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Foster and Allen New CD and UK Tour in October/November - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Video 2: A favorite from 1995, "After All These Years" The internationally popular Irish duo Foster and Allen release a new CD, ‘Gold & Silver Days’, on October 6th, followed by a 28 nights concert tour of England and Wales. Tracks: Gold & Silver Days/Try a Little Kindness/Working Man/A Hug/The Green Hills of Sligo/North to Alaska/No One Will Ever Know/The Boys of Killybegs/I Wish I Had Someone to Love Me /Daydream Believer/Rambles of Spring/Leaving Nancy/South Australia/The Land That I Love/The Old Rockin' Chair/Hot Diggity/The Clouds in the Sky/The Travellin' Man/Wasn't That a Party/The Banks of Newfoundland Jigs Tour dates: October 23rd – The Rhodes Arts Complex, South Road, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM23 3JG October 24th – Ferneham Hall, Osborn Road, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 7DB October 25th – The Pavilion, Marine Parade, Worthing, Sussex BN11 3PX October 26th – The Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1HH October 28th – Pavilion Theatre, Promenade, Rhyl, Clwyd/Wales LL18 3AQ October 29th – The Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northants NN1 1DP October 30th – The Grove Theatre, Court Drive, Dunstable, Beds LU5 4JD October 31st – The Barbican Centre, Barbican Road, York YO10 3NT November 1st - The Civic Theatre, Catherine Street, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S65 1EB November 2nd – The Floral Pavilion, Virginia Rd, New Brighton, Wirral, Merseyside CH45 2LH November 4th – Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2UE November 5th – The Towngate Theatre, St Martins Square, Basildon Essex SS14 1DL November 6th - The Capitol Theatre, North Street, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1RG November 7th – The Camberley Theatre, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3SY November 8th – The Regent Centre, 51 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1AS November 9th – The Shanklin Theatre, Prospect Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6AJ November 11th – Ashcroft Theatre, Park Lane, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1DG November 12th – The White Rock Theatre, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1JX November 13th – Solihull Arts Complex, Homer Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3RG November 14th – The Royal Hall, Rippon Road, Harrogate, North Yorks HG1 2RD November 15th – The Embassy Centre, Grand Parade, Skegness, Lincs PE25 2UG November 16th – Lichfield Garrick, Castle Dyke, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 6HR November 18th – The Charter Theatre, Lancaster Road, Preston, Lancs PR1 1HT November 19th – The Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 2DA November 20th – The Grand Pavilion, The Esplanade, Porthcawl CF36 3YW, Wales November 21st – The Elgiva Theatre, St Mary's Way, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1HR November 22nd – Palace Theatre, Station Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7RA November 23rd - The Harlequin Theatre, Warwick Quadrant, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1NN For further information email: info@cmrrecords.ie |
Lanciano International Accordion Festival and Competition - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() The Lanciano International Accordion Festival and Competition included diatonic solo and group categories, 25th-26th September followed by accordion categories from 26th September to 1st October. Lanciano Artistic Director Vladimir Zubitsky reported that the difficulties in Eastern Europe had effected entries this year and hoped the situation would return to normal by 2015. |
Richard Galliano New CD, The Jazz Standard, New York City - USAby Rita Barnea |
