Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
CD Reviews |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Editor’s Noteby Rob Howard |
![]() Rob Howard |
Roland V Accordion Festival, California – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The Junior Division contest was won by Danielle Renzi of Johnston, RI, whose performance was notable for an excellent sense of timing and an effective use of coupler changes. Kassandra Knoff of Randolph, VT, took second place playing her button FR-7. Her performance of JS Bach’s ‘Toccata in D Minor’ included impressive double runs in the bass and treble. Ken Baert of Barrington Hills, IL, was the winner of the senior contest. His technique included frequent use of the footswitch to seamlessly make multiple coupler changes and set transitions throughout his outstanding performance. Svetlana Ivanchenko of Roanoke, TX, placed second, gave an emotional performance, with an especially effective use of the saxophone voices. The event concluded with guest performances from Joe Natoli and Cory Pesaturo. Joe Natoli’s playing is notable for his application of the various orchestral voices, and use of free bass, especially when using piano scores. The highlight of his program was Aaron Copland's ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’. Cory Pesaturo’s considerable improvisational ability was much in evidence, especially on his performance of jazz and popular standards. The jury members were Dee Langley, Eddie Monteiro, and Mary Tokarski. |
George Booth Passes Away, Fleetwood - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Despite his London accent, George Booth was born in Nottingham, the son of a coal miner. George played accordion and piano from an early age, and became a professional musician after leaving school, working in variety theatres. In the 1930s he played with Macari’s Dutch Serenaders and the Al Podesta Accordion Band. During World War Two George saw active service in the British army in Italy, which led to him acquiring a new Wurlitzer accordion from some US troops he had been entertaining. In the post-war years George became a Bavarian-style band leader, fronting the very successful Willi Gatte and his Alpen Dorf Musik, touring extensively around Britain and Europe for many years, and also making recordings. He also led various dance bands and show bands. In 1952 the American comedian Jack Benny was in England for a performance at the London Palladium, and a strike called by the US Musicians’ Union meant that his team of accompanists – including the legendary Pietro Deiro – could not appear. Thus it was that George Booth found himself on stage with Jack Benny, filling in for the great Pietro Deiro. Afterwards, George and Pietro met up backstage, socialised and played music together. In his later years, George Booth retired to Fleetwood, Lancashire, but was a frequent visitor to accordion clubs and festivals, where his often critical views on other accordionists made him a controversial character. |
Youngest Recipient of State Arts Council Grant to Present Program, New Hampshire - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The grant allowed Douglas a year to study traditional Scottish music. One of the grant requirements is a public presentation of what the recipient has learned during the preceding year. Now aged 12, Douglas will fulfil this requirement by offering a performance at 1.45pm on October 18th during the monthly meeting of the New Hampshire Accordion Association (NHAA). His teacher, Sylvia Miskoe, former music director of the Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire, will also participate in the program. Both Sylvia and Douglas are longstanding members of NHAA. An Oktoberfest celebration will follow their presentation. This event is open to the public without charge and will take place at Accordion Connection, 136 Route 106, Gilmanton, NH 03257. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
2009 Trophée Mondial Daily Reports – Portugalby Harley Jones |
![]() |
Daily Reports are on the CMA Website of the 2009 Trophée Mondial. The event was organised by the Confédération Mondiale de l'Accordéon (CMA) and Portuguese representative Aníbal Freire, President of Alcobaça's Accordion Association in the city of Albufeira. See the Daily Reports on the CMA website. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Les Nuits de Nacre Festival, Tulle - Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Les Nuits des Nacres features a variety of French and international music, including jazz, musette, rock, Celtic, swing, and Cajun. There were many memorable performers, such as ‘The Siberian Quartet’ (accordion and three balalaikas), who specialised in Russian and gypsy music, plus much humour. ‘Super Swing’, a local quartet, bounced with vitality, playing gypsy jazz and musette, while the café concert from Marseille duo ‘5 Avenues’ was mellow and reflective. A benefit concert for Kosovan refugees innovatively combined Islamic singing with French melodeon, while ‘Hinkala’ from Britanny brought a bit of Celtic flair to their rock-based performance. The festival also offered films, dancing, workshops, and free factory tours of the Maugein factory, France’s only accordion manufacturer. Tulle’s accordion museum was another attraction, whose exhibits include two accordions used by Marc Bonel, who was accordionist to Edith Piaf for many years. |
