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Highlights |
2010 ‘Musikmesse’, Frankfurt - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() The fair opens for four days: Hours of opening: 9am until 6pm Trade-visitor days: Wednesday March 24th to Friday 26th March, Public day: Saturday March 27th This year, all accordion related products will be exhibited in Hall 3.1 of the ground fair. This is an excellent opportunity to talk with manufacturers and their demonstrators. Some of the many accordion manufacturers presenting their latest products are: Baffetti – Hall 3.1 H20 Ballone Burini - Hall 3.1 G20 Beltuna - Hall 3.1 F12 Bugari -Hall 3.1 G23 Cagnoni Reeds - Hall 3.1 G19 Ciccarelli Jurgens Reeds - Hall 3.1 G51W Delicia - Hall 3.1 H13 Excelsior - Hall 3.1 F15 Galassi Bellows - Hall 3.1 G51W Harmonikas_Titelbach - Hall 3.1. G21 IMC - Hall 3.1 H2 Italcinte - Hall 3.1 G51U Lanzinger Harmonikas - Hall 3.1 G21 Marco Magi - Hall 3.1 G51W Master MIDI Production - Hall 3.1 G51 Mengascini Nello - Hall 3.1 G51X Moreschi / Pasco Italia - Hall 3.1 F21 MusicTech - Hall 3.1 H24 Orla - Hall 5.0 B24 ORA - Hall 3.1 G51 Paolo Soprani - Halle 3.1 F19 Pasco Italia/Moreschi - Hall 3.1 F21 Piermaria - Hall 3.1 H2 Pigini Accordions - Hall 3.1 F15 Roland - Hall 3.1 F13 – Hall 5.0 B38 Scandalli - Halle 3.1 F19 Victoria Accordions - Hall 3.1 J23 Zero Sette - Hall 3.1 G21 There will be a photo report after the Frankfurt Musikmesse. |
Beniamino Bugiolacchi Authors Chronology of Italian Accordions – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() This has required enormous research and will help answer many of the questions that readers often have about different manufacturers and brands of accordions that have been manufactured in Italy. Beniamino Bugiolacchi, the author of many publications and articles about the accordion, is a renowned accordion historian and founding Director (in 1981) of the ‘International Museum of the Fisarmonica’ in Castelfidardo, of which he is still a Director. He is also an industry spokesman, the owner and manager of Italcinte, a musical instrument strap and accessory manufacturer, and former Artistic Director of the Premio Internazionale di Fisarmonica, Città di Castelfidardo, international accordion competition and festival. Our grateful thanks go to Beniamino Bugiolacchi for preparing this very useful Chronology of Italian Accordions. |
‘Bell 78s Compilation’ CD, Manchester – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Manchester accordionist Tommy Scruton has digitally restored some of the old Bell 78s on CD for the first time, enabling these classic recordings to be heard in all their original glory. The players featured on the modestly priced ‘Bell 78s Compilation’ are Percy Holland, Albert Delroy, Ivor Beynon (picture left), Gerald Young, and Montanari, and these are also the only recordings currently available by any of these outstanding accordionists. The tracks are: ‘Trieste Overture’ and ‘Cubanera’ - Percy Holland; ‘Rhapsody in Musette’, ‘Donkey Ride’, ‘Reveil Musette’, and ‘Cuban Bellringer’ - Albert Delroy; ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’ and ‘Holiday for Strings’ - Ivor Beynon; ‘Adagio Cantabile’ (‘Pathetique’, Beethoven) and ‘Valse du Diable’ - Gerald Young; ‘Concert Waltz’, parts 1 and 2 – Montanari. For further information email: tom_scruton@yahoo.co.uk |
Annual Musikmesse Warm Up Party in Jazzkeller - Frankfurt / Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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The Jon Hammond Band is again hosting the annual Musikmesse Warm Up Party, Tuesday March 23rd, in the Jazzkeller Frankfurt, Kleine Bockenheimerstr. 18a / 60323 Frankfurt am Main / Tel. 069 28 85 37 This event is held every year on the night before the Musikmesse Trade Fair and this will be Jon Hammond's 24th consecutive year playing here and at the Musikmesse. Rejoining the band this year will be the Hungarian tenor sax star Tony Lakatos from Budapest. Also rejoining will be Giovanni Gulino (drums) and Joe Berger aka 'The Berger-meister' (guitar) friends from all over the world gathering in the special atmosphere of Jazzkeller Frankfurt, the oldest jazz club in Germany , a hundreds year old 'keller' below the ground near the Alte Oper in center of Frankfurt. Jon says, "It is a great way to kick off the Musikmesse every year, we always look forward to met so many longtime friends at this special club Jazzkeller” *Note: Selected Video Clips will be posted on http://www.accordion-space4u.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
