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Highlights |
The Musictech Digital Orchestra Concert - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Aesthetically it is a traditional accordion maintaining the traditional parameters; keyboards, bass mechanism and bellows, the last of which enables the performing accordionist to express his personal soul and sensitivity by means of the perfect dynamic control, able to respond adequately even when the bellows are fully open, due to the special Musictech sensor circuitry. Technology has replaced the valves with solid-state contacts and the hand-made reeds with integrated Digitally Sampled Instrument Sounds featuring 25 various accordions such as Musette, Cassotto and another 25 traditional orchestral instruments; Strings, Violins, Choruses, Organs, Guitars, Brass etc. MusicTech, with international experience of the needs of accordionists, has united human resources and the latest technology in the development of the Music Maker Digital 50 Accordion. The professional accordionists of today’s musical world know the potential of this instrument and use it in the most amazing performances of many kinds of music. |
BREAKING NEWS - CMA Results Online - Bosniaby Raymond Bodell, Charnwood Publications |
![]() ![]() Trophée Mondiale Senior Classique winner was Dimitri Bouclier (France) with Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) 2nd and Miodrag Dordevic (Serbia) 3rd. Grayson Masefield (picture right), the only competitor to be in two categories was also first placegetter in the Trophée Mondiale Senior Varieté category ahead of Adragna Pietro 2nd (Italy) with Benoit Chabod (France) in 3rd. A full report of the event will be on the CMA site soon. |
Roland Europe Junior at Eiffel Tower, Paris - Franceby Raymond Bodell, Charnwood Publications |
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![]() Competitors were judged on: virtuosity, musicality, creativity, use of the V-Accordion’s potential and stage delivery. The competition was in two categories. Junior – under 18 years –had 4 central Europe finalists playing on Roland FR-3 accordions. They were: 1. Renee Verleg (Netherlands) 2. Remco Troquete (Netherlands) 3. Alexis Lambert (France) 4. Eric Allard-Jacquin (France) The winner was Eric Allard Jacquin (picture top left), who received a Roland FR-3 accordion as the first prize. Second Place went to Alexis Lambert (France) and third place went to Renee Verleg (Netherlands). The other category – senior – over 18 years, had 7 area semi-finalists playing on Roland FR-7 accordions. They were: 1. Nicolas Koch (France) 2. Jean-François Prin (France) 3. Félicien Brut (France) 4. Estelle Sauvain (France) 5. Marie Guihard (France) 6. Koen Walraevens (Belgium) 7. Yannick Wijnants (Belgium) The program required each competitor to play up to 5 minutes own choice music with no play back or backing tracks allowed. The winner was Jean-François Prin (picture lower left) and he won a Roland FR-7 accordion and the sponsored trip to Rome to the V-Accordion Finals in November. Second Place was awarded to Félicien Brut (France), and third was Estelle Sauvain (France). At the interval Ludovic Beier gave a full and informative demonstration on the newly released Roland FR1 (Sept 12th). This wonderful small instrument weighing only 5.5kl was demonstrated with great virtuosity and to the delight of the audience. The evening concluded with the Ludovic Beier Trio performing to popular acclaim in this marvellous historic venue with superb views. Download France 2008 poster 698KB. |
Guy Klucevsek’ News, New York – Argentina, USAby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() ‘Angels and Accordions’ is an annual performance/walking tour of Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, set to take place on Saturday October 4th, 12 noon and 3.30pm. In the event of rain, the performances will take place the next day, same times. Meet at Green-Wood Cemetery's main gate, 25th Street and Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn - free admission. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water. In this show, narrated by Jeff Richman, a cast of dancing angels, Guy Klucevsek plus nine other accordion players and saxophonist Steve Elson, will guide visitors through Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery. Directed/Choreographed by Martha Bowers, the music is directed by Bob Goldberg. Guy Klucevsek will kick off the 2008 Edgefest on Wednesday October 15th, 7pm, at the Kerrytown Concert House, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He will play a solo set of his compositions, and then be joined on stage by local musicians for a revival of his 1990s project, the Bantam Orchestra (violin, cello, bass, accordion). For further information email: gklucevsek@si.rr.com |
