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Highlights |
38th International 'Citta Di Castelfidardo' Competitions - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() The 38th Castelfidardo FIF will be held from 19th to 22nd September 2013 and you can download the rules and regulations booklet at: 2013castelfidardo The categories are: Classical Music Section Cat. Premio for accordion concert-soloists (no age limit) – 2 rounds Cat. A, Soloists up to the age of 12 – 1 round Cat. B Soloists up to the age of 15 – 1 round Cat. C Soloists up to the age of 18 – 2 rounds Cat. D Soloists (no age limit) - 2 rounds Cat E Orchestra 2-15 members, no age limit – 1 round Light Music Section Cat. G Soloists up to the age of 18 – 1 round Cat. H Soloists (no age limit) - 2 rounds Cat. I Orchestras and groups without age limit – 1 round Entries close 31 July 2013. Registration is free for 2013 in celebration of the 150th accordion manufacturing anniversary, Castelfidardo is celebrating this year. Download the rules and regulations booklet at: 2013castelfidardo |
14th Vienna International Accordion Festival - Austriaby Harley Jones |
![]() The packed program includes international and home-grown artists alike - and on 14 different stages, from jazz club Porgy & Bess to the Filmcasino. Mostly double concerts, which present two accordion bands in a single evening, are on the calendar from 23 February to 24 March. Around 40 concerts reflect the full stylistic range of the accordion between tradition and lots of innovation. International performers include: Norwegian Guro von Germeten with her Schwindelfrei Orchestra, Kimmo Pohjonen, Motion Trio, Denis Colin Trio, world music giant Bratsch from France, Blowzabella from the UK and Melingo from Argentina. The Austrian accordion scene is represented by the young talent Paul Schuberth, Maria Theres Stickler, Christian Bakanic and Walther Stojka. Well known hereabouts are Willi Resetarits & Stubenblues, the Vienna Tschuschenkapelle, Dobrek Bistro and, of course, the Austrian perennial accordion star Otto Lechner, who conducts the Zieharmonisches Orchestra at the opening gala. Also recommended are the silent movie matinee with live accordion accompaniment in the Filmcasino and the children's program Magic Afternoon. |
Inna Pilipenko Honored, Poeluev & Molinelli Concerts in Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Two concerts were organized by the WMC Harmony Association in Rostov-on-Don, the first on October 29th. Both concerts were held with full halls and featured artists: Yuri Shishkin, Alexander Poeluev, Alexander Zagrebelny, Svetlana Mazhukina, Sergei Troenko, the Don Orchestra and others. The concerts were to honor the teaching anniversary of Inna Pilipenko and each concert was attended by students and colleagues of Inna Pilipenko, widely known as an accordion teacher, a public figure and Director of the International Competition ‘Accordion Plus’. At the conclusion of the concert the audience welcomed the hero of the day with a standing ovation. On November 22nd there was a solo concert by Alexander Poeluev in the great hall of the Rostov State Drama Theater. See the two videos above. In the first part, Alexander performed a solo program, with music from the Baroque period, transcripts of balalaika music composed by Alexei Arkhipovsky and the world premiere of ‘Stars’, a new composition that Alexander had composed. The first half finished with a standing ovation. The second part of the concert featured outstanding Italian conductor, composer and arranger Roberto Molinelli, conducting the Rostov Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Alexander was the accordion soloist and they performed a program of ‘Tango’, arranged by Molinelli that featured many new sound effects and was popular with the audience. Pictures below of Alexander Poeluev and Roberto Molinelli at the end of the concert. |
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Vera Trick (1921-2013), Florida - USAby Accordion Rose, Rosie Oliver |
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Accordion Rose, Rose Oliver writes: It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that Susan and I lost our sweet mother Vera Trick on Sunday January 6th. She had a full 91 years of life and would have been 92 this April. Picture above at her 90th birthday. Growing up on a farm in Ohio, she won her first accordion contest in Findlay, Ohio at the age of 15. She entertained throughout high school and then moved to NYC after graduation. She went to work at Eastman Kodak and studied the accordion with Paul Billotti at Carnegie Hall. Vera later moved to Toledo, Ohio and took the Teachers Course with Sydney B Dawson at Trick Brothers Accordion Institute. She taught both private students and classes for several years and ended up marrying the boss - our dad, Al Trick. Mom would travel between the schools in St