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Highlights |
CIA holds International Press Conference, Ikaalinen - Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
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![]() The meeting highlighted the upcoming unified global crusade to promote the diversity of the accordion and the outstanding artists that play it. Working with fellow accordionists around the world, the CIA will coordinate his unique opportunity to promote public awareness of the accordion, an instrument without boundaries, and one that spans all cultures and musical genres. In addition to the members of the Press, CIA President Kevin Friedrich and General Secretary Kimmo Mattila hosted special guests including the Ikaalinen Mayor Tero Nissinen and Sata-Hame Soi International Accordion Festival director Sirpa Sippola. The conference also covered the important work being done at the CIA Archive Center housed in Ikaalinen, where the CIA continues to collect un-replaceable documents, profiling not only the CIA history, but the history of the accordion in general, the many personalities that played a key role in its development. To conclude the conference the press were introduced to the newly established International Museum Cooperation, whereby under the auspices of the CIA, institutions involved in preserving the heritage of the accordion, will have the opportunity to share resources, information, data bases and even instruments and other accordion related historical materials as they work to preserve accordion history. The CIA President profiled the excellent work being done in Finland, where the accordion community serves as a great inspiration by leading the way in cooperation, dedication and inspiration. Working alongside each other to create a positive and productive work environment, groups such as the Finnish Accordion Association, the Finnish Accordion Institute, the International Sata-Häme Soi International Accordion Festival, the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki (both classical and folk departments) cooperate to promote all aspects of accordion life including support for areas such as the traditional two-row and other folk instruments and classical artists to the latest in electronic and digital capabilities, to the commissioning of renowned composers to write works for our instrument and the publishing and promotion of new music and recordings for the accordion. |
10th Accordion Festival, Vienna – Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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![]() The program of the 2009 festival (Vienna 2009 Program) includes many international and home-grown artistes alike – and on 17 different stages, from Porgy & Bess to the Jugendstiltheater and is one of the major annual accordion festivals in the world. Up to three acts per day run from February 21st to March 26th. For more information Vienna 2009 Program |
Renzo Ruggieri and Mario D'Amario Collaborate with Ballone Burini, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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The well-known jazz accordionists Renzo Ruggieri and Mario D'Amario (Renzo's student and winner of major international competitions including Coupe Mondiale, Trophée Mondiale, Castelfidardo, Ikaalinen, etc..) have entered into an agreement with Ballone Burini, of Castelfidardo, for the exclusive use of their instruments of highest craftsmanship. Both have recently released new CDs. Tracks from the latest CD by Renzo ‘Terre’ can be found online. Fans of Renzo Ruggieri can meet him at the Frankfurt Musik Messe (April 1st to 4th), demonstrating the new ‘Eolina’, a melodica, and the range of accordions, produced by Ballone Burini. |
Talented Keyboard Accordion Players “Wanted” – Germanyby Tobias Zeller |
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Under the motto "Play the Keys - You're the band", this initiative claims for electronic keyboard instruments, children and young adults up to 21 years to measure their talents on keyboards, electric piano, synthesizer or MIDI or digital accordion, and with other key players in a creative contest. The competition begins with regional qualifying rounds in Mannheim, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin, divided into in age categories. Whoever passes successfully the preliminaries and the semi-finals, to be held in the Pop Academy in Mannheim, will then take part in the Finals performing for valuable prizes and the title "Kid of the Keys 2009". For the first time this year participants will have the opportunity to play a digital or midi accordion (from Roland) for the duration of the entire competition, free of charge. The registration period ends on April 19th. For further information email: info@kids2keys.de |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordion Courses with Frédéric Deschamps - Franceby Harley Jones |
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![]() Some weeks (photo 1) were reserved for senior citizens from all walks of life: a school of music and accordion teacher in the person of John Paul Delmas (South West), Yves Gourio oceanographer, Marie-Claire Minon the Math teacher, actress Chloe Roy, Christine Shimdt German opera singer, and brothers Gritti (Seb and Ced) and others preparing their skills for the next Coupe Mondiale and Trophée Mondial qualifications to be held in May and July. The course trains through the discoveries of body tensions - eyebrows, neck, head movements and tension of the mouth, fingers, arms, etc. with lots of musical interaction. Everything is a small world shared during a week full of emotion both human and musical. Other special weeks were reserved for young prodigies preparing towards the international deadlines in the form of formula VIP reduced to increase efficiency internships. The next Courses will be teaching between 12 and 25 April. Information and registration: frederic.deschamps@wanadoo.fr or by phone 06 17 85 38 19. |