![]() Richard Galliano has released his new CD, "Richard Galliano Sentimentale" on September 30, 2014. The tracks are: 01. Armando's Rumba (C. Corea) 4:39 02. Canto Invierno ( D Grusin, L. Ritenour) 6:37 03. In A Sentimental Mood (D. Ellington) 7:09 04. The Jody Grind (H. Silver) 4:45 05. Ballad For Marion (R. Galliano) 5:07 06. The Island (I. Lins) 6:34 07. Plus Fort Que Nous (F. Lai) (5:49) 08. Why Did I Choose You (M. Leonard, M. Edward) 5:37 09. Verbos Do Amor (J. Donato, A.Silva) 5:23 10. Naima (J. Coltrane) 5:03 11. Mantiqueira (N. Ayres) 4:35 12. Lili (R. Galliano) 5:03 CD performers are: Richard Galliano (accordion), Tamir Hendelman (piano), Anthony Wilson (acoustic and electric guitar), Carlitos Del Puerto (upright bass), Mauricio Zottarelli (drums). Interestingly, this CD was recorded at the Rising Jazz Stars Studios in Los Angeles. Ricardo Galliano’s brilliance and mastery has made him one of the worlds most highly requested accordionists, with request for concerts coming from all over the world. Richard Galliano will perform soon at The Jazz Standard in New York City, October 23rd to 26th. There are 2 or 3 shows daily: $25-$30. Tickets are still available and seating is not reserved. The performers for the USA concerts are: Richard Galliano (accordion), Josh Nelson (piano), Peter Bernstein (guitar), George Mraz (bass), Mauricio Zottarelli (drums). |
7th Accordions Now! Festival, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() The MAA was well represented there by Dan and Maryann Mackowiak, Jim and Carol Avedisian, Tony and Marisa D’Eramo and Sam Falcetti. The traditional Friday Night Jam informal session involved 8 participants, including Tony Lovello, aka the ‘Liberace of the Accordion’ and ‘King of the Bellows Shake’. On Saturday morning there were workshops on ‘The Role of Music in Healing’ by Doreen Kimball and ‘The Secret Gasperini Technique to Prize Winning Speed’, presented by Lynda Fish. In addition, there were vendor areas from Arthur Welch of Accordion Connection and Sam Falcetti of Falcetti Music, and a most interesting exhibit by the New England Accordion Museum and Paul Ramunni, owner of the museum, gave an interesting talk during lunch called ‘Boxes of Stories’. Dan Mackowiak (also the sound man for the festival) ran the popular Just-For-Fun-Play-Along-Ensemble. Entertainers on Friday included Carmen Vitanza, Jim Avedisian, Sam Falcetti, and Brent Buswell, the blind accordionist who played many numbers. Donna Maria Regis and Lynda Fish, the band Catfish Howl, and Tony Lovello all performed in concerts on Saturday, bringing the festival to a rousing climax. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Alexander Selivanov and Denis Chefanov Perform Frescos - Italyby Harley Jones |
On the 19th September, Alexander Selivanov and Denis Chefanov performed a concert as part of the 2014 Castelfidardo Festival. The first work of their program was 'Frescos', a concerto for accordion and symphony orchestra composed by Viatcheslav Semionov. Selivanov and Chefanov have arranged the work for accordion and piano. Slides were also shown that were relevant to the theme of the music, so the room at the beginning of the concert is darker than normal, so the slides will show. The work is an enormous tour de force with an real impact for the listener when performed by these two superb and prominent artists from Moscow. The concert was sponsored by Scandalli Accordions. Download program: Selivanov-Chefanov.pdf Other works from this concert will be published next week |
CMA Trophée Mondiale 2014 in Kaunas - Lithuaniaby Anna Bodell - CMA General Secretary |
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![]() The 2014 Trophée Mondial included for the first time new categories: National Trophy Catagories for under 18, under 15, under 12 and under 10 years of age and these contributed to the record number of contestants, that CMA President Frédéric Deschamps (picture left) was delighted to welcome to Lithuania. The Senior Classique category was won by the Tian Jianan (China), who narrowly edged Vitaly Kondratenko (Russia) and Laimonas Salijus (Lithuania) who both shared 2nd place with exactly the same average of 23.49 after three rounds of competition! Other category winners were: Sergei Lobkov (Senior Variéte), Alexander Komelkov (Junior Classique), Nikolay Ovchinnikov (Junior Variéte), Aleksander Knezevic (National Trophée), Egor Vasilev (National Trophée – 18 & Under), Vilius Mazeika (National Trophée – 15 & Under), Faustas Labanauskas (National Trophée – 12 & Under), Jonas Vozbutas (National Trophée – 10 & Under). Download full results at: 2014Trophee.pdf The event was livestreamed and all performances can be viewed in the Deschamps Channel Video Library: www.deschampschannel.com The international jury included: Jacques Mornet, Miljan Bjeletic, Zoran Rakic, Viatcheslav Semionov, Renzo Ruggieri, Kazys Stonkus, Vladimir Orlov, Graham Laurie, Stéphane Chapuis, Patricia Bartell, Andreas Nebl, Radu Laxgang, Douglas Borsatti, Goncalo Pescada, Yves Moulin, Antonio Spaccarotella and Vladimir Mandic. Full details of the event and all results can all be found on the CMA website www.accordions.com/cma. Picture below: CMA Organising Team, left to right: Kazys Stonkus, Jacques Mornet, Grazina Lukosiene, Raymond Bodell, Anna Bodell, Frédéric Deschamps and Mindaugas Labanauskas. |