Louis and Dallas to relieve teachers for their vacations. Together they promoted concerts and workshops featuring renowned accordion artists. She and my Dad were officers in the beginning years of the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG), where she handled memberships and dues. She loved performing in the booth at the State Fair of Texas every year and attending accordion conventions. In her later years Mom loved coming to Texas and working the registration desk with me at the yearly conventions for the National Accordion Association (NAA) and seeing all of her old friends as they came by. More recently, Mom attended meetings at the Florida Accordion Association in Orlando, where she had been living for 28 years. Even though she couldn't play anymore, she loved to listen to others. Mom came to Texas last January after falling and cracking two ribs to stay with me and recover. After a few days, she developed pneumonia and was put on a ventilator. She survived that, but over the past year, her condition deteriorated and she continued to live with me until she passed away very peacefully last Sunday evening. Accordion Rose, Rose Oliver - Corpus Christi |
Yuri Shishkin’s CD Project and Concerts - Russiaby Harley Jones |
![]() In addition to these pieces performed in concerts Yuri Shishkin also plays music by Glazunov, Mendessohn, Hellmesberger, Kusiakov, Korndorf. With this program, Yuri has performed at Russia and Ukraine the big festivals in Odessa, Almaty, Simferopol, Nalchik, Tchelyabinsk. This year, Yuri Shishkin is 50. He will give more than 100 concerts around the world, including performances at festivals in Rostov-on-Don, Kiev, Surgut, and Moscow (11 December 11th, ‘Bayan and Bayanists’) It is difficult for Yuri Shishkin to name a favorite piece in this program, and he regards all the pieces as gems. According to him, this program is similar to having a good friend. 6 Shishkin CD's and eTracks albums available online at: Yuri Shishkin |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Zoltan Orosz Performs Libertango with the Savaria Symphonic Orchestra - Hungaryby Zoltan Orosz |
30th December New Years Concert, Zoltan Orosz performs Libertango with the Savaria Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Aldo Sisillo. The concert was in Szombathely, near Austria, about 3 hours drive from Budapest. Sound engineer was Attila Vincze. 4 CD's available online at: Zoltan Orosz |
Updated PlayHohner.com Website, Trossingen – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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Hohner's global network of websites have been completely refurbished. At www.playhohner.com music lovers can find comprehensive information on the entire range of Hohner products (harmonicas, accordions, guitars, recorders, melodicas, chlidren's instruments and more). There are also lots of news features about Hohner artists including stars such as Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) or Hank Williamson (The BossHoss). The Media Section is a highlight of the site with thousands of videos, photos and pdf documents (catalogues, tutorials, fingering charts, manuals etc.) relating to Hohner musical instruments and the artists who play them, as well as the company itself and its 155 year history. A sophisticated filter navigation makes it quick and easy to find the article you're looking including galleries of historic Hohner photos. The updated Hohner websites for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, USA and Canada are now online and there is a ‘worldwide’ version, with an overview of Hohner's global activities. Further languages and versions for different countries, as well as great new features, are planned for 2013. The marketing theme of Enjoy Music - Play Hohner is strongly featured throughout this new website. View at: www.playhohner.com |
Video: Ivan Sverko Performs J. S. Bach, Goldberg Variations - Croatiaby Harley Jones |
Published last week was this video of Ivan Sverko, well known successful international accordion competitor performing Goldberg Variations. This video was recorded at a concert in Pula during the summer of 2012. Aria, var. 1., 8., 13., 14., 15., 19., 25., 30., Aria da Capo. |
Video: Accordion Brasilby Harley Jones |
Enjoyable Brazilian popular music featuring accordion. |
Accordion Teachers Association Inaugural Meeting, London – UKby Harley Jones |
