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Highlights |
Joao Gentil in South America – Argentina, Colombiaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() “I went to Buenos Aires to record a CD to satisfy my passion for the tango and Argentinean culture. Whilst there I played on Radio Nacional Argentina, promoting the concerts that my accordionist friend Sergio Pinget and I were doing together in Buenos Aires. I also played a spot on ‘Argentinisima’, the TV music show, which has the biggest audience in Argentina. Sergio Pinget and I played in several concerts, all of which were well attended, playing mainly Argentine music such as Milongas, Tangos, Chamamé, and also some Portuguese music, which delighted the Argentine public. I attended an intensive seminar on Bandoneon with a professor from the Academia Nacional del Tango de Buenos Aires, and in my free time (which wasn’t much!) I attended a dance class to learn to dance the tango. It was a really positive experience in Buenos Aires, playing the accordion and bandoneon with superb Argentinean musicians. Colombia is world known for its Vallenato music and is a country where nearly every child wants to play the diatonic accordion, with Hohner being very popular there. I played in the city of Valledupar for the ‘II Encuentro Mundial de Musicas de Acordeon’, where there were accordionists from the Czech Republic, Argentina, Colombia, and Portugal. I played at the Gala concert, performing Portuguese music, FADO, both singing and playing. To finish the concert I invited some percussionists from Colombia and improvised a very popular Vallenato song called ‘La Gota Fria’, and the public loved it. Whilst in Valledupar I visited the Accordion School which was full of enthusiastic young students. I also had the fantastic opportunity to exchange musical knowledge and ideas, learning some Vallenato music with the Colombian students and teaching them the chromatic accordion system and some Portuguese music. I also performed concerts in Santa Marta, Cartagena, and Bogota, to conclude my exciting tour to South America”. Joao Gentil, accordionist and bandoneonist. |
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Entries Requested for Roland U.S. National V-Accordion Festival - USAby Steven Albini, Roland Corporation U.S. |
![]() The Grand Prize winner will win a Roland FR-7x accordion and a trip to Rome, Italy to compete in the Roland IVth International Accordion Festival in Rome in October (Senior Soloist Division only) with a 1st prize of 5,000 Euro. Initial audition entrants may submit a DVD of themselves performing on a traditional accordion or a Roland V-Accordion. The audition performance must be no longer than 10 minutes in length and can be from any musical genre. Entrants must be U.S. citizens. Entries must be postmarked by August 1, 2010. 2010 USA Rules 2010 USA Entry This year’s V-Accordion Festival holds a special significance, as Roland is also celebrating reaching the milestone of 10,000 V-Accordions sold since its launch in 2004. Be a part of the growing number of accordion enthusiasts in the U.S. and around the world by competing in this one-of-a-kind international competition event sponsored in the USA by the Roland Corporation U.S. For further information email: steven.albini@rolandus.com |
World Accordion Day Website Updated – USAby Kevin Friedrich |
![]() Accordion event organizers are reminded to please plan well ahead for World Accordion Day (06 May) 2011 and to send information well in advance to their local media and to the World Accordion Day website. |
III National Selection for Coupe Mondiale and Trophée Mondial “Champion of Russia – Champion of the World”, Moscow – Russiaby Yulia Amerikova |
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![]() The III National Selection for Coupe Mondiale and Trophée Mondial "Champion of Russia - Champion of the world" was held in 27 of June 2010 in Moscow. The aim of the selection is the support of young talented accordion performers to participate in the 2010 Coupe Mondiale (Croatia) and the 2010 Trophée Mondial (Spain). The initiator of this event is People's Artist of Russia, Prof. Viatcheslav Semionov. The III National Selection (as well as two previous) was organized by CSMC (ANO "Creative School Master Class") voting member of the CIA and CMA with the support of the bank "Zenith". The jury included famous musicians and winners of many international competitions, now university tutors: Viatcheslav Semionov (chairman), Yuri Sidorov, Alexander Selivanov, Sergey Osokin. This year's competition had a multistage form. As the result, the jury have listened more than 300 young performers! The final audition was held in the Hall of the House of Cinematography Veterans, Moscow, the 27 of June. Following the selection, the best performers have received the letters of recommendation to participate in selected competitions. The winners will receive travel expenses to the selected competition, as well as the cost of visa and entry fee. In addition, all participants who received the recommendations will also receive master-classes of leading teachers of Russia. Winners of the national selection: Ivan Ovchinnikov (Surgut, Coupe Mondiale) Dmitry Yarkinov (Cheboksary, Coupe Mondiale) Trio "Contrast" (Magnitogorsk, Coupe Mondiale) Lev Lavrov (Voronezh, Trophée Mondial) Pavel Zyabko (Moscow, Trophée Mondial) Photo below is Trio "Contrast". Dinar Ibragimov, Eugeny Gaynullov, Ilyas Galimzyanov |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Yuri Medianik’s Concert Return, Voronezh – Russiaby Rob Howard |
