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Highlights |
Honored in Castelfidardo: Gorni Kramer and Richard Galliano – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() ![]() During the evening, French accordionist Richard Galliano, will be granted honorary citizenship of Castelfidardo, the first foreigner to be awarded this honour. Linking the names of two maestros of this stature together is in itself eloquent; however it is worth remembering the extraordinary character that was Gorni Kramer. He managed to take the accordion to unprecedented heights of popularity in television, radio, and musical performances in theatres around the world. During the evening, a video presentation will help the audience relive his memorable performances and his refined interpretative taste that is still relevant today. His fantastic and brilliant career is unique in the history of popular music. The climax of the ceremony, conducted by Beniamino Bugiolacchi, will be the delivery of a fine parchment and honorary citizenship to Richard Galliano, the who represents the highest and most noble expression of the accordion ‘Made in Castelfidardo’ as well as being the one of best performers in the world. For the city, it is a privilege and an unique honour as Galliano will perform on the occasion in an unprecedented tribute to Gorni Kramer in the presence of Kramer’s two daughters. The ‘Paolo Soprani’ award, which has been instigated by the SUONI srl company in agreement with the Museum, will be presented to the Marche Region. Since 2007, the region has included the accordion in all its promotional activities abroad (for example, the recent exhibition in Brazil), as a product typically from the Marche and as a symbol of our culture, work and economy of which Man and his creative genius are the main protagonists. On the same evening, the 25th anniversary of the official entry of the accordion in the Conservatory of Pesaro will also be remembered. Maestro Sergio Scappini will receive an award as the first Italian teacher who gave lessons on the instrument on November 27th 1984. He will perform on both electronic and classical accordions, and the show will also make use of the presence of the wonderful ‘Fisorchestra Marche’. The sponsors of the event are: the Marche Region, Province of Ancona, Banca Credito Cooperativo di Recanati e Colmurano, City of Castelfidardo. The event organization is by the International Accordion Museum in collaboration with the Pro-Loco of Castelfidardo; Beniamino Bugiolacchi edits the historical items. |
‘Accordion Babes’ Calendar, San Francisco – USAby Harley Jones |
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Renee de la Prade, a San Francisco-based accordionist, is the producer of the ‘Accordion Babes Pin Up Calendar’, which also includes a CD of folk, jazz, gypsy, goth, and pop accordion music, played by each of the ‘Babes’. The real purpose of the calendar is to promote the accordion, and all the musicians involved are professional accordionists. The calendar is available from Renee de la Prade, and payment can be made by Paypal. For further Information email: squeezeboxgoddess@gmail.com |
Xmas Gift Suggestions for Family and Friendsby Harley Jones |
![]() These ideas have been compiled to hopefully attract your Xmas gift money to be spent with accordion artistes, composers, arrangers and businesses. Please support the accordion industry and choose from over 1,550 eSheet pieces, 277 CD/DVD’s, 800 printed works and numerous books (text) to choose from. 2009 Xmas Gift Ideas |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Miran Vaupotic performed 'Piazzolla-Gala' with Moscow State Symphony, Moscow – Russiaby Rob Howard |
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![]() The event was a great success, with standing ovations and several encores. Croatian soloist and conductor Miran Vaupotic played bandoneon and bayan with tremendous inspiration and sensibility, presenting a marathon performance, which included Piazzolla's ‘Concierto de Nacar’, ‘Aconcagua’, ‘Adios Nonino’, and ‘Four Seasons in Buenos Aires’. The concert also featured pianist Nina Kogan, daughter of famous violinist Leonid Kogan, and guitarist Frane Verbanac, from Croatia, both in ‘Concierto de Nacar for 9 tangueros’ and with the symphony orchestra. Report from Russian TV can be viewed on the following link: http://www.tvkultura.ru/news.html?id=394416&cid=2 Miran Vaupotic has an active musical career. He has performed as a soloist with several orchestras and ensembles including the Rucner String Quartet, Zagreb Soloists, Rijeka Philharmonic Orchestra, Croatian Chamber Orchestra, Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, Camerata Klaipeda, Kaliningrad Chamber Philharmonic, Pomorian Philharmonic, etc. After establishing his career as a soloist, he began a second career as a conductor. Miran Vaupotic is a guest conductor of Russian Symphony Orchestra Prokofiev in Moscow, and Associate conductor of Lugansk Philharmonic Orchestra in Lugansk. For further Information email: m.vaupotic@gmail.com |
