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Weekly News from Around the World - 14-Nov-2008
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Highlights

Friedrich Lips at 60, Moscow - Russia
Julien ‘Speedy’ Gonzales in Motion! – UK, Russia, France
Online Report of Roland V-Accordion Finals - Italy
2nd International Music Competition, Washington D.C. - USA

Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc.

Jimmy Shand Centenary DVD, Auctermuchty – UK

Future events

Owen Murray & the Smith Quartet in Concert - UK
Duo Balyk Concert Dates – Austria
Presentation of new Frank Marocco CD, Rome – Italy
Veronika Todorova Concert Dates – Germany
C.J. Chenier Concert/Dance, Minneapolis – USA
ZUM CD and DVD Launch, London – UK
John Kirkpatrick on BBC4 – UK
Minnesota State Polka Festival, Medina – USA

CD Reviews

Les Invités

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Highlights

Friedrich Lips at 60, Moscow - Russia

by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

Friedrich Lips will celebrate his 60th birthday on November 18th. He is surely one of the most famous Russian bayanists, known not only in the accordion world but also in general concert music circles.

For more than 30 years, Friedrich Lips has been touring the world and, thus, developing his position as an internationally renowned artiste on his instrument.

The importance of Friedrich Lips' personality and musical creativity will undoubtedly be evaluated as an important factor in the course of accordion history.

Even now, it can already be recognized, that Friedrich Lips, probably more than any other single person, has revolutionised the world accordion scene, developed young accordion artists, inspired established composers, and propelled young artists into the limelight.

These accomplishments have been made possible by his exceptional openness, liberalism, and inner tolerance to contrary ideas. Avoiding the danger of becoming one-sided, yet continuing steadfastly to develop his own musical ideas and convince others of the merits that can be derived from a consistent and well-considered path, he has set standards and an example for the accordion world to follow.

The accordion world owes much to this great teacher and icon of the concert accordion.

For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at

Julien ‘Speedy’ Gonzales in Motion! – UK, Russia, France

by Alexander Dmitriev

After his recent concerts in China, his 4th place in the Classical Coupe Mondiale category in Scotland, Julien ‘Speedy’ Gonzales was invited by Alexander Dimitriev and Alexander Shirunov to perform at the 24th St. Petersburg Accordion Festival, from November 1st to 5th.

Speedy (Hohner Team player) performed at the opening ceremony and at the closing night and the audience gave to him a warm (standing) ovation. Julien Speedy Gonzales will be in Russia next year for a different festival.

The next performances by Speedy will be in Alsace on November 11th to perform for the Hohner France Company, and in Germany for Hohner Germany from November 13th to 17th to perform during the ‘Friedrichschafen Messe’.

For further information email: juliengonzales11@gmail.com

Online Report of Roland V-Accordion Finals - Italy

by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The international Finals of the Roland V-Accordion Festival in Rome were held last weekend.

There is a large online report of the event (2008 Rome Finals) held at the very prestigious Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome with finalists from 17 countries.

Visit 2008 Rome Finals to view photographs and full Daily Reports of the event.

2nd International Music Competition, Washington D.C. - USA

by Alexander Shirunov

The 2nd International Music Competition, Washington D.C. takes place from May 14th to 16th 2009. The competition is organised by NLD Inc., in association with the American Balalaika Symphony Orchestra. The purpose of this competition is to discover and showcase highly gifted musicians, and includes sections for accordion, bandoneon, accordion, bayan, balalaika, clarinet, domra, flute, guitar, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trumpet, tuba, violin, harpsichord, mandolin, and many other instruments.

The competition includes sections for soloists, duos and ensembles, with various age categories. The competition will be divided into 3 rounds: the first round is a ‘selection’ round, and will be held via video-recordings. Intending participants should send a video entry no later than January 15th 2009. Alternatively, the recording can be replaced by performing in front of known musical figures (locally.

The second round is a classification round, being held on May 14th, and the third round is the ‘final’ round, and will be held on May 16th 2009, by means of open/public performance.

