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Highlights |
Death of Accordion Pioneer Emilio Gioacchini, FAS – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() This factory started well back in time and was handed over to his son Marco, who had been learning his skills from a young age in the family business at the peak of accordion production. Son Marco has since continued the with the FAS di Gioacchini Emilio & s.n.c. factory with the same passion as his father Emilio, serving the accordion community in Castelfidardo and other places of the world. Emilio Gioacchini is survived by his wife Maria, his son Marco, daughter Patrizia and niece Laura. |
16th Federal Akkordeon-Musikfest, Winterthur - Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
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![]() Established in 1951, the festival is held every four years at different places in Switzerland. The local organizers will be coached by 'Akkordeon Schweiz' – the national umbrella association. Picture top left, President 'Akkordeon Schweiz' Ruedi Bieri and lower is Markus Jordi, local organiser OK-President. The participating groups will perform their competition pieces in five different locations, all of them situated in the heart of Winterthur, Switzerland's 6th largest city (population of over 105,000). The pieces have to be selected out of a classified list of different compositions and/or arrangements. At the end of the festival, on Sunday 4pm, the participants will then get their results. Other activities planned are: - an exhibition of the new accordions and open-air concerts in the old town. - SRF (Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen) will produce a live broadcast of 30 minutes on their main channel. - It’s party time on Saturday evening: Global Kryner from Austria will – among others – perform a two-hours show. View the 64 page event booklet: 2012musikfest |
Castelfidardo Day Dedicated to the Historic Farfisa Factory - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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The passion for the Farfisa history inspired Claudio Capponi to create a website - www.capponiclaudio.it - dedicated to the history of this company. The site includes the history of the company, the many models of musical instruments Farfisa manufactured and testimonials from musicians who have worked over time as demonstrators for the factory. These include: Gervasio Marcosignori, Riccardo Burratini, Mirco Patarini, Santi Latora, Dino Cocchini, Premici Ferruccio, Francesco Castagna, Pine Gulizia. From this developed the idea to meet in real life and create a day dedicated to music. "Castelfidardo Day" is the title of the musical event that took place May 27, 2012. Attending the event was Gervasio Marcosignori and Mirco Patarini. This wonderful day in memory of the Farfisa factory ended at the Astra Theatre with a performance by Fisorchestra with the City of Castelfidardo, conducted by Maestro Riccardo Puppets. For further information please contact Claudio Capponi, e-mail: info@capponiclaudio.it |
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Premiere of Double Concerto, Other Concerts by Angel Luis Castaño – Spain, Germanyby Raquel Ruiz |
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![]() The premiere was performed by Angel Luis Castaño (accordion), Miguel Trápaga (guitar) and the ORCAM (Community of Madrid Orchestra), with Argentinean conductor Juan José García Caffi. In the audience were more than 750 people. Angel Luis Castaño is also working for his next concerts of Carmen Replay's Ballet, by David del Puerto (concert version with video-images) with the ensemble ‘Rejoice!’ - picture below: Angel Luis Castaño (Roland V-Accordion), Laia Falcón (soprano) and David del Puerto (amplified guitar and electronic music) - with be held in the Cervantes Institute, Hamburg, Germany, on June 8th, at 8 pm, and in the 37th International Music Festival of Segovia, Spain, on July 25th at 10 pm. In his agenda there has also been the recording of a new CD in the end of May with the Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen and a summer course from July 22nd to 28th at the International Summer Course of Music, City of Segovia. For further information email: raquelru@gmail.com |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Festival Honors Yehuda Oppenheimer - Israelby Harley Jones |
