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Highlights |
61st Trophée Mondiale, 13 to 18 September Pineto - Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() Daily Reports and results will be on the CMA website from Tuesday 13th September. CMA President Frédéric Deschamps (picture right) announced “.... the creation of WEB TV Channel CMA allows for the first time in the history of the accordion, an international accordion competition to be broadcast live in its entirety on the web.” View at Channel CMA. The competition timetable is on the CMA website. Renzo Ruggieri announced that “Admission to all events is free. Thanks must be extended to the Municipality of Pineto, the Mayor of Pineto Luciano Monticelli and his Cultural Attaché Filippo D'Agastina." Please visit the Channel CMA and the CMA website for Daily Reports and the results from the 13th September. |
Martynas Levickis and Ksenija Sidorova at ‘Accordions International 2011’, Hemsby - UKby Rob Howard |
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![]() ![]() 21 year old Martynas from Lithuania, has won prizes at international competitions, including the 2010 Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion category in Croatia. Ksenija Sidorova (picture left), from Latvia, is another to debut at Seacroft. Also a student at the RAM, Ksenija is a highly accomplished performer, with many competition and concert successes to her credit. She has just released her first CD, ‘Classical Accordion’. Other guests at ‘Accordions International 2011’ include UK virtuoso Pearl Fawcett-Adriano (picture lower left), jazz entertainers Jack Emblow & Tony Compton, Harry Hussey (picture right), Wayne Robertson (picture lower right), David Price, Rosemary Wright, Roy Hendrie, Bert Santilly, and the local accordion quintet Norvic Concordia (MD Peter Ayers). The festival includes daytime and evening concerts and meet-the-artist sessions, and Wayne Robertson plays for Scottish dancing. Workshops: Beginners – Jean Hanger, Elementary Orchestra – Rosemary Wright, Intermediate Orchestra – Brian Jenkins, Scottish Band – Wayne Robertson, Jazz Group – Bert Santilly, Vintage Orchestra – Jean Hanger, Buskers Band – Bert Santilly and ‘Composers’ Corner’, led by Sue Coppard. The trade show includes The Accordion Shop, Birmingham Accordion Centre, Limex, MAP Editions, and ‘An A to Z of the Accordion’. To book direct call 01780 782 093 or email organiser Heather Smith to obtain booking forms or for further information: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
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2nd Terem Crossover Music Competition, St. Petersburg – Russiaby Harley Jones |
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The City Council of St. Petersburg and the Terem Quartet are pleased to announce the 2nd Terem Crossover International Music Competition, to be held in March 2012. The Competition is open to ensembles of 2-7 members comprising any acoustic musical instruments, with no age limits. The organizers invite musicians who do not fit into the mould of traditional genres! The Competition jury will comprise of well-known musicians and composers, as well as leading managers and producers from Russia, Europe and Asia. The winners will be rewarded with a series of concerts at major venues all over Russia, cash prizes and valuable awards, as well as participation in Terem Quartet concerts, master classes and summer academies. Entries close October 30th 2011. Download 2012Terem rules and regulations. View a video about the Terem Crossover first competition: http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=6&item=6&id=230 For further information email: terem.competition@gmail.com |
Accordion Events Calendar/Yellow Pages Future Events - Cyberspaceby Harley Jones |
![]() The accordion yellow pages Future Events calendar displays at the top right hand side of this Weekly News of accordions.com in all 7 languages plus other popular sites such as the USA News and the Diatonic News. Huge numbers of readers every year view the accordion yellow pages Future Events, so all accordion event organizers are reminded to take full advantage of this free service to keep the accordion community informed. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Bayanists Perform Under Balcony, in Front of Berlioz House, La Côte St-André - Franceby Yuri Shishkin |