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Video: Xu Xiaonan Performing at the 2014 Castelfidardo Festival - Italyby Harley Jones |
Xu Xiaonan, 2012 Coupe Mondiale winner and 2012 Castelfidardo Premio winner performed a concert at the recent 2014 Castelfidardo Festival. Video 1: Musical Toys by Sofia Gubaidulina. Xu Xiaonan performed 6 movements: - Mechanical Accordion - Magic Round the Boat - The Magic Fish - Song of the Fisherman - Slide with Little Bells - The Drummers Video 2: The Holberg Suite, Op. 40 by Edvard Grieg 1st and 5th movments. The Holberg Suite was originally composed for the piano and was adapted for string orchestra a year later. Please excuse some noises from a baby! A father came with his baby and sat very close to the camera. Within seconds, the baby made the solo concert into a duet!!!! After some pointing at the camera, the father took his baby away. Hopefully the baby will, in the future play the accordion and play it as well as his duet partner Xu Xiaonan. The concert (but not the baby) was sponsored by Pigini srl. Other works from this concert will be published next week. |
Romano Viazzani in Conversation with Ksenija Sidorova, London - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Romano Viazzani writes: Ksenija Sidorova came from Latvia to London to study the accordion at the Royal Academy of Music. She showed immediately that she was going to be a force to be reckoned with. She did very well there, staying on to do a post-graduate diploma, winning many major prizes and going on to play with top artists in the world of classical music including Nicola Benedetti, Thomas Gould and Milos Karadaglic to name but a few. I met with Ksenija one morning recently, in the middle of her busy schedule, at a cafè in St. John’s Wood, London. Read the interview at: Sidorova-Interview.pdf |
Video: Ivan Bykov (Ukraine) Second Round Program, Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
2014 Castelfidardo Premio 2nd place getter Ivan Bykov performing his second round program. |
Video: Antonela Glavic Croatia), Category A Winner, Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
Category A Winner Antonela Glavic Croatia) performing at the Prize Giving concert of the 2014 Castelfidardo Festival. Category A is for soloists up to the age of 10 years. |
Back Pain: The More Serious Symptoms - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() "Low back pain is a problem that over 80% of accordionists will experience in their lifetime" writes John Bonica (picture right). This exciting eBook is being published chapter by chapter, with about one chapter being released each month. There will be a minimum of 24 chapters, 13 chapters released so far. Special introductory offer, you can purchase the whole book for US$22 (or Euro equivalent) and be sent each chapter by e-mail as it is released. For more information, and to purchase: John Bonica |
TNT - Tracey Collins Performing, Reopening of the Ascension Winery, - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() Ascension Wine Estate vineyard restaurant, specialises in vineyard weddings and is located some 40 minutes north of Auckland. |
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Video: Stinga Tudor Performs Mazurka Campionilor - Italyby Harley Jones |
Mazurka Campionilor performed by Stinga Tudor. Published 18 August 2014. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Magnante Exhibition @ World of Accordions Museumby Rob Howard |
![]() Magnante's Musical Legacy Displayed at World of Accordions Museum – USA Contributed by the American Accordionists' Association "A World of Accordions Museum" is proud to announce that an agreement has been reached with Dr. Peter Magnante (Massachusetts) to transfer the musical estate of his father, famed composer and performer Charles Magnante (1905-1986), to the Duluth institute. Magnante and Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association, met with Helmi Strahl Harrington, Ph.D., curator of the Museum in September and made the announcement during a celebratory concert at the Museum on September 23rd. A World of Accordions Museum of Duluth, Minnesota