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Highlights |
47th International Accordion Competition, Klingenthal - Germanyby Xenia Brunner |
![]() The prelude is the traditional spring concert of the Klingenthal municipal orchestra on May 7th in the Amtsberg auditorium. The opening concert will take place for the final time in the Royal Albert Theatre in Bad Elster. From next year onwards there will also be a time schedule change. The competition in 2011 will start on a Monday and end on Sunday with the winner's concert. This change is being made to enable the audience to listen to the interesting second rounds and the finals of Category IV during a long weekend, from Friday through to Sunday. The competitions will take place in Gliersaal and in the auditorium of the Amtsberg, and the International Jury, chaired by Professor Jürgen Ganzer, will again consist of 16 members. The Music Festival program can be downloaded from the Klingenthal website. Program: May 7th, 7.30pm - Aula, Klingenthal: concert featuring the city Klingenthal Orchestra and Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (Italy, accordion and bandoneon) May 8th, 7.30 pm - King Albert Theater, Bad Elster: festive opening concert with the Vogtland Philharmonie Greiz Reichenbach, and soloists Klemen Leben (Slovenia, accordion) and Daniele Di Bonaventura (Italy, bandoneon) May 9th, 7.30 pm - Gliersaal, Klingenthal: DIVITANGO concert with accordionist Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (Italy) and Luca Lucini (Switzerland, guitar) May 10th, 7.30 pm - Gliersaal, Klingenthal: concert dedicated to the composer Georg Katzer with the ensemble ‘Music Studio Weimar’ May 11th, 7pm - Amtsberg, Klingenthal: competition with concert format, Category VIII (bandoneon groups) May 12th, 7.30 pm - Amtsberg, Klingenthal: concert, jazz and Latin with Massimo Tagliata (Italy, accordion), Martin Classen (Germany, sax), Stephan van Wylick (Germany, bass), and Christian Schoenefeld (Germany, drums) May 13th, 7pm – Amtsberg, Klingenthal: winner's concert hall with the winners of the 47th International Accordion competition in 2010 and the Klingenthal Vogtland Philharmonie Greiz, Reichenbach, conducted by Stefan Fraas. |
Musikmesse 2010, Frankfurt – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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2010 Frankfurt Musikmesse Report. The international Musikmesse/Prolight and Sound took place from March 24th to 27th attended by many accordion manufacturers. For four days, the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre was transformed into a gigantic product show. The Frankfurt Musikmesse reports 2,340 exhibitors, 62 percent of them from outside Germany, and almost 110,000 visitors from 128 countries which exceeded their expectations. A total of over 1,000 events were on the program including concerts, autograph sessions, workshops and special presentations. Outstanding artistes and well-known personalities from the accordion world were to be seen on the exhibition stands and the event stages each day. The next Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound will be held in Frankfurt am Main from April 6th to 9th 2011. Visit the 2010 Frankfurt Musikmesse Report. |
Orchestral Premiere Includes Accordion Ensemble, Zaragoza - Spainby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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On Monday March 22nd, the Mozart Hall of Zaragoza´s Auditorium hosted the world premiere of the piece for symphonic orchestra, ‘Our princess is in another castle’, by young Spanish composer Oscar Piniella. The novelty of this work was in the instrumental section: an accordion ensemble is included in it. For this special concert in the Auditorium, the orchestra was completed by five accordion students of the Superior Conservatory of Music of Aragon, in Zaragoza, all of whom were students of Angel Luis Castaño. The CSMA Symphonic Orchestra was conducted by Juan Luis Martínez. The composer said in the regional daily press, "My music is for a large orchestra, including an accordion ensemble. I think it is very nice to listen to the accordions between the strings." The accordionists were Daniel Pérez (Cuenca), Xabier Olazábal, Adrian López and Fernando Salinas (Pamplona), and Otavio de Assis (Brazil). For them it was a fantastic experience and they would like to continue doing accordion premieres. |