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![]() This year the Festival Berlioz invited French accordionist Elodie Soulard to organize 6 concerts around ‘Music by Berlioz transcribed for accordions’. Yuri Shishkin, Elodie Soulard and Pierre Cussac (accordions) played fragments of the operas ‘Les Troyens’, ‘La Damnation de Faust’, ‘Béatrice et Bénédict’, of the symphony ‘Roméo et Juliette’, and the whole cycle of melodies ‘Nuits d'été’ (soprano was Ainhoa Zuazua - picture above). All these pieces by Berlioz were transcribed for 2 or 3 accordions by Elodie Soulard. Concerts were given every evening in front of the house were Berlioz was born on December 11th 1803 and lived to his 18th year, before an audience of about 200 people sitting in the garden. There was a theme each day like: ‘Berlioz and songs’, ‘Berlioz and Russia’, and ‘Berlioz and his friends’, where the public could also hear transcriptions performed solo by myself of works by Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Liszt, Moussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. The accordionists were very successful, although the music by Berlioz shouldn't ever be heard on bayan! The public were impressed by the high level of performances and the sound quality of the 3 bayans. Some spectators testified, that they could easily hear the sounds of different instruments from the symphony orchestra during the performances. Picture right - Elodie Soulard performing, Yuri Shishkin is examining an original Berlioz score. The conditions of the open-air concerts were not always comfortable. At the festival end, there was a violent storm and the lightning broke one the walls of the town's old castle. However, even with the rain and cold, the audience still came to the concert with unbelievable interest, curiosity and a love of music. My participation in the Festival Berlioz was one of the most impressive experiences in my life. With my birthday on August 24th, playing under the balcony of Berlioz's house, I was incredibly happy! 6 CD's by Yuri Shishkin available online. |
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Joao Gentil and Alejandro Brittes Duo On Tour - Portugalby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Accordionist duo Joao Gentil (Portugal) and Alejandro Brittes (Argentina) were on tour in Portugal, July 25th to August 8th. After meeting in Colombia, they very successfully performed concerts in Brazil (November 2010) and now in Portugal. The duo play a selection of Fado (Portuguese folk music), Chamame (Argentinean folk music) and Tango (Argentinean urban music) which is the musical bridge between them. Also some musicians from Brazil travelled to play with them, André Ely (7 string guitar), Lucas Rocha (7 string guitar) plus Luis Formiga (Portugal, drums). The tour in Portugal was the first time that Alejandro Brittes had visited Europe. The duo played at the famous Fado house in Coimbra (Centro Cultural aCapella), Palco Z (Tocha), the Ti Chico o Piolho (Praia da Tocha), Centro Cultural e Recreativo da Pena, Festas Vila Nova, and other venues. João Gentil, presently recording a CD titled ConLatinidade’, is also preparing for another tour, and will invite the Spanish jazz-flamenco singer Celia Mur for a musical sharing of the Spanish music Coplas and the Fado. The project name is ‘Iberacion’, which means a collaboration of the 2 Iberian countries. Joao Gentil (bandoneon, accordina and accordion) will also play with Miguel Duarte (double bass, guitar). concert dates in September include: September 9th and 10th – Casino Figueira September 13th – Centro Cultural aCapella, Coimbra September 14th – Grande Hotel Caldas, Felgueira September 16th – Fabrica Braço Prata, Lisbon For further information email: joaogentil1@gmail.com |
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John Connolly Bows Out, Ohio – USAby Harley Jones |