![]() Yuri Medianik (former student of Viatcheslav Semionov), 1st prize winner of the International Competition of Moscow 2000 and laureate of international competitions as a violinist and accordionist, hasn’t appeared on stage with the accordion and violin so much lately. This is due to being the conductor of the chamber orchestra ‘Pluri_Art’, which he has directed for some 3 years and is also the manager. However,he is returning to the concert stage again with new projects. One of the most recent concerts in Russia was with the famous Glinka String Quartet. Yuri Medianik usually plays the violin and the bayan in his recitals but in this concert he played also the bandoneon. The Glinka String Quartet gives more than 50 concerts in a year, and have recorded more than 10 CDs, and their music is often heard on the radio. Next season, some more joint concerts are planned with the Glinka Quartet. Another concert (June 14th) took place at the Opera House in the city of Voronezh. Yuri Medianik played 3 instruments: violin, button accordion and bandoneon, and his programme included transcriptions and arrangements of pieces by Vitali, Kreisler, etc. Using the button accordion he played R. Galliano’s ‘Opale Concerto’, and with the bandoneon played some tangos of composers of the Soviet period. |
Bruce Gassman’s First Solo CD, California – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() When asked about the music, Bruce said; “This is the music I grew up with and love to listen to and play and it appears that the timing is right for a child of the 60s, in his 60s, playing 60s music!!! I wanted to capture the same feel and emotion of a live performance even though it was recorded in a studio. So there are no tricks and no overdubs; just two hands and one accordion”. Bruce has had a busy time recently, with guest appearances at the 2010 National Accordion Association Convention in Dallas, playing for a production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, performing at the Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers Guild Gala Event, as guest artist for the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society, and playing with Maestro Dan Desiderio and the Accordion Pops Orchestra. On June 26th Bruce entertained Danny Desiderio at his Surprise 80th Birthday Party in Philadelphia. Danny and his friends were delighted to hear Bruce’s Rock and Roll accordion selections. In November Bruce will perform and lead workshops at the 2010 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, and also perform at the Florida Accordion Association’s annual “SMASH” event in Florida. For further information email: accordion2bruce@gmail.com |
Australian Bohemian Nights Tours – New Zealandby Antoinette Rodahl |
![]() The music was unusual from all over Eastern Europe & very gypsy like. Phil Carrol, whose forebears come from Ireland acted more like a real gypsy and was very capable of singing in French, Russian, Polish, and Arabian. He played several reed instruments from Turkey obtaining an eerie sound. Ernie Gruner had a Hungarian mother and Polish father, both Jewish, and he played and sang Yiddish and Klezmer music. They joined the music together with interesting snippets and they often play at the Budapest Restaurant in Melbourne. An interesting and enjoyable evening that made me think of Europe! |
Summer Internship Frederic Deschampsby Frédéric Deschamps |
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“Internships Deschamps” by Frédéric Deschamps was fully booked for the month of July with a weekly attendance of 12-14 students from around the world, many preparing for international competitions this fall, for the Coupe Mondiale (Croatia), the Trophée Mondial (Spain) and the Castelfirdardo International (Italy) competition. Besides the big names of the new generation of accordionists like Grayson Masefield (New Zealand), Petar Maric (Serbia), João Barradas (Portugal) or Pietro Adragna (Italy) are the, future players in the international arena who were present: Christel Sauttaux (Switzerland), Augustinas Rakauskas (Lithuania), Zao Liu (China), Peppe Sirroli Nicola (Italy), Alexander Veretennikov (Russia), etc.. Regarding the French players, the new generation of French accordionists are eagerly preparing to walk in the footsteps of Jérome Richard, Vincent Peirani, Fred Baldo, Phil Bouvier, Mickael Vigneau, Benoit Chabod, Carenzi Vincent, Julien ‘Speedy’ Gonzales, etc.. Small Lorenzo Verwaerde, Aurora Touchard, Caroline Rhuland, Julie Blocher, Emilien Roy and some others have the ambition. Better watch out ... the young fear nothing and work hard so that their names appear in the future list of Team Deschamps and competition champions. Three places are still available for “Internships Deschamps” between 15 and 30 August. For further information or reservations email: frederic.deschamps@wanadoo.fr |
