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Highlights |
Daily Reports For 40th PIF International "Città di Castelfidardo" - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() ![]() There will be Daily Reports of pictures, video and results each day of the event at: 2015Concorso Guest performers include: Yuri Shishkin, Renzo Ruggieri, Riccardo Tesi e Banda Italiana, Duo Paris Moscou of Roman Jbanov and Domi Emorine, Cesare Chiacchiaretta, Roberto Lucanero, Antonio Spaccarotella, Christian Riganelli, Vincenzo Abbracciante, Ivano Battiston, plus many other performers and a very large number of contestants in the different categories. The schedule is online along with the rules and other information at: 2015Concorso |
Friedrich Lips New CD Released, Fachwerk | Kapote - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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![]() 1. Fachwerk by Sofia Gubaidulina (1931 - ) composed in 2009 for accordion with percussion and string orchestra. 33.44 mins This was recorded in Moscow’s Gnesin Concert Hall on December 13th, 2013, Friedrich Lips soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Gnesin Music Academy, conducted by Alexander Solovyov. 2. Kapote by Giya Kancheli (1935 - ) composed in 2006 for accordion with percussion, bass guitare and string orchestra. 28:24 This was recorded by the ”Orpheus” Radio Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Sergei Kondrashev. Notes about these two major works by Friedrich Lips are on the website about the Fachwerk | Kapote CD at: CD027 You can order online in Euro or US$ via the high security eCommerce site run by WorldPay.com, one of the world's largest payment processing system. |
Carrefour Mondial de l'Accordéon Festival, Quebec – Canadaby Viivi Maria Saarenkylä |
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![]() This year the annual festival brought together more than 70 artists from around the world and around 35,000 spectators to enjoy accordion music in all of its forms for five intense festival days. Concerts and presentations took place in three main outdoor stages around the town center as well as in a couple of concert halls and indoor stages from early mornings until late evenings. The museum of accordion attracted visitors to learn more about the history of the instrument and the main road of the town was used for a handicraft market and street musicians. The 3 hour Opening Concert on Friday 4th September was a thrilling overview of the festival's program. A dozen of the international artists were on stage showing what the festival offered, with accordion music for every taste. The mostly American-Canadian audience seemed to love everything - from traditional Québecois music to Vivaldi and everything in between - they stood up to applaud every artist. Different diatonic accordionists and traditional music was widely presented at the festival. Young Canadian one-row diatonic virtuoso Timi Turmel with his trio enjoyed huge success right from the Opening Concert. He interpreted traditional Québecois and Irish music with astonishing virtuosity and speed - all with great musicality. One of the most interesting discoveries was also a Belgian duo Didier Laloy (diatonic accordion) and Kathy Adam (cello). Connection between these two musicians having played together more than 20 years was profound and the intensity of their performance deeply captivating. Their compositions were at the same time fierce and melodic, acrobatic and original, even rock. A French-Russian duo François Heim and Alexeï Birioukov offered a delighting and fresh mix of diatonic and balalaïka. Traditional Spanish music culture was presented by duos Erica Weigand & Elias Porter from Catalonia and A Cadiera Coixa. Irish brothers Niall and Cillian Vallely played melodies from their home country with concertina and uilleann pipes. Frenchmen Roberto Santiago presented latin/Bolivian tradition with diatonic accordion and duo Étienne Grandjean (diatonic) and Soïg Siberil (guitar) offered a dulcet set of trad folk songs from Bretagne. The special events of traditional music of Québec and traditional dance of Québec featuring dozens of local American accordionists earned both a huge public interest as well. Besides the ethnic music also jazz, classical music and variété was present. Russian Roman Jbanov & his sister