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On Sunday January 13th, some 40 accordion teachers, accordionists and supporters met at the Royal Academy of Music in London with a view to forming an association for accordion teachers in the UK. They came from as far as Scotland in the north to the south coast, and from Exeter in the west to East Anglia. The atmosphere was one of enthusiasm and the meeting, chaired by Janet and Romano Viazzani discussed a constitution and a way forward during some five hours of debating, broken only for a coffee break. A short musical interlude was given by Bartosz Glowacki and Xian Gao, two of the students at the RAM. A further meeting is planned in the next 6-7 months to elect an executive committee and approve a constitution. It is hoped that the association will enable teachers to refresh their skills through training programs as well as provide a voice for teachers in the wider musical spectrum. For further information including a list of attendees, email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk |
Video: Milos Milivojevic Recording Session, London - UKby Milos Milivojevic |
Behind the scenes footage from Nikhil Paul George of Milos Milivojevic recording accordion for 'Lat Lag Gayi' from 'Race 2' for composer Pritam and while in the recording studio, playing an excerpt from his accordion transcription for Mendelssohn's Organ Sonata No. 6 in D minor. |
Lionel Reekie Concert Brings International Accordionists Together, Novosibirsk - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Picture above is: head of the Russian Academic orchestra Vladimir Gusev, Lionel Reekie and accordion soloist Vladimir Efimov. The Russian Academic Orchestra, under the baton of Rustam Dilmukhametov is primarily made up of traditional Russian instruments including featuring accordionists. Picture left is conductor Rustam Dilmukhametov, Elena and Lionel Reekie. The concert also included a few instrumental items featuring soloists from the orchestra. Vladimir Efimov performed a well received solo to conclude the first half of the concert, although it was Lionel's performance of "Esli y vas netu teti", the theme from the beloved Russian movie "Irony of Fate" that bought the audience to it's feet demanding an additional encore. The Lionel Reekie vocal and orchestral accompaniment album 'From Russia with Love' is available on iTunes and Lionel's album featuring accordion and vocals is available online at: 'Starlight' Picture lower is all the orchestra accordionists with Lionel. |
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Video: Duo Naranjo & Weurlander. Piano & Accordionby Harley Jones |
First song of the upcoming music film of the duo Duo Naranjo - Wuerlander published January 11th. On piano is Tania Naranjo and on accordion is Minna Weurlander. |
Bartosz Glowacki Contemporary Music Concert Success, London - UKby Harley Jones |
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As part of the Park Lane Group’s young artist concert series Bartosz Glowacki, a Polish student at the Royal Academy of Music shared an evening program on January 8th in the Purcell Room at London’s South Bank Centre with the percussion duo Aurora, Delia Stevens and Le Yu. The program included Luciano Berio’s Sequenza XIII ‘Chanson’, a new work by Richard Causton, ‘Ricercar’ for solo accordion, ‘Prelude No13’ for solo accordion by Edward McGuire, and ‘Jeux d’anches’ by Magnus Lindberg. Composers, Richard Causton (recently appointed Professor of Music at Cambridge) and Magnus Lindberg (prominent Finnish composer) attended and enthusiastically congratulated Glowacki. Bartosz Glowacki obtained an excellent review from the music critic of the Guardian newspaper who wrote as follows: “….for me the coup de foudre was Bartosz Glowacki. By instinct, a solo accordion is not my top choice for a good evening out. Life deals its shocks however. The poetry and intensity of Glowacki’s playing proved compelling. Whether in Berio’s baroque-inspired Sequenza XIII (‘Chanson’) or in the sinewy, nervy energy of Magnus Lindberg’s ‘Jeux d’anches’, the young Pole created a poignant and distinctive sound world….”. High praise from the music critic of a major UK newspaper. |
Accordion: Frode Haltli and Arne Nordheim Complete Accordion Worksby Harley Jones |
On this video you hear excerpts of a live version of Arne Nordheim's "Spur" performed by Frode Haltli and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya (copyright NRK). Accordionist Frode Haltli discusses and demonstrates the compositions of Arne Nordheim as a promotion for the CD Arne Nordheim Complete Accordion Works which Frode Haltli recently recorded. Released by SIMAX. |
‘Accordéon de toujours’ DVD – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Video: Anathema I (2011) for Contrabass Tuba and Accordion by Dimitris Andrikopoulosby Harley Jones |
Published January 15th is the work Anathema I (2011) for Contrabass Tuba and Accordion by Dimitris Andrikopoulos. Performers are: João Barradas (accordion) and Sérgio Carolino (contranbass tuba). This work was the Winner of the 2012 Harvey Phillips Award for Excellence in Composition - ITEA. Promotional Video by Gonçalo Traquínio |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Danielle Pauly’s 1999 Toursby Rob Howard |