Tom Alexander ‘Airs & Graces’ CD, Glasgow - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The tracks include: ‘Bill Black of Stanley’, ‘Tico Tico’, ‘Sleigh Ride’, ‘Flying Scotsman’, ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Jakereni’, ‘Thingumyjig’, Polka’, ‘Cuckoo Waltz’, ‘La Cucaracha’, ‘Le Reve Passe’, ‘Gaelic Waltz Medley’, ‘La Cumpersita’, ‘Lament for Lockerbie’, ‘Dance of the Comedians’, ‘Tribute to Calum Kennedy’, ‘Blue Tango’, ‘Alex MacArthur of Biggar’, ‘Air on A G String’, ‘The Clumsy Lover’, and ‘American Medley’ For further Information email: info@concordemusic.com |
Grammy Nominees Announced, California – USAby Rob Howard |
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The nominees have just been announced for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards. The ‘Best Polka Album’ award has been dropped, but there are still plenty of accordions among the ‘Best Cajun/Zydeco Album’ category is full of them: ‘Alligator Purse’, by Beausoleil Avec Michael Doucet ‘Lay Your Burden Down’, by Buckwheat Zydeco ‘Stripped Down’, by The Magnolia Sisters ‘Live At 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’, by the Pine Leaf Boys ‘L’Ésprit Créole’, by Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole The accordion is also well represented in the ‘Best Norteño Album’ category: ‘Dejame Soñar’, by Cumbre Norteña ‘El Niño De Oro’, by El Compa Chuy ‘Pese A Quien Le Pese’, by Los Rieleros Del Norte ‘Tu Noche Con…Los Tigres Del Norte’, by Los Tigres Del Norte ‘Soy Todo Tuyo’, by Los Tucanes De Tijuana There are also a handful of accordionists scattered through other categories. ‘Los Texmaniacs’ and ‘Sunny Sauceda’ are both vying for ‘Best Tejano Album’, Weird Al Yankovic is up for ‘Best Comedy Album’, and David Hidalgo’s accordion was a key ingredient in Bob Dylan’s ‘Together Through Life’, nominated for ‘Best Americana Album’. And finally, many thought that the demise of the polka award would spell the end of 18-time winner Jimmy Sturr’s Grammy run. However, Jimmy and his orchestra garnered yet another Grammy nomination; this time, for ‘Best Traditional Folk Album’. |
Gentle Giant of the Accordion World: Dr. Carmelo Pino - USAby Joan Grauman |
![]() Please click on the link for Dr. Carmelo Pino to read this article which includes contributions by Stella Allison, Tomasczek Bednarek, Manny Bobenrieth, Faithe Deffner, Dr. Helmi Harrington, Linda Soley Reed and Joan Singer. |
Future events |
Eddy Jay in ‘Brief Encounter’, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() The show is an adaptation of the famous 1946 film of the same name, directed by David Lean, and based on ‘Still Life’, a Noël Coward one-act first seen a decade earlier. Director Emma Rice has returned to Coward’s original play to rediscover elements that were discarded from the legendary film script. Eddy Jay, a graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin award winning ‘Live Music Now’ scheme, is a highly versatile accordionist whose accomplishments include concert and theatre performances, playing for dancing, teaching, leading workshops, composing, demonstrating the Roland V-Accordion range, films, and radio and TV commercials. His styles encompass everything from Italian, Bluegrass, Argentinean Tango, jazz, French musette, rock, pop, funk, Serbian music, Irish session tunes, Big Band Swing, German polkas and Klezmer to Eastern European Czardas. For further Information email: edward.jay@mac.com |
Musica Senza Parole - Castelfidardo/Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Thursday 10th dicember at the theatre ASTRA at 9.15 pm: 8th edition of the national festival "Musica senza parole" and award "Oscar for entertainment music: The evening is organized by the Cultural Meg Music, thanks to the efforts of its President Giorgio Galeazzi and in collaboration with the International Accordion Museum inh Castelfidardo. An appointment for all who love music and the sound of the accordion presented by artist from various parts of Italy. The evening is organized by the Cultural Meg Music, thanks to the efforts of its President Giorgio Galeazzi in collaboration with the International Accordion Museum of Castelfidardo. Following artists are competing with premiere pieces: Fabio Alderighi, Vincenzo Ceroli, Orietta Delli, Gianni Mirizzi, Marco Rossi, Giuseppe Santamaria, Roberto Zorzo, Stefano Carlini, Federico D’Angeli, Antonino De Luca, Angelo Ramacciati, Gennaro Ruffolo, Luigi Simonetti. Oscar for entertainment music: Antonio Del Sordo - guitar Walter Giannarelli - accordion Roberta Cappelletti - vocal guests: Trio Tanguedia Angel Mauro - Cantante Orchestra Mario Riccardi |
