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Highlights |
John Kirkpatrick wins ‘Best Musician’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, London – UK
Accordionists Amongst the Grammy Awards! - USA
Accordion Tuition via the Internet with Frédéric Deschamps – France
Vallenato Accordion Master Miguel Ahumada Dies at 65 - Columbia
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Pospisil Accordion Duo, Šahlávy – Czech Republic
Håvard Svendsrud 3rd Oslo Concert Hall Concert in 12 Months - Norway
Future events |
Festival ‘Akkordeonist!’, Hamburg – Germany
Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Sussex - UK
Portland Jazz Festival, Oregon - USA
Roman Jbanov & Domi Emorine Master Class, Rennes - France
‘Day of the Accordion’, Seattle – USA
Grand Gala d'Accordéon, Auvergne - France
II ‘World Meeting of Accordion Music’, Valledupar – Colombia
CD Reviews |
New and Updated Sites |
Music Marche Accordions Site Updated - Italy
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Pieces
NZAA Publications New Music Releases
February USA News Online 1st February
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
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Highlights |
2010 NAA National Accordion Convention, Texas – USAby Norman Seaton |
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 The 2010 National Accordion Convention organized by the National Accordion Association takes place at the Westin Park Central Hotel, Dallas, Texas, from March 10th to 14th. The NAA theme this year is ‘Accordions in Action’. The 2010 National Accordion Association Convention will include orchestra and band workshops, features for acoustic, electronic and Midi accordions, various workshops, jam sessions, swap shop, a National Accordion Party and Concert. This is a "hands-on convention", and everyone should bring an accordion. Special daily rates are available. The demonstration center includes both Roland USA and Ballarini Music, who will conduct specialized clinics. Other dealers present are Accordion-O-Rama Accordion Sales and Service, Petosa, Kohl Music Company, Accordion Embroidery by Carol Garrision, Accordion Stuff - Debra Peters, MECCA, and the Jay Fox Band Company. The event will see the official launch of Joe Natoli's ‘Adult Accordion Book’, a new tutor book. Thursday will be the ‘Anthony Galla-Rini Appreciation Day’, directed by Esther Lanting. Among the workshops offered will be: ‘Digital Accordion Voices for 60s Pop & Rock Music’ - Bruce Gassman; ‘Add Singing to your Playing’ - Matt Tolentino; ‘Relax Your Way to Superior Performances!’ - Svetlana Ivanchenko; ‘Klezmer Music’, ‘Children's Music’, ‘Ettore Music’ and interviewing for Accordions USA News! - Rita Davidson; ‘The Accordionist’s Thumb’ - Ian Blair Fries, M.D; ‘Add Spice to your playing’ - Jim Rommel; ‘Learn to Play the Diatonic Button Accordion’ and ‘Convention Jam Orchestra’ – Shelia Lee; ‘Compose Yourself with Natoli's Composition 101’ - Joe Natoli; Kim and Dan Christian Workshop: ‘It is all about Musical Expressions’; Ron Lankford of Roland USA and Chris Rybak - the status of Roland accordions workshop; ‘Celtic Music - Irish and Scottish’ -Mark Kenneth; ‘Communication With Your Audience’ - Ross and Valina Witte; ‘Join the Band: Polka and Waltz Ornamentation’ - Dick Albreski; ‘How to accompany anybody!’ and “Improving Your Technique on the Accordion’ -Mario Pedone; ‘Embellishment Workshop - Tricks you can use’ - Dr. John Martin; ‘Hands-on Teaching Series’ - Debra Peters; ‘Exploring Left-hand Harmonies and Rhythms’ - Gordon Kohl; ‘Your Fifteen Minutes of Fame’ - Arlyn Visentin; ‘Workshops by the Central Texas Music Team’ - Dr. Daniel Kott and Shelia Lee; ‘One Man Band’ - Nick Ballarini; ‘Sight-reading Seminar’ - Sharon Seaton; ‘Music With A Smile’ - Jane Christison. The evening concerts include Friday evening’s ‘Circle of Champions’. For further information: NatlAccordion@SBCGlobal.net |
