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Highlights |
Coupe Mondiale Hotel Booking and Full Access Badge - Finlandby Minna Plihtari |
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![]() Please note that the number of rooms available is restricted. Finnish Accordion Association President Kimmo Matilla (picture left) warmly welcomes all accordionists and has available, a 'Full Access Badge' being entry to all competitions categories and all concerts for the excellent value of only €80,00. http://bookings.coupemondiale2015.fi/en/ Those attending the 2015 Coupe Mondiale will enjoy 8 categories of international accordion competitions, major concerts including Mika Väyrynen, Maria Kalaniemi & Timo Alakotila, Kimmo Pohjonen and Guardia Nueva with soloists. The final concert will feature the 1st Prize Winner of each competition category in a concert to be broadcast by The YLE Radio Channel 1. |
2015 Asia Pacific Accordion Festival 'Ready to Rock' - China, South Koreaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() This festival, incorporating the annual "Hohner Cup" China Accordion competition is "rocking" from 15th to 18th August on the Costa-Victoria cruise ship as it travels from Shanghai to Jeju Island South Korea and back to Shanghai. Organised by the China Accordion Association (CAA), the event has attracted a total of 2,177 people, 903 candidates, 968 parents and family and 306 teachers. Jury members, guests and competitors have come from Columbia, Brazil, France, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan and Russia. Many competition categories and workshops are scheduled plus there are concerts by (alphabetical order): Pietro Adragna (Italy, picture left), Cao Ye (China), Matteo Petronio (Italy), Varuzhan Shashiyev, (Russia), Shi Xuan (Jessica, China, picture right), Tan Jialiang (China), Maxim Ternovsky (Russia), Wang Zheng Liang (China). Further information at: 2015AsiaPacific |
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Video from the 75th ATG Festival, 60 Years Presentation to Joan C. Sommers - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() The video covers in brief an amazing 60 years of contribution starting as ATG competitor then delegate and teacher of US champions, jury member and in recent years, CIA World Accordion Orchestra founder and conductor. Presented to Joan C. Sommers by the CIA was a hand made and inscribed book by UK delegate Alison Worthington detailing the very significant 60 years of activity within the CIA by Joan Sommers, who is certainly one of the truly amazing accordionists' of the decades. This well researched speech and presentation for the CIA and ATG by Kevin Friedrich is a historic moment that we have been lucky enough to capture on video. Many thanks to Mike Roche (California) for the professional quality videos, Dan Grauman for the editing and to Bruce Lawrie (Texas), sound engineer and photographer. |
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Chihuly Garden and Glass: Accordions on the Restaurant Ceiling, Seattle - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() Featured is a permanent display of glass work by Dale Chihuly, a world renowned artist and on the ceiling of the restaurant is an accordion display. We understand, that Dale Chihuly never played the accordion but he collected accordions and then created this display with his accordions. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Stas Venglevski and Joan Sommers Perform Venglevski Works - USAby Harley Jones |
Immediately after the presentation above, the amazing Joan Sommers was on the stage performing with Stas Venglevski. Video 1: 'Not A Clue' composed by Stas Venglevski Video 2: 'Prelude and Fugue' composed by Stas Venglevski. There is also a CD titled Awakening (catalog vstas05eT) featuring compositions of Stas Venglevski performing with Joan Sommers. Many thanks to Mike Roche (California) for the professional quality videos, Dan Grauman for the editing and to Bruce Lawrie (Texas), sound engineer and photographer. |
Claudio Azzaro 'Walking in My World' CD - Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() Claudio performs a number of popular virtuoso entertainment pieces backed by drums, guitar and double bass. He has won a number of Italian competitions including Recanati, Morro D'Oro, Acquasparta, Ascoli Piceno, Piombino, Laina and has toured in Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany. Claudio Azzaro has been a jury member at important Italian competitions and was the founder and the artistic director with Renzo Ruggieri of the "Accordion Art Festival". |
