich Lips, ‘ecLipse’, Catalog CD021, is unusual in that it features primarily works for bayan written mainly in the 21st Century, by some of Russia’s most highly regarded composers. The exception is ‘Sonata No 1’, by Bantshikov, which dates from 1977. The tracks include: G.Bantshikov (1943) – ‘Sonata N° 1’ for bayan in 3 movements (1977); A.Cholminov (1925) – ‘Autumn Melody’ (2005); R.Ledenjow (1930) – ‘Evening love ditties’ (2003); E.Podgaits (1949) – ‘Sonata for bayan in 3 movements’ (2004); M.Bronner (1952) – ‘Eclipse’ (2008) for bayan and electronics. Friedrich Lips (born 1948) is one of the world’s foremost accordion teachers and concert performers. Based in Moscow, Lips teaches at numerous academies in Russia and around the world. His international seminars, master classes, and educational courses are highly esteemed. He also serves as juror at the most important international music competitions. ln 1989, lips founded the international music festival ‘Bayan and Bayanists’ in Moscow, serving as its artistic director to the present time, and initiated the famous Moscow Music Prize for Bayan-Accordion Soloists. Purchase online at Catalog CD021. |
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Terem Crossover Competition, St Petersburg – Russiaby Alexander Shirunov |
 This is the final call for applications to participate in the International Instrumental Ensemble Competition, Terem Crossover Competition. The competition, established with the support of the St. Petersburg Council and the Russian Ministry of Culture, will be held on March 22nd to 28th 2010 at St. Petersburg’s State Academic Capella and the Grand Hall of St. Petersburg’s Shostakovich Academic Philharmonic, and is open to ensembles comprising between 2 and 7 members, and playing any acoustic musical instruments. The competition sets no restrictions on the age of entrants or on the style of the music performed. The competition winners will share a prize fund of over 1,000,000 rubles. One ensemble will have the chance to tour Russia’s most illustrious concert venues, and all competition entrants will gain the unique opportunity to demonstrate their art to the leading players in the music business of Russia, Europe and Asia. The final date for applications is November 30th 2009. For further information email: terem.competition@gmail.com |
Organ versus Accordion Competition, Khanty-Mansiysk - Russiaby Alexander Poeluev |
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| On 25th October in Khanty-Mansiysk, in the Organ Hall Concert-Theater Center was held one of the most unique concert/contests ever. Competing instruments: accordion versus organ. Competing two superb artists: Yuri Shishkin (Honored Artist of Russia, laureate of International Competitions, soloist of the Rostov State Philharmonic) and Vladislav Murtazin (Honored Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan , laureate of international competitions, teacher of the Ufa State Institute of Arts). Once before, a similar match has been made. It was in Holland in 1995 at a church in Alkmaar . The initiators were a Dutch organist and Yuri Shishkin who was often performing in Holland at that time. According to Yuri Shishkin, "it was not a simple proposition". Competing with the organs body of sound is virtually impossible. If the church is 30 meters in height, then the sound comes from that wall height and in contrast, the accordionist has virtually no height, but has the advantage of both hands being clearly visible, bellows moving and body action. That contest then was as follows: Yuri first played the organ prelude and fugue B-minor by J S Bach, and then invited the organist . He played the same piece. This made an immediately clear comparative picture of the performers and instruments. Yuri Shishkin performed transcription works of Liszt, Mendelssohn and then invited the organist. The organist played pieces by Mendelssohn, Reger. At that contest, the verdict was in favour of Yuri Shishkin with both instruments enjoyed very much by the audience. Now, some 14 years later, the idea of the concert/competition was supported by the concert organisers in X-Mansiysk. The concert was broadcast on TV and internet. For 25th October, all seemed like some of the same scenario as in 1995, except in 2009, the concept was already moving more towards merger than competition. Several pieces were heard in the duet. There were fragments of the suite "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky and the finale of the Concerto in A minor Vivaldi-Bach. Duets have become popular brilliant concert numbers. Vladislav Murtazin, excellent organist, a very experienced and brilliant performer, with a lot of concerts in Russia and abroad, masterfully executed Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Organ Choral Prelude in F minor by JS Bach. Yuri Shishkin performed solo the works: Rodrigo, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev, Semionov. Yet 70 percent of the public gave their vote to the accordion. According to comments, the accordion had greater contrast, more emotional, temperamental with more soul. Winner Yuri Shishkin was able to convey more musical meaning than the organ of Murtazin. An exciting musical event to remember for the audience. |
Music Competition Reports, Lanciano – Italyby Rob Howard |
 The ‘Città di Lanciano’ International Competitions took place in Lanciano in October, incorporating two different competitions, the ‘XIX International Competition "Città di Lanciano" and the third international competition dedicated to Astor Piazzolla "Libertango". Laura Piazzolla was a special guest of honour and jury member.A report of these competitions is linked Lanciano 2009. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