John Kirkpatrick wins ‘Best Musician’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 Diatonic button accordionist John Kirkpatrick has won ‘Best Musician’ at the BBC radio 2 Folk Awards 2010?, held in London.John Kirkpatrick is one of the most well-known and popular performers on the British folk scene. He is widely regarded as England’s leading exponent of diatonic instruments, and his remarkable skill with the 3-row accordion, Anglo concertina and melodeon has taken him from folk dancing to experimental rock music and a wide range of international recording collaborations. John Kirkpatrick’s career since the early 1970s has involved him in some of the most significant developments in the so-called British ‘Folk Revival’. He regularly worked with Richard Thompson, and with both the Albion Band and Steeleye Span. Never far from his roots, John always maintained his love of acoustic music, and professionally this led to a long-standing partnership with the singer/guitarist Martin Carthy. Often involved with the professional theatre, John K was in The National Theatre productions of ‘Lark Rise’ and ‘Candleford’. He has appeared many times on both national and local radio, and on television, and has presented three series for BBC Radio 2 called ‘Squeezing Around The World’, which featured some of the world’s leading accordion players. Most recently he has been appearing as a travelling musician on BBC2 TV series ‘The Victorian Farm’. This year John is promoting both his new CD ‘Dance of the Demon Daffodils’ and his new show ‘A Farmer’s Year’, which explores the Myths, Legends and Folklore of the farming year. |
Accordionists Amongst the Grammy Awards! - USAby Rob Howard |
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| The 52nd annual Grammy Awards results were announced at the end of January, and accordionists were amongst the winners, as follows: Best Cajun/Zydeco Album category: ‘Lay Your Burden Down’, by Buckwheat Zydeco. Buckwheat Zydeco has replaced the late Clifton Chenier as Zydeco’s best-known and most commercially successful artiste. Other nominees were: Beausoleil Avec Michael Doucet (‘Alligator Purse’), The Magnolia Sisters (Stripped Down’), Pine Leaf Boys (Live At 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’), and Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole (L’Ésprit Créole’). Best Norteño Album category: ‘Tu Noche Con’, by Los Tigres Del Norte. During their 40-year history, Los Tigres have sold more than 32 million albums and are generally regarded as the kings of norteño music, yet ‘Tu Noche Con’ their first live recording. Other nominees were: Cumbre Norteña (‘Dejame Soñar’), El Compa Chuy (‘El Niño De Oro’), Los Rieleros Del Norte (‘Pese A Quien Le Pese’), and Los Tucanes De Tijuana (‘Soy Todo Tuyo’). Best Tejano Album – ‘Borders y Bailes’, by Los Texmaniacs, featuring accordionist David Farias The Grammys have dropped the Polka Album section, and 18-times Polka winner Jimmy Sturr this year was nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album, coming second to Loudon Wainwright III. |
Accordion Tuition via the Internet with Frédéric Deschamps – Franceby Rob Howard |
 Accordion tuition today is often making use of the latest communications technologies. Since last December, Frédéric Deschamps, President of the CMA and director of a successful international school in France, whose results include many international competition prizes, has been teaching international students using a computer web cam / skype / internet communications.The sound and picture quality is sufficient for teaching purposes and this use of internet technology is proving to be very effective saving considerable travel expenses and valuable time for both teacher and student. For further information email: frederic.deschamps@wanadoo.fr |
Vallenato Accordion Master Miguel Ahumada Dies at 65 - Columbiaby Harley Jones |
 Accordionist Miguel Ahumada died yesterday in Valledupar (Colombia) of a heart attack. He was one of the top vallenato accordionists in Colombia and was regular performer at numerous festivals throughout the country. "We have lost one of our best instructors, but above all, we have lost a great friend, and an excellent colleague," said Andrés “El Turco” Gil , director of the Academia de Música Vallenata. Miguel Ahumada was born in Valledupar. He recorded with numerous artists, including 'Beto' Martínez, 'Papi' Daza, Miguel Mora and Antonio Mayorga. He also won the 'Primaveras del Ayer' contests in 2004 and 2006. This contest focuses on veteran accordionists and is held at the Festival Cuna de Acordeones at Villanueva in La Guajira. "Ahumada was a veteran accordionist and an expert in the soul of his instrument, so much that he even repaired them," said Lolita Costa, director of the International Accordion Music Meeting (Encuentro Mundial de Músicas de Acordeón). "He performed alongside famous artists such as Alfredo Gutiérrez, Emiliano Zuleta Díaz, Juancho Rois, Omar Geles, Beto Villa and Álvaro López, among others. After many years as a touring performer, he ended up as an accordion music teacher at the Academia “Turco” Gil, where he was well loved, respected and admired by his many students, to whom he patiently and sincerely taught the secrets of his beloved instrument." Miguel Ahumada is survived by his wife Marieth Maritza Moreno and four children: Roberto, Marieth, Federico y Ana Luz. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Ksenija Sidorova, A Young Accordionist’s Triumph, London – UKby Roland Williams |
