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Highlights |
3rd Roland International Competition, Rome - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() The event is being held in the stunning, prestigious Auditorium Parco della Musica and photographs, a full report of the event, competitors, jury, rules, history of the V-Accordion and results are all in the report: 2009 Rome Festival. Guest Artists performing are: Ludovic Beier (France), Mario D'Amario (Italy) and Cory Pesaturo (USA). Read in detail at: 2009 Rome Festival. |
6th World Harmonica Festival, Trossingen - Germanyby Horst Fausel, Hohner, Product Manager, Accordion |
![]() Full report and results: 6th World Harmonica Festival Among the highlights of the daily gala concerts were the -famous stars of the harmonica scene. These included: Olivier Ker Ourio from France, the King's Harmonica Quintet of Hong Kong, Jerry Portnoy and Howard Levy from the U.S., Willi Burger from Italy. There was music for everyone's tastes and the enthusiasm of the performers and spontaneous music-making had the crowds very happy. An exceptional sound experience was Andreas Nebl Andreas with the trio Nebl and then the Hong Kong Harmonica Orchestra in the Martin Luther Church. The highlight of the festival was undoubtedly the Howard Levy Concerto composed for the diatonic harp and full orchestra. For the first time, this piece was performed with the Hohner Accordion Orchestra 1927 Trossingen eV confirming what experts have long known, that the harmonica and accordion create a harmonious team! Full report and results: 6th World Harmonica Festival |
NAO Composers’ Competition 2010, Blackpool – UKby Steve Hughes |
![]() Entries, which can be for any of the following sections, should be submitted by February 28th: Professional Solo Amateur Solo Junior Solo 18 and under (for those currently studying for A levels / higher) Junior Solo 16 and under (for those currently studying for GCSE / Standards) Junior Solo 12 and under Duet/Ensemble A recording of the composition is required with the entry and the composer should be either prepared to play the piece at the event or arrange for someone else to do so. If no player is available the recording may be used as a last resort. For further information view the NAO website, or email the NAO Secretary: naouk@btinternet.com or email former competition organiser: steve@tomstileandstone.co.uk |
Xmas Gift Suggestions for Family and Friendsby Harley Jones |
![]() These ideas have been compiled to hopefully attract your Xmas gift money to be spent with accordion artists, composers, arrangers and businesses. Please support the accordion industry and choose from over 1,550 eSheet pieces, 277 CD/DVD’s, 800 printed works and 20 books (text) to choose from. 2009 Xmas Gift Ideas |
Shenzhen University Accordion Playing Course - Chinaby Harley Jones |
![]() Shenzhen University was founded in 1983, has some 30,000 students and 2259 teaching and administrative staff. The Fine Arts Department has some 120 full-time teachers and the staff includes teachers from many countries and many with extensive international experience. Wang Lu-lu, young accordion virtuoso, was a former German lecturer in the Department of Arts and Sciences, University of Munich. In September 2009, Shenzhen University Normal College Art Department appointed Wang Lu-lu as a lecturer. The "Accordion Playing Professional" is a four year course, with the qualification being undergraduate diploma, bachelor's degree. For further information email: wanglulu1103@126.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
‘Accordions International 2009’, Norfolk – UKby Rob Howard |
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![]() The opening concert on Friday evening featured the main guests Gennaro Ruffolo, Gianni Mirizzi, Giancarlo Caporilli (Italy), and the Jack Emblow and Tony Compton duo, followed by a set of Scottish dancing led by former All Scotland Champion Wayne Robertson. The evening was notable for the presentation of an accordion cake and ‘This Is Your Life’ book to Harry Hussey, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Other artistes performing in concert during the festival included Harry Hussey, Peter Ayers, Bert Santilly, local accordion quintet Norvic Concordia (MD Peter Ayers), and Johnny-Lee Leslie. The festival workshops were ably led by Brian Jenkins, Adrienne Sharpe, Jean Hanger, Bert Santilly, and Wayne Robertson. The festival ended with a concert featuring the workshop groups, short performances by the guests, including a concert spot from Wayne Robertson plus a final set of Scottish dancing, and ‘Auld Lang Syne’. As usual, the guests and Heather Smith finished off with a rousing jam of ‘Bel Viso’. ‘Accordions International 2009’ continues a tradition of autumn accordion festivals in East Anglia founded by the late Malcolm Gee in 1986. Next year’s festival takes place from November 12th to 15th 2010. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
Great Success of the 4th UNAC International Accordion Festival, Andoain - Spainby Raquel Ruiz |