Hohner Accordionist in Lithuanian TV Competition, Vilnius - Lithuaniaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Augustinas has succeeded brilliantly starting the competition in January with a masterful interpretation of the arrangement of Vivaldi's Winter. He then performed last month the famous "Figaro" by Rossini and this catapulted him straight into the semi-final with a unanimous jury and public vote. Last Sunday, was a real coup with Augustinas interpreting the difficult French piece "La Tempête" by André Astier, coming 1st in the selection for the finals. Audience votes of 4566, against 2600 for the candidate in second place was a landslide victory for the accordion and also for Augustinas. Augustinas is now preparing for the finals which will take place in May, with guidance by Frederic Deschamps, who has been helping the young artist with advice, technical, musical and stage craft using Skype (internet). Enjoy his excellent performance on Accordion-Space4u.com http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=128 |
Paul Chamberlain Wins Recital Prize at the RSAMD, Glasgow – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() He is the first undergraduate to study classical accordion at the RSAMD since it was accepted into the keyboard department in 2008 and it is a great achievement to have won this major competition against 12 pianists. In February, Paul Chamberlain was also awarded 2nd place in the ‘Tony and Tania Webster Prize’, which was for performance of rare Russian repertoire. Currently in his third year of undergraduate study under the tutelage of Djordje Gajic, Paul has been effectively raising the profile of the accordion. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention, Dallas - USAby Laura Niland, President of the San Antonio Accordion Association |
![]() The theme this year was “Accordions in Action” with the event started by energetic President of NAA, Norman Seaton, co-chairperson Greg Klugiewicz, and dedictated to Ron Lankford, Roland Products representative and avid supporter of accordion. A report of the NAA Convention is online: NAA 2010 Report |
‘Christus Oratorio’ Peformances, Wroclaw – Polandby Olexij Suslov |
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Performances of ‘Christus Oratorio’, composed and conducted by Olexiy Suslov, took place in Wroclaw and in Pawlowice, near Wroclaw. The composition was performed by the Sinaxis Choir, Wroclaw Private Music School S-ART Orchestra ‘Harmonica’, and the soprano Anna Wilczynska. The first concert was organized by the St. Peter and Paul Orthodox Association. His Excellency Archbishop Marian Golebiewski, Roman-Catholic Metropolitan of Wroclaw, and His Excellency Jeremiah, The Orthodox Archbishop of Wroclaw and Szczecin, both took patronage over this concert. The ‘Christus Oratorio’ was performed for the second time in Pawlowice (nearby Wroclaw) by the same group of musicians. The audience were delighted with the combination of breathtaking music and astonishing architecture of Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Science. All present were moved by the performance of masterpiece of music. |
International Competition in Montrond Les Bains – Franceby Rob Howard |
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Photo, left to right: Frederic Deschamps (France), Grayson Masefield (New Zealand), Joao Barradas (Portugal - Professor Anibal Freire), Julie Blocher (France), Christel Sautaux (Suisse), Aurore Touchard (France), Dorin Grama (Moldavie - Hohner Conservatory of Trossingen), Alexander Kolovski (Macedonia), Benoit Nortier (France), Petar Maric (Serbia), Olivia Cazals (France), Radu Laxgang (Moldavia - Hohner Conservatory of Trossingen). On the 25 and 26 March was held the International Accordion Montrond Les Bains. The competition included more than 85 participants from 24 different nationalities from some of the best music schools in the world. The competition included more than 85 participants from 24 different nationalities from some of the best music schools in the world. Maryll Abbas (20 years) former student of the EMCR received a 1st prize in the 3rd named Accordion Variété category and his teacher Camille Privat (24 years) also participated in the competition and won 1st Prize in the category Grand Prix Classic Concert. Team Deschamps participated for the first time at this unique international competition in France, with great success. These students had already shone in 2009, winning 14 first places and 28 placings in international competitions such as Klingenthal, Coupe Mondiale, Trophee Mondiale, Castelfidardo, Spoleto, Ikaalinen, etc.. Team Deschamps students enjoying success at Montrond were: Variety Junior: 1st tie Julie Blocher (France) and Radu Laxgang (Moldova - Hohner Conservatory of Trossingen) Variety Concert Grand Prix: 1st Gayson Masefield (New Zealand), 2nd Petar Maric (Serbia), 4th Alexander Kolovski (Macedonia) and Dorin Grama (Moldova - Hohner Conservatory of Trossingen) Grand Prix Classic Concert: 2nd Grayson Masefield, Petar Maric 3rd, 5th Alexander Kolovski (Macedonia) Find the complete results of the 13th edition of the competition on the site http://www.montrond-les-bains.fr/Presentation-Jeunes-Talents.html |
Piano Teachers Meet the Accordion, Kansas - USAby Karen Fremar |