RMAC Committee Meeting, Montana – USAby Davee Letford |
 The Rocky Mountain Acordion Celebration Committee met on October 20th. It was an enthusiastic and optimistic meeting. Many thoughts and ideas were “aired and shared”. The general feeling was that all of the feedback from attendees and participants of RMAC 2009 was informative and positive.We are planning our 2010 RMAC festival with the same format. The hub of the event will again be at the school gymnasium with vendors, workshops, open stage, and headline performances. Expanding our musical experience, we are hoping to include a Fiddler’s jamboree as part of the event. We are encouraging all musicians and groups to participate. The ‘Jammin and Dancin’ that has always been well attended and very much enjoyed, will again be held at the Sunshine Station. We are very happy to note that Jean Roberts and Don Filcher will head up this very popular portion of the weekend’s fun. Time constraints derailed our parade this year. We would like to give it a try again next year, with perhaps a procession from downtown up to the school just prior to the Saturday performance. Some of our downtown businesses are showing interest in encouraging music and dancing at their establishments, and we are hoping to expand this part of the event. We truly appreciate all those who have helped us sustain and build this festival. With the economic challenges that we all face, keeping the music and friendships alive can be a difficult task. We are hoping that by simplifying and keeping costs down, we can keep the music alive in Philipsburg. We need to have our program ready for the printers by January 15th 2010. For further information email: quigleybb@yahoo.com. |
‘ClubTango’ Quintet’s Recent Tour - Russiaby Yuri Boldin |
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 Alexander Mitenev and his ‘ClubTango’ Quintet have just returned from a concert tour. Concerts in Kiev, Vilnius, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad were dedicated to Astor Piazzolla and called ‘Tracing Astor’, covering not only Astor's compositions, but also music by modern and old masters, musicians who worked with Piazzolla and influenced him. Musicians perform popular and chamber tango music, covering all epochs of tango history - from Guardia Vieja till Avant-Garde.It seems that public interest for Astor Piazzolla's heritage is booming on the east of Europe. It can be explained with the fact that his music became widely known there quite recently. Full concert halls and all tickets sold out - is the evidence of this idea. During their tour ClubTango visited two competitions for accordion and bandoneon - "Citta di Castelfidardo" and the ‘Libertango’ Competition in Lanciano (Italy), winning first prizes. It's also worth to mention a brand new music festival in Kiev, which has been held for the first time in October. It's called ‘AstorFest’, and dedicated to the music of Astor Piazzolla, organized by enthusiasts from the ‘Caprice Classic’ Quartet. In Kaliningrad and Vilnius ‘ClubTango’ featured Miroslav Lelukh (accordion) and played together a few tango compositions by Richard Galliano. The winner of the ‘Musica Legera’ competition in Castelfidardo (2005), Miroslav has just acquired his new Borsini accordion, which sounds great. For further information email: johnathan@mail.ru |
Celebrity Interview of Steve Bach in Italian - Macauby Marco Cinaglia |
 The Celebrity Interviews of Steve Bach by Marco Cinaglia, product manager of Roland Europe, is now published in Italian. English and French is already online. |
Air Raid Shelters 70th Anniversary, Stockport – UKby Rob Howard |
 The 70th anniversary of the official opening of the Stockport Air Raid Shelters took place on October 24th. Accordionists Rob Howard and John Jones entertained large numbers of visitors throughout the afternoon, leading sing along sessions of war songs such as ‘Run Rabbit Run’, ‘Lili Marlene’, Wish Me Luck, Lambeth Walk’, and many others. BBC radio and television news and the local press covered the event, which was opened by the Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Colin MacAlister.The Air Raid Shelters opened in 1939, and during the Blitz in 1940 and 1941 provided cover for thousands each night. Accordionists were welcome entertainers to provide relief from the nightly tedium and tension. In recent years the Shelters were re-opened as a tourist attraction and educational resource. Accordion music forms part of occasional special tours, the next ones taking place on December 7th, 10th and 14th. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Future events |
NAO Southern Area Festival, Dorset – UKby Rob Howard |
 The NAO 2009 Southern Area Festival takes place at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne, Dorset, on Saturday October 31st, from 9.30am. The organizer is Bob Downer, and the adjudicators are Douglas Ward and Colin Whitfield. |
2010 National Accordion Convention, Texas – USAby Norman Seaton |
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| Planning for the 2010 National Accordion Convention in Dallas, Texas, is already underway, and the organizers are looking for ideas and suggestions from ‘conventioneers’. The event takes place from March 10th to 14th, and the venue will be Westin Park Central Hotel, 12720 Merit Drive, LBJ 635 @ Highway 1-75 Dallas, TX 75251. For further information email: natlaccordion@sbcglobal.net |
CIA Winter Congress in Arrasate – Spainby Kevin Friedrich |