Video: Jan-Erik Gustafsson (cello) and Mika Väyrynen (accordion) - Finlandby Harley Jones |
Jan-Erik Gustafsson (cello) and Mika Väyrynen (accordion) perform "Le Grand Tango" by Astor Piazzolla at Satahäme Soi Festival, Ikaalinen, Finland. "Le Grand Duo"- concert, 3rd July 2015. (Video: Kimmo Mattila) |
Kyiv Classic Accordion Duo Concert, Staffordshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Igor Sayenko and Oleksiy Kolomoiets, the Kyiv Classic Accordion Duo, were on a three week tour of the UK (16 gigs) when they performed at our club on Tuesday July 21st. Both musicians are from Ukraine and Igor’s home town, Chernihiv, is about 50 miles from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster area. The legacy of this nuclear disaster lives on, so there are many children in Ukraine with very serious health problems. These children don’t get much help from the state, so Igor and Oleksiy try to help by touring the UK to raise money for Felsted Aid for Deprived Children (a registered charity formed in 2003 to help child victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster). As always, our North Staffs Accordion Club members were very generous and, after we’d paid the Kyiv Duo’s charity fee and all the related club night expenses, we were still able to donate £300 to Felsted Aid for Deprived Children. The Kyiv Duo gave us a real treat at our concert on the 21st and their mastery of their accordions was just amazing. They were supported on the night by our very own North Staffs Accordion Band who were very enjoyable to listen to. Igor and Oleksiy began their first set with Widor's ‘Toccata’ and they followed with some wonderful Bach and Vivaldi before treating us to a lovely selection from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’, namely ‘March of the Toy Soldiers’, ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ and ‘Waltz of the Flowers’. To celebrate band member Greta’s birthday during the second set, they delighted us with ‘Happy Birthday to You’, performed in the style of various composers (Mozart, Bach etc). Finally, to end the evening they played a very stirring accordion classic, Monte’s ‘Czardas’. Although language was a challenge, Igor, as he did two years ago, made good contact with the audience and took every effort to announce and add comment with each piece. The evening started at about 8pm and finished with an encore from the Kyiv Duo at about 10.40pm. A great night was had by all and during the interval we raffled twelve prizes - all donated by our very generous club members. The raffle raised £81 and the ‘bucket collection’ raised £86.82. Well done everyone! |
Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix Workshop in Beijing - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Some 13 students participated and on 1st August, which is also Nathalie's birthday, there was a concert and the next day a birthday party (picture left). All the workshop participants (picture below) performed and a number of students played in a fun group to end the concert. Guan Lei who studies at the Shanghai Normal University with Prof. Zhang Guoping is preparing for competitions and she performed part of her concert program. Above is a video taken last week of Guan Lei performing: - Passacaglia by Jürgen Ganzer - Sonata K248 in B flat major by Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata No.4 by Anatoli Kusiakov |
Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra releases New Album - USAby Rob Howard |
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The new album by Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra titled Love is released 21 August. The group writes: "What makes The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra’s 9 new love songs unique is that it collects differing experiences into one harmonized narrative, teasing apart the layers and revealing how hard good people work to be good to each other. It’s an album that speaks to the consequences of love in its many forms, seeing it as both sugar and lemons, suggesting that to have one without the other would make the recipe incomplete." Ian Griffiths is the group accordionist and also performs vocals, keyboard and shruti box. |
Video: Amy Jo Sawyer and Joe Natoli Perform España - USAby Dan Grauman |
