Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
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Highlights |
California to Host ATG 70th Anniversary Celebration, Santa Clara – USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() This year’s event is a '70th Anniversary Celebration', and incorporates the 'Anthony Galla-Rini International Competition for Classical Accordion'. Guests this year include Alexander Sevastian (Canada - left top), Cory Pesaturo (USA) Lionel Reekie (New Zealand - left lower) and Dr. Herbert Scheibenreif (Austria). Top artists and clinicians from across America join visitors from around the world for concerts, banquets, workshops and competitions for this five day accordion extravaganza. Additional performers and presenters include Mary Tokarski, William Cosby, Stas Venglevski, Betty Jo Simon, Dee Langley, Amy Jo Sawyer, Accordion Chamber Ensemble (MD Joe Smiell Jr), Peter Di Bono Trio, The Great Morgani, Gordon Kohl, AbsolutAccord, Bernard Metais, Joan Grauman, Karen Malan-Uribe, Liz Finch, Steve Albini, the Galla-Rini Festival Orchestra conducted by Esther Lanting (open to everyone!), plus a very special Executive Festival Orchestra comprised of the ATG Board of Directors and selected guests under the direction of Joan Sommers. Special events include a spectacular outdoor performance by Cory Pesaturo and Galla-Rini Festival Orchestra in California's Great America Amusement Park on Saturday July 24th, and a screening of ‘Behind the Bellows’, a documentary by Steve Mobia. For further information email: atg.langley@gmail.com |
Irish Open Accordion Festival 2011, County Meath – Republic of Irelandby Yvonne Chilton, Secretary Irish Acc. Assoc. |
![]() To celebrate the 40th year of the I.A.A. All-Ireland Accordion Festival, the Irish Accordion Association is holding the Irish Open Accordion Festival 2011, incorporating the annual All Ireland Accordion Festival, April 16th and 17th 2011. This festival will be held in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath (about 40km north of Dublin). Attached are a list of Test Pieces, Entry Fees and Set of Rules. Overseas entries have a reduced rate of entry fees. Special guests include The St. Petersburg Youth Accordion Orchestra (MD Vladimir S. Iljenkov), and the ‘Arts Across Borders’ Ensemble (featuring accordions, harps, flutes, bagpipes and percussion in an exciting dynamic mix) performing newly commissioned works from Irish composers. This will be an exciting event featuring traditional Irish music, dancing and entertainment. You will be sure of a warm Irish welcome and leave with some great memories. 2011 Irish Rules & Regulations. For further information email Yvonne Chilton: chilton_accordion@hotmail.com |
Lithuania’s Martynas Levickis Tours the USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Martynas Levickis started serious studies at age of 8 with Maryte Markeviciene in the Šiauliai Conservatoire and has won prizes at competitions in Lithuania, the USA, Italy, France, Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, and Belarus. In 2004 Martynas was the first accordionist to be awarded the Lithuanian ‘Queen Morta’ prize. He has performed alongside several chamber orchestras in Lithuania, and in the UK has performed with the BBC Concert, BBC Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. TV appearances include the BBC’s popular ‘The One Show’, and becoming a semi-finalist on ‘Lithuania’s Got Talent’ show in 2009. In 2008 Martynas entered the Royal Academy of Music, London, studying under the direction of Professor Owen Murray. Martynas is an active member of the Lithuanian Accordionists’ Association. Future plans include selection for the Park Lane Group 2011concert series in the Purcell Room, London, and his debut recital in the Barbican Centre in October 2010. Concert schedule: July 9th, 7pm - Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 Pulaski road, Chicago, Illinois July 10th, 3pm - Mosse Humanities Building, Room 1111, University of Wisconsin July 11th, 12noon - Lithuanian World Centre, 14911 127th St., Lemont, IL July 15th, 7pm - Eden Church of Christ, Edwardsville, IL July 16th, 7pm - Gala Concert, American Accordionists’ Association Festival, Hershey, Pennsylvania July 17th, 7pm - The Chapel, St. Louis, Missouri July 18th, 10am - St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, St. Louis, MO July 25th, 12noon - Oyster Point Yacht Club, San Francisco, California |
Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival, Ikaalinen – Finlandby Kevin Friedrich |
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Read the comprehensive report about the 38th Annual Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Accordion Festival on their website. You can also see the Primus Ikaalinen international competition on streaming video. View the Sata-Häme Soi website. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Standing Ovation for Nihad Hrustanbegovic, Amsterdam - Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