‘Säkkijärven Polkka’ at War!, Karelia – Finlandby John Higham |
![]() In the summer of 1941, for the third time in two years, Finland found itself at war with the USSR, this time fighting on the German side in World War Two. The Finnish army was puzzled why bridges they had captured would blow up a few days later, and found that the reason was the Soviets had installed time bombs, operated by a radio fuse. ‘Yleisradio’ - the National Broadcasting Co - discovered that a signal transmitted on a certain wavelength would cause the tuning forks attached to the trigger to vibrate, activating a fuse relay mechanism. To prevent this happening, the Finns started to transmit Vili Vesterinen´s recording of the ‘Säkkijärven Polkka’ relentlessly on the radio, day and night, at that particular frequency. The tune was broadcast for the next nine months, from the beginning of September until the end of spring 1942, by which time the Finnish army estimated that the batteries of the mines had gone flat. The ‘Säkkijärven Polkka’ is arguably the most played and recorded of Finnish folk dance tunes, and is still frequently performed in concerts and accordion contests across Scandinavia. Vili Vesterinen's life was told in the 1955 movie ‘Säkkijärven Polkka’, starring the actor Sakari Jurkka in the role of the accordionist. Vesterinen appeared in the film as himself in a cameo role. The eSheet music of Sakkijarven Polka (catalog faies5002) arranged by Kimmo Mattila is available online, purchase with credit card. |
Frédéric Deschamps and ‘Team’ Collaborates with Christine Rossi – Monacoby Frédéric Deschamps |
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![]() Christine Rossi holds a position at the School of Roquebrune Cap-Martin and was the first French person to win the international competition Klingenthal in 1990. She had previously won the Coupe Mondiale in 1987 and the Trophée Mondial in 1989. Frédéric Deschamps, also a winner of these 3 international competitions in 1992, led a master class in Monaco during which accordion students at the school could learn his latest innovations in teaching techniques and repertoire. The next day, the 3 young international performers made a spectacular concert amazing many in the audience with their interpretations of a spectacular repertoire of both variety and classical music. This was the first time that these two former French international champions (Christine and Frédéric) had collaborated pedagogically and further workshops and concerts are set in April and June. |
Andy Anderson (1936-2010), London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Best known as an employee of John Leslie’s ‘Accordions of London’ and seen on the trade stands at accordion festivals for many years, Andy was also a brilliant accordionist and composer, whose talent was understated. Musically he owed much to the style of Django Reinhardt, yet had an originality that was admired by many. Andy played occasionally as the guest at accordion clubs, but was disinclined to pursue a career as a performer. Andy Anderson was a quiet, unassuming man, with a deeply held religious faith. He was well liked by all who knew him. Andy Anderson's funeral will take place on Tuesday 23rd March 2010 at 10.15 am at :- St Faith Crematorium, 75 Manor Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR10 3LF. "All are welcome to attend." Family flowers only please with donations, if desired, to:- Macmillan Nurses c/o. Peter Taylor Funeral Services, 85, Unthank Road, Norwich NR2 2PE. |