For further information email: alex.video@yahoo.com

Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc.

Jimmy Shand Centenary DVD, Auctermuchty – UK

by Rob Howard

Jimmy Shand Jnr, son of the legendary Scottish band leader Sir Jimmy Shand MBE, MA, has launched a DVD, ‘From Miner To Maestro’, featuring the life and music of his famous father. The DVD details the life of the legendary Jimmy Shand, and includes unique, never before seen, personal home film taken by Sir Jimmy and his son over the past 60 years.

Also included are highlights from the 2008 Sir Jimmy Shand Centennial Concert, featuring the Jimmy Shand Jnr. Band, Jack Stalker Scottish Dance Band, Bill Stewart Scottish Dance Band, Colin Dewar Scottish Dance Band, Ian Cruickshanks Scottish Dance Band, and the Graeme Mitchell Scottish Dance and Ceilidh Band.

A new book has also been published with over 100 of Sir Jimmy's own compositions

Sir Jimmy Shand (1908-2000) was the most famous Scottish accordionist of the 20th Century, and achieved lasting international fame through his music. He was a prolific recording artiste, from the 1930s to the 1990s, and composed over 300 tunes and songs. To many people worldwide, Jimmy Shand was Scottish accordion music personified.

For further information email: info@concordemusic.com

Future events

Owen Murray & the Smith Quartet in Concert - UK

by Romano Viazzani

This concert will be held on January 5th 2009 (See attached flier). This is the concert that should have taken place last year but was cancelled due to ill-health. It's nice to see Owen Murray bouncing back to form with this concert where he will play as part of his programme Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean with the famous Smith Quartet. Owen & Smith Quartet 2009 poster

Owen premiered this piece at Aldeburgh after having commissioned it from Poul Ruders, Demark's premier contemporary composer. The programme also includes some Gubaidulina, Schnittke and Abrahamsen.

It's a great testament to the lifetime of work by players like Owen Murray that the accordion now has a vast repertoire of serious music written specially for it, instead of always having to rely on transcriptions of pieces written originally for other instruments, however good a job at interpreting, these players can make.

Owen Murray is well known for his work in producing top flight accordionists at the Royal Academy of Music for the last 22 years. Additionally, Owen Murray has performed with many leading orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sir Andrew Davis, Mark Elder, ( 1998 Proms.) Martyn Brabbins and Jiri Belohlavek, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) under Sir Simon Rattle, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Philharmonia Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Glyndebourne Opera Touring Orchestra under Elgarth Howarth, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the SWF Sinfonieorchestra Baden-Baden and the list goes on. Quite an achievement!

So do try and make it to this concert, whether you live in London or are visiting over the holiday period.

Duo Balyk Concert Dates – Austria

by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

Duo Balyk, Nataša Balyk and Vladimir Balyk

Duo Balyk, Russian-Ukrainian musicians Nataša Balyk and Vladimir Balyk, play bayan and domra. Their forthcoming concert dates are below, and their current program includes pieces by T. Albinoni, J. Ph. Rameau, W.A. Mozart, P.I. Tchaikovsky, S. Joplin, V. Gridin, V. Gorodovskaja, V. Ditelj, M. Jarre, V. Gorodovskaja, F.Lehar, R. Galliano, and M.Theodorakis.

November 15th, 7.30pm – Kultursaal, St. Andrä, Lavanttal, Austria
16th, 10.30am - Landesmusikschule Lienzer-Talboden, Schubertsaal, Lienz
18th, 7 pm - Rehab-Zentrum, Hochegg
19th, 7.30 pm - Neunkirchen, Sparkassensaal der Musikschule
20th, 7pm - Rehab-Zentrum, Bad Tatzmannsdorf
21st – 7.30pm, Kultursaal, Rottenmann
22nd, 7.30 pm - Michael Haydn Gedenkstätte, Stift St. Peter, Salzburg
23rd, 3pm - Landesmusikschule, Perg
25th, 7pm - Waldmüller-Zentrum, Wien

For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at

Presentation of new Frank Marocco CD, Rome – Italy

by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Frank Marocco’s new CD Cover ‘Appassionato’

A presentation of American jazz accordionist’s Frank Marocco’s new CD ‘Appassionato’ will take place during his concert, Monday November 17th, 9 pm, in the Teatro Traiano, Via del Serbatoio, 24
Fiumicino, Rome.