Mylie Thwaites (New Zealand) Graduates Majoring in Accordion, Kiev – Ukraineby Harley Jones |
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Mylie Thwaites (2003 AATA Open Solo Champion), from New Zealand, has studied accordion in the Ukraine for 6 years, under the tutelage of Professor Vladimir Besfamilnov at the Ukrainian National Music Academy in Kiev. She is the first New Zealander to study and major in accordion in Eastern Europe. Mylie Thwaites recently performed her final performance examination and was awarded High Distinction for her Diploma performance. Photo above is Tania Lukic-Marx, Mylie Thwaites, Vladimir Besfamilnov and a student at a lesson in Kiev. |
Future events |
AFNA Festival and Competition, California - USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() Special festival events include concerto competitions, a luncheon honoring Sylvia Prior, a mass Festival Accordion Orchestra, and much more. The competitions include a ‘Sylvia Prior Concerto Competition’ for Accordion with Orchestra, and also for Piano with Orchestra. The accordion test piece is ‘Rhapsody for Accordion’, composed by Gary Daverne. A special luncheon in honor of Sylvia Prior takes place on August 14th, 12.30pm, and is an opportunity for those who studied with Tito Guidotti to say hello to Sylvia and their daughters, Adrian and Sylvana. Friends of Sylvia Prior are encouraged to send in a letter, note and/or photo for a 'Memories Book' that will be presented to her. Please send by July 25th to afnamusic@gmail.com or AFNA, Inc. c/o Sandra Martin 1101 W. Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833 USA (714) 447-9163. In tribute to Tito Guidotti, a great accordion teacher, one his arrangements will be performed by the mass FAO. Open to all, the FAO will rehearse on Saturday morning and perform Saturday evening at the Festival Concert. For further information, email afnamusic@gmail.com |
‘Accordions by the Sea’, British Colombia – Canadaby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The guest artistes this year include Jelena Milojevic, Alexander Sevastian, 2009 World Digital Accordion Champion, Cory Pesaturo, The Silver Stars, The Northwest Accordionaires, and the BC Accordion Orchestra. Sponsors include the Victoria Accordion Club, Roland, Tempo Trend Music, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, the Trinajastic Family, the Milojevic Family, Gary Bearham, and Dr CD Mazoff. For further information email: info@accordionsbythesea.com |
Paris Moscou Duo Concerts, Clermont Ferrand, Murol, Besse – Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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The Paris Moscou Duo, Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov, are in concert as follows: July 17th, 2.30 pm - la Maison Peuple, Clermont Ferrand August 1st, 8.30 pm – Murol 2nd, 8.45pm - Besse For more information, visit the Paris Moscou website. |
Joao Gentil Festival Concert, Mira – Portugalby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Accordionist and bandoneon player Joao Gentil presents his new show called ‘ConLatinidade’ on Saturday July 24th, 11pm, in Mira, as part of the S. Tomé Festival. Joao Gentil’s repertoire is influenced by his travels to countries such as Italy, Argentina, France, Colombia, among others, and includes the music of Ennio Morricone, Astor Piazzolla, Edith Piaf, and the contemporary Gotan Project, accompanied by piano, violin, bass, percussion, guitars and vocals. For further information email: joaogentil1@gmail.com |
‘Bon Soir’ Weekly Performances, Blackpool – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Originally taught accordion by the late Ken Hartley, Lindsay Garvin studied the accordion and piano at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, performing with the Chetham's Orchestra, on the radio, and in the Brundibar Opera. Anthony King studied the pianoforte, keyboard and organ at Leeds College of Music and is a graduate of Manchester University. For further information email: linzeepinzee@hotmail.com |
‘Vivant!’ at the M.A.M.A. Festival, Missouri – USAby Rob Howard |
M.A.M.A. is a huge music event in the Midwest, attracting 2,000+ entrants in all areas of music performance. There are two awards ceremonies to accommodate all the participants in the ballroom. Vivant!’s show will be for the final awards ceremony on Sunday. Vivant!’s CDs will be available at the souvenir table and Vivant! will be greeting fans and signing autographs afterwards. Admission for the concert is free For further information email: vivant@vivantsound.com |