 Two concerts by the young accordionist Ksenija Sidorova on London’s South Bank in January 2010 have seen her persuade the serious music critics of the quality press as well as a Royal Festival Hall audience, to take the accordion seriously and to see its real musical potential as a concert instrument.Full Review of Ksenija Sidorova Two Concerts. Her recital on January 11th at the Park Lane Group Young Artists New Year Series at the Purcell Room was singled out by the critics as the high spot of the week-long series of concerts by young artists studying at London colleges and conservatoires. The Times declared that “Ksenija Sidorova will be remembered as one of the real finds of this series which matches new performers with new music, encouraging young musicians to hone their skills on some of the toughest music around.” The Financial Times said that “…Sidorova got her instrument to inhale and exhale like a living creature.” Full Review of Ksenija Sidorova Two Concerts. |
Pospisil Accordion Duo, Šahlávy – Czech Republicby Peter Solarik |
 The Pospisil Accordion Duo, husband and wife, Renata and Josef Pospisil, have performed together since 1996. Thanks to TV, radio, magazine, website, newspaper and internet exposure they have become known around Europe, the USA, and Japan. Their repertoire is based on the classics, opera, international evergreen songs, and Austrian, German and Czech folk music. Josef Pospisil is also the presenter of a very popular Czech monthly TV arts program, ‘ Za Vesnickymi Muzikanty’ Renata plays both the Czech Heligonka diatonic accordion (Sterirische-Harmonica) and the piano accordion, and has won many international competitions. Josef Pospisil, apart from playing music, is also a well-known personality - either broadcasting on air, as a show and festival compere, or running an artistic agency. He is also the composer of many songs, performed by other Czech artistes. For further information email: pospisil.harmonika@quick.cz |
Håvard Svendsrud 3rd Oslo Concert Hall Concert in 12 Months - Norwayby Harley Jones |
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 On January 30th, the Norwegian accordionist Håvard Svendsrud (36) performed in his third accordion concert in the Oslo Concert Hall, all the concerts being within the last 12 months. The record company “Norilds Musikk” was organizing this concert and they had also invited two other accordionists from Norway - Ida Løvli Hidle (23) and Live Berger Brekke (24) - picture above. Løvli Hidle and Berger Brekke are both accordion students known for winning the Norwegian Championship for accordionists, and also for receiving the 3rd price in the 2009 International Accordion Festival of Castelfidardo, Italy. One of the best piano players in Norway, Jon Inge Sigerland (46), also participated in this concert (picture left). In the first part of the concert the musicians each player performed solo works. Svendsrud opened with “Mosaico Epañol” by Felice Fugazza, followed by “Waltz Rosette” composed by the Norwegian accordionist Toralf Tollefsen and “Scherzo in Eb” composed by Pietro Frosini. Svendsrud left the podium for Live Berger Brekke and her interpretation of movements 4-6 of the Chamber Suite by Zolotariov. Ida Løvli Hidle then played “Disco Toccata” by the Finnish composer Petri Makkonen. The pianist Jon Inge Sigerland played “Hungarian Rhapsody number 12” by Franz Liszt. Live Berger Brekke is a student at Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, and Ida Løvli Hidle is a student at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim. Both are well known in Norway for their duets. The audience was thrilled with their wonderful playing in “Rondo-Capriccioso” composed by Mendelssohn, Astor Piazolla's famous tango “Adiós Nonino”, and “Scherzo” by John Gart. The last piece performed was “Pohadky” a concert suite for accordion and piano written by the Czech composer Vaclav Troyan. The seven parts in Pohadky - “Fairytales”- has titles as “Let us dance into the Fairytales”, “The sleepy Princess”, and “The sailor and the enchanted accordion”. This rarely performed piece was received with great interest and a recording of the concert is to be broadcast on Swedish Radio later this year. The accordionists had prepared one extra piece for the audience and played “Toledos Adios” by Beltrami. Håvard Svendsrud will be back with a new concert and new guest artists at the Oslo Concert Hall in the autumn of 2010. |