is known internationally as a unique accordion research center, attracting students and scholars from many countries. Called "one of the most important developments in American accordion history" by Faithe Deffner, the Museum houses about 1,000 accordion-family instruments, thousands of recordings, hundreds of thousands of pieces of music, accordion-related art works, and many diverse reference materials. The Magnante collection represents an important contribution to the Museum resources, and this site of its permanent placement is viewed as appropriate of reaching a wide audience. The official opening of the display is projected to coincide with the AAA International Competition and Festival to be held in Duluth, July 2002, as part of the ongoing cooperative affiliation between the Museum and the American Accordionists' Association. Charles Magnante who was one of AAA's founders in 1938, is legendary in the annuals of concert and entertainment music for accordion. His acclaim as soloist and performer in consort with musical giants of his time is of singular stature in American cultural history. Respected by professionals and audiences alike, his compositions set technical standards for virtuoso performance while retaining popular appeal throughout the world. Harrington anticipates publishing a biographical and musicological study after reviewing and cataloging the Magnante collection. |
Future events |
Stéphane Chapuis Concerts - Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
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Stéphane Chapuis, a very versatile performer and also accordion tutor at heMU-Lausanne and EJMA-VS, Switzerland, is performing in two concerts this weekend. Friday 3rd October 2014, Troinex, 1256 Genève, 9:45pm Stéphane Chapuis (accordion) and Park Stickney (classical harp). The concert organiser wrote: We brought them together, for a unique and exhilarating concert. Groove, humor and musicality. An unprecedented assembly, a revelation for anyone thinking they already know all about these two instruments. Saturday 4th October 2014, 8:00pm, Le Noirmont, Switzerland Concert created by Brigitte Ravenel and Celine Muzelle, Musical composition: Thüring Bräm. Performers are: Mezzo-soprano: Brigitte Ravenel Violin: Valérie Bernard Clarinet: Laurent Bruttin Electric Guitar: George Vassilev Accordion: Stéphane Chapuis Percussion; Maxime Favrod Vidéo: Silvia Fabiani Scenic Director: Claude Thébert |
Romano Viazzani Cabaret Dates, London - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() On October 1st/2nd and 3rd, 8pm, I will be back with Frances Ruffelle at the St. James’s Theatre, London, with her fabulous cabaret show ‘Paris Originals’. She is quite phenomenal in this and is well worth seeing. Music is as can guess by the title French-inspired. On October 12th, 8pm, and then again for our not to be missed Christmas Show on December 14th. I will be back with Joanna Strand and Jacqui Tate at Pheasantry, Kings Road, London. Again it’s a marvellous mix of great music from classical to jazz with a lot of humour thrown in too. I’m back at Oliver’s Jazz bar on November 21st, 9pm, in Greenwich with singer-songwriter David Vaughan, who I’ve been recording with. Thanks to those who came along to the Pizza Express, Dean Street, a couple of weeks back. It was a very memorable night. Probably one of the best we’ve had there. More gigs coming up with Bethany Jameson too but dates are to be confirmed. For further information email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk |
Beltango Concert and Future Tour Dates - Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Serbiaby Harley Jones |
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Beltango have just been performing in Wuppertal and Pforzheim in Germany and they continue their touring with the following concerts: 10-11 October 2014 - Rovinj - Croatia 25 October 2014 Konstanz - Germany 26 October 2014 Munchen - Germany 13 November 2014 Dortmund - Germany 14-15 November 2014 Baden Baden - Germany 27 November 2014 Belgrade - Serbia 08 December 2014 Budapest - Hungary Available online is the 3 CD Pack at: Beltango |
2nd Salon de l’Accordeon with Rossi, Angelis and Bruel, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() This event involves concerts, conferences, and a large trade exhibition by Pigini and Excelsior. The exhibition will be open: Friday from 2pm until 8pm, Saturday from 10am until 8pm, and Sunday from 10am until 6pm. Accordionists appearing include Christine Rossi, Franck Angelis, and Alain Bruel. |