 New CIA President Raymond Bodell, is inviting CIA members to the 123rd Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) General Assembly of Delegates that will be held in Arrasate, Spain from 5 - 6 of December, 2009.The Winter Congress will coincide with the annual "Arrasateko Akordeoi Lehiaketak" International Accordion Competition being held from the 4 - 8 December, 2009 hosted by our CIA member "Hauspoz" Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea. Everyone is invited to register online http://www.accordions.com/cia/winter_09_register_spain.htm and on the same page is the meeting schedule and travel information. |
Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen, Nebraska – USAby Rob Howard |
 Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen, from Mount Vernon, Iowa, perform at the Starlite Ballroom, Wahoo, Nebraska, on November 1st, 2pm. Their music is a mix of German and Czech-style polka, country, big band, and party favorites. The band, featuring Becky Livermore on accordion and vocals, has been performing throughout the USA since 1988. People remember the band best by two things: Becky's bare feet! She started playing barefoot simply because it was more comfortable than playing with shoes on. On November 17th Becky and her band will perform at the Ponderosa Ballroom, Walford, Iowa. |
Beltrami Accordion Festival 2009, Aberdeen – UKby Rob Howard |
 The Beltrami Accordion Festival 2009, organised by Norman English from Bruce Millers Music Store, Aberdeen, takes place at the Aberdeen Arts Centre Theatre on Sunday November 1st at 7.30pm. This event is a concert featuring a wealth of local and international musicians.Teenage star Craig Paton, winner of many competitions in Scotland and at the NAO UK Accordion Championships, will perform. He will also be presented with a beautiful hand made Beltrami accordion, custom crafted and featuring a most unusual design depicting the Scottish Satire and a thistle. Also appearing are the tenor Salvatori Vaccarino, well known in Aberdeenshire for his rendition of Pavarotti favourites, and young local accordionist Gregor Allan. Brazilian accordionist Chico Chagas will perform with Jonathan Preiss – guitar, and Adriano Adewale - percussion. The trio, which plays Chico’s own compositions, won the “Best Show” award at the 2009 Kaunas Jazz Festival in Lithuania. Romano Viazzani, who last year enthralled his audience with his performance, again tops the bill. This year Romano will incorporate his talents with those of singer, Melody Castellari and pianist, Simon Mulligan. As on previous occasions the Beltrami Accordion Festival 2009 will be compered, by Norman English, who will also perform. For further information email: normanenglish@fastmail.net |
Rafal Luc Concert, Bristol - UKby Rob Howard |
 Rafal Luc – accordion, and Jessica Hayes – cello, are in concert together at the Colston Hall, Colston Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5AR, on Tuesday November 3rd, 1pm.Rafal Luc, from Poland, is a student at the Royal Academy of Music in London. For further information email: o.murray@ram.ac.uk |
Jiddiesj Festival 2009, Tilburg – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
 The Jiddiesj Festival 2009 takes place in Tilburg, Netherlands, from November 27th to 29th. This klezmer event involves several artistes using accordions, amongst whom are: November 27th, 8.30pm - David Krakauer & Kezmer Madness in concert at Muziekpodium Paradox. Their line up is David Krakauer – clarinet, William Holshouser – accordion, Sheryl Bailey – guitar, Michael Sarin – drums, and Jerome Harris - bass November 28th, 8pm - the Geoff Berner Trio, from Canada, perform at Paradox November 29th, 3pm - Kasha Nasha, featuring accordionist Michiel Ockeloen perform at Paradox. Kasha Nasha plays balkan, gipsy and klezmer music with strong pop and jazz influences. |
New and Updated Sites |
November Diatonic News Online 1st Novemberby Werner Weibert |
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| The November Diatonic News will be online on the 1st November. |
November USA News on 1st Novemberby Rita Davidson Barnea |
 The USA News for November will be online on the 1st November. |
Steve Bach Celebrity Interview in French, Italian and Englishby Marco Cinaglia |
 The Celebrity Interviews of Steve Bach by Marco Cinaglia, product manager of Roland Europe, is now published in Italian. English and French is already online. |
Grayson Masefield Website Updatedby Harley Jones |
 2009 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Champion Grayson Masefield has had his website updated with lots of photos of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale and also photos from the 5th Primus Ikaalinen International TV Accordion Competition, part of the 2009 Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival. |
CIA Website Updated With Winter Congress Informationby Kevin Friedrich |
 The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) Website has been updated with Winter Congress Information including a submit form for attendance. |
Available 2009 Coupe Mondiale Video Downloadby MusicForAccordion.com |
 The Coupe Mondiale website has the 7 categories of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale available for video download. The price of 55 Euro includes every performance of every competitor. You download to your computer and you can watch it at your leisure as often as you like. |
CD Reviews |
“Musica Ricercata”by Alessandro Mugnoz |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Musica Ricercata” by Alessandro Mugnoz. Performer is Luca Piovesan. |
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