Celebrity Interview with Raphael Lavoie in Frenchby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() The Celebrity Interviews web site features this week the French translation of the Celebrity Interview with Raphael Lavoie who is the show’s keyboardist and accordionist using the Roland FR-3 V-accordion for his shows in addition to the Fantom-G8 Workstation keyboard. |
Future events |
Kimmo Pohjonen Concerts – Finland, France, Germany, Turkeyby Rob Howard |
![]() Pohjonen studied at the Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department, becoming an experimental and versatile musician, whose stage shows involve unusual sounds and visual effects. March 20th - Viiala, Finland – Akaa Jazz Viiala March 25th – Illkirch Festival, France March 26th - Potsdam, Germany April 22nd to 25th – premiere of ‘Haitari Painia’, a show involving accordion music and ten wrestlers, Turku, Finland April 27th - Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, Istanbul, Turkey For further information email: pap@hoedown.com |
Välgörenhetskonsert, Kungsbacka – Swedenby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The concert on March 20th, 4pm until 7pm, takes place at the Kungsbacka Theatre, Kungsbacka, near Gothenburg, featuring accordionists from Sweden, Norway and Denmark, including the Lars Karlsson Band, Lars Holm, Bengan Janson, Jörgen Sundeqvist, Oivind Farmen, Sigmund Delhi, Annika Andersson, David Wahlen, and Soren Brix. All profits will to cancer research. Karlsson’s Music - founded in 1970 - sells new and used accordions, CDs, music, and also includes an accordion museum featuring 100 exhibits. For further information email: lars.karlsson@karlssonsmusik.se |
Deschamps Team International Competition Schedule - 2010by Frédéric Deschamps |
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Picture above shows Frédéric Deschamps in France in video lesson with Dorin Grama in Moldavia. This year, Frédéric Deschamps will present performers from his team at many different international competitions. The team includes: Grayson Masefield (New Zealand), Petar Maric (Serbia), Alexander Kolovski (Macedonia), and Dorin Grama & Radu Laxgang (Moldovia), João Barradas (Portugal), Pietro Adragna (Italy), Christelle Sautaux (Switzerland), and for France, Benoit Nortier and Aurora Touchard. All these artistes come regularly take courses in France and also take regular courses via the Internet with Frédéric Deschamps (video conference on Skype), which avoids a large number of trips for these young artists and is a real time and cost saver. For 2010, there is a great series of international competitions: 1. The contest Montrond les Bains in the heart of France, March 25th to 26th 2. The International Alcobaçao (Portugal), organized by Anibal Freire, April 16th to 18th 3. Kozani (Greece), organized by Alexander Tchuev, April 16th to 18th 4. Klingenthal International (Germany), May 7th to 13 th 5. Spoleto (Italy), May 18th to 23rd 6. Rome (Italy), May 26th to 30th All these international competitions will be the first step in preparing for major international competitions in the fall. 7. Trophée Mondiale (CMA) in Vigo (Spain), September 21st to 23rd 8. International Competition Castelfidardo (Italy), October 6th to 10th 9. Roland International Festival (Italy), October 15th to 16th 10. Coupe Mondiale (CIA) in Croatia, October 19th to 24th Continued ... |
Steve Meisner Concerts, Wisconsin – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() March 19th and 20th, 8.30pm – Essen Haus, 514 E. Wilson St, Madison, WI 21st, 6pm - Croatian Cultural Club, 1503 Clement St, Joliet, Illinois 28th, 2pm - Prairie Lanes, W1646 County Rd, S Markesan, WI 31st, 1pm - Pulaski Inn, 3900 E Pulaski Ave, Cudahy, WI |
‘Les 2 jours de l'accordéon’, Châteauroux – Franceby Rob Howard |
‘Les 2 jours de l'accordéon’ is a two day accordion festival in Châteauroux, central France, on March 20th and 21st. Artistes involved include Jean-Louis Noton, the Châteauroux Accordion Orchestra, and l'Orchestre des Baladins. |
