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Highlights |
Daily Reports, Harbin 2014 China Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Daily Reports and all results are online for the Harbin 2014 China Summer International Accordion Art Week at: Harbin 2014 |
Coupe Mondiale 2016 Rostov-on-Don Dates Announced - Russiaby Raymond Bodell, President, Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) |
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![]() The event will be hosted by the CIA member, International Music Center "Harmony" (logo left) whose President is the renowned performer and teacher, Yuri Shishkin. International Music Center "Harmony" organize the annual International Festival ‘Accordion Plus' which attracts large audiences (about 3,000 people) and have hosted concerts for many famous accordionists in Rostov-on-Don since 2005. This prestigious event will feature eight categories of competition – Coupe Mondiale, Junior Coupe Mondiale, Masters Coupe Mondiale, Virtuoso Entertainment, Junior Virtuoso Entertainment, Digital and Ensemble categories plus superb concerts. International Music Center "Harmony" offered to host the 2016 Coupe Mondiale three years ago and this will be the first time the Coupe Mondiale has been held in Russia. Rostov-on-Don Airport offers nonstop flights to 35 cities with 147 international flights departing each week from Rostov Airport. The 2015 Coupe Mondiale is being held from 6th to 11th October 2015 in Turku, Finland and the 2014 Coupe Mondiale from 27th October to 2nd November in Salzburg, Austria. |
Closing Date for Entries, 39th PIF International "Città di Castelfidardo" – Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() Download the rules and entry information in English and then Italian and also the entry form at: 2014castelfidardo The program, Reports since 2004 and Daily Reports from 18th September are online at: 2014Concorso The competition, open to all, 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. |
Weird Al Number 1 Album, Petition launched for Super Bowl Show - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Just weeks after Weird Al landed his first number one album in his three decade career, the petition is attempting to influence the NFL's Super Bowl Halftime entertainment choice. The Change.org initiative, created by Ed Ball, has collected over 48,000 signatures as of Thursday morning. Ball writes, "For decades Weird Al has entertained fans, young and old, with his popular clever parodies and unique sense of humor. Having him headline the Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show would not only be overly accepted by the millions of viewers, but it would remain true to the standards and quality of the show business we have come to love and respect out of this prestigious event." Sounds like just the man to headline sports' biggest event. Excerpts from: Review of Weird Al's latest pop music release “Mandatory Fun” by David Hiltbrand Heading: 35 years after his recording debut, “Weird Al” Yankovic is bigger and brassier than ever. An accordion-playing song parodist? Not a formula for career longevity. But here’s “Weird Al” Yankovic, 35 years after his recording debut, bigger and brassier than ever. Weird Al hasn’t changed his approach one bit with the chart-topping Mandatory Fun. He goes after pop’s big fish (in this case, Lorde, Pharrell, Iggy Azalea). The backing tracks are cheesy but instantly recognizable, and the mock lyrics are clever and cohesive. The album includes an accordion medley that covers everyone from Carly Rae to Pitbull. They’re all fair game for Weird Al. |
Video: Yuri Shishkin Performing at the Harbin Prize Giving Concert - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Video: Ma Qui Wins Harbin 2014 International Accordion Performer Category - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Complete Opening Concert, Harbin 2014 Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Video: Complete Opening Concert of the Harbin 2014 China Summer International Accordion Art Week. Time: 1:35 minutes The program of the Opening Concert plus video viewer are at: http://www.accordions.com/china/harbin/2014/07aug.htm#video |
Jacques Pellarin Accordion Rushes Album - Franceby Harley Jones |