![]() FRENCH ACCORDIONIST PLANS 1999 TOURS Contributed by Christine Pauly French accordionist Danielle Pauly is currently preparing for several tours during 1999. In early March, she will be in Frankfurt, Germany, for the MusikMesse. Danielle will present demonstrations for the firm ‘Accordéons de France Maugein’, the French accordion maker who are celebrating their 80th anniversary this year (1919-1999). Following this Danielle will tour England from March 19th to 27th, organized by Bert Santilly. From April 9th to 13th, Danielle will attend The Paris Music Salon with ‘Maugein’, then travel to the USA for a concert tour of the east coast in June. |
Future events |
‘The World Goes Round’ Cabaret, London - UKby Rob Howard |
Jazz singer Joanna Strand presents ‘The World Goes Round’, a cabaret involving accordionist Romano Viazzani, on Friday January 18th, 8.30pm, at The Pheasantry, Kings Road, London. The show embraces everything from the sublime to the profane, including a glimpse of Paris through the eyes of Poulenc, Rome with Yeston, Guettel and Rodgers, and a flying visit to Nina, a very disagreeable girl from Argentina. For further information email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk |
Paulo Jorge Ferreira in Remix Ensemble, Porto - Portugalby Rob Howard |
![]() The concert programme includes: Giorgio Battistelli – ‘Truth’ Luca Francesconi – ‘Inquieta limina, un omaggio a Berio’ Salvatore Sciarrino – ‘Da un divertimento’ Luciano Berio – ‘Folk Songs’ For further information email: pjorgef@hotmail.com |
Ludo Mariën Concert, Neerpelt – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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‘Accordion Babes’ @ San Francisco AC, California – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Appearing will be Renée de la Prade, Jet Black Pearl (aka Jetty Swart), Maggie Martin, Diana Strong, and Skyler Fell. Future SFAC concerts include: February 17th - Mike Zampiceni, March 17th - Iosiph Purits (Russia), April 21st - Bonnie Birch, May 19th - The Frank Petrilli Trio. For further information email: info@sfaccordionclub.com |
Erika & Jean-Marie Play for Dancing, Pondrome – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information Ph: 0032(0)475.20.58.04 |
Pascal Contet’s International Concert Schedule – Germany, Turkey, Luxembourg, France, Portugalby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() January 21st, 8pm - Première of Fabien Lévy’s ‘Après tout’, with Ensemble 2e2m and the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart, Festival Ultraschall, Volksbühne, Berlin – live broadcast on Deutschland Radio. January 22nd, 8pm - Première of Fabien Lévy’s ‘Après tout’, with Ensemble 2e2m and the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart, Theaterhaus, Stuttgart. January 24th, 8pm – solo concert, programme: Philippe Hurel , Pierre Jodlowsky, Bruno Mantovani , Franck Bedrossian, Boruhan Center, Istanbul, Turkey. January 31st, 8pm - Ciné- concert, ‘L' Aurore’, by F.W. Murnau, Grand Auditorium, Philharmonie, Luxembourg. February 5th, 8pm - with Graciela Pueyo (guitar), Evelyne Alliaume (violin), Jérôme Lirola (double bass), Académie Supérieure de Musique, Strasbourg, France. February 15th – with Catherine Lara and the Sirba Octet, ‘Au cœur de l'âme yiddish’, La Verrière, northern France. February 16th, 8pm - Ciné-concert, ‘La chute de la maison Usher’, by Jean Epstein, Institut Français, Portugal. For further information email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr |
Gianni Mirizzi Project, Rome – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: giannimirizzi@libero.it |
Zolton Orosz Concert, Baja – Hungaryby Rob Howard |
![]() 4 CD's available online at: Zoltan Orosz |
Entrance Exam 2013 Pôle Sup'93, Paris – Franceby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
![]() After 3 years of training, this Centre of higher education allows to obtain the ‘Diplôme National Supérieur Professionnel de Musicien’, registered in the National Register of Professional Certifications and recognized by foreign countries with a possibility of getting equivalent diplomas. This DNSMP includes licensed University and training of education (DE). Classes of interpretation are held by Frédéric Guérouet. The deadline for application is February 8th 2013. All information is available on the website of the Pole Sup'93: http://www.polesup93.fr/acces-concours-d-entree |
CD Reviews |
Stas & Sam - Two Step CD by Stas Venglevskiby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
Xu Xiaonan eTracks Albumby Xu Xiaonan |
![]() 'Sunrise', catalog: xxu500eT with sound samples. Music performed by Xu Xiaonan. Purchase online. |
Antonio Spaccarotella and Alberto La Neve New CD Siteby Antonio Spaccarotella & Alberto La Neve |
![]() 'Non ce Tempo CD', catalog: albertoantonio101 with sound samples. Music performed by Antonio Spaccarotella and Alberto La Neve. Purchase online. |
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