Gene Van Accordion Orchestra's Christmas Concert, Indiana - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The 2pm concert will be followed by a special matinee performance of various accordion artistes, including Joe Natoli. |
Pascal Contet on Tour – France, Congoby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() December 7th, 8pm – ‘Concerto for Accordion, by Bernard Cavanna, with the Freiburger Philharmonisches Orchester, directed by Fabrice Bollon, recorded on September 20th at the festival Musica-Strasbourg December 12th, 6.30pm – Salle de la Legion D’Honneur, St Denis (93); with Gérard Siracusa – percussion, and Regis Huby – violin December 17th to 27th – teaching and performances with Jupiter Okwess International, Kinshasa, Congo; recital at the Cultural French Center on December 23rd For further information email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr |
Accordions in the Air Raid Shelters, Stockport – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() On December 22nd 1940 the Blitz on Greater Manchester began by the German Luftwaffe, and thousands poured into the safety of the Air Raid Shelters. Air Raids continued nightly until May 1941, and accordionists were prominent amongst the entertainers who played music to lift the spirits of those sheltering from the bombing. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
‘Zahreaccordionorchestrasauris’ Concert, Castelfidardo – Italyby Rob Howard |
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The accordion orchestra ‘Zahreaccordionorchestrasauris’, is from the town of Sauris town North East Italy. The orchestra is directed by accordionist Denis Biasin and will perform in Castelfidardo on December 13th at 10.45 am in the Piazza della Repubblica. For further information email: reaturismo@comune.castelfidardo.an.it |
Rolf Harris ‘Christmas Cracker’ Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Rolf Harris – a uniquely talented singer, accordionist, raconteur, writer and artist - will be performing his chart topping songs and chatting about his remarkable fun filled career. |
‘Belshazzar’s Feast’, Wiltshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ‘Belshazzar's Feast’ is a very entertaining mixture of traditional folk music, classical, jazz, pop and music hall, plus a lot of wry humour. Paul Hutchinson, best known as a member of the band ‘Hoover the Dog’, and Paul Sartin are folk musicians who have wowed audiences across the UK and beyond. |
Schlüchttal-Akkordeon-Orchester Gurtweil e.V - Germanyby Uli Ebner |
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The Schlüchttal-Akkordeon-Orchester Gurtweil e.V are holding a concert “Musik mit Biss” or “Music with a Bite”. Snappy but beautiful are the songs. Whether a medley from Brian Adams, or by Herbert Grönemeyer, there is something for everyone here. Even a musette waltz has crept into the program. On Sunday 13th December, the Schlüchttal-Akkordeon-Orchester Gurtweil e.V have a family afternoon concert with all the youth players with over 40 children and their volunteer trainers. So the young people thought of the name: “Red Hot Chili Squeezing”. Lets hope nothing burns!!!! |
CD Reviews |
Acco Duo Romanceby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
December Diatonic News Online 1st Decemberby Werner Weibert |
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The December Diatonic News online 1st December. |
December USA News Online 1st Decemberby Rita Barnea |
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2009 winner of the Castelfidardo Premio Awardby Iosif Purits |
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Available 2009 Trophée Mondial Video Downloadby Harley Jones |
![]() The DVD of this competition will be sent to you by airmail, and is of youtube size picture and quality for a price of only €50 plus €5 postage from the CMA website. |
Tian Jianan new CDby Tian Jianan |
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Xu Xiaonan new CDby Xu Xiaonan |
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Zhang Weiyi new CDby Zhang Weiyi |
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Friedrich Lips CD Specialsby Harley Jones |
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