![]() He writes: "I gathered in this new album my closest compositions of a universe that I think forward-Image and after "My french cinema", I am pleased to present Accordion Rushes. The presence of the accordion in film scores is a musical tradition in France for decades. As an accordionist, I found my inspiration from famous composers of film music as Francis Lai, François de Roubaix, Michel Legrand, Georges Delerue, Jacques Loussier, Jean Wiener and others. As a film buff, I loved the work of Claude Sautet, La nouvelle vague , Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Fellini or recent independent American productions. These became my inspiration for Accordion Rushes." |
Video: Yuri Shishkin and the "Harmonium Duo" Make a Trio Performance - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video: Yuri Shishkin and the "Harmonium Duo" of Hubert Giziewski and Rafal Grzaka (Poland) formed a trio to perform Rondo Capriccioso by Zolatariev. This was a performance at the Prize Giving of the Harbin 2014 China Summer International Accordion Art Week, enjoyed immensely by the audience. |
Video: 2014 ATG Festival Orchestra Performs MacArthur Park - USAby Dan Grauman |
2014 Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival Orchestra performs MacArthur Park composed by Jimmmy Webb. Arranged for accordion orchestra by Joan Cochran Sommers & Jeff Lisenby and conducted by Jeff Lisenby. Video courtesy of Mike Roche assisted by Dan Grauman. |
2014 Wallace Accordion Festival, Idaho - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() On Saturday night, we welcome back Canadian musician extraordinaire Michael Bridge for a concert and dance in that same venue. In between, we will have our traditional Saturday morning Celebration Parade, workshops, gazebo music, and our second-annual youth competition. Schedule of Events for 2014 Festival Friday, August 8 Gazebo Music - all afternoon, downtown Friday Night Concert - 7 p.m., Nite Rock Events Center; $15 per person. Seating is limited so please purchase your tickets early. Saturday, August 9 Accordion Celebration Parade - 10 a.m., Downtown Wallace Gazebo Music - all afternoon, downtown Workshops - TBA Youth Competition - 2:30 p.m., Gazebo German Buffet - Details to be announced Saturday Concert & Dance - 7 p.m., Nite Rock Events Center, featuring Michael Bridge. Admission $20 per person or $35 per couple; Balcony cabanas available (with private bar service) for $25 per person or $50 per couple; each cabana holds up to six people.) Sunday, August 10 Farewell Breakfast - time and place to be announced |
Video: Song Yue (Moon) Round 2 Competition Performance - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Video of Popular music category competitor Song Yue (Moon) performing two pieces from her Round 2 program at the the Harbin 2014 China Summer International Accordion Art Week. Video 1: L'enfant Demon Video 2: A Lee Lang |
Video: Rosinha TV Performances - Portugalby Harley Jones |
Video 1: Published on Aug 2, 2013 TVI - Somos portugal em Lordelo Video 2: Popular singer Rosinha performing on RTP1 TV - Portugal |
Video: Noteable Soundz Quintet Composition Erratic Aspect - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() Excerpts from article: Group challenges wrong perceptions by Tao Lin Courier Newspaper (picture right). Audiences might be in for a surprise when a piano accordion group plays at the Hawkins Theatre. Notable Soundz five piece ensemble is playing a concert on Sunday showcasing group and individual musical pieces. The group played Dan Robinson's composition Erratic Aspect for the first time at the South Auckland Performing Arts Competition in July and were stoked to receive a mark of 98 out of 100. Group members from left: Daniel Robinson, Tamba Young, Bradley Williams, Andrew McFall and Ellie Archer. |
Video: Li Dong Zhe, Winner, Under 18 years Popular Music category - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video: Li Dong Zhe was the winner of the under 18 years popular music category. This was recorded from the second round of the competition. |
“Alive Inside” Film Explores Power of Music to Restore Memoryby Rita Barnea |
