Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
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Highlights |
‘Guardia Nueva’ Tango Gala, Berlin – Germanyby Harley Jones |
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![]() The highly accomplished Guardia Nueva Tango Orchestra, Director Raimo Vertainen (picture left) has a repertoire that includes Astor Piazzolla, Richard Galliano, Gotan Project, and Finnish Tangos all specifically arranged for this orchestra. The Tango Gala will be the first Finnish tango event ever performed at the Berlin Philharmonic. The Guardia Nueva orchestra will be playing in their unique way, complementing the habanera rhythm with soft accordion sounds and tempting Scandinavian vocalists. The performance will showcase the strong Finnish tango tradition, developed during more than 80 years. At times, half of the entries in the popular music charts in Finland have been occupied by tangos. The traditional themes of love and sorrow are complemented with the unique Scandinavian nature and landscape. Finland also hosts the world's oldest tango festival, held annually to find the country's best tango singers, composers, and dancers. Guardia Nueva is a success story from Ostrobothnia, a place known for brave emigrants traveling overseas. Its virtuosic interpretations of tango have entertained audiences as far away as Argentina and Turkey. Guardia Nueva has refined the Finnish national tango pearls into international magnificence by playing their own arrangements. The repertoire of the orchestra also includes subtle versions of Argentinian tango and light music classics. |
Duo "Una Sinistra" Winter/Spring Activities – Russia, Italy, Croatia, Chinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() The well-known duo from Moscow "Una Sinistra" – Yulia Amerikova and Alexander Selivanov – have had busy winter followed by a spring period full of different events. Their main recent and future activities include: January: - duo concert and master classes during open seminars for Croatian teachers, Opatia, Croatia. - duo concert ‘Russian Classical Music’ in Conservatorio di Musica G. Tartini, Trieste, Italy (newspaper article above). March: - 1st International Accordion Competition ‘Bayan, accordion, harmonica’ – organizers and jury members, Moscow, Russia. - "Una Sinistra" concert with the participation of Mirco Patarini, Cheboksari, Volga region, Russia (pictures above). - anniversary concert of Alexander Selivanov’s college teacher E. Anichkin, with the participation of Mirco Patarini, Alexander Selivanov and his students, local musicians and symphony orchestra, Yoshkar-Ola, Volga region, Russia. - regional competition ‘Young talents of Kamchatka’, Yulia Amerikova performed in concert (in duo with saxophone), jury member and master classes (picture left). April: - 14th to 20th – master classes and concert by Alexander Selivanov, Shanghai Normal University and Conservatory of Music, Shanghai, China - 27th to 30th – All-Russia accordion competition ‘Vivat, Bayan!’ – Alexander Selivanov is in jury (president) and concerts. May: - 30 April to 6th May – Alexander Selivanov master classes – Nighnyaya Tura, Ural region, Russia. The duo "Una Sinistra" is the winner of several international competitions, including the CIA Coupe Mondiale. They are often invited to perform concerts and take part in international festivals in Russia, Europe, and Asia. The duo’s program typically includes music of many different styles, such as their own transcriptions of symphonic and piano classics, contemporary original music, arrangements of variety and folk tunes, and the works of composers such as Buxtehude, Couperin, Barber, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Sviridov, Piazzolla, Semionov, Gridin, Ganzer, and Angelis. For further information email: yulia.amerikova@gmail.com |
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CNIMA J.Mornet Courses with Franck Angélis, Claude Thomain and Ludovic Beier, Auvergne – Franceby Harley Jones |