Roland US Holds First V-Accordion Festival - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Contestants hailed from all over the U.S., and played in styles ranging from Jazz to Celtic. Each contestant was given an FR-7 V-Accordion to play during their five minute performance. This event was held in conjunction with the second International Roland V-Accordion Festival. A panel of five judges including Frank Marocco, Joan Cochran Sommers, Ed Vodicka and Eddie Monteiro awarded top honors to Joseph Natoli (picture left). Mark Kenneth was runner-up. Only the first and second place winners were announced to the public. The other competitors were Murl Allen Sanders, Ivan Milev, Steve Albini, Alex Lavruk and Iskra Alexandrov. As the Grand Prize winner, Natoli will fly to Rome, Italy on November 7, 2008 to participate in the 2nd International Accordion Festival and compete against 15 other countries. Roland V-Accordion Festival event coordinator Ron Lankford relates, “Roland was proud to promote accordion music at its finest, and we were very excited about the number of participants and the great quality of musicianship.” |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
World Premiere of Bandoneon Concerto, Cavtat – Croatiaby Rob Howard |
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![]() The first describes passengers and lovers of Dubrovnik in the late hours, the second movement brings an impression of Dubrovnik at dawn, and the third is a vivacious dance-like play where a wonderful mixture of tango rhythm and a Mediterranean charm is interlaced and described. Damir Buzleta, born in 1958 in Pula, learned music very early, taking up the accordion. He participated in many competitions and festivals in Croatia and abroad, winning many awards. In 1978 he started to compose, and his first composition was called ‘Sketches’. He studied composition with eminent Croatian composer Zlatic, and also took up conducting. His works are mainly written for accordion and for accordion orchestra. Bužleta also organizes master classes for accordion. Ancient remains, Renaissance palaces and villas make up the historical nucleus of Cavtat, a town south of Dubrovnik. In ancient times it was known as Epidaurum, and today is the tourist and cultural center of Konavle, the southernmost region of Croatia. For further information email: artagent.vjeran@hi.t-com.hr |
Kevin Friedrich Helps Home Town Celebrate Centennial - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() Among those in attendance was the town Mayor Neil Tiller of Dargaville (population 4,000). Located north of Auckland, Dargaville was once home to a thriving accordion scene which boasted eight accordion orchestras and bands spread amongst four sizeable accordion studios. Over recent years, the Dargaville community has strongly supported fund raising efforts to support accordion activities including the commissioning of ‘Gem of the Kaipara’ (in memory of Jenny Cocurullo) for Accordion and Symphony by well known New Zealand composer Gary Daverne, the establishment of the “Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time” housed at the Dargaville Museum, as well as numerous concerts and projects featuring local and international accordion guests. In their ongoing efforts to support the accordion movement, the Dargaville community is sponsoring $10,000 in prizes at the upcoming CIA Coupe Mondiale to be held in Auckland, New Zealand in August, 2009. $5,000 – 2009 International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music in honor of the late Jenny Cocurullo (supporter of arts and accordion in Northland). $5,000 – 2009 International Competition for Piano Accordion in honor of Ben Emmett (accordion teacher in Dargaville). The 2009 CIA Coupe Mondiale will feature a day trip to Dargaville option at the conclusion of the Coupe Mondiale, where there will be a Gala Concert, Champagne Reception at the Light House Function Center boasting spectacular views of the surrounding area, a Museum visit and local sightseeing. Full details will be available soon on the Coupe Mondiale website. |
Henry Doktorski in Iowa Orchestra Residency – USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() ![]() The Ames High School Orchestra has become one of the premier high school orchestras in the USA and for the last nine years, the orchestra has had celebrated guest artists perform with them during their annual Fall Festival Concert. Detailed article about Doktorski and the Ames Iowa High School Orchestra performances. |
‘That's Broadway’ Production, Stanmore Bay – New Zealandby Christine Adams |