![]() Yehuda Oppenheimer was well known internationally for his CD's, his many compositions and arrangements for the accordion that are available online at: Yehuda Oppenheimer Also just published only months before his death was a book (picture right) about Yehuda Oppenheimer which included many of his compositions, which is also available on the website. |
South Pacific Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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South Pacific Daily Reports including results and photographs will be online after the weekend. The South Pacific Accordion Championships, which includes the New Zealand Accordion Championships, is held at Epsom, Auckland, on June 2nd and 3rd. South Pacific Daily Reports including results and photographs will be online. |
New Works Composed and Performed by Nihad Hrustanbegovic - Netherlandsby Harley Jones |
![]() Nihad Hrustanbegovic, concert artist, composer and accordion teacher from ArtEZ Conservatorium, Arnhem in cooperation with Dutch art magazine ‘Palet’, is presenting the ‘Opus Magnum 12’ during his solo concert tour in The Netherlands from April 21st until December 14th 2012. ‘Opus Magnum 12’ is new music for solo accordion composed by Nihad Hrustanbegovic and inspired by 12 masterpieces of painting. Sky Blue – Wassily Kandinsky, Kinderen der zee – Jozef Israëls, L’enfant à l’accordéon – Fernard Leger, Guernica – Pablo Picasso Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem – Rembrandt van Rijn, Girl with a pearl earring – Johannes Vermeer, Amandelbloesem – Vincent van Gogh, Toonbeeld’ – Theo Wolvekamp, Le Moulin de la Galette – Pierre–Auguste Renoir, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog – Caspar David Friedrich, Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci, Victory Boogie Woogie – Piet Mondriaan. This tour is the first ever accordion solo tour to the 12 greatest classical concert halls of The Netherlands. Future tour dates: June 15th - Zeeuwse Concertzaal, Middelburg September 15th – Waterstaatskerk, Hengelo September 28th – Vredenburg Leeuwenberg, Utrecht October 21st - De Oosterpoort, Groningen November 10th - Agora Theater, Lelystad November 23rd - Theater De Muzeval, Emmen December 14th - Dr Anton Philipszaal, Den Haag For further information email: info@nihad-accordeon.com The CD, Opus 7 'The Cross-over' is available at Nihad Hrustanbegovic |
Metodie Buzhor with the St Petersburg Musette Ensemble, St Petersburg - Russiaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() Within the 2.30 hours concert, there was a large part of the program performed by Metodie Buzhor, accompanied by the internationally acclaimed Saint-Petersburg Musette Ensemble. Their program was dedicated to tango music. They started with their own version of ‘Chiquilin de Bachin’, by A. Piazzolla, continued with two popular Russian songs, ‘Autumn’, by V. Kozin and ‘Only Once’, by B. Fomin. Their performance ended with the world famous ‘Por una Cabeza’, by C. Gardel. All arrangements were specially written as accompaniments to the singer. At the beginning and at the end of the group performance, soloists of the Saint-Petersburg Musette Ensemble Svetlana Stavitskaya and Vladimir Ushakov (pictured) performed two pieces as soloists with accompaniment by Saint-Petersburg Concert Orchestra, conducted by Andrey Medvedev. They performed popular waltz ‘Cascade de Paris’, by E. Doga, and the famous tango ‘Jealousy’, by J. Gade. During the performances of the soloists and group the tango dancers duet ‘Rendez-vous’ performed on stage. The concert was enthusiastically greeted by the audience, which numbered 4,500. The public gave a 15 minutes standing ovation to the artistry of Metodie Buzhor and his friends! |
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Stephanie Poole Performs with Bach Musica, Parnell Catheral – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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![]() “In 2011 Bach Musica collaborated with the John MacKay Jazz Trio and accordionist Stephanie Poole in a fusion of jazz and classical music. We received many requests for a repeat concert. Today’s program introduces further arrangements by John MacKay, two works by Piazzolla with Stephanie Poole and a world premiere of a work by Michelannne Porster and John MacKay that pays homage to Bach.” All of these works were very well received by the large and enthusiastic audience. Stephanie’s Piazzolla was a well practiced warm and inspired rendition, matching the sound of the bandoneon very effectively. Founded