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![]() There are three accordion courses in July and August at CNIMA J.Mornet, Auvergne, situayed in the south of France. CNIMA J.Mornet is the well-known accordion school founded and run by Professor Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix. Two of the most famous current French composers, Franck Angelis and Claude Thomain, will each lead a training course around their works. From July 21st to 25th Franck Angelis, one of the most played classic composers in international accordion competitions, will work through his compositions (especially useful if you plan to perform his music in a contest!). Claude Thomain, from August 11th to 15th, whose pieces are also often played in important competitions, will similarly invite players to work on one of his pieces with him. Before these two training courses, from July 15th to 17th, sponsored by Roland Education, Ludovic Beier, who has become one of the world’s greatest jazz accordionists, invites players to discover the secrets of ‘Searching musicality on a digital accordion’. Each invited artist performs in a private concert, on one evening during his training course. CNIMA J.Mornet is based at Les Ludines, 63950 Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne. There is easy access to CNIMA by highways A71, A75 and A89, and a train station locally where the CNIMA’s team will pick up. Information at CNIMA J.Mornet. For further information email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
18th Semana Internacional Do Acordeao, Alcobaca – Portugalby Harley Jones |
![]() The event begins with an accordion master class on May 2nd and 3rd, 9am, with Professor Massimiliano Pitocco. On May 9th to 11th there is a competition, for various ages and categories that include solo, duo, trio, group and orchestra. For further information email: asacalcobaca@gmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Lucy Alves’ New Solo Album, Rio de Janeiro - Brazilby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() Video 2: Lucy Alves and family perform 'No Meu Chevette, Não!' Lucy Alves, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, finalist of the second edition of ‘The Voice’, signed a contract with Universal Records to release her first solo album. The album, named after the singer, hits the market with famous reinterpretations of Brazilian hits in collaboration with her father and with the precious contribution and influence of some of the most important artists in Brazil like Marisa Monte, Carlinhos Brown and Alceu Valença. Lucy Alves is not an “invention” by the reality show. She is a singer and multi-instrumentalist since childhood, and the artist has had an extensive career thanks to her family group 'Clan Brazil'. The solo CD of Lucy Alves confirms the Brazilian personality already presented in primetime. Among singers shaped for TV, Lucy Alves belongs to a small group that invested in showing the real way, with personality. These independent results already guarantee an assured success. Talented, beautiful and charismatic, Lucy Alves has a great future. |
Video: Mika Väyrynen Performs Two World Premieres, Helsinki - Finlandby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() The new works premiered were ‘Peer Gynt Fantasy’, by Paavo Korpijaakko, and ‘The Sound of Ice’, by Pasi Lyytikäinen. Video 1: The Sound of Ice (2013) by Pasi Lyytikäinen (b.1975 ) world premiere. Video 2: ‘Peer Gynt Fantasy’, by Paavo Korpijaakko world premiere. CD Recordings available at: Finnish Accordeon Institute |
Pamela Zahra in the 5th Sanremo Junior Contest, Valletta – Maltaby Rob Howard |
![]() There were six instrumentalists, selected from an original entry of 60, and the judges declared the six to be all of about equal ability and performance. Pamela acquitted herself very well, performing ‘Espana Cani’ (Spanish Gipsy Dance), by Pascual Marquina, transcribed for accordion by Gerald Crossman, but the winner was judged to be Laetitia Amodio, a pianist. A positive feature of Pamela’s participation is that she raised the profile of the accordion on national television to an audience of several millions in Malta, and many enquires were received afterwards about our favourite instrument. Pamela Zahra is taught by Marthese Busuttil Cassar L.B.C.A., and is a member of the Santa Maria Accordion Band. On May 7th Pamela will take the BCA Grade 7 practical examination. Laetitia Amodio and other winners of the Malta contest will take part in the Sanremo international finals, held at the Teatro Ariston, San Remo, Italy, from May 7th to 10th. |
Video: Viatcheslav Semionov Performs Caprice No. 3 With Roland - Russiaby Harley Jones |
![]() Video by ProtaVideo, Anatoly Morozov who has over 180 videos online. http://www.youtube.com/user/protaVideo 6 CD's available online at: Viatcheslav Semionov |
Review of Royal Academy of Music Concert, London – UKby Roland Williams |
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The Accordion Department of the Royal Academy of Music is a small one but its students never fail to come up with concert programmes of great interest and high quality of performance. 2014_03_25Review |