If you are fortunate enough to attend accordion festivals around the world, you may have noticed the varying ages of the participants and attendees. For example, at the recent AAA Festival in Tarrytown, NY, the youngest participant was 5 years old and the oldest was in his early 80's. Remarkable and wonderful to realize that music and accordion can be a part of ones life from infancy to old age! Unlike sports, where the aging of the body prohibits participation in certain sports, playing an instrument or even listening to music, is beneficial both physically and emotionally. Especially the accordion with its unique co-ordination of the two hands and the bellows with resulting in a musical mix of very beneficial mind and muscle usage. I highly recommend your viewing of "Alive Inside". The source of the complete article below, written by Dawn Chmielewski, is from the Apple Home Page. "Audiences first encounter Henry hunched over in his wheelchair, head down, hands clasped firmly together, unresponsive to the world around him. As soon as a pair of headphones are placed on his head, the 94-year-old dementia patient opens his eyes, sits up straight and begins swaying and humming along with the music. Henry speaks animatedly about his favorite band leader, Cab Calloway, and even begins to emulate the jazz artist’s style of scat singing — at one point launching into a rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The dramatic transformation, which takes place against the bleak institutional setting of the nursing home where Henry has spent the last decade of his life, is a powerful set piece for the documentary film “Alive Inside,” which opened in New York City in July 2014. “Alive Inside” follows social worker Dan Cohen, whose nonprofit Music & Memory organization works to bring iPods loaded with personalized playlists to elderly Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. So far, Cohen’s program has expanded from three nursing homes to 489 in 42 states — with the help of private donations spurred by the film. Filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett said he was hired to create a video for Cohen’s website. The scope of the project changed as he witnessed Henry’s transformation when the music of his youth was returned to him. “I had goosebumps over my whole body when he was waking up. I had tears in my eyes,” said Rossato-Bennett. “They say every artist only tells one story over and over again. If I had to tell my story, it’s the finding of life where you think there is none.” “Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory” is winning acclaim on the festival circuit, collecting the prestigious audience award for documentary film at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and best documentary at the Milan International Film Festival. Apple is lending the film a promotional nudge, as it opens to limited release in theaters throughout the U.S. The documentary uses Henry’s story, and those of other patients, to illustrate music’s power to reach parts of the brain that remain intact, even late in the onset of Alzheimer’s, and evoke memories. “Music therapists know all this. They practice it,” Cohen said. “But there are very few music therapists in the world of the elderly. It’s knowledge that was siloed.” Cohen, who has spent a career working in technology, viewed the problem as one of technical limitations, and he set out to solve it, one iPod and custom playlist at a time. His goal is an ambitious one: To bring personalized music to 16,000 long-term care facilities in the U.S. “It’s not a cure for Alzheimer’s, but it does work most of the time,” Cohen said. “And there is no downside. The worst case scenario — you don’t get a benefit. Sometimes, it’s a dramatic change in someone’s life.” |
Video: "Harmonium Duo" of Hubert Giziewski and Rafal Grzaka - Chinaby Harley Jones |
The "Harmonium Duo" of Hubert Giziewski and Rafal Grzaka (Poland). This was a performance at the Prize Giving of the Harbin 2014 China Summer International Accordion Art Week. Witold Lutoslawski - Paganini Variations |
Future events |
2014 Las Vegas International Accordion Conventionby Rita Barnea |
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The 15th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention takes place from August 18-21, 2014 at the Gold Coast Hotel Casino - located at 4000 West Flamingo Blvd, Las Vegas, NV. Hotel rates from $29 a night per room!. Educational and Entertainment event featuring 4 nights and 3 full days of unforgettable entertainment, workshops, classes and sumptuous Las Vegas style banquets, with two full meals offered each day. Join Friends new and old for a fabulous accordion event. Michael Bridge and Alicia Baker two of the most talented young accordionists in North American will be performing and teaching at the August 18-21 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention! Michael, who earned the distinction of performing with the Boston Pops, astonished Keith Lockhart, the famed conductor, who said of Michael “I’m amazed what you do with this instrument, I find it totally baffling!” Alicia Baker, 22 recently graduated