![]() “I would like to announce that after 50 years as a musician, singer and entertainer I have officially retired,” he posted on his website. “I really enjoyed making people happy as they sang and danced when we performed. I thank everyone who supported me and my music for half a century.” Toledo, Ohio-based Connolly, aged 65, grew up in the village of Castleconnell in County Limerick before emigrating to the US, where he worked for the Chrysler Corporation before later serving as community service director for United Auto Workers. He became a bar owner in 1978, opening John Connolly’s Irish Pub and Gossips. During this time, he would tour the country playing traditional Irish music, even taking trips back to his homeland to perform. Comically, if John Connolly has any regrets, one would be singing the Irish classic ‘Danny Boy’ against his will, he told the local newspaper Toledo Blade. “There was one song I hated: 'Danny Boy’,” he laughed. “Every place I went people wanted to hear 'Danny Boy,' sometimes three or four times. And you had to do it and you had to pretend like you liked it.” Connolly, who has released four CDs over the years, plans to continue his work on ‘Echoes of Ireland’, a Sunday morning radio show he hosts on WCWA-AM 1230. |
Feugo Lento’s new CD 'Un Sueno Raro', Sydney – Australiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() The quintet was formed in 2007 to perform in concert traditional Tangos and Milongas, the more nuevo tangos of Piazzolla as well as perform new original compositions. Feugo Lento are Elizabeth Jones (accordion), Daniel Weltlinger (violin), Julian Gough (alto sax), James Menzies (double bass), and Daniel Wallace-Crabbe (piano). For further information email: fisaccord@hotmail.com |
'14 Years Ago’ – News from Japan in 1997by Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for September 5th 1997 included details of the then forthcoming 9th Accordion Contest in Kantou, Japan. It would be good to hear more about present day accordion activity in Japan. 9th ACCORDION CONTEST IN KANTOU, JAPAN Contributed by Toru Katou The 9th Accordion Contest in Kantou, Japan, will begin on September 7th at 10am with the solo section in Higashi Murayama City, Tokyo. Classes include: under 18 years, to over 50 years as well as a beginner class for less than 3 years playing experience. Competition music is own choice, but may not exceed 5 minutes duration. The ensemble section commences on September 21st at 10am in Akabane, Tokyo. Classes include: Class A ensemble of accordions Class B small ensemble of accordion and other instruments, without a conductor Class J large ensemble of accordion and other instruments, with a conductor Music in these classes is also own choice but must not exceed 6 minutes duration. The judges will include nine professional accordion teachers: Noboru Emori, Yushi KawaguchI, Sonki Kinoshita, Hideo Nakayama, Tadashi Nishio, Masaaki Hamana, Yuji Matunaga, Hideaki Yamaoka, Tsuneko Ogawa. For further information email: ken4425@ka2.so-net.or.jp (Mr Ken Ikeda, Japan) |
Future events |
Fourth International Accordion Festival Zug – Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
![]() 15 September, Swiss premiere of Johanna Juhola and group (Finland), tangos and all passionate music. 16 September, Gurzuf (Belarus) is an unusual punk hard rock classic hip-hop fold duo. 16 September, Folka (Switzerland) is a traditional Swiss folk group with accordionist Julian von Flüe. 17 September, Gabby Young & Other Animals (UK) is an 8 piece band with Bill Laurence (accordion). 17 and 18 September, Martha telling stories (out of the case) with accordion, children. 20 September Kepa Junkera (diatonic) and Inigo Olazabal (percussion) from Spain. 21 September, Chango Spasiuk (accordion) and Marcelo Delamea (guitar) from Argentina. 22 September, Christy Doran' s Bunter Hund (Switzerland) band with Patricia Draeger (accordion). For further information, email: info@akkordeonfestival.ch |
Tony Kearney Gigs, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() September 9th – The Ship, Tottenham High Rd, Tottenham September 10th – Irish Centre, Reading September 11th – Ceili, Irish Centre, Camden Town September 17th – Mazenod Club, Quex Rd, Kilburn September 18th – Gregorian Arms, Bermondsey For further information email: starr63@gmail.com |
Concert of Baroque Music, Paris - Franceby Harley Jones |
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Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham Tour Dates, Scotland, Berwick – UKby Rob Howard |
