Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
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Highlights |
2011 AAA Competition/Festival, South Carolina - USAby Rita Barnea |
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![]() At this year’s festival, Joan Cochran Sommers is honored with the AAA's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Pictures left, top to bottom: Joan Sommers, K Trio and Frank Busso Jnr. The Festival Orchestra (conductor Joan Sommers) this year will play the ‘Sound of Music’, ‘Welcome to Venice’, and ‘Phantom of the Opera’. The guest performers include K Trio, Mary Tokarski, Walter Kasprzyk, Dr. Robert McMahan, Joy Bechtler - soprano, Ocotrillo (Gabe Hall-Rodriguez, Sean Brogan, Wes Anderson), Frank Petrill, Eddie Monteiro, Keren Malan-Uribe, Joan Grauman, Donna Dee Ray, Ray Oreggia, The Connecticut Accordion Orchestra (conductor AAA President Linda Soley Reed), Joe Natoli, Martin Accordion Orchestra (conductor Randy Martin), the Festival Accordion Orchestra (conductor Joan Sommers), Massed Band (conductor Frank Busso), Alicia Baker, Jeff Lisenby, Dr. Ian Blair Fries; Randy Martin; Rita Davidson; plus more! Thursday: Luncheon Concert, Cabaret Night Friday: Massed Band Performance conducted by Frank Busso, Gala Evening Concert Saturday: Awards Concert, Banquet, Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation, Festival Orchestra conducted by Joan Sommers. Sunday: Breakfast Meeting and Farewell The AAA Festival Coordinators are: Mary Tokarski, Frank Busso, Linda Soley Reed. For further information view 2011AArules or the AAA website or email Mary Tokarski: mary.tokarski@comcast.net or AAA President Linda Reed at aaa1938@aol.com |
Trophée Mondial Rules and Hotel Information - Italyby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
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![]() The CMA Trophée Mondial international accordion competitions run from September 13th to 18th at the lovely sea side city of Pineto, with the host organiser being internationally renowned musician Renzo Ruggieri. Frédéric Deschamps also announced the new diatonic categories for 2011 and the continuation of the national category that was run for the first time last year. The rules for 2011 and the hotel information are now on the CMA website and the proposed timetable will be released shortly. The closing date for entries is 1st August 2011. View the updated CMA website for all information. |
Vincenzo Abbracciante’s First South African Tour - South Africaby Rob Howard |
![]() He will be appearing in several concerts with the Luca Ciarla Quartet, and will also give a master class in Johannesburg. July 10th - National Arts Festival, Grahamstown July 11th/12th – Volksblad Arts Festival, Bloemfontein July 15th – Glenshiel Heritage House, Westcliff, Johannesburg July 17th – Brooklyn Theater, Pretoria July 18th – Master Class at the Club Italiana, Johannesburg July 19th – North West University, Potchefstroom For further information email: info@borsiniaccordions.it |
Summer Accordion Master Classes at Zheleznogork, Kursk – Russia/Franceby Yulia Amerikova |
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![]() This June, Russian accordion players had a great opportunity to have lessons with some of the world's finest teachers. Alexander Selivanov and Yulia Amerikova have taught at the “International Summer School” in Zheleznogork (Kursk) since 2006, invited two famous teachers – Viatcheslav Semionov and Frédéric Deschamps to join them for 2011. Students came from all parts of Russia, from 20th June to 1st July and enjoyed live lessons with Viatcheslav Semionov, Alexander Selivanov and Yulia Amerikova with Frédéric Deschamps working with students through internet Skype connection. The Skype lessons was supported by Source Center of Zheleznogorsk Municipality Educational Department and hosted with very high level internet equipment, all provided free. It was really interesting and useful for the teachers, guests and journalists who attended this event. The online lessons were a great success. Photo below: students Dmitri Yarkinov (III prize Junior Coupe Mondiale 2010) Vassili Yurchenko (Khabarovsk musical college) and Roman Nikitin (winner of 2nd Russian Junior Roland-V-Accordion festival). |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Kimmo Pohjonen’s CD ‘Uniko’ Selling Well, Helsinki – Finlandby Phillip Page |