Anna (picture above) performed diverse classical repertoire with bayan accordion and piano, sensibly and purely. So did Italian piano accordionist Mirco Patarini (picture below) performing rather classical melodies and well-known compositions with elegance. New winds of virtuoso and variété music was presented by the young Finnish accordionist Viivi Maria Saarenkylä (picture below), the winner of Castelfidardo international accordion competition in 2014, who surprised public with a repertoire from Chick Corea to Tango Nuevo and Michael Jackson. Intriguing French/Basque duo Bilika: Didier Ithursarry (chromatic accordion) & Kristof Hiriart (vocals/percussions) drew lots of attention and interest with their unique music exploring somewhere between the traditional Basque music and free improvisation. Their performance was a deep dive into the roots with a very fresh touch. Chromatic accordion master David Venitucci together with singer-actor Annick Cisaruk offered a brand new project consisting songs of Barbara and Léo Ferré. French jazz was also played by the ensemble Quartier Libre. Overall the artistic set of the festival was so wide and diverse it is impossible to count them all. Carrefour Mondial de l'Accordéon truly succeeded in showing the magic of the accordion. |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Inside Diatonic Accordion, Music by Andrej Gropajc - Sloveniaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
We often wonder what is happening in the accordion when we are playing, what is hidden in it, how does it all work? Hence the idea to try to capture on video and show the inside of the accordion and what is happening while you play. Published on Sep 1, 2015 Music title: Po hitrih poteh. Players: Andrej Gropajc, Diatonic accordion: Beltuna Alpstar IVDR (LUPINC) Guitar: Jani Rednak Bass: Jani Rednak Sponsors: Beltuna Accordions, Inmuzik and Kleva Films. |
Sharon Shannon CD/DVD ‘In Galway’ – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
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![]() Tracks: The Bungee Jumpers, Coridinio, Rathlin Island, The Midnight Special/Windchime, Little Bird, Reel Beatrice, The Woodchoppers, Neckbelly/Gaffo’s Ball, Duo In G, Cavan Potholes, Backbird, James Brown’s March/Mouth of the Tobiqu, The Galway Girl/Music For A Found Harmonium, The Shining, Sandy River Bell. Sharon Shannon has done much to promote the accordion in her home country. She is renowned for her collaborations, not just in Irish traditional music, but through other genres, such as Hip-Hop, Cajun, Country, Classical and even Rap. She has recorded and toured with a who's who of the Irish and Global Music Industry, including Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The Chieftains, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, Alison Krauss and Shane MacGowan - a list that demonstrates Sharon's versatility. She has entertained US Presidents Clinton and Obama and Irish Presidents Robinson and MacAleese. She has worked with Hollywood film directors Jim Sheridan in a production of ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ and played a cameo role in Neil Jordan’s film ‘Ondine’ alongside Colin Farrell. She has had multi-platinum album sales and has had several number one albums, singles and DVDs in her home country. Her album ‘Galway Girl’ went 4 times platinum in Ireland with the title track winning her the Meteor award two years running for most downloaded song. Currently touring the UK as well as working on a book on her life, Sharon is a passionate animal lover and does a lot of voluntary work and fundraising for various animal rescues and supports many other charities. Sharon has recently become an ambassador for ‘Building Of Hope’, a charity that brings practical help, education support and care to young people in The Third World. |
Video: Petar Maric at VI Festival Internacional "Acordeão em Espectáculo" - Portugalby Harley Jones |
Published on Aug 6, 2015, Petar Maric (Serbia) at the VI Festival Internacional "Acordeão em Espectáculo" in Caria, Portugal. Video by Francisco Pinto. |