September 10th – Linlithgow Academy, Braehead Road, Linlithgow, Scotland September 11th, 7.30pm – The Maltings Theatre, Eastern Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1AJ, England September 15th – Cumbernauld Theatre, Kildrum, Cumbernauld G67 2BN, Scotland September 16th, 7.30pm – Paisley Abbey, Renfrewshire PA1 1JG September 17th, 7.30pm – Alhambra, 33 Canmore St Dunfermline KY12 7NX September 22nd – Carnegie Hall, Clashmore IV25 3RG September 23rd – The Universal Hall, The Park Findhorn IV36 3TZ September 24th, 7.30pm – The Music Hall, 21 Huntly St, Aberdeen AB10 September 26th, 7.30pm – Ayr Town Hall, New Bridge Street, Ayr KA7 1JX September 27th – The Ryan Centre, Fairhurst Road, Stranraer DG9 7AP September 29th – St Cuthbert Parish Church, St. Mary’s St, Kirkudbright October 1st, 8pm – Queen’s Hall, 85 - 89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh EH8 9JG November 26th, 7.30pm – A St Andrew's Party with RSNO, Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall St. Glasgow G2 3NY November 27th - 2 course dinner & concert 6.30pm, £40; concert only £25 at 8.15pm, Dalmeny Kirk, Dalmeny Village (near S.Queensferry) |
Accordion Matinee for Heritage Day, Wiesbaden - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() The matinee begins at 11.15 am with the possibility afterwards to tour the church and view the baroque organ. The accordionists program includes works by Frescobaldi, Schmidt, Scarlatti, and Olsen Sokolow For more information contact MirjanaPetercol@gmx.de |
Breton Music and Dance in Belfast, Northern Ireland – UKby Rob Howard |
BreizhEire is very happy to announce its first event in Belfast, on Saturday September 17th, with musicians from France and the west of Ireland! This will be a day of Breton Music and Dance, including dancing and workshops. Breton button accordionist Eric Cabedoce will introduce Breton tunes, rhythms and techniques in an Accordion Workshop at Madden's Bar, 74 Berry St, Belfast BT1 1. A Breton ceili takes place, 3.30pm, at the Ah Droichead Centre, 20 Cooke St, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2EP. Pre-booking is advised. For further information email: breizheire@gmail.com |
Victor Prieto’s September Schedule, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() September 10th – with Emilio Solla group, Hastings on Hudson Festival, Westchester, NY September 12th, 7.30pm – master class ‘Playing Outside the Box’, Berklee College of Music, David Friend Recital Hall, Boston, Massachusetts September 13th, 9pm – Iridium, NY September 15th – Terraza 7 Live, 40-19 Gleane Street, Elmhurst 11373, NY For further information email: vpcruz@gmail.com |
Soirée Accordéon et Bal with Eric Bouvelle and Yves Moulin, Orsières - Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
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Ian Watson Concert Performances – Scotland, Germany, Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() September 23rd and 24th - Glasgow Fruit Market, Scotland, with Icebreaker, 3 performances of 'Apollo', with film and Brian Eno September 29th - Bonn, Germany, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, premiere of new piece by Rebecca Saunders. September 30th - Ghent Festival, Belgium - 2 performances on the same night (!) a repeat of BBC Symphony Orchestra from last night and then with Icebreaker - Brian Eno / Apollo For further information email: i.watson99@googlemail.com |
‘The Great American PolkaFest’, Nevada – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Corky Bennett will be the MC for this exciting polka extravaganza, which features the polka bands The Gruber Family Band, The Steve Balich Polka Band, and The Ron Borelli Polka Band. Dancing will begin each day at 12pm and end at 9pm. For those who like to jam, there will be sessions from 9am to noon on Tuesday morning. The festival includes a ‘Chef inspired’ snack bar and a wide variety of refreshments. For further information email: monica@cbproductions.net |
New and Updated Sites |
September Accordion USA News Online 1st Septemberby Rita Barnea |
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September Accordion USA News Online 1st September |
September2011 Diatonic News Online 1st Septemberby Werner Weibert |
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September2011 Diatonic News Online 1st September |
September 2011 Accordion Russia News Online 1st Septemberby Yulia Amerikova |
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September 2011 Accordion Russia News Online 1st September |
Sergey Osokin New CD Titled 'IL Cinema Per Sempre' - Russiaby Sergey Osokin |
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Sammy Pizzata and Nunzio Mondia releasing their new CDby Sammy Pizzata and Nunzio Mondia |
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
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