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Highlights |
40th PIF International "Città di Castelfidardo", Ancona – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() ![]() Entries closing date is: 25th August 2015 Earlier this year, the new Artistic Director Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, pictured left with Castelfidardo Mayor Mirco Soprani, released the new 40th edition PIF logo, and the 2015 competition regulations. Download in Italian, English and Chinese languages at: 2015PIF The competition includes solo, group and orchestra sections for different ages, for classical, chamber music, light music (varieté, folk, jazz, Latin American repertoire), and World Music categories which includes sections intended for diatonic accordions, bandoneons and digital accordions. The top concert category (the “Premio” category) will be in three rounds for 2015. In the third round, competitors must perform with the Pescara Conservatory string orchestra, the mandatory piece “Il Bosco della musica” composed and conducted by the famous Roberto Molinelli. Download the work at: 2015Molinelli.pdf |
Concertino Accordion Band on ‘Romania’s Got Talent’ TV Show, Bucharest, Romaniaby Rob Howard |
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The Concertino Accordion Band perform live on ‘Romania’s Got Talent’ TV show (ProTV channel) on Friday May 22nd, 8.30pm, Bucharest, Romania. The Concertino Accordion Band, from Moldova, were formed in 2003. In 2006 the ensemble won first place in the International Festival in Castelfidardo, Italy, and have since won 19 first prizes in competitions and festivals around the world: Canada, North Korea, Italy, Russia, Austria, Czech Republic, France, etc. Members: Eugene Negruta, Vladimir Leca, Misha Grossu, Kat Hioara, Sergio Paramonov, Sergiu Mirzac, Eugene Ursu, Dmitri Iurcik, Vitalie Negruta. For further information email: info@concertino.md |
Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival - Australiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Aleksandar Kolovski (Macedonia, picture left), prize winners, the Festival Massed Orchestra conducted by Lionel Reekie and Starlight Duo of Maurice Jones and Lionel Reekie are also performing at the Gala Concert, 3 pm on Sunday at the Club Marconi. Refreshments, Coffee Shops and Restaurants are available in the Club. AATA President Tania Lukic-Marx writes that the competitions on Saturday include competitors from Belarus, China, Macedonia, New Zealand and Serbia. Rules and regulations for the international competition categories are online at: AATA. A number of these categories have the same rules as the equivalent Coupe Mondiale categories. |
Foster & Allen World Tour Dates – New Zealandby Rob Howard |
![]() The ever popular Irish accordion/vocals duo Foster & Allen are currently on their World Tour, previously in South Africa, and are now in New Zealand for a further three weeks: Saturday May 23rd - Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North Sunday May 24th - Civic Theatre, Rotorua Tuesday May 26th - Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch Wednesday May 27th - Theatre Royal, Timaru Thursday May 28th - Opera House, Oamaru Saturday May 30th - Civic Theatre, Invercargill Sunday May 31st - Town Hall, Dunedin Monday June 1st - Ashburton Trust Event Centre, Ashburton Tuesday June 2nd - Marlborough Civic Theatre, Blenheim Thursday June 4th - Opera House, Wellington Foster & Allen are accordionist Mick Foster and singer/guitarist Tony Allen. They began performing together in 1975, playing ‘easy listening’ songs and tunes with some traditional Irish music, and have since earned a worldwide following. In 1979 they released the single ‘A Bunch of Thyme’ in Ireland, which entered the Irish charts and became their first top-selling No. 1 single, soon afterwards repeating the feat in the UK. Several other hit singles and albums followed, and the duo became internationally popular. They have to date achieved album and video sales in excess of 22 million worldwide. Mick Foster was taught to play the accordion by a Sister Anges Murray, a nun of the Mercy Order in Ballymahon, County Longford, and by Frankie Gavigan. Main influences on his playing included Jimmy Shand and Will Starr. In 1968 and 1970 Mick Foster won the All Ireland Piano Accordion Championship at the Fleadh Cheoil. He has stated then that his accordion would be the last thing in life he would be prepared to give up and has made his living from the accordion since that time. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
‘Accordions at the Castle’, Blackpool – UKby Rob Howard |