Video: Mikhail Ovchinnikov Performs Chaconne by J S Bach - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Performance by Mikhail Ovchinnikov of Chaconne by J S Bach, 23 March 2014 concert of A.V. Krupin students to celebrate the opening of the Interregional Accordion Competition. |
Video: Server Abkerimov & Orchestra Performing "Gypsy Airs" - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Video: Server Abkerimov & "Moscow Camerata" Orchestra Performing "Gypsy Airs". |
‘14 Years Ago’: An ‘Accordion Gathering’ in Buenos Aires, Argentinaby Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending April 21st 2000 included an item about an ‘accordion gathering’ in Buenos Aires, featuring 20 accordionists performing. It is good to report examples of accordion players coming together to share the music and pleasure that our favourite instrument brings to people around the world. Accordion Gathering in Buenos Aires – Argentina Contributed by Emilio Bertrand An ‘Accordion Gathering’ was held on April 9th at the Villa Malcom Club, Buenos Aires, organized by the International Association of Accordionists President, Julio Erman. Over 20 accordionists performed. The aim of the meeting is to provide a place for accordionists, friends, relatives and fans to "get together" and enjoy accordion music. The next gathering will be held on May 14th and on the second Sunday of every following month. |
Future events |
Peter Soave Concert, Michigan - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Peter Soave is renowned worldwide as an accordion and bandoneon virtuoso through his numerous international appearances, both solo and with orchestras. He also has an outstanding record in international competitions, winning the Grand Prix in Neu Isenberg, West Germany, the International Competition in Klingenthal, East Germany, the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Folkstone, UK, and the CMA Trophee Mondiale in Arrezano, Italy. For further information email: peter@petersoave.com |
Helen Maher’s April Gigs, Liverpool – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() April 19th, 8.30pm – solo, Unison Sports and Social Club, Bishop Rd, St Helens, Lancashire April 23rd, 6/8.30pm – with Alla Misura, Vauxhall Vaults, Vauxhall Rd, Liverpool April 25th, 7.30pm – with Ian Prowse & Amsterdam, Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton April 26th, 7.30pm - private function with the Liverpool Country Dance Band April 28th, 6/8.30pm – with Alla Misura, Vauxhall Vaults, Vauxhall Rd, Liverpool For further information email: helen@helenmaher.com |
Beto Caetano Entertains, Rio Grande do Sul – Brazilby Rob Howard |
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2014 Big Squeeze Finalists, Texas - USAby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() For the category of Zydeco: -- Randall Jackson of Dallas -- Je'an-Trel Jolivette of Marvel -- DeJe'an Jolivette of Marvel For the category of Polka: -- Rebecca Huck of Harker Heights (picture right) -- Chris Trojacek of Ennis -- Garrett Neubauer of Altair For the category of Conjunto: -- Aaron Salinas of San Antonio -- Luis Gonzales of Grand Prairie -- Mariano Resendez of La Joya and because of the overwhelming amount of Conjunto entries we have awarded Honorable Mention to: -- Rito Peña of San Antonio -- Alan Guerra of Mission -- Nizhoni Begay of San Antonio The Big Squeeze Finals & Concert are on Saturday, 26th April, 2 - 6 pm at the Bullock Texas History Museum, Austin. Free Admission. There is an official after-party called the Big Squeeze Backyard Bash which is also a fundraiser for the Big Squeeze contest, to be held the evening of 26th April. Debra Peters and Mario Pedone have spent time preparing Rebecca Huck (a Polka Finalist) for this competition. Debra Peters comments, “Becca can play in every key with ease and recent favorite was key of B. One day I put on an old vinyl record and within only hearing the intro she told me...oh that's the key of E.... I asked her how she knew this so quick? She said... 'it's because you taught me" and I said... no... Becca... you can do this because God gave this talent to you. She has been given the gift of knowing music”. |
