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Highlights |
Editor’s Noteby Rob Howard |
![]() This is, of course, an over simplification of history as the French Revolution rapidly brought in a different and violent form of dictatorship in the form of the Reign of Terror, followed by the warlike years of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Fast forward to modern times and Bastille Day is celebrated in France and around the world to the sound of the accordion. In France and many other countries accordionists will be out performing everywhere, and it would be great to hear from players and spectators about the gigs they are involved with. Your correspondent will be, with other accordionists, performing at the Altrincham French Festival, Cheshire, UK, on Sunday July 13th, 11am until 2pm. Vive l’accordeon! |
39th PIF International "Città di Castelfidardo", Ancona – Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() The 39th International Città di Castelfidardo Prize and Award for accordion soloists and groups will take place from the 18-21st September 2014 and will be open to all accordionists. The competition includes solo, group and orchestra sections for different ages, for Classical, Chamber Music, Light Music (varieté, folk, jazz, Latin American repertoire), and World Music categories. Included are sections intended for diatonic accordions, bandoneons and digital accordions. There is also a special ‘Marcosignori’ section (dedicated to the late, great Gervasio Marcosignori, 1927-2013), in which competitors must choose from a list of music associated with the Maestro. Download the rules and entry information in English and then Italian and also the entry form at: 2014castelfidardo Entries must arrive by 24th August 2014. The 2014 program, Reports since 2004 are online at: 2014Concorso |
2014 “Hohner Cup” National Championships, Guiness World Record Attempt - Chinaby Prof. Li Cong, President, China Accordion Association |
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![]() In order to popularize and raise the level of diversification of teaching and playing the accordion, accordion experts and scholars from around the world will gather for the 2014 “Hohner Cup” National Accordion Championships, 18th to 21st July in BaoAn, Shenzhen, Guangzhou (near Hong Kong). Accordionist enthusiasts from all over China and internationally will enjoy in BaoAn, superb diversified accordion performances, accordion lectures, master classes and seminars as well as concerts and competition performances of the highest level by young Chinese and international contestants. Ding Peng, Manager of Hohner China reports: "We have arranged more than 1,300 accordionists to play together at 10:30 am, 20th July 2014. The aim is to make a new Guinness World Record for Largest Accordion Ensemble. An official of Guinness Records, Mrs Lisa Hoffman will attend the event and confirm the numbers participating." The current Guiness World Record "largest accordion ensemble" consisted of 1,137 participants conducted by Martin Tezak at the 2011 Panonika Harmonika Festival in Cerklje ob Krki, in Slovenia on 8 August 2011. 2014 "Hohner Cup" Organizers: Society of Chinese Musicians Association, Accordion Musicians Association, Shenzhen Primary Sponsors: - Hohner Accordion Company - Accordion Musicians Association, Shenzhen. - Shenzhen City Xixiang Valley Cultural Development Corporation Other Sponsors - Bao'an District, - Shenzhen Bao'an District of Shenzhen City Musicians Association - Art Gallery of Mass culture, Baoan - Shenzhen Sports Center Media Support: China Central People's Broadcasting Station reported Xinhua People's Music Rules and information in Chinese language at: 2014Hohner The program and concert posters are online now at: 2014HohnerReport |
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Paul Chamberlain's new CD 'Accordion Sensations' and Tour – UKby Paul Chamberlain |
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![]() Paul also gave a performance at the Apple Store in London as well as St Giles-in-The-Fields Church and concerts in Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge. This week Paul Chamberlain performed on BBC Radio Scotland's 'Classics Unwrapped' Program with Jamie MacDougall at: bbc.in/1pV8Bj1 and is featured in the August edition of the BBC Music Magazine. The CD features: ‘Konzertstück in F minor’ - Carl Maria von Weber ‘Sonata in F# minor - K25’ - Domenico Scarlatti ‘Sonata in G Major - K455’ - Domenico Scarlatti ‘Tango Sensations’ - 1 – ‘Asleep’, 2 – ‘Loving’, 3 - ‘Fear’ - Astor Piazzolla (with Maxwell String Quartet) ‘Sonata No 2’ - Vladislav Zolotariev ‘Le Grand Tango’ - Astor Piazzolla (with Feargus Hetherington - violin) Concert tour dates: July 18th – Lit & Phil, Newcastle (with Michal Haywood - violin, saxophone, whistle) July 19th – Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham, Portsmouth (with Michal Haywood) July 20th – Faversham Parish Church, Kent (with Michal Haywood) August 1st – St George’s, Bristol (Lunchtime recital) August 2nd – Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff, Wales August 3rd – St Tudwalls Church, Pembrokeshire, Wales August 5th – Royal Overseas League, Edinburgh, Scotland August 9th – Royal Overseas League, Edinburgh, Scotland The new CD can be purchased online at: Paul Chamberlain For further information email: paul@theaccordionist.com |