in 1977, Bach Musica is a choir and orchestra specialising in music of the Baroque and Classical periods, and how become widely recognised as one of New Zealand's premiere Baroque ensembles. Stephanie Poole (nee Grey) was born in Auckland and has been a prolific winner of competitions in New Zealand, including three times winner of the New Zealand Solo Accordion Championship. She was principal accordionist with the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra which toured extensively through Europe, the United States and China. Stephanie has been the accordion teacher for the University of Auckland’s Bachelor of Music (Accordion Performance) program and has also taught a number of New Zealand’s recent solo Champions with good results internationally at the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships. Photos courtesy of Hans Weichselbaum |
Accordionist is Featured by American Idol Contestant - USAby Rita Barnea |
Season 11 American Idol TV show closed with Phillip Phillips taking the title. But it was contestant Elise Testone that caught the eye of accordionists when she sang Billy Joel's "Vienna" with only a pianist and accordionist on stage with her. Elise Nicole Testone is an American singer and songwriter from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She placed sixth on the eleventh season of American Idol. In the words of a writer at the Hollywood Reporter “she he absolutely nailed it .... I loved the accordion, loved the hair, the dress, the delivery - all of it!” Elise earned a standing ovation from all three judges, and many subsequent reports on the show complimented her on the use of the accordion as musical backing in her performance. |
Young Conquerors Parade, South Belfast - Irelandby Harley Jones |
The Young Conquerors Parade is held annually in South Belfast and features a number of marching accordion bands which are very popular in the area. These videos were taken a few days ago at the Young Conquerors Parade 2012. |
‘14 Years Ago’ – The Accordion Meets The Beatlesby Rob Howard |
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The Accordions Worldwide news for May 29th 1988 included an item about a concert of Beatles music in Canada, performed by accordionist Domenic Amatucci. Amatucci, still active today, is renowned for his love of Beatles tunes, and has performed and recorded much of the Fab Four’s repertoire. Although some people attribute the decline in the accordion’s popularity in the 1960s to the rise of the Beatles, it should be noted that John Lennon played the accordion in his early years, and Sir Paul McCartney usually features an accordionist in his backing band. ACCORDION BEATLES CONCERT - CANADA Contributed by Domenic "the Accordion Beatles guy" Amatucci On June 3rd Domenic Amatucci will perform an accordion Beatles concert at the Safari Bar Grill & Billiards, Toronto, at 7.30pm. He will play a variety of Beatles songs from Please Please Me to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, as well as zydeco, rock, blues, jazz, pop, tangos, musette, latino, waltzes and polkas. The Internet Life magazine "Yahoo" included an item recently on Domenic, and his Accordion Beatles page was featured in Yahoo's Pick of the Week. Domenic has been performing Beatles hits in Toronto subways since October 1997. He recently attended the Canadian Music Week and took part in an interview of Sir George Martin. For further information email: domenic@ican.net |
Future events |
Milos Miliojevic BBC Radio Interview and June Concert Dates, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Upcoming concerts: June 1st, 7.30pm - solo recital for Iffley Music Society, Iffley Town Hall, Oxford June 6th - Kosmos Ensemble perform live for BBC Radio 3 – ‘In Tune’, Sean Rafferty. June 7th - Kosmos Ensemble perform at the Kings Place, London June 8th, 7.30pm - recital with violinist David Juritz and Milos Milivojevic, The Studio, Essex June 9th, 7pm - recital with violinist Harriet Mackenzie, St Nicholas's Church, Denston, Suffolk June 10th, 10-6pm - Royal Academy of Music Accordion Department, 25th Anniversary Celebration, London; email accordion@ram.ac.uk for further details June 25th, 7.30pm - London Tango Quintet perform at the Bedford Park Festival, London June 29th – recital with cellist Matthew Sharp at the opening of the Deal Festival of Music & Art June 30th - Milos performs with violinist David Juritz in Amberley, West Sussex For further information email: milosmusic@hotmail.com |