![]() For May and June, ‘Uniko’ was at the Number 2 position after debuting at Number 6 in April. The ‘Six Degrees’ magazine of Finland reviewed ‘Uniko’ for their June issue: "For those who don't know, Kimmo Pohjonen is an unconventional accordion virtuoso from Finland, involved in many extraordinary projects. Now, Pohjonen, Samuli Kosminen and the Kronos Quartet join forces in an alluring performance of masterpiece magnitudes. The result is a great 52 minutes of otherworldly high not to be missed. ‘Uniko’ is currently in second position on the World Music Chart Europe, where it has been hanging on for the last three months. The CD contains seven chapters composed by Pohjonen and Kosminen. Critics have praised the record as ‘majestic’, ‘compelling’ and ‘hypnotic’. ‘Uniko’ is indeed all those and more." For further information email: pap@hoedown.com |
Vibratango’s First CD Released, Sabadell, Barcelona – Spainby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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The trio Vibratango, featuring accordionist Ferran Martínez, have released their first CD, ‘Vibratango’, featuring the music of Gardel, Canaro, Piazzolla, and others. Vibratango’s CD is officially released at a concert performance on July 8th, 9pm, at Espai Agora, Centre Civic Sant Oleguer, Sabadell, Barcelona. For further information email: info@vibratango.com Sabadell is also the home of the Orquestra d’Acordions de Sabadell conducted by Miquel Àngel who not long ago released their new CD titled Monday 22:00. Information about their CD is on the Orquestra d’Acordions de Sabadell website. |
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‘14 Years Ago’ – Day of the Accordion - USAby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() DAY OF THE ACCORDION, USA Contributed by Thomas J. Collins The annual "Day of the Accordion" which ended June 29th was a grand success. Accordionists from around the world gathered at the Seattle Center for a day of total involvement with reeds and bellows. The morning was devoted to competitive performances with awards presented by the distinguished jazz accordionist, Art Van Damme. The afternoon was an array of world class artists including Frank Marocco, Peter Soave, Ken Olendorf, Horace Lazzari and Murl Allen Sanders, almost all of whom received standing ovations for stellar performances. Among the visiting dignitaries were Eddie Chavez, renowned author of "The Golden Days of the Accordion", and Gus Merzi from Sydney, Australia. |
Future events |
International Avsenik Music Workshop, Begunje na Gorenjskem - Sloveniaby Rob Howard |
![]() The leading figure of the Avsenik style is veteran accordionist Slavko Avsenik (born 1929), the founder of the legendary Avsenik Brothers Ensemble. The Avsenik Brothers Ensemble, founded in 1953 by brothers Slavko and Vilko Avsenik, has performed before millions and in thousands of concerts, and has sold over 30 million records. For further information email: gsa@avsenik.com |
Kyiv Duo’s 2011 Tour Dates, England, Scotland - UKby Rob Howard |
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The Kyiv Duo, Igor Sayenko and Oleksiy Kolomoiets, from Kiev in the Ukraine, are on their third annual tour in England and Scotland in July and August. The main reason for the annual tours is to raise money for a charity which supports disabled children who suffered as a result of the Chernobyl disaster. Igor Sayenko and Oleksiy Kolomoiets are graduates from the Kiev Conservatory, and are one of the world’s finest accordion duos. They specialize in transcriptions of classical music, interpreting the works of Vivaldi, Bizet, Rachmaninov, Khachaturian, JS Bach, Johann Strauss, Astor Piazzolla, and others. July 12th - Saffron Walden July 13th, 8pm - Stockport Accordion Club, Woodley Methodist Church, Stockport SK6 1ND July 14th - Lancaster July 15th - New Mill, Huddersfield, Yorkshire July 17th – Felsted, Essex July 18th, 7.45pm - Whitstable Labour Club, Herne Bay, Kent July 19th, 7.30pm – Canterbury Accordion Club, The Barn, Kingston, near Canterbury July 20th, 7.30pm - Lindum Accordion Club, Wragby Town Hall, Lincolnshire July 24th, 4pm – Holy Trinity Church, Fareham July 25th - Black Country Accordion and Music Club July 26th - Poolewe, Ross-shire, Scotland July 27th, 7.30pm - St Finbar's Scottish Episcopal Church, Dornoch, Scotland July 28th - Fortrose, Scotland July 30th - Thurso, Scotland July 31st - Aberfoyle, Scotland August 2nd, 7.30pm – St Augustine’s Church, Dumbarton, Scotland August 3rd, 7.30pm - Fairkytes Accordion Club, Fairkytes Arts Centre, Essex August 6th – South East Cornwall Accordion Club For further information email: uktour2011@ukr.net |