Video: From the ATG 75th Anniversary Festival. Amy Jo Sawyer and Joe Natoli perform España, a composition by Amy Jo Sawyer. Amy Jo Sawyer is a prolific composer and arranger of music for accordion solo, duo and larger groups, up to accordion orchestra. Amy Jo, who is currently Second Vice President of the ATG, has been a very active member of the organization and was its President from 1995-1999. Amy Jo was the ATG representative to the 1956 Coupe Mondiale in Bienne, Switzerland. Joe Natoli, also a composer and arranger, is a renowned accordionist, who is equally versatile on the acoustic and digital accordion. Joe was the 1972 American Accordionists’ Association United States Champion and represented the AAA at that year’s Coupe Mondiale in Caracas, Venezuela. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Accordion Camp in China in August 2001by Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() Accordion Camp at Tourist Resort – China Contributed by Li Cong In July, over 180 people took part in a week long accordion camp held at the famous tourist resort of Beidahe Beach in North Beijing. The camp, which was organized by the Beijing Office of the Chinese Accordion Association included three different training classes that ran simultaneously. These classes included a "Button Accordion Teachers class" with participants from 15 different cities in China. Tutors included Li Yan Sheng (Beijing) and Zhang Xiang Min (Hunan Province) who covered information on the lay-out of the B system button accordion. The second class covered impromptu accompaniment. Tutors Huang Li Fang (Haerbin Normal University) and Sun Han Qing (Beijing) worked with 51 participants. The third class covered "Training for Accordion Examinations". Over 100 students from Beijing, Heilongjiang, Hunan, Shandong, Hebei, Guiyang and Shanxi attended the course, tutored by Shang Yuan Chang and Du Ning (who were asked to take this course by the Chinese Accordion Association Accordion Examination Office). Course participants also took part in army training, games and beach sports, with camp fires on the beach each evening. This is the 6th time this successful summer camp has been held. |
Future events |
Alex Meixner Tour Dates – USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() August 14th, 6-10pm – PlattDuetsche Park, Franklin Square, NY August 15th, 5-9pm - Asbury Festhall & Biergarten, Asbury Park, NJ August 16th, 3.30-7pm – Muskifest, Bethlehem, PA August 18th, 7pm – Reichenbach Hall, New York City August 19th – with Britt Connors & The Bourbon Renewal, Johnny D’s, Somerville, MA August 20th – Hofbrau Bierhaus, Patchogue, NY August 21st – Evergreen Club, Fleetwood, PA August 23rd – Alpine Oktoberfest, Honesdale, PA August 24th – Elizabethtown Fair, PA August 28th – Tampa International Fair, FL September 4th to 7th – Cleveland Oktoberfest, Berea, OH September 9th to 12th – Choctaw Oktoberfest, OK September 13th – Slavtoberfest, Sugar Creek, MO September 19th – German American Oktoberfest, New York City September 20th - PlattDuetsche Park, Franklin Square, NY Alex Meixner, described by a critic as a “polka man of the 21st Century”, is one of the leaders of a new wave of polka bands, which are bringing the music to a new generation. "We know the traditional repertoire, but we are evolving the music and playing other styles. Polka musicians used to play big band music, because it was popular then," says Meixner. He adds jazz, pop, folk, and world music to his show, as well as a variety of polkas. Meixner is carrying on a family musical tradition of four generations. He began performing when he was 6 years old, with his father, Al, in the family band, and he has appeared on more than 50 recordings, including the 1994 Grammy winning ‘Music and Friends’ by Walter Ostanek. Since 1995 he has led his own band. His main instruments are accordion and trumpet, although he can also play keyboards, bass, drums, and many different horns. ‘Polka Freak Out’, his 2007 release, was nominated for a Grammy in 2007. The latter is described on the CD cover as "A collection of songs mixing elements of polka styles from around the world ... on top of a Tex-Mex rhythm section and enveloped in a pop-rock aesthetic." His latest, ‘Three Ring Circus’, mirrors the variety in his live shows. His original songs are mixed in with polkas from many cultures. There is even an Irish dance rocker. And to ensure the disk's polka authenticity, one of the 23 tracks is titled "Is Anything Better than Beer?" For further information email: info@alexmeixner.com |
Lácides Romero Workshops – Argentina, Uruguayby Rob Howard |
![]() On August 13th Lacides Romero held a harmony workshop for accordion at the Anconetani Accordion Museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On Saturday August 15th he will hold a workshop on improvisation in San Jorge, Uruguay, where he will be also serving as a jury member for the 15th Latin American Accordion Championships. Lacides will present a workshop on methodology and improvisation on Wednesday August 19th at the University of Buenos Aires, and on Friday August 21st will present the same workshop at the University of Montivideo in Uruguay. For further information email: lacidesromero@gmail.com |