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Picture above: Jean Dauvin, Caroline Hunt, Alan Young, Gennaro Ruffolo, Giancarlo Caporilli, Steve Roxton. This year’s ‘Accordions at the Castle’ festival, organized by Heather Smith (picture below left) at the Norbreck Castle, Blackpool, was a great success. The concerts were excellent and varied, and numbers attending the event were up on the last couple of years. The opening evening concert starred the versatile Rosemary Wright, whose popular repertoire and virtuosity got the festival off to a fine start. Monday evening saw a stunning performance of classics and operatic arias from Denise Leigh (soprano) & Stefan Andrusyschyn (accordion). On Tuesday it was the turn of Steve Roxton, with a bierkeller type set, and Frenchman Jean Dauvin, whose musette selections on his MusicTech button accordion were very impressive indeed. Wednesday’s concert was an Italian night, featuring a great acoustic solo performance from the maestro Giancarlo Caporilli, and a contrasting spot by Gennaro Ruffolo, demonstrating the sounds of the MusicTech. David Vernon contributed concert spots and played for Scottish dancing in the Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday concerts. The trade show included the Birmingham Accordion Centre, Harry Kipling’s Memorabilia, Rob Howard’s accordion books, Alan Shute’s accordions and accordina stall, Roy Hendrie’s Limex products, and Caroline Hunt’s most impressive vintage accordions display. Some of the guest artists gathered together for impromptu sessions playing Caroline’s instruments. Thursday’s finale concert featured spots by the various guests, preceded in the afternoon by performances by the workshop groups: Buskers Band (MD Bert Santilly), Vintage (MD Heather Smith), Jazz (MD Bert Santilly), Orchestra (MD Rosemary Wright), and Scottish (MD David Vernon). Mention should be made of the excellent concert contributions made night and day by Harry Hussey, Bert Santilly, and Alan Young. Picture below: Heather Smith and Marjorie Howard playing two beautiful curved keyboard accordions from the antique display. |
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Video: Martin Lubenov's Jazzta Prasta "Impressions" - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Martin Lubenov's Jazzta Prasta "Impressions" release concert was held in Reigen, Austria, Published on Mar 22, 2015. |
Jorgen Sundeqvist meets Milan Bláha's widow Vera Ublová - Czech Republicby Rob Howard |
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![]() Swedish accordionist Jörgen Sundeqvist writes: “I had the great pleasure of being invited to meet Vera Ublová, the wife of the late, famous Czech accordionist Milan Bláha (1927-2015), who passed away on April 25th, a few days before his 88th birthday. It was very strange to be there at the house in Prague without the great maestro himself. In 1968 Milan Blaha had founded the accordion duo together with his student Vera Ublová who also would become his wife and partner in life. Vera and I have so many nice memories and great moments together with this outstanding musician and great person. We are now planning and preparing new publications and concerts in the memory of Milan Bláha and his fantastic work for the accordion. We all miss you Milan”. |
Recent Performances of Volodymyr Runchak Works - Ukraineby Volodymyr Runchak |
![]() Video 2: "Slob-art, the Art; to Each His Own" for two accordions by Volodymyr Runchak, performed by Iryna Serotyuk and Ivan Bykov. Video published on May 10, 2015. |
Available: Awakening Album by Stas Venglevski and Joan Sommers - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Awakening is a compilation of recent original compositions written for two accordions / ensemble by Stas Venglevski. Joining Stas on the recording is Joan Sommers (accordion), John Babbitt (string bass), John Simkus (bass accordion) and Michael Lorenz (drums). |
Video: Tango Reaction Perform Robo Tango, Belgrade - Serbiaby Harley Jones |
![]() The Duo Tango Reaction of Aleksandar Nikolic and Petar Maric recently toured in Austria and Germany and recently released a CD titled Tango Reaction, Catalog: beltango5 |
New Album by Marco Lo Russo and Gino Marcelli - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() The new CD by Marco Lo Russo and Gino Marcelli is available online in eTracks mp3 file download format for only 9 Euro or US$ equivalent. Individual tracks are also available. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Jack Emblow Elected NAO President in May 2001by Rob Howard |
![]() The UK Championships saw Jack Emblow (picture left), one of the country’s senior professional accordionists, appointed President of the NAO. This appointment was recognition of Emblow’s great lifetime contribution to the accordion, a position he still holds today. |