![]() Everyone was touched by Nihad's new compositions for solo accordion, and there was an overwhelming applause after every item, and at the end of his accordion recital a standing ovation from a full concert hall. The music critic Stan Rijven, writing in the Dutch newspaper ‘Trouw’ commented: “What Pablo Casals did for emancipation of the cello, and Astor Piazzola of the bandoneon, Nihad Hrustanbegovic is doing for the accordion”. Nihad Hrustanbegovic (born 1973 in Bosnia) is a composer and accordionist, now based in the Netherlands. He started his music education at age of nine at the music school at Bijeljina, Bosnia, and from 15 began his professional musical education at the music college of Tuzla. Between 1988 and 1991, Nihad won five prizes as an accordionist at the ‘Concurs for music students of Bosnia and former Yugoslavia’, including three prizes as a soloist. In 1995 he continued his music education in the Netherlands at the ArtEZ - College for arts at Arnhem, and at the Messiaen Academy, where in 2000 Nihad Hrustanbegovic received his Bachelors degree, and in 2002 his Master of Music degree. For further information email: info@nihad-accordeon.com |
The Winning Hohner Team, Ikaalinen 2009 & 2010 - Finlandby Horst Fausel, Hohner, Product Manager, Accordion |
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Congratulations from Hohner to the outstanding winning artists Pietro Adragna (Italy) and Petar Maric (Serbia). Pietro Adragna won the Primus Ikaalinen VI competition, which was broadcast online and live TV Broadcast on National Finnish TV. Petar Maric won equal full marks and 2nd place, same as the year before when both Peter and Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) had full marks and Grayson was the winner. Also congratulations to Augustinas Rakauskas who was placed 5th in 2010. You can view the 2010 streaming video of Primus Ikaalinen online, Sata-Häme Soi website. All these outstanding artists perform on the Hohner ‘Fun Line’ accordions, which were constructed with the help of Frédéric Deschamps, supporting his technique and training systems enabling his students to perform at a world class standard. |
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Sergio Pinget New DVD/CD, Buenos Aires – Argentinaby Rob Howard |
![]() Originally from the city of Columbus, Sergio Pinget comes from the region of Argentina where the chamamé folk music style predominates, and he grew up playing within this genre, though has since diversified into other styles. Sergio has developed into a successful concert performer, and has several recordings to his credit. For further information email: info@sergiopinget.com.ar |
Black Country Accordion & Music Club’s Film Evening, West Midlands - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The evening began with a video of Russian accordionist Alexander Korbakov (picture left) in performance, which ran for 58 minutes. This was shown on a large screen, with almost cinema quality, using a professional sound system consisting of two speakers and an amplifier, provided by Club Chairman Barry Smith. The Alexander Korbakov video was followed by a fish and chips, which was much appreciated by all present. After the meal the audience settled down to watching an unreleased video of the 1996 Caister Accordion Festival, filmed by the club’s Secretary Lou Ambrose. This was a tribute to the late Malcolm Gee (picture right), the founder of the Caister festivals. Malcolm had sponsored the Caister videos but due to his shock demise the video was never officially released as he had never seen it. A special tribute to Malcom was made by accordionist Ron Hawkins at the beginning of the video. The video also showed the late Andy Anderson playing his own composition of 'Angelina'. The whole evening went down very well with many comments of satisfaction from both members and guests alike. |
Future events |
Klezmer Bruch/Vienna - Austriaby Friedl Preisl |
![]() Ort: Bunkerei im Augarten (Gastgarten), 1020 Wien, Obere Augartenstraße 1a (Bei Schlechtwetter indoor!) Sunday 11th July: noon FOX ROSEN QUINTET (USA/AT) For more information: Info: http://www.bunkerei.at, http://www.aktionsradius.at, |
Harbin China Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
![]() The Harbin 2010 website has just been updated to include an awesome array of Guests and Jury for this prestigious event including such famous Chinese and international accordionists as (alphabetical order): Bankov, Raymond Bodell, Andrey Chuguhov, Li Cong, Xu Dawei, Sun Delun, Frederic Deschamps, Kevin Friedrich, Zhang Guoping, Wang Hongyu, Harley Jones, Chen Jun, Jiang Jie, Alexander Kapitan, Andreas Nebl, Gennady Nizovskiy, Viatcheslav Semenenko, Viatcheslav Semionov, Yuri Shishkin, Wang Shusheng, Radomir Tomic, Li Wei Ming, Lui Wenlin, Cao Xiao-Qing, Chen Yiming, Wang Yuping, Vladimir Zubitsky. The Chinese government sponsorship shows the importance of culture and the accordion in the Harbin area of China. The Harbin 2010 chief organiser of the event is Professor Wang Hongyu, the Head of Keyboard department, Music College, Harbin Normal University. Full information is on the website Harbin 2010 including the rules and the competition application form. |
Gorka Hermosa Concerts – Spain, Portugalby Rob Howard |