Aleksandar Nikolic World Premiere and Vietnam Symphony Concerts - Germany, Vietnamby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() The world premiere will be performed on Monday 14th July at St. Georg Kirche, Wasserburg Am Bodensee, Germany. A few days later, on 16-17 July, Beltango are featured at the Zurich Tango Festival, Switzerland. On the 20th July Beltango return to Serbia for a concert at Novi Sad. Aleksandar Nikolic as bandeon soloist is performing two concerts, 29th July in Hanoi and 1st August in Ho Chi Minh, with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. This orchestra was founded over 50 years ago and in 2013 made a tour to Japan. "Trilogia" Triple CD Pack online at: Beltango |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Celebration of the Life of Faithe Deffner, July 13, 2014 - USAby Linda Soley Reed, AAA President |
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American Accordionists' Association (AAA) President Emerita, Faithe Deffner passed away in Florida on June 3rd. A Celebration of the Life of Faithe Deffner hosted by Angelica Bargou (picture below) was held on Sunday, July 13 at the Double Tree by Hilton, Tarrytown, New York, immediately following the AAA Open Meeting and Breakfast. Video 1: Slide show prepared by Joan and Dan Grauman was shown at this important memorial event. Our grateful thanks to Joan and Dan Grauman for supplying this. Messages of condolensce to: carmela.busso@gmail.com Official Obituary by Helmi Harrington at Faithe Deffner Obituary |
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Video: Rosinha - Portugalby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() Rosinha began performing professionally and took the initiative to perform at several festivals, using accordion and voice with great success. This lead to recordings (album covers pictured) and being promoted by Moínho da Música, with popular success for her musical career with accordion and vocals and band. For further information email: rosinha@moinhodamusica.com |
8th International Accordion Festival of Lorraine 4th - 6th July - Franceby Grayson Masefield |
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Last weekend the L'accordeon Club Lorrain held their 8th consecutive international festival, held in three towns in the Lorraine Region of France, organised by Pierre Aloi. This event was also the 30th Anniversary of the L'accordeon Club Lorrain. There were performances from L'accordeon Club Lorrain Orchestra directed by Richard Telatin (picture above) and Guest Artists included the Orchestra Les Amis de L'Accordion from Luxembourg conducted by Daniel Pagliarini, Raffaelle Crusco from Italy, Ludovic Beier from France (picture lower left) and Grayson Masefield from New Zealand (picture lower right). Each night was a performance in a new town (Vandoeuvre, Guenange and Homecourt) and each concert was well received with standing ovations and presentations from the Mayors of each town. |
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Book Available: Paolo Gandolfi - Romanzo di una Fisarmonica - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() For non Italian speakers, Paolo Gandolfi is performing at: 8:20 and 18:58 and 34:30 and 50:11 and 1:07:06 The book covers the story of Paolo Gandolfi, a young man from an Italian rural family who in the fifties was winning international accordion competitions at the age of 21. In his career Paolo Gandolfi has played at the Olympia Theatre in Paris and the Carnegie Hall in New York, he has played for Pope John XXIII and for Robert Kennedy, and shared the stage with Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet and Luciano Pavarotti. The book notes his great friends, Gervasio Marcosignori the accordion poet and Frank Marocco, the great American jazz accordionist, and covers his very interesting life of accordion and travels with the accordion to so many countries. The book (in Italian language) is available online, €16,50 or US$ equivalent at: gandolfibook101 |
Accordions Salute the Tour de France, England – UKby Rob Howard |
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The 2014 Tour de France began in Leeds, Yorkshire, and proceeded through York, Cambridge and other places before crossing the channel to France. Accordionist Steve Roxton performed to the crowds in Leeds, whilst at Cambridge accordionists Dawn Loombe and Bert Santilly did likewise. The UK stages have received strong government backing, with HRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry present at the opening in Leeds, and with a flypast by the famous RAF Red Arrows. The Tour De France began in 1903, and through the years has regularly featured accordionists in France at key stages along the route. Yvette Horner and Andre Verchuren are two who have performed many times in the past. Accordionist Karen Street is accompanying the 2014 race, in a vintage Citroen used by Yvette Horner, all the way from Yorkshire to Paris. Karen Street is doing it in homage to Yvette Horner, 92, who was the Tour’s official accordionist from 1952 to 1963. |