Klezmer Brunch in the Bunkerei, Vienna - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() July 18 th th th, 12 noon - Roman Grinberg & Svetlana Kundish 25 th, 12 noon - Klezmer Reloaded 1st, 12 noon - Marwan Abado & Aliosha Biz August 8 th, 12 noon - Das Großmütterchen Hatz Salon Orkestar 15 th, 12 noon - Mandys Mischpoche 22nd, 12 noon - DJ (dunkelbunt) 22nd, 8pm - Niftys, anschl. DJ (dunkelbunt) For further information email: friedl.preisl@aon.at |
Accordions Now! Music Festival 2010, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
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‘Accordions Now! Music Festival 2010?’ takes place on August 6th and 7th at the HighlanderInn & Conference Center, Manchester, New Hampshire. The guest list includes: Mary Tokarski, Gary Morin, ‘Living Legend’ Tony Lovello, Roland V Accordion Coupe Mondiale Champion Cory Pesaturo, jazz accordionist Don McMahon, Roger Allen, Donna Maria Regis, Mario Pedone, Jerry Tramontozzi, with others to be announced. The festival includes concerts, workshops, open mike and jam sessions, trade show. For further information email: accman@accordionconnection.com |
75th Anniversary Concert of Ersten Koelner Akkordeon-Orchester 1935 – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() Founded in 1935, Heinz Gengler has been the orchestra's conductor since its inception and for 62 years this famous accordion orchestra was led by only Heinz Gengler as conductor. Now in recent years, Matthias Hennecke is the main conductor. The orchestra is one of the longest established in Germany with an excellent international reputation, and foreign travels including concerts in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Holland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Namibia, South Africa, Poland, United Kingdom, Russia, Switzerland and the USA. For further information email: info@ekao.de |
Festival Le Grand Soufflet 2010, Brittany - Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() The accordion, representing various international genres, always features prominently in this festival. This year’s guests include Antonio Rivas, from Colombia, Toninho Ferragutti, from Brazil, Cajun player Sarah Savoy, tango group La Tipica Sanata, blues player Yuri Lane, and Arcadian players/singers Bette & Wallet. French classical accordionists Mélanie Brégant and Sébastien Bertrand will perform recitals during the festival. For further information email: pressegrandsoufflet@gmail.com |
CD Reviews |
The Years of Pilgrimageby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
Donald E Grzanna releases new musicby |
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NAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
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MusicForAccordion.com releases new musicby MusicForAccordion.com |
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Donald E Grzanna releases new musicby |
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Scandalli Super VI stolen/Evesham, Worcesteshire - UKby | Modify | Delete |
![]() He was setting up in Evesham, Worcesteshire, to play, and it was taken. The local the police have been informed. If you have any useful information e-mail: richard.adey@btinternet.com Or phone +44(0)7944571702 |
Old Hohner Accordion...Information?by | Modify | Delete |
![]() ![]() Thanks, Dave Edwards e-mail: dave@daveslifecoaching.com |
Help Identify This Accordionby | Modify | Delete |
I have recently discovered the music of Alex Pezzei and completely love it. In this Youtube video he plays a Tyrolese PUSCHTRA Accordion. Can anyone tell me anything specific about this accordion? I went to the Puschtra site but there is no English version. What would you call this? I also wonder what it's tuned to. Appears to be diatonic but I'm not an expert. I'd love to get one and learn it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v6j7oNUGAY <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-v6j7oNUGAY&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-v6j7oNUGAY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> Thanks! Jiro |
1959 or 1960 Hagstrom Accordionby Harley Jones | Modify | Delete |
I am the original owner of a full size Hagstrom button accordion from 1959 or 1960 in the original case. This was purchased in Denmark. Can you provide any information as to possible value and/or where in the Vancouver BC or Seattle Wa. area I could have it appraised and repaired if needed. Thank you for your consideration, Henning Nielsen Email: hgn.viking@gmail.com |
Info upon CHESTER accordion company?by | Modify | Delete |
I recently acquired a piano accordion from my grandmother. I can't seem to find any info on the type. It has written on it chester.acc.co. It is in good condition. Can anybody tell me any info on it. Thank You - Kim Aaron - Email: Kim@C2Cenergy.biz |
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