Akkordeon Sommerhock, Schulhof EM-Windenreute – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() At 11.15am the Akkordeon-Club Freiamt (MD Sabine Schmitt) begin the proceedings with a concert. Followed at 12.45 by the Akkordeon-Club Reute (MD Florian Siegel). The Akkordeonverein Denzlingen (MD Ronny Fugmann) at 2.30pm. The Harmonica Friends Windenreute (MD Viktor Trippel) at 4pm. There will be steaks and sausages on a charcoal grill, coffee and cakes available from 11.30am. |
Karen Tweed Workshop and Concert, York – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Accordionist Karen Tweed is coming to do a gig on the barge on Sunday July 10th , 8pm, and has also very kindly offered to run a 2½ hour workshop at 2pm for players of any instrument at intermediate standard and above during the day prior to the gig. Chris Sherburn, concertina player, is booked to perform a concert on the barge on Thursday July 21st. For further information email: info@artsbarge.com |
7th Festival of Polish Music, Krakow – Polandby Rob Howard |
![]() On Tuesday July 19th, 7pm, at the Galicia Museum, 18 Dajwor St, Krakow, the ‘TWOgether Duo’ - cellist Magdalena Bojanowicz and accordionist Maciej Frackiewicz - perform Polish contemporary classical music, including Zbigniew Bargielski’s ‘Labirynt’, Rafal Janiak’s ‘After Hours of Muteness’, Cezary Duchnowski’s ‘cROSSFAdE’, Aleksander Nowak’s ‘Satin’, Rafal Zalech’s ‘Romans’, Dariusz Przybylski’s ‘Discours’, and Hanna Kulenty’s ‘Preludium’, ‘Postludium’, and ‘Psalm’. |
‘Affinité’ Celebrate Bastille Day, Devon – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Formerly known as ‘Piaffinité’, the act’s slight change of name reflects their intention to expand beyond the repertoire of Edith Piaf whilst retaining a love of French music and dance. An expanded band consists of Basil Bunelik (accordion), Mike Cosgrave (guitar), Matt Webb (double bass), and Marc Woodward (mandolin), with Carolyn Saint-Pé (vocalist). For further information email: bunelik@gmail.com |
Gabe Hall-Rodrigues Trio Concert, Baltimore - USAby Rob Howard |
Current US Virtuoso Accordion champion Gabe Hall-Rodrigues, accompanied by bass and drums, will be performing on July 21st, 8pm, at An Die Musik LIVE, 409 N. Charles St. (2nd floor), Baltimore, Maryland 21201. This trio are on their way back to Arizona after being featured performers at the American Accordionists' Association festival in Charleston, South Carolina. |
‘Day of Lincolnshire Folk’, Lincoln – UKby Rob Howard |
On Sunday August 7th,11am onwards, the ‘Day of Lincolnshire Folk’ takes place at The George Hotel, Leadenham, near Lincoln. There is a full day of stage acts, workshops with David Oliver (accordion), Laura Connolly (clog dancing), Liam Robinson (melodeon), and Gina Le Faux (fiddle), music sessions, Morris dancing, singarounds, stalls, great food - all in all great day if last year was anything to go by, and IT IS ALL FREE! For further information email: 600whiskies@googlemail.com |
‘Les Epingles à Maurice’ Concert, Durtal - Franceby Rob Howard |
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The accordion-led trio ‘Les Epingles à Maurice’ perform a concert of pop songs, including Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder and Deep Purple, at the Chateau de Durtal, near Angers, on Friday August 12th, 8.30pm – 11.30pm. Refreshments, including pancakes, will be available. The trio members are Loïc (guitar), Alexis (accordion) and Julien (percussion). |
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Ghenadie Rotari Accordion Concert at the Castle Miramare, Trieste - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() His program includes music by Haydn, Bach, Scarlatti, Jokinen, Kusjakow, Makkonen, Zubitsky. |
New and Updated Sites |
Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni Releases 4 Arrangementsby Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni |
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Alexander Selivanov Updated Siteby Alexander Selivanov |
![]() Professor of “Gnessins” Russian Academy of Music site is updated in both English and Russian. |
Franco Cambareriby Franco Cambareri |
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July 2011 Accordion USA News Online 1st Julyby Rita Barnea |
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July 2011 Accordion USA News Online 1st July |
July 2011 Diatonic News Online 1st Julyby Werner Weibert |
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July 2011 Diatonic News Online 1st July |
July 2011 Accordion Russia News Online 1st Julyby Yulia Amerikova |
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July 2011 Accordion Russia News Online 1st July |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
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