![]() July 10th – ‘Folcoloreando’, Vilaeimil, Lugo, Spain July 17th – ‘Ibêricum’, Fuenlabrada, Madrid July 24th – ‘María Berasarte’, Vilanova da Cerveira, Portugal August 6th – ‘Fantangueando’, Zaragoza, Spain: duo with Silvia Márquez – harpsichord Recent Reviews Gorka Hermosa: "Classisima, 17 March 2010, Pablo Alvarez," Gorka Hermosa is raising the general opinion of his instrument into the classical world ... The well-known version of Piazzolla's Libertango left us all in complete silence ... Really magical, original and a delight not only for purists. " "La Gaceta de Salamanca", 25 March 2010, Juan Mari Montes: "Garúa are three extraordinary musicians ... Wonderful concert " "El Norte de Castilla", 02 May 2010, "Gorka Hermosa showed his virtuosity.. Hermosa surprised with the magic of his fingers on the accordion." For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
Victor Prieto Trio Concert, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() With accordionist Victor Prieto, are Edward Perez – bass, and Eric Doob - drums. For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
Kyiv Duo Perform at Stockport AC, Cheshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The Stockport AC Band (MD Derek Stubbs) and Orchestra (MD Brian Jenkins) will also perform during the evening. The venue is Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel Street/A560 Hyde Road, Woodley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 1ND (J25/M60). For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Frank Marocco Concert, Castelfidardo - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() Frank Marocco, from California, is one of the accordion world’s stellar performers. Apart from his own performances and recordings, Frank Marocco has played on a vast number of movie and TV soundtracks, commercial jingles and has recorded for and/or worked with artists ranging from Brian Wilson, Pink Floyd and Madonna to Luciano Pavarotti, conductor Maxim Shostakovich and composer John Williams. |
‘Mazaika’ Perform ‘Hot Club Jazz, Tango and Gypsy Fiddle’, London - UKby Rob Howard |
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The duo ‘Mazaika’ perform in a concert titled ‘Hot Club Jazz, Tango and Gypsy Fiddle’ at the Green Note, Camden, London, NW1 7AN, on Friday July 23rd, 9pm. Mazaika Duo are Igor Outkine – vocals and accordion, and Sarah Harrison - violin. Now using a midi accordion, which he proudly calls “The Chameleon Virtual Orchestra”, Russian-born Igor Outkine is a one man band who doesn’t use backing tracks. Igor appears on screen in the feature film ‘Eastern Promises’ (2007), directed by David Cronenberg, singing the Russian song ‘Dark Eyes’. For further information email: igor.outkine@ntlworld.com |
Worthing Music & Arts Festival Introduces Accordion Classes, West Sussex – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The festival, established in 1950, runs between November 7th and 28th, and offers the opportunity to perform on a first class concert platform in friendly surroundings. Details of the Accordion Syllabus and entry forms are now available from Brenda Churchman. For further information email: brendainchurch@yahoo.com |
CD Reviews |
The Years of Pilgrimageby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
Museo della Fisarmonica di Stradellaby www.accordions.com/museumstradella |
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New opening schedule for the summertime and invites for september activities. www.accordions.com/museumstradella |
Donald E Grzanna releases new musicby |
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MusicForAccordion.com releases new musicby MusicForAccordion.com |
![]() your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
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Shmelkov Semion releasing another new CDby Shmelkov Semion |
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Semion Shmelkov selling new CD titled 'Evening Love Ditties (Bayan)', catalog:shmelkovcd03 with sound samples. Music performed by Semion Shmelkov. Purchase online. |
MusicForAccordion.com releases new musicby MusicForAccordion.com |
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Donald E Grzanna releases new musicby |
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NAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
Scandalli Super VI stolen/Evesham, Worcesteshire - UKby | Modify | Delete |
![]() He was setting up in Evesham, Worcesteshire, to play, and it was taken. The local the police have been informed. If you have any useful information e-mail: richard.adey@btinternet.com Or phone +44(0)7944571702 |
Old Hohner Accordion...Information?by | Modify | Delete |
![]() ![]() Thanks, Dave Edwards e-mail: dave@daveslifecoaching.com |
Info upon CHESTER accordion company?by | Modify | Delete |
I recently acquired a piano accordion from my grandmother. I can't seem to find any info on the type. It has written on it chester.acc.co. It is in good condition. Can anybody tell me any info on it. Thank You - Kim Aaron - Email: Kim@C2Cenergy.biz |
1959 or 1960 Hagstrom Accordionby | Modify | Delete |
I am the original owner of a full size Hagstrom button accordion from 1959 or 1960 in the original case. This was purchased in Denmark. Can you provide any information as to possible value and/or where in the Vancouver BC or Seattle Wa. area I could have it appraised and repaired if needed. Thank you for your consideration, Henning Nielsen |
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