Aidar Gainullin Performs at Film Festival, Lucerne - Switzerlandby Herbert Scheibenreif |
![]() For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
Sancybérie Festival, Saint Sauves d’Auvergne - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() |
![]() ![]() The musicians ‘Double Game’, consisting of Pierre Laval and Felicien Brut, the winners of international accordion competitions, opened the festival playing music by French and Russian composers (E. Derbenko, V. Vlasov, A. Shmykov, D. Saussard, M. Legrand, and D. M Larcange Emorine) in solo and duet arrangements. The Paris Moscou Duo, world champions Roman Jbanov and Domi Emorine, offered their musical journey, much appreciated by the public with music from N. Rizoli, J. Basell, J. Rossi, A. Shalaiev and F. Angelis. The Siberian Quartet (Tatiana Miasoiedova - domra soprano, Lilia Neverov - domra viola, Sergei Postnikov – balalaika contrabass, and Alexei Miasoiedov – accordion), came from the town of Prokopyevsk, assisted by dancers and musical interludes, ‘Carousel’, composed of young dancers from the Siberian city Leninsk-Kuznetzki. The virtuosity and sensitivity of the Russian artistes proved their talent and professionalism. The audience was enchanted, wishing a come back in 2010 - the ‘French-Russian Year’, decided by both presidents of these countries. For further information email: roman@sancyberie.com |
Motion Trio in Concert, Helmbrechts - Germanyby Julian Feulner |
![]() |
The internationally celebrated Motion Trio, a group of three extraordinary Polish accordionists comprising Janosz Wojtarowicz, Pawel Baranek and Marcin Galazyn, from Krakow, gave two concerts on September 24th and 25th in Helmbrechts, Germany, as part of the Kulturwelten Festival, an event which has gained major importance in the northern Bavarian region. Returning to Germany one year after a celebrated concert in Hof, which included two encores together with six local accordionists from Hof and the former CIA President, Kevin Friedrich, as part of the DHV directors meeting, the Motion Trio once again invited the six local Hof accordionists to play Balkan Dance and You Dance with them, which was greeted with tremendous applause. In recent years the Motion Trio has inspired both accordionists and non-accordionists with their performances and compositions. Their aim is to promote the accordion in their own way by composing completely new sounds, therefore capturing the attention and imagination for our instrument, often unheard and unseen among the general audiences attending concerts outside the accordion world. The Trio performs about 80 concerts per year and has just recorded a new CD together with Michael Nyman, which will be released soon. |
Future events |
‘A Festival of Firsts’, New York - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Between 5pm and 7pm there will be an accordion recital by Rocco Anthony Jerry, whose program will include ‘Lines and Waves in Blue Deep’ (Peter Machajdik), ‘Like a Water Buffalo’ (Yuji Takahashi), ‘Maximinimal’ (Conrad Kehn), ‘Five Mirrors’ (Peter Machajdik), ‘AGNI god of fire’ (Kjell Perder), and ‘No Other Time’ (Richard Lainhart). Rocco Anthony Jerry (pictured left) was born in Welch, West Virginia in 1962. At the age of six, he began studying the accordion with Paul Bertollozzi of Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1975, he began lessons on the free-bass accordion with Carmen Carrozza. Rocco's interests lie primarily in modern music, including the works of Sofia Gubaidulina, Luciano Berio, and others. He has also worked with Hollywood film composer, Arthur B. Rubinstein, in the premiere run of his new musical ‘He Who Gets Slapped’. For further information email: rajerry@juno.com |
Rosemary Wright Concert, Leicester – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: arts-centre@le.ac.uk |
Viktor Romanko Tours Germany and Austriaby Rob Howard |
![]() October 2nd, 7.30pm – ‘Konzert am Samowar’, Dreifaltigkeitskirche, Germany 4th, 7pm - Kärnten Kulturhaus, Arnoldstein, Austria 9th, 8pm - Heilig-Geist-Kirche, Oberstaufen 10th, 7pm - Johannes-Zwick-Haus, Goldbronnenstr, Riedlingen 11th, 7pm - Stadtkirche Abt-Hyllerstr. 17, Weingarten Ev. 13th, 7.30pm – Ochsenhausen, Gemeindezentrum 14th, 7pm - Landratsamt Sitzungssaal, Calw 17th, 8pm - Günther Bimmerle Halle, Oppenau, Germany 18th, 6pm - Bürgersaal des ‘Alten Rathaus’, Bretten 23rd, 2pm – workshop with students from the Hohner Conservatory, Löhrstraße 32, D-78647 Trossingen 23rd, 8pm – concert at the Hohner Conservatory 24th, 9am to 1pm - workshop with students at the Hohner Conservatory 30th, 8pm - Züricherstraße 35 B ürgersaal, Munich For further information email: jutta.menn@t-online.de |