For further information email: info@barvin.it

Veronika Todorova Concert Dates – Germany

by Rob Howard

German-based Bulgarian accordionist Veronika Todorova and her band perform the following dates:

November 16th – Stadttheater, Rüsselsheim
22nd - König-Konrad-Halle, Villmar
29th – Scheuer, Idstein
December 6th – Kurhaus, Wiesbaden

For further information email: detlef.goerke@gmx.de

C.J. Chenier Concert/Dance, Minneapolis – USA

by Rob Howard

C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band perform at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, on November 21st and 22nd, 8pm.

Clayton Joseph Chenier, the son of the great King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, the first Creole accordionist to win a Grammy, is one of the leading Zydeco accordionists.

C.J. Chenier tours extensively in North America and Europe, where he keeps audiences dancing.

ZUM CD and DVD Launch, London – UK

by Rob Howard

ZUM will be performing at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, London, on Sunday December 7th, at 3pm and 7.45pm, launching their brand new CD "ZUM plays Piazzolla" and their new DVD "The Helsinki Sessions".

Zum, featuring accordionist Eddie Hession, play an exciting fusion of styles that includes jazz, tango, gypsy and world music.

For further information email: shop@zum.org.uk

John Kirkpatrick on BBC4 – UK

by Rob Howard

Diatonic button accordionist John Kirkpatrick performs with folk singer Maddy Prior in an ‘Electric Proms’ concert shown on BBC 4 television on November 21st. This concert was recorded at Cecil Sharp House, London, and lasts for one hour.

Kirkpatrick and Prior were both members of the folk-rock band Steeleye Span in the 1970s.

Minnesota State Polka Festival, Medina – USA

by Rob Howard

The Minnesota State Polka Festival takes place at the Medina Entertainment Center, Medina, from March 27th – 29th 2009. The guest artistes booked to date include ‘Full Circle’, featuring Polka Hall of famers Lenny Gomulka, Jimmy Weber, Al Piatkowski, Mike Stapinski, Roger Malinowski and Mike Matousek; Craig Ebel’s DYVersaCo, Eddie Blazoncyk’s Versatones, The Bill Koncar Band, Bruce Bradley Band, Stephanie and her Honky Polka Band, and The Dolina Polish Folk Dancers.

For further information email: paragon@qwest.net

CD Reviews

Les Invités

by Renato Belardinelli

Accordéon Mélancolique are orientated towards defining a world in harmony and pursue their work diligently like a keen gardener would .. but this garden is different .. the gate is open .. it is not inaccessible and exclusive.

CD Reviews Index.

New and Updated Sites

New Accordion Repairs

by Accordion Repairs.co.uk

Acordion Repairs.co.uk www.accordionrepairs.co.uk – accordion repairs made in Italy and many other services available too.

New Music - 'Cajin Mood', 'Zydeco Kid'

by Peter Piccini

Peter Piccini - accordionist, composer, arranger, performer, releases 2 new works for accordion available for purchase online. cat no: pp275 'Cajin Mood', 'Zydeco Kid'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.

New CD - Solo For Two

by Alexander Shirunov and Nadia Guseva

A new site selling a CD titled "Solo For Two" with sound samples. Music performed by Alexander Shirunov and Nadia Guseva. Purchase online.

New CD - W.A. Mozart & Anne Landa Accordeon

by Anne Landa

A new site selling a CD titled "W.A. Mozart & Anne Landa Accordeon" with sound samples. Music performed by Anne Landa. Purchase online.

New Music - 'Temptation'

by Vassily Glubochenko

Vassily Glubochenko - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, and scientist, release 1 new work for accordion available for purchase online, ‘Temptation'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.