Renzo Ruggieri "Up To Christmas" €10 CD Special - Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() There are sound samples online so you can hear the vast array of music on these 11 CD's. If you buy all 11 CD's, the postage within Europe is for €11 and outside Europe €21 Euro. Email musicforaccordion@yahoo.com for how to order all 11 CD's. The online shopping basket links to the high security eCommerce site run by WorldPay.com, one of the world's largest payment processing system. Click the links below to hear sound samples and to order. rruggieri01 Improvvisazioni Guidate rruggieri02 Storie di Fisarmonica Vissuta rruggieri03 Accordion Voyage rruggieri04 Bends rruggieri05 Spaghetti Time rruggieri06 Terre rruggieri07 Renzo Ruggieri Collection rruggieri08 Kramer Project - Renzo Ruggieri Orchestra rruggieri09 Opera? rruggieri10 Inni D'Italia rruggieri11 Valentino è Tango |
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Video: Duet 'LiubAnya' Perform 'Those Were The Days' - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Duet ''LiubAnya" Perform 'Those Were The Days'. Published on Mar 30, 2015. |
Tom Izzo Plays Accordion Ending Michigan State's 4 Game Trip to Italy - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() The Spartans kicked off their trip with a 98-54 win over Basket Fiorentina - but dropped their next three games to the Russian Senior National Team, the Italian national team, and Georgia's national team. They lost to the Georgia national team by one point after Bryn Forbes missed a 40-foot shot at the buzzer to win the game. Even though the team came back from Europe with just one win, Izzo was happy with what the team took away from the trip. "This trip was as good as anything I've done in my 20 years," he said in an article posted on Michigan State's athletics website. The last time Izzo was seen playing the accordion in public was at last season's Midnight Madness, where he played to 'Rock All Night' dressed as a member of KISS. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Coupe Mondiale all set for London in October 2001by Rob Howard |
![]() World Accordion Championships in London – England Contributed by Kevin Friedrich This year the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships will be held at the Cumberland Hotel in Central Harrow, London, hosted by the National Accordion Organization of the United Kingdom (NAO). All activities take place at either the Cumberland Hotel, or in Halls close by, including the magnificent Church Hall. This is the first time the event has been held in the UK since 1984 and this year’s Coupe Mondiale promises to be an exceptional event, not to be missed! Young musicians worldwide will be given the opportunity to compete for the distinction of winning the world title in a variety of categories which has grown to include: Coupe Mondiale, World Accordion Championships Junior Coupe Mondiale, World Accordion Championships Virtuoso Entertainment Music Competition Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Music Competition NAO/CIA Piano Accordion Competition Chamber Music Competition (to be introduced in 2002) To date (with more arriving each day), the competition has attracted a record number of entries as follows: Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships: 21 Junior Coupe Mondiale, World Accordion Championships: 17 Virtuoso Entertainment Music Competition: 11 Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Music Competition: 8 Piano Accordion Division: 18 The event will also include a concert recital by Alexander Dmitriev, a final "Gala Concert & Prize Presentation" and the CIA Congress. |
Future events |
Noirfest 2015, Vancouver – Canadaby Rob Howard |
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The 8th annual festival Noirfest 2015 takes place from September 10th to 13th at venues in Vancover, including Western Front, Wise Hall, and Spartacus Books. The guest artists include Wendy McNeill (Spain/Canada), Angélica Negrón & Shayna Dunkelman (New York), Geoff Berner (Canada), Kate and Rich Duo (Nova Scotia), Flying Machines (Vancouver), Compassion Gorilla (Victoria), Ana Bonbon (Vancouver), Rattletrap Ruckus (USA), Svetka and the Raven (Victoria), The Wayward Hearts (Vancouver), and Steve Normandin (Quebec). For further information email: accordionnoirfest@gmail.com |
Gorka Hermosa Conference/Concert, Zarautz – Spainby Rob Howard |
![]() Gorka Hermosa is one of Spain’s foremost concert accordionists, composers and teachers. He is Professor of Accordion at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory, Valladolid, where he teaches accordion, chamber music, harmony, fundamentals of composition, analysis and aesthetics. |
