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Highlights |
2011 Coupe Mondiale in Shanghai Enjoys Largest Ever Entries- Chinaby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() These extra numbers have been assisted by a substantial airfare subsidy, food and accommodation generously provided for 50 national representatives by the Chinese hosts, the Accordion Association of Chinese Musicians Association (CAA) and the Shanghai Musicians Association. When the Coupe Mondiale first started in 1938, there was only one category (Coupe Mondiale) which from 1970 usually averaged 17 to 20 national representative entrants. It was not until the Virtuoso Entertainment category was trialed in 1974 that an extra category was considered, and only in 1989 was the Virtuoso Entertainment category run annually. Since then, the Junior Coupe Mondiale category (up to 18 years) was added from 1996, the Junior Virtuoso Entertainment (up to 18 years) from 2000, the Piano Accordion category from 2001, the Chamber Music category from 2002 and the Digital Accordion category added from 2009, to round out the Coupe Mondiale event and showcase the array of different music able to be performed by the accordion. CIA President Raymond Bodell congratulated the Chinese host associations led by CAA President Prof. Li Cong (picture right) for their success in attracting over 170 entrants and said “The 2011 Coupe Mondaile competitions surely promise to be a most exciting event.” |
Artists Announced for the 36th International Accordion Festival, Castelfidardo – Italyby Rob Howard |
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The concert guest list for the 36th International Accordion Festival, held from September 20th to 25th in Castelfidardo, Ancona, has been announced, including: Accordionists Frank Marocco (USA), Pino di Modugno, Veronika Todorova (Bulgaria), Stian Carstensen, Vincente Abbracciante, Daniele di Bonaventura, Miranda Cortes (France), Andrea Tini, Luca Colantonio, Tommaso Arena, Christian Riganelli, Emiliano Giaccaglia, Danilo Paolonicola’s Ethic Project, the Fisa & Bass Duo, Banda Adriatica, featuring diatonic accordionist Claudio Prima, Duo Calambre, the Donato Santoianni and Salvatore Cauteruccio Quartet, Marianna Malonni (vocals) and Mirko Dettori (accordion and vocals), ‘Two Half Dogs’ duo, accordionists Paolo Polverini and Silvano Staffolani, and the Alessandro and Gabriele accordion duo. The Film Music Ensemble (MD Paolo Picchio) includes accordionists Emanuele Storti, Antonino De Luca, Marco Franconi, Andrea Naspi, Luana Guercio, Michele Re, Valentino Mercorelli, Marco Pascucci, Giacomo Vignoni, Martina Romagnoli, and Luigino Pallotta, with Maurizio Scocco (bass), Alessandro Polenta (drums), Deborah Vico (saxophone), and Gloria Frontini (flute). Also appearing will be Alti & Bassi and a cappella vocal quintet, Gabriele Mirabassi (clarinet), and Marianne Wade (violin). For further information email: info@festivalinternazionalefisarmonicacastelfidardo.it |
IV Strumenti & Musica Festival Daily Reports, Spoleto - Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() The IV Strumenti & Musica Festival opened on the 21st August in Spoleto. From 10 am to midnight, the three main squares and streets were part of a multitude of events. In every street, corner and Piazza of Spoleto were musical groups performing. Two scholarships were awarded, to Pietro Adragna (winner Senior Variété, photo above right) and to Matteo Petronio (winner Junior Variété, photo above left) by the IAC (Italian Accordion Culture – Italian member of the CIA), organizer of the Strumenti & Musica Festival, to sponsor these two performers representing Italy to the 2011 Coupe Mondiale. Ivan Sverko (Croatia, photo right) won the Senior Classic category with strong competition from Alexander Kolovski (Macedonia), Mia Cojbasic (Serbia) and Ghenadie Rotari (Moldavia). Full results in the Daily Reports. A highlight of the Strumenti & Musica Festival was the big tango concert "Homage to Astor Piazzolla's" by the group Cuarteto del Angel led by Cesare Chiacchiaretta (bandoneon and accordion) with Paolo Angelucci (violin), Marco Colacioppo (piano) and Nicola Di Camillo (double bass). At this concert, Cesare Chiacchiaretta was awarded the “Astor Piazzolla” Prize by Strumenti & Musica and Aldo Pagani, Italian publisher and friend of the Astor Piazzolla. This was a richly-deserved recognition, for the widespread performances in many countries by Cesare Chiacchiaretta and the high level of his performances of Piazzolla music. Daily Reports of the 2011 Strumenti & Musica Festival |