![]() As every year, UNAC made a compilation CD as a present to all their associates. The CD title this year is ‘For children’. The music presented on this CD is played by children under twelve years old. The Festival started on Saturday morning with the presentation of this CD ‘Recopilation 2009’, where we could listen to music by Verchuren, C.P.E.Bach, Garbatini, Renato Bui, and folk music played live by children. Angel Luis Castaño, UNAC´s president, emphasized in this event the importance of fomenting the accordion between children. Many young accordionists came from several regions of Spain. The 4th Accordion Festival by UNAC also included a video session about the accordion and its music, and a street concert near the Auditorium Bastero in Andoain. At 18.30 started the gala concert with the participation of ODEON-Conexion duo, with Guy Giulliano and Joao Frade, from France and Portugal. The audience was really enthusiastic with their performance of jazz, variety and world music. For further information email: raquelru@gmail.com |
Accordion Stolen from Sergio Scappini, Milan – Italyby Marco Cinaglia |
![]() Full details of the instrument are listed on the Stolen Accordion website. Accordionists are asked to look out for this instrument and contact the Police or Sergio Scappini if they learn of anyone trying to sell this accordion. |
Future events |
Claudio Jacomucci Workshops – Netherlands and Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() November 17th to 19th – Muziekacademie, Herentals, Belgium: Alexander Technique workshop for music teachers and students, with Kathleen Delaney (Alexander Technique teacher) November 20th – Rosmalen, Netherlands: workshop for accordionists November 20th – Antwerp Conservatory, Belgium: Alexander Technique workshop for accordionists November 30th – Rosmalen, NL: workshop for accordionists For further Information email: info@claudiojacomucci.com |
Mazaika Performances – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() November 20th - Woodend Barn Arts Centre, Banchory, Scotland 21st - Universal Hall, The Park, Forres, Scotland 22nd, 3pm - Victoria Hall, Dunblane 25th to 29th – Nottinghamshire; concert programme: ‘Peter and The Wolf’ and Russian and Gypsy music For further Information email: info@mazaika-music.com |
Gerardo Balestrieri Concert, California – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Originally from Naples, Gerardo Balestrieri performs music from Italy and other parts of southern Europe . For further Information email: gerardobalestrieri@libero.it |
‘Wiener Akkordoenclub Favoriten’, Vienna - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() In addition to the local accordion orchestra, performing music by Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Mozart, Offenbach, and ABBA, there will also be a guest appearance by harpist Franz Xaver Pöllabauer. He will play solo, and perform the ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ and the ‘Nutcracker Suite’ with the accordion orchestra. For further Information email: h.ebenstein@gmx.at |
Jelena Milojevic Concert, Vancouver – Canadaby Rob Howard |
![]() Jelena Milojevic studied at the conservatories in Pula, Croatia, and Kragujevac, Serbia. Her appearances include concerts at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, Carnegie Hall, New York, the Arena, Pula, Croatia, and Kolarac Hall, Belgrade, Serbia. Her New York debut was the first classical accordion solo-recital in the last thirty years, in Carnegie Hall. She has also won numerous international accordion competitions. In 2007, Jelena moved to Canada, where she is promoting and establishing classical accordion as a performer as well as a teacher. She is currently teaching at Vancouver Community College and her CD ‘The Art of Accordion’ will be released soon, followed by a Canadian tour. For further Information email: info@kaymeekcentre.com |
Roya MacLean’s CD Launch, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further Information email: royamaclean@btinternet.com |
Anne-Maria Hölscher Concert, Berlin – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() The program includes: Marco Stroppa – ‘miniature estrose, 1er livre’, ‘Innige Cavatina’, ‘Tangata manu’ (1991–2001) Uros Rojko - ‘Bagatellen’ for accordion and piano (1994) Nikolaus Brass – ‘Dialoghi d’amore’ for accordion and piano (2008), premiere performance Oliver Schneller - new work for Accordion, Piano and Electronics (2009) Steffen Krebber – ‘Orang Utan’ (2009) For further Information email: info@zkm.de |
Irish Traditional Music Concert, Baltimore – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Paddy O’Brien, originally from County Offaly, Ireland, is one of the most highly regarded Irish American button accordionists. |
CD Reviews |
Acco Duo Romanceby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
November Diatonic News Online 1st Novemberby Werner Weibert |
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The November Diatonic News online 1st November. |
November USA News online on 1st Novemberby Rita Barnea |
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Available 2009 Trophée Mondial Video Downloadby Harley Jones |
![]() The DVD of this competition will be sent to you by airmail, and is of youtube size picture and quality for a price of only €50 plus €5 postage from the CMA website. |
Friedrich Lips CD Specialsby Harley Jones |
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New CD: ‘ecLipse’, Moscow - Russiaby Herbert Scheibenreif |
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