Video: Antonio Figueroa Performs "Gracias Dios" - Argentinaby Harley Jones |
Antonio Figueroa performs his own composition "Gracias Dios" (Thank God) which he wrote and plays on a standard bass accordion. Two more videos of Antonio Figueroa performing his own compositions are online at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=12-Apr-2013&lang=en#art7035 |
‘14 Years Ago’: Ian Watson and David Farmer Graduation on June 30th 2000by Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() These and many more graduations are a testimony to the successful teaching of Professor Owen Murray producing very high level successful graduates. Professor Murray has held his position at the RAM since 1986. GRADUATION CEREMONY – England Contributed by Owen Murray The Royal Academy of Music graduation ceremony took place at St Marylebone Parish Church on June 30th. Two accordion graduates, Ian Watson and David Farmer, were awarded the Diploma of the Royal Academy of Music (Dip RAM). This post graduate award is only given to candidates who present an outstanding Final Recital or Final Portfolio, and this year it was wonderful to see two accordionists awarded this coveted diploma. The awards were presented by The President of the Royal Academy of Music, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. |
Video: Tori Trio & Ajda Sticker, Performing in Vienna - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Tori Trio & Ajda Sticker perform Hovdre at the Ehrbar Saal, Vienna. Published on Apr 22, 2014 |
Future events |
Lácides Romero @ Encuentro Internacional de Acordeones - Argentina, Uruguayby Rob Howard |
![]() On July 16th in the East Room of the Usina Vieja, city of Parana, Argentina, there will be a concert involving Lácides Romero, the Raul Varelli Accordion Quintet, and several accordion students of Raul Varelli. On July 17th and 18th Lácides Romero teaches a workshop in the city of Salto, Uruguay, on ‘Methodology - Pentatonic, Modal and Tonal Improvisation’. July 19th – concert in the Legendario Teatro Legendary Theatre, Larrañaga, Salto, Uruguay. This event, organized by Silvio Previale, is expected to involve 100 accordionists from various countries. For further information email: lacidesromero@gmail.com |
International Seminar for Teachers, Lusławice - Polandby Harley Jones |
![]() Klaudiusz Baran (Poland), Mie Miki (Japan), Matti Raantanen (Finland), Bogdan Dowlasz (Poland). Rafal Grzaka (Poland) and Gzegorz Palus (Poland). Organisers are: Stowarzyszenie Akordeonistów Polskich, Centrum Edukacji Artystycznej and Europejskim Centrum Muzyki Krzysztofa Pendereckiego w Luslawicach |
Adrian Ryan’s Forthcoming Dancing Gigs – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
![]() Friday July 11th - Ballykelly Hall, New Ross, County Wexford Saturday July 12th - John Paul's Bar, Old Parish, Dungarvan, County Waterford Sunday July 13th - Ballyglass Country House, County Tipperary Monday July 14th – Gandon Inn, Emo, County Laois Wednesday July 16th – The Glendarn Hotel, Castlebaney, County Monaghan Thursday July 17th – Heading to the Olympia Friday July 18th – Walter Raleigh, Cry Youghal, County Cork Saturday July 19th – Racket Hall Hotel, County Tipperary Sunday July 20th – Fitzpatrick’s Country Club, Clonmore, County Tipperary |
Classic Kyiv Duo Tour Dates – UKby Rob Howard |
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The Classic Kyiv Duo - Igor Sayenko and Oleksiy Kolomoiets - from Kiev in the Ukraine, embark on their annual tour of the UK next week. The CKD specialize in transcriptions of classical music, interpreting the works of Vivaldi, Bizet, Rachmaninov, Khachaturian, JS Bach, Strauss, Piazzolla, and more. Igor and Oleksiy write: “While the world is looking after terrible things that have happened in Ukraine during last 6 months, nevertheless the Kyiv Classic Accordion duo is coming back to the UK again this July. We called this year’s tour ‘With Love and Peace from Ukraine’. Their programme will include such masterpieces of classical music as Widor's ‘Toccata’, Rachmaninoff's ‘Vocalise’, Vivaldi's concerto ‘Winter’ from the ‘Four Seasons’. Please, come and enjoy this and much more bright, virtuoso and simply beautiful music. Yours - Igor and Oleksiy”. Tour dates: Saturday July 12th - Thurrock Accordion Club, Essex, England Sunday July 13th Holmfirth Choral Society, West Yorkshire Wednesday July 16th, 8pm - Stockport Accordion Club, Cheshire Thursday July 17th - Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland Friday July 18th - Dumbarton Sunday July 20th - Fortrose Monday July 21st - Thurso Tuesday July 22nd - Dornoch Thursday July 24th - Stebbing, Essex, England Friday July 25th - Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire Saturday July 26th - Great Dunmow, Essex Sunday July 27th - Sible Headingham, Essex Monday July 28th - Black Country Accordion Club, West Midlands Tuesday July 29th - Fareham Thursday July 31st - Swalcliffe, Oxfordshire For further information email: UKtour2014@ukr.net |