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Roland V-Accordion National Finals, Ontario -Canadaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() Roland Canada has announced that the three semi-finalists for Canada are: - Michael Bridge from Toronto, Ontario - Eugene Laskiewicz from Mississauga, Ontario - Kimberley Pritchard from Brooklin, Ontario The Youth Division winner is 17 year old Yi Fei Zhang (photo on right) from Edmonton, Alberta. He won a Roland FR-3x V-Accordion and he will also be performing at the Roland V-Accordion Festival National Finals event as guest performer. Sebastian Carubia (photo on left) will also be a performing. Sebastian Carubia aspires to bring the accordion to another level of entertainment. Sebastian’s performance in the music video, "Stereo Love", by CP Records recording artist Mia Martina has created a renewed interest in the accordion among all age groups, including the Club Dance scene. Currently, Sebastian is working with Toronto musician/producer Jerry Caringi to create original dance tunes that will be released this fall. Check back on September 9th for the competition results which will be added here. |
2011 Sancyberie Festival, 3 - 10 September - Franceby Roman Jbanov |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Viatcheslav Semionov Master Classes - Russia, Italyby Alexander Selivanov |
![]() There was an international summer school in Zheleznogorsk (Kursk region) followed by a trip to Italy in August for master classes in Rome and these master classes were followed by a trip to Calabria for further master classes in the southern part of Italy. Lessons followed in Nocera, Terinese including a meeting with the Deputy Mayor to discuss development of the music school and the prospects of further cooperation. All the master classes were all very well attended and very successful. There is a definite upward trend in Italy with some 31 conservatories now offering accordion and the number of accordionists studying at Italian conservatories steadily increasing. 6 CD,s by Viatcheslav Semionov available online |
Bands Competition Including Accordion, Portadown - Northern Irelandby Harley Jones |
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A total of 65 bands visited the town of Portadown, (about 40km from Belfast) on Friday August 26th as Portadown Defenders Flute Band held their annual band parade and competition. Local band Edgarstown Accordion picked up Best Accordion, with Pride of the Birches Accordion coming a close second. Almost 2,000 band enthusiasts took part as Portadown Defenders Flute Band celebrated their 40th anniversary. Bands from right across Ulster and Scotland made the journey which saw Drumderg Loyalists Flute Band, Keady collect the Best Overall Band trophy. The competition was as tight as ever as Drumderg Loyalists picked up three first place prizes in best Junior Drum Major, best Large Blood and Thunder and Best Overall. Kilkeel band Mourne Young Defenders Flute Band scored favourably too as they won best Melody Drum Corp and best Melody band prizes. The night ended as the Defenders’ and their Auld Boys band joined together to parade the town. The band will conclude their anniversary celebrations with a dinner for present and ex-members in October. |
Paul Chamberlain’s New Classical CD, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The tracks include: JS Bach – ‘Prelude and Fugue in D Minor’, J. Rameau – ‘L’Egyptienne’, A. Nagayev – ‘Sonata No 1’ (three movements), F. Angelis – ‘Romance’, A. Khachaturian – ‘Toccata’, and M. Moszkowski – ‘Spanish Caprice’. Paul Chamberlain graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Classical Accordion from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2011. He has won many regional and national accordion competitions in the UK and has made appearances at accordion events in France, Italy, Finland, Bahrain, and Russia. For further information email: paul@theaccordionist.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Betty Jo Simon takes the MIDI to the Lone Star Stateby Rob Howard |
![]() TEXAS ACCORDION TOUR Contributed by Betty Jo Simon Betty Jo Simon's Texas accordion tour saw her playing to six clubs in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Longview, Austin, San Antonio, & Houston along with German & Czech restaurants in between. The theme of the program was ‘Around the World with the MIDI Accordion’. Betty Jo said, "I played a lot of international tunes along with some classical numbers like ‘Bolero’, ‘Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2’, and ‘Dance of the Comedians’. I also did a demonstration of the MIDI accordion so people could understand where I was getting all those sampled sounds. Everyone was amazed at the full orchestral sound that it emitted”. Betty Jo Simon also did a 30 minute radio interview with John Aeili in Austin. He was also amazed at the MIDI Accordion. The Longview newspaper did a feature on the Accordion club there and put a 10 inch color picture of Betty Jo on the front page of their Lifestyles section. 3 CD's by Betty Jo Simon available online. |
Future events |
Mary Tokarski Featured Soloist with Hamden Symphonyby Rita Barnea |
![]() Mary will perform “Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra” by Gary Daverne, O.N.Z.M. from New Zealand. Mary has recorded and performed this magnificent, lyrical music score several times with the composer conducting both the Auckland Symphony and the Moravian Symphony in the Czech Republic. Gary is New Zealand’s most prolific and successful composers who has become a great supporter and composer of music for the accordion. His arrangements and compositions for accordion orchestras and solo accordion are used extensively around the world. CD's and music by Gary Daverne available online CD's of Mary Tokarski and K Trio CD's available online |
