Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
CD Reviews |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
The 52nd International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2015 - Germanyby Harley Jones |
![]() |
![]() The event features: - International competition categories for soloists and groups, for concert and entertainment music, for children through to open categories. Full competition rules and category information, entry forms at: 2015Kling The event also features concerts by famous performers and an international jury of well known teachers. Klingenthal, is known as a city of music at the foot of the Aschberg mountain in the wonderful Vogtland region near the border to the Czech Republic. Klingenthal is the cradle of German accordion making and in May 2015 the Klingenthal city again invites accordionists of all nationalities and countries and their numerous friends to the traditional Klingenthal International Accordion Competition. |
The Big Squeeze 2015 Talent Showcases and Finals, Texas - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() |
![]() Showcase (audition) Dates: February 7: La Joya Independent School District February 28: Mecca In Houston March 7: Los Fresnos High School March 8: Mcdonald Public Library In Corpus Christi March 27: Conjunto Heritage Taller In San Antonio Nine finalists (three from each genre, polka, zydeco, and conjunto) will be chosen from the field of performers at the showcases or video submit. The nine finalists will be announced on April 3 and will perform at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on Saturday, April 25, at a free concert and playoff. One winner from each category (polka, zydeco, and conjunto) will be selected. All three winners will perform at Texas Folklife’s highly acclaimed annual Accordion Kings & Queens Festival at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2015, with Texas roots music accordion stars and legends. The three Big Squeeze 2015 Grand Prize Winners will receive a prize package valued at more than $4,000, including a cash prize, a brand new Hohner accordion, performance opportunities in Austin and Houston, publicity and other professional opportunities. |
International Accordion Competition ‘Ascoltate 2015’, Kaunas – Lithuaniaby Rob Howard |
![]() The X1th International Accordion Competition ‘Ascoltate 2015’ takes place from 24th to 26th April. An international jury will preside over the six categories, ranging from classical to variety, for those born from 1996. Accordion groups and orchestras as well as soloists are welcome. Regulations and entry forms in English at: 2015Ascoltate Entry Closing Date is 1st April 2015 For further information, contact Kaunas Accordion Society Vice-President Mindaugas Labanauskas: mindaugas@akordeonas.lt |
Dr. William Schimmel and Corn Mo Record Schubert's ‘Die Winterriese’, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() ‘Die Winterreise’, published in 1828, consists of 24 songs set to the poetry of Wilhelm Muller. Corn Mo, who has released seven albums of his own material, performs the vocal part in his own highly personal “legit” manner and Bill Schimmel realizes the accordion part, being an arrangement of the original piano part, giving it folk-like as well as orchestral dimensions. The recording consists of live performances from the American Accordionists’ Association Master Class and Concert Series 2013/14 at the Tenri Cultural Institute of New York. For further information email: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Borsini Accordions Publishes Vince Abbracciante Performing - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() |
Borsini Accordions published this video on Nov 25, 2014. Vince Abbracciante Performs Gaiteiros do Mundo |
Tom Bender Images, Texas - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() |
Tom Bender, renowned art photographer, was recently commissioned to do an accordion art piece by Armando for his wife Beverly. Beverly has been playing accordions for many years; the accordions in the image “Beverly G” are one of her first instruments and her latest digital instrument. The finished piece is a gallery wrap canvas 35X20. Other Tom Bender images (not accordion) at: www.tombenderimages.com/ |
Bruno Moritz - Tempero Brasileiro - Sem Quererby Harley Jones |
Launch of the CD Tempero Brasileiro by Bruno Moritz in Brusque, performing Sem Querer on 25th November 2014. Composer: Bruno Moritz. Band members: Rafael Amaral (guitar), Didi Maçaneiro (percussion), Mauro Borghezan (drums), Luiz Sebastião (7 string guitar) and Rafael Calegari (bass). |
Updated Accordion List, Higher Level Education in Europe, Paris - Franceby Harley Jones |
![]() Teacher and organizer Vincent LHermet (picture left) writes, “Since the publication of the 'List of Accordion Higher Level Education in Europe-2014' in November, some institutions and teachers have asked to add information to the document." Download the second edition at: AHLE |