DVD/Book: ‘The Irish Accordion Tutor’, Connecticut - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The teaching method employs colour coding for bellows work and detailed fingering for each tune - even for recommended grace notes, along with the benefits of the face-to-face learning characteristic of the oral tradition. The book provides detailed descriptions and explanations of how to perform virtually every operation on the Irish B/C accordion - bellows control, grace notes, triplets, rolls, basses, etc. - along with notation for 29 reels, jigs, and polkas, plus bass work. The DVD contains close-up views of Damien's hand as he plays slowly, once through every tune offered in the manual. For further information email: damienjconnolly@hotmail.com |
Aidar Gaynullin Performance, Ingolstadt - Germanyby Herbert Scheibenreif |
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Recently Russian bayan virtuoso Aidar Gaynullin was accompanied by the Georgian Chamber Orchestra (Ariel Zuckermann, cond.) in the concert hall of Ingolstadt, Bavaria. His program included pieces by Gubaidulina’s ‘Seven Words’ (Tatjana Vassilieva played the cello part), and Piazzolla’s concerto ‘Aconcagua’ and ‘Libertango’ as encores. |
Future events |
North Texas Irish Festival, Dallas – USAby Rob Howard |
The North Texas Irish Festival takes place in Dallas from March 6th to 8th, featuring music, song, story telling and Irish dancing on 6 stages. This festival usually attracts over 40,000 visitors. There are numerous performers and bands featuring accordions, melodeons and other free reed instruments. These include the legendary Irish-Canadian band The Irish Rovers, diatonic accordionist Johnny B. Connolly, Scottish accordionist Mark Kenneth, and the intriguingly titled quintet Four Men and a Dog. Mark Kenneth, performing with his celtic rock band and in a duo, will be demonstrating the use of the Roland Virtual Accordion in Celtic music For further information email: MD@NTIF.org |
UK Roland V-Accordion Finals - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
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![]() This event will be part of the 3rd Roland V Festival, an international competition open to both Junior and Senior players, culminating in the International Finals to be held in Rome on the 20th and 21st November 2009. The Roland UK National Final will be held on Friday 24th April at the Metropole Hotel, Blackpool. In attendance will be Marco Cinaglia from Roland Europe as well international star Mario D’Amario from Italy. Full details for entrants from the UK wishing to enter can be found on the NAO website complete with application form. Closing date for entries 25th March. For further information email: naouk@btinternet.com |
La Damigiana take part in celebration, Senigallia - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() ![]() For further information email: ladamigiana_1@libero.it |
Janusz Zukowski Concert, Stockport - UKby Rob Howard |
On Wednesday March 11th, 8pm, Janusz Zukowski performs in concert at Stockport Accordion Club. The venue is Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel Street/A560 Hyde Road, Woodley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 1ND (J25/M60). Janusz Zukowski was NAO All Britain Virtuoso Champion in 1968 and 1969, and a contestant in the 1969 CIA Coupe Mondiale held in New York (placed 8th). For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Stas Venglevski Concert, Maryland – USAby Rob Howard |
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Shane Brogan Concerts, Edinburgh – UKby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() On Saturday April 4th, 7.30pm, Shane performs at Tusitala, 47 Buckstone Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 6QJ. For further Information email: shanebrogan@hotmail.com |
CD Reviews |
“Classical Accordion” by Salvatore Crisafulliby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
Charnwood Publications New Accordion Compositionsby Charnwood Publishing |
Charnwood Publications releases 6 new pieces by composer Gina Brannelli titled, 'Ding Dang Dong, catalog:M619', 'Strand Mussette, catalog:M620', 'The Shooting Star, catalog:M621', 'Roseanna's Musette, catalog:M622', 'Chit Chat, catalog:M623' and 'The Penguin, catalog:M624'. Purchase with credit card. |
Lauro Valerio new CDby Lauro Valerio |
A new site selling a CD titled "Pura Arte" with sound samples. Music performed by Lauro Valerio. Purchase online. |
Yehuda Oppenheimer release 1 arrangement for Acccordionby Yehuda Oppenheimer |
Yehuda Oppenheimer releases 1 arrangement for acccordion - 'B A D I N E R I E, catalog:OY589'. Samples of the music is available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
H S Production New Music Releasesby H S Productions |
H S Production release 1 new piece, 'Shall I Teach Ye, Dear Vanyusha, catalog:hs398'. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
MusicForAccordion.com site release 1 new piece - 'Tales From The Vienna Woods, catalog:mfa6015'. 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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