Murl Allen Sanders Concerts, Oregon – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() From June 8th to 12th Murl will return for the sixth consecutive year to the Rose City Accordion Club’s ‘Ac-cordion Camp’ at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon to conduct accordion orchestras, perform and teach. Murl will be joined by co-conductor Stas Venglevski, teachers Ron Borelli and Beverly Fess. Attendees play daily in the accordion orchestra, attend workshops, one-on-one lessons, jam sessions and enjoy performances by professionals and amateurs alike. On July 26th and 27th Murl will perform with renowned saxophonist Warren Rand and his group at the Inter-national Pinot Noir Festival in McMinnville, Oregon. For further information email: MurlSanders@cs.com |
Mika Väyrynen in Concert in Croatia and Spainby Kevin Friedrich |
![]() Mika will appear as the featured International guest artist as well as serve as a member of the International Jury at the 39th Pula Accordion Competition and Festival in Croatia from April 22nd to 25th. Mika's concert will be given in the Great Hall on April 24th at 9pm. From Croatia, he will travel to Guadarrama, (Madrid) Spain where he will perform a concert on April 26th. Additional solo concerts will be presented in Spain on April 29th in Jaen, and on April 30th in the Teatro Jovellanos in Gijon. In addition to his concerts, Mika Väyrynen will conduct a seminar on May 1st in Oviedo, Spain, at the Superior Conservatory Eduardo Martinez Torner, and on May 3rd at the Superrios Conservatory ESMuC in Barcelona. Mika's concert will feature original works as well as those by J. S. Bach, Edvard Grieg, Paavo Korpijaakko, Herman Galinin, Pasi Lyytikäinen, Sergey Rachmaninov, and C. Saint-Saens/V. Horowitz, arr. M. Väyrynen. For more information on Mika, please visit Mika Väyrynen CD Recordings available at: Finnish Accordeon Institute |
Joâo Gentil Concert, Coimbra Da Foz - Portugalby Rob Howard |
![]() Their program of Portuguese, French and Argentine music includes Astor Piazzolla, Richard Galliano, Amalia Rodrigues, and Edith Piaf. For further information email: joaogentil1@gmail.com |
Syros Accordion Festival, Syros - Greeceby Rob Howard |
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The 3rd Syros Accordion Festival takes place from April 24th to 29th at four venues on the Greek island of Syros. The theme of this year’s festival is ‘music and dance’. The festival includes seminars by Claudio Jacomucci, Kathleen Delanay (dancer), K. Raptis, S. Katsatsidis, and S. Pasopoulos. There will be a repair and maintenance workshop by P. Zafiriou (‘Panaccordion’). In the morning children will have the opportunity to engage in educational activities and games exploring the world of accordion with Elpida Rigoutsou. There will be 5 seminars of accordion and 2 seminars of contemporary dance for all, group and individual class, Alexander Technique, Thrace and Macedonia music. There is a special price on seminars for registration until June 15th 2014. Artists performing include Alexander Tchuev, Bandoneando, Gadjo Dilo, Claudio Jacomucci, Kathleen Delanay, Konstanio. Raptis, Stelios Katsatsidis, Stamatis Pasopoulos, the children from the Ptolemaidas Conservatory and of the music school at Elpida, Syros. The festival is organized by the Syros Accordion Group and the non-profit organisation Ourios Anemos. For further information email: accordion.syros@gmail.com |
CD Reviews |
Johann Sebastian Bach - Volume 2 - The French Suites 4 – 6 Prelude and Fugue in A minor Airby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
Finland Recording Site Update adding sound samples - Finlandby Finland recordings |
![]() with sound samples added. Music performed by Mika Väyrynen and Angel Luis Castaño. Purchase online. |
Karen Fremar New Site for CD 'Night at the Pla-Mor' - USAby Karen Fremar |
![]() with sound samples and eTracks MP3 downloadable files. Purchase online. |
Australian Accordion Teachers Assoc (AATA) Website Updated - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
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Australian Accordion Teachers Assoc (AATA) website has ben updated with a schedule of events for their international competitions being held 7th and 8th June 2014. This will be the 20th Anniversary of the AATA. |
Updated Site of Harley Jones Recording of the 1990's - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() The recordings are available online as eTracks mp3 files, album € 6.00 |
Site Updated: Gary Dahl eBooks Collections #1 to #6 Special Price - USAby Gary Dahl |
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Gary Dahl - Author, composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator announces that the Gary Dahl eBooks collections (numbers 1 -6) are now being sold as a complete set for a special price of only US$185 or the € equivalent. Cat No: DH01-06eB |
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