Blue Haired Accordion Player Joey Cook on ‘American Idol’ - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() The blue-haired contestant, played and sang “Tallest Man on Earth”, wowing the panel with her uniqueness, both in her unusual voice and her spunky personality. Enjoy the video of Joey Cook's entry in 'American Idol'. |
Galla-Rini CD, Workshop DVD and Booklet offer, Seattle – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() American accordionist Anthony Galla-Rini (January 18th 1904 – July 30th 2006) was a celebrated performer, recording artist, arranger, composer, conductor, author, and teacher. Although he performed on the Vaudeville circuit for 20 years, Galla-Rini also did a great deal to promote the accordion as a serious concert instrument including a huge number of high quality arrangements. Galla-Rini was one of the founding members of the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) in 1938 in New York City. He founded the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) 1941 in Chicago serving as President Emeritus of that society throughout his career. In addition, he served as a Vice-President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) and he had one of the longest active careers of any accordionists anywhere, and was widely respected internationally. For further information email: petosa@petosa.com |
Special Edition Vsauce - Can Music Make You Smarter? - UKby Harley Jones |
In this special edition of James May's Q&A, Michael Stevens from Vsauce is our guest in James' tatty armchair! Michael popped in to help James find out if music is really good for the brains. Published on May 27, 2013 |
‘Main Squeeze’ Accordion Shop Closure: A Sad Post Script, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() |
![]() Walter Kuehr, who been battling lymphoma for the past seven years, was 59 years old. He opened the shop in 1996, where he sold new and used accordions, repaired instruments and gave lessons, etc. Kuehr also ran a Latin jazz and lounge act called The Last of the International Playboys and an 18-piece, all-female accordion group called the Main Squeeze Orchestra, which appeared on ‘America’s Got Talent’ in 2010. Marianne DeMarco, a former student who helped him run the store when he was away, held a closing down sale last weekend to pay for Walter Kuehr’s funeral. Marianne and other friends started selling the store’s stock off piece by piece to friends and strangers alike, and when an older man with a moustache walked in, they gave him Walter's tool chest for free, and a slice of cake. "He went back there, took his cake, but also took about $650," DeMarco said. The $650 was money to pay for Walter's funeral. "He must have really needed it to do something really cruel to people who were really nice to him," DeMarco said. Walter Kuehr is remembered by many as a funny, kind and generous man, and the closure of his accordion business as a great loss to the local community. |
‘Les amis de l’accordeon’ on Oxygen Radio, Rhône-Alpes region – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Virginie and Cyril Danrey are based in Chambéry, located in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. |
‘Accordion Babes’ Calendar, California – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Renee de la Prade, the producer, writes, “This year's calendar is the best one yet; the first year we've had a Brazilian artist (Adriana Sanchez); and the first time I get to collaborate with a celebrated fantasy novelist (Peter S. Beagle) to produce a song together for the album. The calendar is also very sleek-looking because it's ad-free this year. I love the CD and I love our art. There will be a small shipping charge too, $6 in the U.S. and $12 in foreign countries. (That's for the 5 calendar deal. For bigger orders, I'll invoice you the correct shipping amount when we start communicating.)” The price deals are: 5 copies = $60 ($12 each) 10 copies = $100 ($10 each) 25 copies = $225 ($9 each) For further information email: squeezeboxgoddess@gmail.com |
Historic Video: Juan D´Arienzo Orchestra "LCCA" - Argentinaby Harley Jones |
Juan D´Arienzo Orchestra "LCCA" performing Tango Argentin À Orléans. Juan d'Arienzo (1900 – 1976) was an Argentine tango musician, also known as "El Rey del Compás" (King of the Beat). He was son of Italian immigrants and used more modern arrangements and instrumentation; his popular group produced hundreds of recordings. His music is played often at milongas in Buenos Aires, and the instrumentals are the classic harder rhythmic tangos with a strong staccato dance rhythm. He also recorded many great milongas and fast valses. His recordings were accompanied by singers such as Alberto Echagüe, Armando Laborde, and Héctor Maure, among others. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Michel Follet’s Retirement from Belgian Radio - Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() Accordion Lover and Radio Announcer Retires – Belgium Contributed by Joeri De Jongh, Accordo Magazine, Belgium Belgian radio announcer Michel Follet retired from his National Radio career on December 30th. Michel was well known for his musical knowledge, promoting old music from the 1940s to the 1980s, accordion music and film themes. He was very keen on musette and music by composer Georges Dellerue. Michel was one of very few announcers in Belgium who helped to promote accordion music on the radio! |