Future events |
Ian Watson plays Jaques Brel and a Concerto for Accordion and Strings, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
  Accordionist Ian Watson tours with the Scottish Ensemble, featuring the tenor Toby Spence, performing the songs of Jacques Brel, and a classical programme that includes ‘Gnossiennes’ – E. Satie, ‘Children’s Corner’ - C. Debussy, and the tango-inspired ‘Adieu Satie’ - Kurt Schwertsik, written for strings and accordion.February 5th, 7.30pm – Concert Hall, Perth 7th, 7.30pm – Wigmore Hall, London 9th, 8pm – Eden Court Theatre, Inverness 10th, 7.30pm – The Music Hall, Aberdeen 11th, 7.30pm – Marryat Hall, Dundee 12th, 8pm – Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh 13th, 7.30pm – The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow |
Festival ‘Akkordeonist!’, Hamburg – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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 The festival ‘Akkordeonist!’ takes place at venues in the Reeperbahn district of Hamburg, from February 13th to 20th. This accordion festival is international in scope, with artistes from many countries and genres participating, including the bandoneon of Argentine tango, the harmonica and diatonic accordion of Alpine folk music, French musette, Viennese dance music, Polish avant-garde up to Finnish Punk, and much else.Highlights of the festival include: February 13th, 8pm - Carel Kraayenhof & Sexteto Canyengue, St. Pauli Theater 14th, 8pm - Klaus Paier & Asja Valcic, with the Jurek Lamorski Quartett, Imperial Theater 15th, 8pm - Kimmo Pohjonen Kluster, Grünspan 16th, 8pm - Teodoro Anzelotti, St. Pauli Kirche 17th, 8pm – Attwenger, Safari Cabaret 18th, 8pm - Richard Galliano Tangaria Quartet, St. Pauli Theater 19th, 8pm - Accordion Tribe, Imperial Theater 20th, 8pm – The Motion Trio; Akkordeon-Orchester Hamburg-Eimsbüttel (MD Hans-Georg Beyer), Fliegende Bauten For further information email: presse@elbphilharmonie.de |
Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Sussex - UKby Rob Howard |
 The next Eastbourne Accordion Festival takes place from February 19th to 22nd at the Queens Hotel, Eastbourne. Organised by John and Jackie Romero, the guest artistes include Jack Emblow and Tony Compton, Roman Voloshchuk, Mauro Carra (Italy), Alan Young, Romano Viazzani, Harry Hussey, Angie Lukins, Gennaro Fiondella, and John Romero.Jack Emblow, Tony Compton, and Gennaro Fiondella will hold master classes. Workshops include: ‘Jazz’ - Harry Hussey, ‘Weekend Orchestra’ and ‘Bel Viso ‘ - Gennaro Fiondella, ‘Folk and Barn Dance’ - Angie Lukins, ‘Busking Session’ - Alan Young, and ‘Playing by ear’ - Trevani. The trade show includes The Accordion Shop, Carillon Studios, Stan Mayhew, Trevani Music and Gifts, and TSA Recordings. Stan Mayhew will be available for advice on accordion tuning during both Saturday and Sunday afternoons between 2 and 4pm. For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.co.uk |
Portland Jazz Festival, Oregon - USAby Rob Howard |
 The Portland Jazz Festival takes place from February 25th to 28th at venues in Portland, Oregon. One of the main features this year is ‘New Music’ from Norway, and amongst the artistes involved are the saxophone/accordion due of Trygve Seim and Frode Halti. Their concerts take place, as follows:February 26th, 5.30pm - Art Bar 27th, 3pm - Norse Hall Key figures in Norwegian ‘New Music’, Trygve Seim and Frode Haltli have played together since 2001. Accordionist Frode Haltli plays contemporary music, but also has a background of playing folk dance music. Both Seim and Haltli are prize-winning artistes. Seim’s CD ‘Different Rivers’ won the annual prize of the German Record Critics (Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 2001). Similarly, Haltli’s solo album ‘Looking on Darkness’ won the French Prix Gus Viseur in 2004 as well as the Norwegian Spellemannprisen for Best Contemporary Music Album. |