NHAA Meeting, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
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The New Hampshire Accordion Association monthly meeting takes place on Saturday August 15th, 12.30pm until 4pm. Members are strongly encouraged to bring music to share during the Just-for-Fun segment. Bring one song or many, single or multiple parts, any style, any genre you like - the more variety, the better. NHAA meets at Accordion Connection, LLC, 136 Route 106, Gilmanton, NH 03237. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
Festival d'accordéon, Voulême – Franceby Rob Howard |
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Marco Lo Russo Baltic Summer Tour – Poland, Lithuaniaby Rob Howard |
![]() From August 16th to 20th Marco Lo Russo will be involved in the filming of a video at the Zawierce Ogrodzieniec castle, near Krakow, with the Polish singer and actor Artur Gotz, performing songs written by singer-songwriter Agnieszka Chrzanowska. After some great performances in July with the Lithuanian accordionist Aurelija Matuleviciute in the project Sensual Duo, Marco Lo Russo returns to Lithuania for some TV interviews, performances, concerts, and talk shows in Palanga, Nida, Kleipeda, and Vilnius. For further information email: dina@marcolorusso.com |
Stanislav Angelov Quartet Concert, Johannesburg – South Africaby Rob Howard |
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Stanislav Angelov’s Balkan & Gypsy Swing Quartet perform in concert on Thursday August 20th, 8.30pm, at The Orbit, 81 de Korte St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Stanislav Angelov, born in Bulgaria, began playing the accordion at the age of seven. Having studied jazz and tango, he also plays the bandoneon. He leads the popular CT Tango Ensemble, and is one of South Africa’s most active accordionists. |
Steve Albini’s ‘Il Sole’ Gigs, California – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() August 15th, 12.45pm and 4pm - Festa Coloniale Italiana, Italian Festival, North Beach, San Francisco, CA August 22nd, 1.40pm – Cotati Accordion Festival, CA August 24th – San Rafael Joe’s Charity Golf Tournament, Indian Valley Golf Club, Novarto, CA September 26th, 5pm – Nevada County Italian Festival, Grass Valley, CA October 9th, 1pm – Columbus Day Civic Celebration, Cristoforo Colombo Club, San Rafael, CA October 17th – Italian Rootstock Festival, Santa Rosa, CA Monday, August 24, San Rafael Joe's Charity Golf Tournament, Steve and Tatiana perform. Time: TBA. Indian Valley Golf Club, Novato, CA. |
British Chromatic Accordion Course, Shropshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() This weekend is very much instrument specific, and John Kirkpatrick will be looking at what you can get out of the 3-row British chromatic accordion. These sessions will not be relevant for players of the Irish style 2-row accordions, tuned a semitone apart, nor for the usual G/D melodeon, nor for the Continental Chromatic button accordion. John’s is based very much on traditional English music and style. As well as covering the fields of Morris tunes, Country Dance tunes, and folk songs, John will also be looking at the complexities of playing in all the keys available on this gloriously compact instrument, and exploring repertoire that may not be immediately associated with this type of accordion. John Kirkpatrick is one of England’s most respected folk musicians. He has many solo albums to his credit, and has also appeared on recordings by many other artists. The price £140, includes all tuition, Friday night buffet, home-cooked lunches and refreshments. The Gleaning Centre website includes details of local accommodation. For further information email: yj.hart@virgin.net |
Accordion/Violin Duo Evening Concerts, Krakow – Polandby Rob Howard |
![]() The Jascha Lieberman Trio are Jascha Lieberman (violin and viola), Konrad Ligas (accordion), and Józef Michalik (double bass). The Jascha Lieberman Trio members have each performed in various groups playing traditional Jewish music, classical music, and jazz. Not only did the musicians perform on television, radio and in concerts in most countries in Europe and North America but they also recorded several CDs. Jascha Lieberman Trio’s repertoire incorporates elements of the traditional music of Ashkenazy Jews, music of the Balkans, and the compositions based on the style of Jewish folk music. The original compositions of the group’s leader Jascha Lieberman are also included. The musicians look for inspiration in elements of classical music, jazz, and contemporary music. The Jascha Lieberman Trio has played in concerts for Roman Polanski, Shlomo Mintz, Ronald Lauder, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The Trio took part in prestigious European music festivals along with such famous artists as Zubin Mehta, Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky and Nigel Kennedy. |