ISCM World Music Days, Wrocław – Polandby Rob Howard |
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The International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World Music Days take place in Wroclaw, Poland, from October 3rd until 12th. This large scale music festival includes sections for instrumentalists, singers, classical orchestras, choirs, jazz bands, ballet/mime, and even opera productions. The instrumental categories includes sections for accordion solo, duets and trios. |
4th Festival d’Accordeon, Pondrome – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() Accordionists performing include Angelique (from France), Erika and her orchestra, Laurent Pire, Pierre Peribois, Laura Namur, Jordan Simon, Patricia Crolbois, and Rene Resimont. There is music and lunch from 11am, and dancing from 2pm. |
Guy Klucevsek Recital, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() He will perform solos he has composed for collaborations with Karen Bamonte, David Dorfman, Dan Hurlin, Victoria Marks; and for the audio book version of ‘Accordion Crimes’, by E. Annie Proulx. Admission is by contribution: $10 is suggested. |
Klaus Paier & Asja Valcic Tour, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto - Japanby Rob Howard |
![]() October 9th, 7.30pm – B-flat, Tokyo October 10th, 7.30pm – Blue Mood, Tokyo October 11th, 7pm – Saravah, Tokyo October 13th, 1.45pm – Moitie Moitie, Nagoya October 15th, 6pm – Doshisha University, Kyoto Austrian accordionist and composer Klaus Paier studied accordion, jazz and composition at Klagenfurt Conservatory. He has also studied other genres, from tango and world music to jazz, fusing them into his own distinctive style. Klaus Paier has performed in most European countries, Egypt, USA, Canada, Algeria, Vietnam and Israel. Amongst his projects are performances with leading Croatian cellist Asja Valcic. For further information email: klaus.paier@aon.at |
Carte Blanche Jazz Band Dates, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
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The Carte Blanche Jazz Band, featuring accordionist Kate Dunphy, perform as follows: October 9th, 11.30pm - Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2. Free admission October 18th, 10pm - St. Mazie, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. Free admission October 20th, 3pm - Live on Hofstra University Radio WRHU 88.7 FM WRHU.org Kate Dunphy, accordionist, pianist, composer and arranger, graduated from Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut. She has composed many original works for the accordion, performing those with several different groups, independently and also with her previous world music project, Loukoum. Her compositions range from the haunting and complex, ‘Tire Iron’, to the French musette ‘L’Oiseau en Bois’, the passionate ‘C’est Juste Un Tango’, and ‘Ruby Road’, with its Celtic moodiness, imparts a sense of magic and madness. Her current project, Carte Blanche Jazz Band has recently released a new EP, ‘Back To Henri’, and features 5 original tracks that Kate wrote for the band. Carte Blanche recently released their first music video for this EP in August, 2014 and features her composition, ‘C’est Juste Un Tango’. |
She'Koyokh Concert, Manchester – UKby Rob Howard |
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Video: Turkish Kurdish song at the Klezmer in the Park Festival, published 7th September 2014. Klezmer and Balkan group, She'Koyokh, are performing at the Band on the Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ, on Thursday October 23rd, 8pm. The line-up includes singer Cigdem Aslan, violinist Meg Hamilton, clarinettist Susi Evans, with Zivorad Nikolic on accordion, Matt Bacon on electric guitar, Christina Borgenstierna on percussion, and Paul Tkachenko on double bass and vocals. The Band on the Wall, originally a pub called the George & Dragon built in 1862, derives its name from the 1930s when accordionists such as Rudy Mancini, Flo & Jack Brannigan, and Dominic Rea performed on a stage high up on wall, reached by a ladder. The Band on the Wall has long been a performance venue for many types of music. For further information email: info@bandonthewall.org |
Premiere Concert for Ensemble Composition, Antwerp – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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