Roman Jbanov & Domi Emorine Master Class, Rennes - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 L’association Atout-vent has organized a Master Class for accordion led by Roman Jbanov and Domi Emorine. This takes place on February 20th and 21st, 8.30am onwards, at Au Centre multi-activités des cheminots, Rennes. The closing date for applications is February 6th. For further information email: atout.vent@yahoo.fr |
‘Day of the Accordion’, Seattle – USAby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday February 28th the Northwest Accordion Society presents their annual Day of the Accordion from 11am to 5pm at the Seattle Center. The Northwest Accordion Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the accordion. In addition to nonstop accordion music and dancing, there will be workshops, seminars, and free lessons. The society is offering free accordion lessons with accordions provided to attract new learners. There will be performances by beginners and professionals alike. This takes place at the Center House at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, Washington. For further information, email: bonniebirch@msn.com |
Grand Gala d'Accordéon, Auvergne - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 Sancyberie presents a Grand Gala of Accordion on Saturday 6th February, 9pm, at the Casino de la Bourboule, Auvergne. In a concert titled "A Night with the Champions of the World" is featured Domi Emorine, Félicien Brut et son Orchestre, Amélie Castel, Pierre Laval, Sonia Roz etc... |
II ‘World Meeting of Accordion Music’, Valledupar – Colombiaby Rob Howard |
| II ‘World Meeting of Accordion Music’, Valledupar, Colombia, will take place on the 24th and 25th June 2010. The event is organized by the Reyes Y Juglares Vallenatos Foundation. The Foundation invites everyone, all types of music, solo, group, etc. who uses the accordion as a central instrument to the II ‘World Meeting of Accordion Music’. Valledupar is the capital city of Cesar which is a State of Colombia. There are competitions for solo accordionists and ensembles that use accordions, and the closing date for entries and participation in the festival is April 24th. For further information email: eldiariovallenato@gmail.com |
CD Reviews |
Misteriumby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Misterium” by Joan C. Sommers. Performer is Mika Väyrynen. |
New and Updated Sites |
February Diatonic News Online 1st Februaryby Werner Weibert |
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| The February 2010 Diatonic News online 1st February. |
Music Marche Accordions Site Updated - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The consortium “Music Marche Accordions”– consortium for the protection, the promotion and the development of hand-crafted, quality musical instruments produced in the Marche region – has established a certification for the “Made in Castelfidardo” musical instruments with the purpose of giving a guarantee to the customer from only manufacturers producing with reliability and respecting the traditions of craftsmanship that now have a history of over 150 years in the Marche region of Italy.The “quality and origin certification” guarantee the purchase of an instrument made with selected materials and that the instrument fully complies with the criteria of quality and origin as laid down by the consortium “Music Marche Accordions” in Castelfidardo. Their web site has just been entirely up-dated, so please visit the Music Marche Accordions website. |
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
| MusicForAccordion.com site releases 6 new pieces - 'Minuet in G, catalog:mfa8002', 'Mazurka, catalog:mfa8003', 'You, catalog:mfa8004', 'Two Waltzes, catalog:mfa8005', 'Husia Siusia, catalog:mfa8006 and 'Southern Roses, catalog:mfa8009'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
NZAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
| National Accordion Association releases 6 new pieces, ' Follow The Guidon, catalog:naa112', 'Jeasy Polka, catalog:naa113', 'And We Danced Till Dawn, catalog:naa114', 'You Made Me Blue, catalog:naa115', 'Never, Never No, catalog:naa116' and 'Men Of Mansfield, catalog:naa117'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
February USA News Online 1st Februaryby Rita Barnea |
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| The February 2010 USA News, online on the 1st February. |
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