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On September 23rd and 24th eight year old accordionist Skylah Jeffries took part in the Stanmore Bay School production entitled ‘That's Broadway’, which featured a variety of songs from many Broadway shows. Skylah is the only accordionist that attends the school, which has a very active music program and encourages the accordion within its program. As well as singing in the school choir Skylah performed ‘Doh a Deer’, ‘Oom Pah Pah’, and ‘Edelweiss’ on her accordion, accompanied by students on the glockenspiel and keyboards. Skylah is also a member of the North Shore Music Makers Accordion Orchestra, which performed on September 21st at the Allan William Jones Memorial event. Report of the 2008 AWJMS. |
Cavagnolo Accordion Event, Versailles – Franceby Rob Howard |
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![]() The days were well attended and many new instruments were ordered. The four days were deemed very successful by the organisers. |
Festival de Acordeón de Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa – Spainby Harley Jones |
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![]() Zoltan Orosz’s dazzling performance drew tremendous applause from the capacity audience. The two orchestras were similarly applauded for their masterly performances. Many people present were of the opinion that this festival was the best one to date. |
Future events |
Julie Best Concert, Wiltshire - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: white-horse@blueyonder.co.uk |
Trophée National de Chaville, Paris - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The 2008 Trophée National de Chaville, organised by L’Académie Musicale de France, takes place on October 27th and 28th in Chaville, Paris. This music festival includes graded sections for stradella and free bass accordion, electronic organ, clavier, piano, drums, acoustic and electric guitar. For further information email: raymond.valli@orange.fr |
Festival D'Accordeon de Meyzieu, Lyon - Franceby Rob Howard |
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The Festival D'Accordeon de Meyzieu takes place on October 18th and 19th in Meyzieu, a suburb of the city of Lyon, situated Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France. There is a Grand Evening Gala, 8.30pm, on Saturday October 18th featuring accordionists Stéphanie Rodriguez, Dimitri Saussard, Nathalie Boucheix (picture right), and Jérome Richard (picture left). The following afternoon, October 19th, 3pm, the festival presents a dance, featuring accordionists Michel Pruvot and Stéphanie Rodriguez, and their respective orchestras. The festival is organised by the Société des Accordéonistes Aixois, in collaboration with Didier Ouvrard and Pascal Sevran. |
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival, Scotland - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: info@shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com |
Trio ‘De las Piedras’ Concert, Madrid – Spainby Rob Howard |
On October 22nd the trio ‘De las Piedras’ - Esteban Algora (accordion), Ingar Zach (percussion), and Alessandra Rombolá (flute) perform in concert at Universidad Complutense, Madrid. For further information email: ale@allesandrarombola.com |
3rd Contest and Festival ‘Etnie Musicali’, Teramo - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: info@etniemusicali.com |
CD Reviews |
Hot Club Of Detroitby Joan C. Sommers |
![]() CD Reviews Index. |
New and Updated Sites |
New Music - 'Salut d'Amour', 'Ave Verum Corpus'by Peter Wilk |
Peter Wilk - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator, releases 6 new works for accordion available for purchase online, 'Salut d'Amour', 'Ave Verum Corpus', 'Nimrod', 'Valse Romantique', 'Happy Poppa Polka' and 'Days Gone By'. Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
New Music - 'Jazz it Around', 'Waltz for the Young'by Peter Piccini |
Peter Piccini - accordionist, composer, arranger, performer, releases 4 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Jazz it Around', 'Waltz for the Young', 'Evelyn Polka' and 'Hot Tango'. Samples of theses music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
New Music - 'Maple Leaf Rag', 'Sunrise Sunset'by Gary Dahl |
Gary Dahl - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator, releases 3 new works and one new work update for accordion available for purchase online, 'Maple Leaf Rag','Sunrise Sunset', 'It's All In The Game', and 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
New music - 'Rondo Alla Turca', 'William Tell'by MusicForAccordion.com |
MusicForAccordion.com site releases 4 new music of 'Rondo Alla Turca', 'William Tell', 'Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag' and 'Santa Lucia'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
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