Folkestone Accordion Festival, Kent – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Half board at the hotel costs £239 per person (£80 deposit), balance to be paid four weeks before the festival, N.B. single room supplement is £30. This festival consists of four days of music the way only accordion players know how! The programme includes concerts by both UK and International leading musicians, and there is a full supporting cast of traders and displays. Over ten hours of classes also run during each weekend. These include orchestras, group and even individual private lessons. Music genres include folk, Scottish, jazz, classical, electronic, and guests are more than welcome to bring their accordions along for both classes and to join in the afternoon guest concerts. For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.co.uk |
Shane Brogan Concerts, Edinburgh – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Shane Brogan, from the west coast of Scotland, studied with Jim Hutcheon, from Ayr. He went on to study music at Napier University, Edinburgh, where he graduated with a diploma in music, specialising in the accordion, piano and composition, and was the first accordionist ever to be accepted by the university. For further information email: s.b.m.p.ltd@gmail.com |
12th Bristol Cajun & Zydeco Festival – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The chief festival guests this year are The Cajun Roosters, Joe Le Taxi, The Po’ Boys, Zydeco Boogaloo, and The Flatville Aces. The festival includes dance tuition with Carol Wilson (Zydeco) and Kay Anderson (Cajun), and jam sessions with Rough Chowder (Cheryl and Ian McIlroy). Home cooked food will be available during lunchtimes and early evenings. For further information, tickets, etc, google the Bristol Cajun & Zydeco Festival website. |
Victoria Tango and Latin Festival, BC – Canadaby Rob Howard |
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The Victoria Tango and Latin Festival takes place from October 1st to 4th. The festival presents tango and other Latin American music and dance from South and Central America, the Caribbean, and Spain. The chief guests are The Ben Thomas Quartet, and there will be dance tuition available. |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Caleidoscopio by Riccardo Centazzo - Italyby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
New CD Valentino è Tango by Renzo Ruggieri - Italyby Renzo Ruggieri |
![]() Renzo writes: "It's not jazz, tango and not even a play with music. In opera singing, drama/text steal the limelight from the music, hence the need to create a formula that would put the music in the foreground without losing the pathos of the story. The formula adopted is "Jazz Concert with a text comment,". It is structured in five scenes, introduced by a text with improvised music in the background (IG in titles means "Guided Improvisations"), followed by the music itself." For reprocessing of famous tangos, Renzo Ruggieri has followed a procedure, freely improvising variations for each song; and at a later stage, he has selected and assembled the music, while maintaining the spirit of the first improvisation. The CD Valentino è Tango is available online, Catalog: rruggieri11 |
New Arrangement, Clair de Lune Available by Peter Wilk - Canadaby Peter Wilk |
Peter Wilk has made available a new arrangement Clair De Lune by Debussy and recorded a video of the arrangement (above). See sample page and to purchase at Catalog: wp507 Six other arrangements and compositions are available at Peter Wilk for online purchase. Shopping basket links to the high security eCommerce site run by WorldPay.com, one of the world's largest payment processing system. |
Charnwood Publish New Douglas Ward Compositions - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
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![]() ![]() Catalog No. DW930 Seven Over Eight Catalog No. DW931 Exaggeration Waltz The homepage of Douglas Ward is also updated. Order from Charnwood Music Publishing using the high security eCommerce site provided by Worldpay. |
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