The Brandon McPhee Show, Aberdeen – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Brandon McPhee, who plays a Shand Morino button accordion, is an All Scotland Champion and has made several CDs and DVDs. He also sings Country & Western songs, accompanying himself on guitar. |
Stanislav Angelov performs Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, Western Cape - South Africaby Rob Howard |
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On Saturday September 12th, 7pm, the ever popular Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ will be performed by Stanislav Angelov (accordion), Petrus De Beer (violin), and Charles Lazar (double bass). The concert takes place at the Morgansviei Country Estate, Tulbagh, Western Cape. The show presents the genius of Vivaldi in an unusual but highly effective combination. The artists are also joined by local Tulbagh resident, acclaimed blues guitarist Albert Frost, who will add to this eclectic combination demonstrating his versatility and ability to collaborate with artists from all fields. Frost will also give impressions of the seasons from his genre. |
Bird Mancini Band in Beatles Tribute Show, Massachusetts – USAby Rob Howard |
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The Bird Mancini Band perform at the Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis St, Framingham, Massachusetts, on Saturday September 12th, 8pm. The Bird Mancini Band will be opening the show for the fantastic Beatles Solo Years tribute band Afterfab, whose repertoire includes Beatles songs from 1962 until 1970 plus solo songs from 1970 onwards. For further information email: info@amazingthings.org |
Oswaldinho do Acordeon Concert, São Paulo – Brazilby Rob Howard |
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On Monday September 14th, 7pm, Oswaldinho do Acordeon performs in concert at Sesc Consolacao, Rua Doutor Vila Nova, 245, 01222-020 São Paulo, Brazil. Oswaldinho do Acordeon will perform his own original compositions and music written by Richard Galliano, Lee Ritnour, Carlos Santana, Egberto Gismonti, and Luiz Gonzaga. |
Ray Carse @ Castle Douglas A & F Club, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() Ray Carse is best known as one half of The Tartan Lads duo with vocalist Bill Moran, who were popular for 40 years before disbanding in 2012. |
Nihad Hrustanbegovic performs ‘The Four Seasons’, Orléans – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Netherlands-based Bosnian Nihad Hrustanbegovic has recently recorded this work on a CD. For further information email: info@nihad-accordeon.com |
Santa Maria Accordion Band Concert, Valletta – Maltaby Rob Howard |
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The Santa Maria Accordion Band (MD Marthese Busuttil Cassar, L.B.C.A.) perform in concert on Saturday September 19th, 7.30pm, at Pjazza Jean De Valette, Valletta, Malta. The concert features full band, solo and trio items, playing music from genres from all over the world. |
Manchester Klezmer Day, Manchester – UKby Rob Howard |
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Manchester Klezmer Day, takes place on Saturday September 19th, at St Matthew’s Church, Chapel Lane, Stretford, Manchester M32 9AJ. There will be workshops and evening dancing at St Matthew's in Stretford. Bring your own food and drinks. Tea and coffee is provided. St Matthew's has a lovely wooden dance floor. Musicans who attended the workshops have the option of playing for the Klezmer Keilidh or joining in the with the dancing. All musicians are welcome to play in the evening. The dance orchestra will be led by Susi, Josie and Frances, with our expert dance leader Judith Plowman showing you what to do. Workshops, a Klezmer Keilidh and more with Susi Evans, Frances O'Rourke, Josie Wexler and Judith Plowman. Workshops: Susi Evans (clarinet), Frances O'Rourke (piano accordion), Josie Wexler (fiddle), and Judith Plowman (dances). Saturday tickets: Workshops 10-5pm - £20, Klezmer Keilidh 8-11.30pm - £8 Full Day Ticket £25 (workshops & keilidh). On Friday September 18th there is a Klezmer session at Mono Bar in Chorlton from 8.30pm till late - close to Chorlton tram station. Friday session free (collection). For further information email: klezmer@yiddlesticks.com |