‘Storm the Bastille!’, California – USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Is there more to France than Paris? Come party with Les Campagnards and enjoy French country song, music and dance adored by Marie Antoinette, plus Parisian favorites. The cabrette and the grand Bourbonaise bagpipes, vielle ? roue, (hurdy-gurdy), dulcimers, accordion, fiddle and piano will vibe a toe-tingling, foot-stomping, raucous visit to Paris, central France and beyond. Les Campagnards members Alan Keith, Gary Breitbard, Peter Tommerup and Jena Rauti will be joined by Daniel Steinberg, Debra Dawson and Lee Anne Welch. Sing ‘La Marseillaise’ and other French favorites – song sheets provided. Experience the bal folklorique - dance la valse, bourrée, and easy French country dances taught by experienced callers. The event is $13/$18 per person in advance, more at the door. Allow minimum $17 per person for food/drink purchases. For further information email: gary@breitbard.com |
‘I Love My Accordion’ Concert, Pretoria – South Africaby Rob Howard |
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Bogdan Nesterenko Concerts – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() July 20th, 11.30am – Opera, Vichy July 22nd, 8.45pm – with Juliette de Massy (soprano), programme of works by JS Bach, Eglise St Tugen, Primelin (27) July 25th, 8pm – Baroque transcriptions of music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Corelli, Madiran Festival (65) July 31st - with Juliette de Massy (soprano), programme of works by JS Bach, Promusica Festival, Montjoux (26) Bogdan Nesterenko, from the Ukraine but now based in Lille, France, graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Kharkov, Ukraine, where he studied the accordion and piano, conducting, composing, writing and chamber music. He has been soloist with the Regional Philharmonic Kharkov, is the winner of several international accordion competitions, and has given many recitals in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and the Ukraine, some entirely devoted to baroque music, which is rare for an accordionist. For further information email: bogdan.nesterenko@yahoo.fr |
Accordion Master Class with Teodoro Anzellotti, Livorno Music Festival – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() Festival classes take place in the heart of Livorno in the prestigious halls of the wonderful Villa Gherardesca of the Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali “P. Mascagni”. Many concerts, performed by outstanding students of the Festival and their professors, will take place in the most culturally significant city locations. From August 25th to September 8th, 11 master classes will be held by internationally renowned performers and professors from many prestigious music Institutions, such as the Royal Academy of Music, London, the Conservatoire National Supérieur of Paris, and the Hochschule fur Musik in Freibourg and Berne. Thanks to the festivals, some students from previous years are now studying in these eminent institutions. During the course of the festival, instrumentalists, chamber music groups and singers will have the chance to be selected to perform at these concerts and at future festivals. The best instrumentalist or singer or chamber music group will be included in the 2015 programme of concerts at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, one of the most important Italian Music Institution. Scholarships will be offered for a total value of Euro 2.500. For further information email: teodoro@anzellotti.de |
CD Reviews |
“3 Couleurs” CD by Lydie Auvray e AUVRETTESby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
Updated: Faithe Deffner Official Obituary by Helmi Harrington - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() This official Faithe Deffner Obituary has been written by Helmi Harrington, Director of the World of Accordions Museum, Wisconsin, USA, at the request of Faithe Deffner. More pictures and text has been added. Faithe Deffner Obituary |
Donald E Grzanna Releases eTracks Album - USAby Donald E Grzanna |
![]() 'Accordion Music', catalog: dgrzanna201 with sound samples. Music performed by Donald E Grzanna. |
MusicForAccordion.com Site Updatedby Harley Jones |
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The MusicForAccordion.com Site has been updated so that eSheet music (over 2,300 titles) and also printed music (about 1,000 titles) can be searched by any grade from a drop down box. |
Donald E Grzanna Releases eTracks Album - USAby Donald E Grzanna |
![]() 'Plays Around The World', catalog: dgrzanna203 with sound samples. Music performed by Donald E Grzanna. |
Donald E Grzanna Releases eTracks Album - USAby Donald E Grzanna |
![]() 'Holiday For Accordion', catalog: dgrzanna204 with sound samples. Music performed by Donald E Grzanna. |
Oleg Sharov Releases eTracks Album - Russiaby Oleg Sharov |
![]() 'Bayan Collage', catalog: osharov01 with sound samples. Music performed by Oleg Sharov. |
Oleg Sharov Releases eTracks Album - Russiaby Oleg Sharov |
![]() 'From Barroco to Jazz', catalog: osharov02 with sound samples. Music performed by Oleg Sharov. |
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