Marco Lo Russo Performs for Pope Benedict XV1, Milan - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The event, to be broadcast live on the Italian radio station RAI 1, involves readings by many well known actors and performances by national and international musicians, including Marco Lo Russo, culminating by an address by the Pope, who arrives at 8.30pm. For further information email: dina.tomezzoli@alice.it |
Gjovalin Concerts, Brussels, Falaën – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() The first of these is with clarinet player Julien, 12 noon, at the Centre Européen de Médiation, 119 rue de l’Hôtel des Monnaies, Brussels. The second is a solo concert, 7pm, at l’Espace Catharose, Falaën Rue de la gare, Falaën, Namur, Belgium. For further information email: Gjovalin_nonaj@hotmail.com |
Veronika Todorova @ Accordion Festival, Apeldoorn – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: info@gertnijkampnl |
Denys Gigot plays for dancing, Les Isnes – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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Arosa Music Course Weeks, Arosa - Switzerlandby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
![]() For the very first time Prof. Grzegorz Stopa will hold an Accordion Master Class from Sunday September 2nd until Saturday 8th. The theme: using original literature, new interpretation and tone techniques for modern accordions, with transcription from all periods of style, for soloists and ensemble. Practical exercises, workshops and discussion, with emphasis on more effective practice and ways to achieve artistic independence. The course is intended for advanced amateurs, students, and professional musicians. The teaching format includes individual and group instruction; for those who are interested, chamber music in collaboration with participants from Lars Mlekusch’s saxophone master class that is taking place at the same time. Detailed information is available from the course leader. The course fee: CHF 570.-/730. For further information email: info@kulturkreisarosa.ch or gvstopa@freenet.de |
Morley Accordion Orchestra Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
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The Morley Accordion Orchestra (Ian Watson) perform in concert , on July 7th, 7.30pm, at the Lost Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2JU. The program includes everything from Tango to Klezmer to film scores to show music to original music for accordion orchestras. Special guests will be the soprano Christine Kinsella and the violinist Sarah Crisp. For further information email: morleyaccordions@gmail.com |
Duo Accordeon Melancolique Concerts – Netherlandsby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() June 3rd, 11.30am – coffee morning concert, Zwiepse molen, Zwiepseweg 165 June 15th, 8pm - Slot Schagen, Slotplein 4 June 22nd, 8pm - Witte Kerkje, Rijksstraatweg 38 June 24th, 2pm – Ampitheatre, De Uelenspieghel, Winkelsteeg 5, 7975 PV Uffelte The duo Accordeon Melancolique’s varied repertoire includes original music, French musette, Antillean waltzes, Indonesian melodies, Argentinean tangos, Italian, Jewish and Greek folk music, Swing standards, film music, Gypsy music, Classical, Merengues, Tex-Mex, and Mediterranean accordion music. For further information email: cheriedeboer@acmel.nl |
Salford Folk Music Workshop, Lancashire – UKby Rob Howard |
On Friday June 8th, 8pm, accordionist John Trigg is the guest leader for the evening at the monthly meeting of the Salford Folk Music Workshop, Pendleton Bowling Club, 13 Eccles Old Road, Salford M6 7DE. John Trigg will be working through a program of Continental music. Sheet music is supplied. All are welcome. For further information email: john.trigg@mypostoffice.co.uk |
CD Reviews |
CD REVIEW - Beyond by Claudio Jacomucci, Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommersby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
Yuri Medianik Releases New DVDby Yuri Medianik |
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Gary Dahl new and updated musicby Gary Dahl |
![]() 'Adagio', catalog:DH0237, 'Ah Marie', catalog:DH0238, Updated music titles, ' 12th Street Rag', catalog:DH0055, 'The Blue Danube', catalog:DH0060, Samples for these music are now available at the MusicForAccordion web site. The music is in eSheet format e-mailed directly to your computer. Easy purchase with credit card. |
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