Future events |
‘Les Riches Heures de Valerie’ Concert, Sion – Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
![]() Stéphane Chapuis teaches at the Conservatoire de Lausanne - HEMU (Haute Ecole de Musique university), the Conservatoire cantonal de musique de Sion, and l’EJMA - VS (Ecole de Jazz et Musique Actuelle), au Conservatoire de Musique Montreux - Vevey - Riviera. |
Semir Hasic’s January Concerts List – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() |
Accordionist Semir Hasic’s concert dates Semir ‘Sammy’ Hasic, born in Bosnia in 1964, has played in many European countries, and also has many compositions to his credit. He graduated from the Conservatory in Sarajevo, and his performances include a concert for Pope John Paul II. |
Gewandhaus-Quartet Concert, Leipzig - Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The Gewandhaus-Quartet, founded in 1808, is the world’s longest continuously active string quartet. Its members belong to the Gewandhaus Orchestra. |
"From Broadway to the Met….plus" with Dominic Karcic, New York - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Come hear the music from the American Song Book, Broadway, Tin Pan Alley, Opera, Operetta plus much more. For Dinner reservations contact: Frank 631-261-6344 |
Jörgen Sundeqvist premieres ‘The Accordion King’, Sudsvall – Swedenby Rob Howard |
![]() The concerts take place on January 22nd and 23rd at Folkets Park, Kramfors, Tonhallen, Sudsvall, Sweden. Both performances are already sold out! Jörgen Sundeqvist (born 1962) is one of Sweden’s leading concert accordionists, and has performed with distinction in several countries, including the USA, where he was mentored by the great Anthony Galla-Rini. |
Iosif Purits in Patrons Award Final @ Wigmore Hall, London – UKby Harley Jones |
![]() The competition starts at 1pm, and Purits will play a 30-minute program at about 1.30pm. His program will be: Bent Lorentzen – ‘Tears’, Sergei Prokofiev – ‘Satanic Apparition’, Mussorgsky – ‘Children’s Scherzo’, Vladimir Ryabov – ‘River of Love’, Franz Liszt (arr. Vladimir Horowitz) – ‘Hungarian Rhapsody no.15’, ‘Rákóczy March’. Iosif Purits also performs at a recital at the RAM on Tuesday January 20th, 5pm with a similar program and also at a lunchtime concert at the Colston Hall, Bristol, on February 3rd. |
Acoustic Concert and Accordion Tuition, Istanbul – Turkeyby Rob Howard |
On Friday January 30th, 7.30pm, the acoustic trio Aydin Ciracioglu (accordion, guitar), Asli Kurt (vocals), and Bobby Damora (bouzouki, vocals) perform in concert at the GÜRCÜ SANAT EVI (Georgian Arts Hall), Istanbul. One-to-one accordion tuition is available at the GÜRCÜ SANAT EVI, and every Wednesday, 7.30pm until 10pm, there is an accordion workshop. For further information email: ibeka@mynet.com |
Royal Academy of Music Accordion Events, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Thursday February 19th – Accordion master class with Visiting Professor of Accordion Friedrich Lips (Moscow, picture left) – 10am – 1pm in the Recital Room. Free, no tickets required. Thursday February 19th – Classical Accordion Chamber Music concert – 7.30pm in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall. Tickets £7.50 (concessions £5.50) from the Academy’s Box Office: www.ram.ac.uk/events, telephone: 020 7873 730 or on the day. Academy accordionists perform a varied program including works by JS Bach, Popper, Piazzolla, Franck, Valpola and Trojan. Friday March 6th at Regent Hall, Oxford Street, London; 1pm – 2pm - RAM accordion students perform works by Piazzolla, Popper, Scarlatti, Franck, Valpola and Trojan. Free, no tickets required. For further information email: K.INGRAM@ram.ac.uk |
Accordion Masterclass March 2015 for Digital and Acoustic - Franceby Harley Jones |
![]() Information and registration: Phone: 06 03 16 42 83 Email: jl.noton@wanadoo.fr |
CD Reviews |
According to Amy by Amy Jo Sawyerby Accordions Worldwide |
![]() |
New and Updated Sites |
New Work, Whispering Hope Available, Gary Dahl - USAby Gary Dahl |
![]() |
Beltango Release Theatre of Soul CD - Serbiaby Aleksandar Nikolic |
![]() The Beltango 3 CD pack continues to be popular as well. View all at Beltango and purchase online with credit card. |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri New Work U Ciucciariellu (The Little Donkey)by Franco Cambareri |
![]() Catalog No: cfranco193 U Ciucciariellu (The Little Donkey) as an eSheet, able to be purchased online with credit card and sent to you by email. The new work is based upon a traditional joyful Calabrian (Southern Italy) Tarantella. |
Updated Site: Lorenzo Bosica Adds CD to Site - Italyby Lorenzo Bosica |
![]() |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
Random video 4UAdd your video!TRY IT NOW |