Klezmatics Concert, Montana – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Formed in New York City’s East Village in 1986, The Klezmatics’ brand of klezmer is one steeped in Jewish spiritualism and Eastern European tradition while incorporating more provocative themes such as social rights and anti-fundamentalism, with eclectic musical influences such as gospel, punk, and Arab, African, and Balkan rhythms. Over the course of nearly twenty years, they have released six CDs of wild, spiritual, provocative, reflective, and ecstatically danceable music, forever redefining and transcending traditional labels. |
Aly Bain & phil Cunningham Tour – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() - March 20th, 7.30pm - The Ariel Centre, King Edward IV Community College, Ashburton Rd, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5JX - March 21st, 7.30pm - Truck Theatre, 50 Ferensway, Hull HU2 8LB - March 22nd, 8pm – Folk Club, The Village Club, High St, Nettlebed RG9 5DD - March 24th - Biddulph Town Hall, High St, Staffs ST8 6AR - March 25th, 8pm - The Holy Cross, Hall Chapel Lane, Lichfield WS14 9DX - March 26th, 8pm - The Platform, Central Promenade. Morecambe LA4 4DB - March 27th - Union Chapel, The Vestry, Compton Ave, London N1 2XD - March 28th - Town Hall, 5 High St, Marlborough SN8 1AA - March 30th, 8pm - The Stables Theatre, Jim Marshall Auditorium, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU - March 31st, 8pm - Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, Cheshire M33 7ZF For further information email: donnamacrae@gmail.com |
Kevin Friedrich performs at Mangawhai - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
![]() Kevin Friedrich performed a variety program including marches, accordion novelties, show pieces, ragtime, and light classics for the Kaipara District Council hosted concert which was attended by the Kaipara Mayor and Mayoress Neil and Catherine Tiller. Kevin also included used instruments from the Accordion Gems exhibition at the Dargaville Museum, demonstrating two of the accordions from collection. Kevin raised quite a laugh when he pulled out the 45 year old “Tiger” model accordion as the concert venue is at the golf course. See picture. After the concert, morning tea was served & many people took the opportunity to personally thank Kevin before the Mayor hosted Kevin to lunch. |
CD Reviews |
Misteriumby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
Larry Malmberg New Music Releasesby Larry Malmberg |
Larry Malmberg releases 6 new pieces, 'Avalon', catalog:larrym005', 'Darktown Strutters Ball, catalog:larrym006', 'Fascination, catalog:larrym007', 'Red Wing, catalog:larrym008', 'St. Paul Waltz, catalog:larrym009' and 'Yellow Rose of Texas, catalog:larrym010'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Gary Dahl releases 5 updated worksby Gary Dahl |
Gary Dahl - Mel Bay Publishing Author, composer, arranger, Mel Bay recording artist and music educator announces the following titles for purchase on-line. 'Come Back To Sorrento, catalog:DH0224', 'Crazy, catalog:DH0225', 'Cuando Calienta El Sol, catalog:DH0226', 'Yesterday, catalog:DH0227' and 'Achtung Los, catalog:DH0228'. Samples for this music are now available at the Music For Accordion web site. The music is in eSheet format e-mailed directly to your computer. Easy purchase with credit card. |
Glubochenko Vassily selling a new CDby Glubochenko Vassily |
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Franco Cambareri New Music Releasesby Franco Cambareri |
Franco Cambareri - accordionist, composer, producer, releases 6 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Rio Negro, catalog: cfranco111', 'El Meneaito Do Brazil, catalog:cfranco112', 'Ella's Ballad, catalog:cfranco113', 'Angelique, catalog:cfranco114', 'Distant Cries , catalog:cfranco115' and 'Flamenco Nights, catalog:cfranco116'. Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
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