in music with a triple degree in music education as well as piano and vocal performance. Alicia has been performing on the accordion since age 6 and has a long list of awards and credits to her name. Featured performers and workshop presenters include: Dick Contino, Joey Miskulin, Stas Venglevski, Bruce Gassman, Peter and Mady Soave, Ron Borelli, Paul Pasquali, Pete Barnutti, Gordon Kohl, Gina Branneli, Elena and Gregory Fainshtein, Liz Finch, Mary Tokarski, Shelia Lee, The Seventh Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra directed by Professor Joan C. Sommers and many more ! LVAC is pleased to announce a Costume Ball at the Wednesday evening Concert in celebration of their 15th Anniversary with awards for best costume. Also Thursday evening will feature the best-dressed awards! Come join the FUN and be a part of the 15th Celebration and party the night away with Good Food, Good Friends, Good Music, Good Dancing and FUN! Mention ACCORDN and get hotel rooms as low as $28/night (Sun-Thurs_ at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. For further information: USA Phone: 1-800-472-1695 Outside USA Phone: +01-801-486-1695 |
Ready For Some Squeezebox Music? Cotati - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() Excerpts from an article by Nick Walden: This year will mark the twenty-fourth time that accordion musicians of all ages and genres flock to La Plaza Park in the small town of Cotati for the annual two-day event that celebrates entertainment and fun along with music. The festival takes place Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days in La Plaza Park which is located at 60 West Cotati Avenue, Cotati. Tickets are $15 advance, $17 at the gate and $25 for both days with kids 15-and-under free with a paying adult. This multi-cultural, multi-generational musical extravaganza will feature over 20 performance acts, food, drinks and some of the best accordion music in the country. Along with such staples as the Lady of Spain ring and Beer Barrel Polka rendition, event goers will be treated to the sounds of The Great Morgani, the Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band, Tian Jianan, the Mad Maggies, and so many more. The event is part of the local tradition of Cotati with the statue of local musician and founder of the festival, Jim Boggio, gracing the corner of La Plaza Park. The festival now is much as it was originally with the same format lasting throughout the years. Using two stages allows for continuous music and entertainment throughout the day. Vendors of all types are on hand with food, drink, and a wide range of accordion related products. For more information Phone 707-664-0444 |
CD Reviews |
“3 Couleurs” CD by Lydie Auvray e AUVRETTESby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
Lorenzo Bosica Releases eTracks Album - USAby Lorenzo Bosica |
![]() 'Virtuosity', catalog: bosica01 with sound samples. Music performed by Lorenzo Bosica. |
Franco Cambareri Release New Compositionsby Franco Cambareri |
![]() 'Colombian Rose', catalog: cfranco189 The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Jon Hammond Releases eTracks Album - USAby Jon Hammond |
![]() 'Hammond's Bolero', catalog: hjon301 with sound samples. Music performed by Jon Hammond. |
Franco Cambareri Release New Compositionsby Franco Cambareri |
![]() 'Rumba de Rua', catalog: cfranco188 The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Jon Hammond Releases eTracks Album - USAby Jon Hammond |
![]() 'The NRD Sessions Projekt', catalog: hjon302 with sound samples. Music performed by Jon Hammond. |
Updated Site for eTracks album by Zhang Guoping - Chinaby Zhang Guoping |
![]() 'In Concert Album', catalog: guoping03 with sound samples. Music performed by Zhang Guoping. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
Heligonka Joseph Jiranby | Modify | Delete |
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approx value of 2 accordionsby | Modify | Delete |
Honner , red, Erica, 21 push button, 8 button, accordion purchase in Germany If I could I could get approx. values of excellent, good, fair values I would appreciate it . Appear to be in pretty good condition. All keys and buttons work. Only a tiny bit of wear on the Hohner netting ? on top on push button side. The Crucianelli's is missing 1 of the metal straps that locks the accordion together and 1 leather strap is worn. :( Neither have carrying cases. But have been kept dry and clean! Thank you. Vicki 480-202-1331 |
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