Rhythm & Roots Festival, Rhode Island – USAby Rob Howard |
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The annual Rhythm & Roots Festival takes place at Ninigret Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island, from September 2nd to 4th. There are all day concerts plus workshops, featuring a variety of Blues, Cajun and Zydeco musicians. The guests include Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton, Corey Ledet Zydeco Band, Magnolia Cajun Band, Nation Beat, and many more. For further information email: office@rhythmandroots.com |
John Kirkpatrick @ The Potteries Folk Club, Staffordshire – UKby Rob Howard |
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On Friday September 9th, 8pm, diatonic folk accordionist and singer John Kirkpatrick is the guest at The Potteries Folk Club, The 45 Club, Lancaster Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 1DS. John Kirkpatrick is widely acknowledged as the British folk scene’s best and busiest button accordionist, constantly in demand at folk clubs and festivals as a performer and workshop leader, and also in the theatre and recording studios as a session musician. He has appeared on more than 60 recordings by other artistes, and has released many CDs of his own, plus a tuition DVD for melodeon. John K plays the 3-row British chromatic button accordion, 1 and 2 row melodeons, and the Anglo concertina. He is also a fine singer and composer. |
Récital ‘Accordeon Liturgique’, Bourgogne - Franceby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() The programme includes JS Bach – ‘Toccata & Fugue, BWV 565’, Buxtehude – ‘Paeludium’, Mozart – ‘Ave Verum’, Rossini – ‘Preludio Religioso de la Petite Messe Solennelle’, Daverio – ‘Le Troisième Jour’, and Zolotarev – ‘Le Monastère de Firaponte’. |
Marco Lo Russo TV Appearance before Pope and Concerts – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() September 10th, 5pm – XXV Congresso Eucaristico Nazionale, Ancona, a TV broadcast on RAI Uno, Ancona, in the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict XV1 September 11th, 7pm - with Massimo Zagonari (sax, flute, vocals) at Centro storico, Sperlonga September 20th to 22nd, 9.30pm – stage show ‘The Italian’, with the Bubbez Orchestra, Teatro Argentina, Rome For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
CNIMA Calls for Enrolments, Auvergne – Franceby Harley Jones |
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CNIMA J.Mornet music school is offering various accordion and other musical courses at the CNIMA J.Mornet music school at Les Ludines, 63950 Saint-Sauves, Auvergne, France, during autumn and winter. For a list of these courses, please visit the CNIMA J.Mornet website and for further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
‘Trekkspillkonsert’ with Håvard Svendsrud, Oslo – Norwayby Harley Jones |
![]() Håvard Svendsrud has established himself as a professional performer of both classical and traditional entertainment music and has been in great demand as an accordionist and frequently performed on radio and television, as a soloist and as a group musician. He has released 8 CD's of different styles of music which are available from the Håvard Svendsrud website. |
Continental Evening with Roman Voloshchuk, Bucks – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The venue is the Iver Village Junior School, High Street, Iver, Bucks SL0 9QA; raffle, admission £5 - BYO nibbles and drinks. Ample free car parking. For further information email: accordionfriends@aol.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Sergey Osokin New CD Titled 'IL Cinema Per Sempre' - Russiaby Sergey Osokin |
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Sammy Pizzata and Nunzio Mondia releasing their new CDby Sammy Pizzata and Nunzio Mondia |
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Frédéric Deschamps Video Channelby | Modify | Delete |
![]() Next week, the master classes will be broadcast from the Conservatory Trossingen Hohner in Germany with special guest being conservatory professor Andreas Nebl, View also the International Accordion Orchestra Hohner composed of some of the finest young accordionists in the world today. Vladislav Pligovka (Belarús), Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) Petar Maric (Serbia), Laxgand Radu (Moldavia) - World Cup winner and 2010 World Cup trophy in junior variety, Pietro Adragna (Italy) - winner of the 2009 World Trophy and Primus Ikaalinen 2010 and 2011 in senior Klingenthal variety, Alexander Kolovski (Macedonia) - winner of Grand Prix in France, and future hopeful winners ie 2011 Christel Sautaux (Swizerland) Augustinas Rakauskas (Lituania), Zyabko Pavel (Russia), Natanael Teixeira (Portugal) The Young Art Quartet Trossingen (Germany), Dorin Grama (Moldavia), Matthias Matzke, Evin Keli (Ireland), Joshua Trenel (Central Africa). |
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