Classic Buskers @ Dvorak Festival, Prague – Czech Republicby Rob Howard |
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The Classic Buskers & Neil Henry perform at the Dvorak Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday September 20th, 3.30pm and 5pm. 3.30pm - Open Air concert, Rudolfinum 5pm - Dvorák Hall, Rudolfinum The Classic Buskers are Michael Copley on over 40 woodwind instruments and Ian Moore on one small but perfectly-formed accordion, either pink or yellow. Formerly known as The Cambridge Buskers, they have delighted audiences worldwide with their virtuosity and dry sense of humour. Neil Henry is a magician, who often performs with The Classic Buskers. For further information email: info@dvorakovapraha.cz |
Milwaukee Accordion Club - ‘Bill Anderson with a Little Bit of Heaven' - USAby Sherry Huiras, Milwaukee Accordion Club |
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![]() The band became organized when a few musicians gathered in a church in Hartland, Wisconsin about 20 years ago to provide music for special services, with the goal of every performance, being to create a pleasant experience for its audience. ‘A Little Bit of Heaven’ performs a mixture of polkas, waltzes, 2-steps, novelty songs, old favorites and gospel music. 6:30 pm: Performance by club members 7:30 pm: Brief business meeting 8:00 pm: Bill Anderson with a Little Bit of Heaven Admission is $3 for MAC members; non-members pay $5 Further information about the club at: Milwaukee Accordion Club |
Zoltán Orosz Concert - Swedenby Harley Jones |
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CD Reviews |
CD Review: Pauls Turn - Jazz Accordionby Paolo Picchio |
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New and Updated Sites |
Viivi Maria Saarenkylä Carnevale CD on Internet - Finlandby Harley Jones |
![]() Viivi Maria Saarenkylä (born in 1993) is an award-winning Finnish accordion artist, in 2014, winning the PIF Castelfidardo Senior Variete category. Album tracks are: 01. Carnevale, Renzo Ruggieri 02. Säkkijärven Polkka, Traditional, arranged R Ruggieri 03. Spain, Chick Corea, arranged R Ruggieri 04. Polska 3Bertta4, Jukka Hannula, arranged Tolonen/Saarenkylä 05. Tango En Tres, Giorgio Albanese 06. Tarantella, R Ruggieri 07. The Jackson Medley, Michael Jackson arranged R Ruggieri 08. Tango Italiano, R Ruggieri 09. Waltz for Debby, Bill Evans arranged R Ruggieri 10. Basso Ostinato, Viktor Vlasov 11. Polkka Mollissa, Helmut Ritter CD and eTracks mp3 album (only €9) available online at: Viivi Maria Saarenkylä |
Updated Site: Gorka Hermosa Flamenco Etxea Album - Spainby Harley Jones |
![]() José Luis Montón and Gorka Hermosa offer us in "Flamenco - Etxea" (flamenco house in Basque) a very original fusion of flamenco and Basque music, from his own compositions, to flamenco versions of Bach. |
Mike Middleton New CD Release and Upcoming Performances - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Mike Middleton is a semi professional accordionist who performs mainly for local festivals and charity events, performing all styles of international accordion music. The other members of the group are Clayton Capps (tuba), Lance and Mitch Middleton (drums/percussion). Dr. Mike Middleton is a nuclear medicine physician and Professor of Radiology in Central Texas. He performs mainly on weekends; and a portion of his album sales goes to benefit local charities, including the Scott & White Hospital. The "Accordion To Mike & The Middletones: Back In Texas" CD tracks are: 01. San Antonio Rose (2:38) 02. Jambalaya (3:42) 03. The Blue Danube Waltz (6:11) 04. The Happy Wanderer (1:46) 05. Jonny Oslo Schottische (2:53) 06. Just Because (2:30) 07. L'Amour Est Bleu (Love is Blue) (3:47) 08. Rangers Waltz (2:35) 09. Peanuts Polka (2:16) 10. Somewhere My Love (3:32) 11. Julida Polka (3:39) 12. El Cumbanchero (3:57) Bonus Track 13. William Tell Overture - Excerpts (including the Lone Ranger Theme) (4:43) Upcoming Performances: 4th October, 1-4 pm Heritage House Museum Opening, Pflugerville, Texas. 7th - 8th November, Wurstfest 2015!, (7th - 11:30am, 2:10pm, 5:20pm & 8th- 11:30am, 2:30pm) New Braunfels, Texas. 15th November, Wurstfest 2015! (5:20-6:30pm, & 8:30-9:30pm) New Braunfels, Texas. For further information, view the website: Mike Middleton |
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