![]() Vivanter! presented several numbers to illustrate what music is possible on the accordion and explained the theoretical basis of the bass mechanism. In discussing the history of the accordion and its development, they demonstrated the Cheng and opened up a 120-bass instrument to show the inner workings of the instrument. Then the real fun began, when five teachers were selected to put on 12-bass instruments and learn what it really feels like to play an accordion. These five esteemed piano instructors quickly dissolved into being like kids in a candy store. All at the workshop recognized how easy it would be to transfer the knowledge their piano students already have to the piano keyboard of the accordion. After only some brief training, the teachers had mastered the 12-bass button board, and they were ready to perform a few numbers together. All enjoyed the experience and came away with new found appreciation of the accordion. They were even discussing where they might buy an accordion and planning a future performance for their banquet meeting in May!! For further photos and information, please visit the Vivant! website. |
Future events |
Accordion-Pop Rock Wins Eurovision Song Entry, Ljubljana - Sloveniaby Rob Howard |
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A pop rock band will represent Slovenia in this year's Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Narodno zabavni rok’, a tune combining accordion-pop music with rock rhythm. Ansambel Roka Zlindre & Kalamari won an overwhelming 15,907 votes in a televote, far ahead of the runner-up, who received only just over 3,500 calls in the finals of the national EMA 2010 contest. This was the first time ever for the Slovenian Eurovision Song contestant to be selected only by the audience, rather than by a judging panel or a vote combining the two. Hosted by the public broadcaster TV Slovenija at the Ljubljana fairground Gospodarsko razstavisce, Sunday's contest featured 14 bands and singers. The Slovenian contestant will attempt to win a place in the May 29th finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo at the semi-final on May 27th. |
GRANDE NUIT DE L’ACCORDEON A LA BOURBOULE - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() ![]() Le Dimanche 4 Avril, à LA BOURBOULE (63) À 21H30 – Salle du Casino Avec: Nathalie BOUCHEIX, Championne du Monde les jeunes accordéonistes du CNIMA J.Mornet … et le Grand Orchestre de Jean-Pierre COUSTEIX |
16th Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival, Sydney - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
![]() This festival, organised by the Australian Accordion Teachers Association will be held on June 12th and 13th. Competition entries close on May 1st and entrants from all over the world are welcome. You can make your entry online. Traditionally, the most popular part of the event is the annual Gala Concert which will be held on June 13th at 2pm at the Auditorium of Club Marconi, which is a superb professional concert venue with excellent lighting and sound. The guest artistes will include John MacDonald, Nerida Farmer, John Cave, FUNKORDION, and the Accordigles Accordion Ensembles. For further information, please visit the website www.aata.org.au Daily Reports of Past Events at: Australian International Championships |
Claudio Allodi @ Guildford AC’s 20th Birthday Party, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
Guildford Accordion Club celebrate their 20th anniversary with a party and concert on April 16th, 7.30pm. The venue is Ripley Village Hall, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6AD. The guest artiste is Claudio Allodi. For further information email: myrabee@btinternet.com |
Marco Lo Russo Concert, Sermoneta - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
‘Accordions Now! 2010’, New Hampshire, USAby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: suzanne@accordionconnection.ccsend.com |
CD Reviews |
Misteriumby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
April Diatonic News Online 1st Aprilby Werner Weibert |
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The April 2010 Diatonic News online 1st April. |
April USA News Online 1st Aprilby Rita Barnea |
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The April 2010 USA News, online on the 1st April. |
Larry Malmberg New Music Releasesby Larry Malmberg |
Larry Malmberg releases 5 new pieces, 'Gershwin Medley', catalog:larrym011', 'I Get Ideas, catalog:larrym012', 'If You Knew Suzie, catalog:larrym013', 'It Had To Be You, catalog:larrym014', and 'Just You, Just Me, catalog:larrym015'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Yehuda Oppenheimer releases 2 new arrangementsby Yehuda Oppenheimer |
Yehuda Oppenheimer releases 4 arrangements for acccordion - 'Symphony No. 40, catalog:OY590', 'Ave Verum, catalog:OY594', 'Allegro Spirituoso, catalog:OY601' and 'Toccata, catalog:OY603'. Samples of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Happy Easter!by Accordions Worldwide |
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