Jean Louis Noton Demonstration, Pyrénées – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: jl.noton@wanadoo.fr |
Oleg Sharov Tour Dates, England – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() October 11th, 8pm - West Sussex Accordion Club, The Cyprus Hall, Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8DX; evening includes a trade stand by The Accordion Shop 12th - Club Accord, Birmingham 13th - Craven Accordion School, West Yorkshire 14th, 8pm - Stockport Accordion Club, Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel St/A560, Stockport SK6 1ND 15th, doors open at 4pm, concert starts at 7.30pm - The Shire Hall, Howden, Yorkshire DN14 7BJ; also appearing are Harry Hussey, Sam Pirt and The Hut People, and members of the Lindum Accordion Club; the organiser is Harry Kipling 16th to 18th - Eastbourne Accordion Festival 20th - North Staffs Accordion Club 21st - Uxbridge Accordion Club 22nd - Harlow Accordion Club; also featuring David Lukins 23rd - Guildford Accordion Club For further information email: ron@ukaccordions.com |
Orange County Accordion Festival, California – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() |
![]() Guest peformers include Raving Polka (aka Limpopo), performing Russian folk with a twist of jazz, blues, dance and comedy; Lou Fanuchhi, Grammy nominee for Best Zydeco/Cajun Music; Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, with Skip Edwards on accordion; Los Fabulocos with Kid Ramos, featuring Jesse Cuevas on accordion. Other features include Jim Gilman, The Squeezinator; Norm Panto, Accordionist Extraordinare with members of the Accordionaires Club including Zandra Cousins singing and playing the spoons and Sheri Osen singing German songs; Around the World with accordion music by Alex Lavruk; Lou Fanuchhi - Tango Nuevo Workshop; Gee Rabe, L.A.'s Accordion Diva with the Haberdashery Quartet; Fontenot and Pappion Old Style Creole Music; Jordan Elliot JESTER gypsy style; Roberto Rosa, Latin Jazz, Salsa, Merengue and Folkloric Puerto Rico; Rock and Roll Oldies with Bryan J; and special performances by the Martin Music Center Accordion Orchestra of Fullerton. There will also be Zydeco and Cajun dance lessons by Karen Redding, and Russian folk dance lessons by Youri Nelzine, strolling entertainment, educational presentations including ‘All About Accordions Q & A’ with Sam Costabile. The festival includes a varied trade show. For further information email: jamesgilman@sbcglobal.net |
Renzo Ruggieri Orchestra, Castelfidardo – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() |
Right from the beginning public and critics acclaim for of the 2009 Renzo Ruggieri Orchestra summer tour. The projects presented this year were: - The Kramer Project with original versions of the compositions of the great Gorni Kramer, accompanied by a video about his life. On October 16th this project will be performed during the International Festival "Città di Castelfidardo" The Renzo Ruggieri Orchestra, featuring vocalist Linda, has recently participated in ‘Napoli 1000 Cultures’ - a concert treating Neapolitan song in jazz version, alongside Neapolitan musicians such as Ernesto Vitolo, Marco Zurzolo, a String Orchestra, and others. Other festivals where the R.R.O. has participated include the Pineto Accordion jazz festival, Gubbio No Borders, and Serravalle Outlet in Jazz. The conductor and arranger of the orchestra is the well-known accordionist Renzo Ruggieri (www.renzoruggieri.it). |
Traditional Music Workshops, Monaghan – Irelandby Rob Howard |
![]() This year Scoil Cheoil na Botha, will take place in the village of Scotstown, County Monaghan, from October 16th to 18th. Events will include workshops, concerts, and sessions featuring some of the finest talent in Ireland. The tutors are Mick Mulcahy - button accordion, Louise Mulcahy - flute, Michelle Mulcahy - harp, Edel Fox - concertina, Ronan O'Flaherty - fiddle, Rosie Stewart - singing, Dave Sheridan - fiddle, Gerard Moloney - piano accordion, Shane Mulcrone - banjo, and Padraig Mc Govern - uilleann pipes. The Scoil Cheoil na Botha workshops are run in conjunction with the Éamonn Ó Muirí C.C.E branch. For further information email: seanmce@anbhoth.ie |
CD Reviews |
"Tango Nuevo"by Alessandro Mugnoz |
![]() |
New and Updated Sites |
October Diatonic News is Onlineby Werner Weibert |
![]() |
The October Diatonic News is now online. |
USA News for October now Online - USAby Rita Barnea |
![]() |
Available 2009 Coupe Mondiale Video Downloadby MusicForAccordion.com |
![]() |
Confédération Mondiale de l'Accordéon (CMA) Updatedby Frédéric Deschamps |
![]() |
Faithe Deffner Lifetime Achievement Award - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() A full report of Lifetime Achievement Award with photos and text is online. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
Random video 4UAdd your video!TRY IT NOW |