Future events |
Marko Kassl Concert Dates – Germany, Cyprusby Rob Howard |
![]() May 20th, 11am – Duo Mares concert, Schloss Horneburg, Horneburger Straße 139, D-45711 Datteln, Germany May 27th, 6pm – Ensemble Tangosphere ‘Ein Stuck Himmel’, Domforum Kolne, Domkloster 3, D-50667 Cologne June 3rd, 7pm - Ensemble Tangosphere ‘Ein Stuck Himmel’, Haus Oberschlesien, Bahnhofstr. 71, D-40883 Ratingen-Hoesel June 5th, 8.30pm - Duo Mares concert, 19th North Cyprus International Music Festival, Monastery Bellapais, Beylerbeyi, Cyprus Concert and other details can be found on Marko Kassl’s website. For further information email: info@marko-kassl.de |
Miss Natasha Enquist News - Germanyby Harley Jones |
![]() May 22nd - Elektrik Dark Kabarett, The KitKat Klub, Berlin, Germany May 23rd - Kiss Me Kate/Federleicht Album Release Party, Helga's Kitchen-Stadtpalast, Am Vögenteich 19, 18057, Rostock, Germany The film, in which Miss Natasha Enquist has 4 of her original songs on the soundtrack of, ‘The Birthday’, has been nominated in the following categories at the Shanghai Pride Film Festival: Best Cinematography - Fábio Mota Best Sound & Music - Jacopo Vannini/Kolo Agency For further information email: info@natashaenquist.com |
Spring Ceilidh featuring Thom Hardaker, North Yorkshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Thom Hardaker, born in Sutton-in-Craven, North Yorkshire, started to play the piano at 5 years old, and then moved to the accordion at the age of 6. He studied under Harry Hinchcliffe at the Craven School of Music until the age of 16. Thom has won many competitions, including the Northern Ireland Accordion Championship, the All Scotland Championship, UK NAO Championship, and the International Baltic Music Festival. Thom graduated last year from the the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory, St Petersburg, Russia, class of Professor Oleg Sharov. Thom is in great demand, so we are in for a real treat in Sutton-in-Craven, his local home town. |
Ksenija Sidorova ‘Tango Stories’ Concert, Dzintari – Latviaby Rob Howard |
![]() Ksenija Sidorova (born in Riga, Latvia, in 1988), studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London, tutor Prof. Owen Murray, where she received a Masters Degree with Distinction. Ksenija Sidorova performs concerts internationally, and has to date recorded two CDs. |
Bartosz Glowacki’s Final Recital, London – UKby Rob Howard |
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Polish accordionist Bartosz Glowacki, a student at the Royal Academy of Music, will conclude his degree course with a Final Recital on Friday May 29th, 7.30pm until 8.45pm. This takes place at the RAM, Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5HT. Bartosz Glowacki writes: “After 3 years of playing exams closed to the public comes my final one, which I can share with you! I would like to create concert atmosphere and I need YOU to come and support me by your presence so we can share this 50 minutes of music together. The programme will include some of my favourite original accordion music as well as transcriptions. Later, the Deco Ensemble and William Percy will join me on stage for exciting chamber music! After we can have couple drinks in the RAM's Bar!” For further information email: K.INGRAM@ram.ac.uk |
CNIMA J.Mornet Celebrates 20th Anniversary With A Festival – Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
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![]() The list of CNIMA J.Mornet students and trainees who became “great names” is simply amazing (alphabetical order): Jean-Baptiste Baudin, Philippe Bourlois, Nathalie Boucheix, Dimitri Bouclier, Patrick Brugalieres, Félicien Brut, Gianluca Campi, Amélie Castel, Stéphane Courtot-Renoux, Fabrice Coussoux, Laurent Derache, Frédéric Deschamps, Domi Emorine, Jean-Marc Fabiano, Aude Giuliano, Guy Giuliano, Roman Jbanov, Marie-Andrée Joerger, Jérôme Labat, Jérémy Lafon, Myriam Lafargue, Guylaine Leori, Vincent Lhermet, Gwenola Maheux, Jean-Marc Marroni, Stéphanie Methot, Pascal Meurgé, Alain Musichini, Pierre Mussi, Aurélien Noel, Mattéo Petronio, Eric Pisani, Camille Privat, David Richard, Christine Rossi, Dimitri Saussard, Claude Sauvage, Dragan Vasiljevic, Sarah Vonau, ... and many others less renowned, who have also dedicated their life to accordion by teaching and entertaining. Additional are the students of all levels and ages who attended one or more of the over 200 training weeks organized in Larodde or Saint-Sauves. So CNIMA is 20 years old in 2015 and this will be celebrated! In collaboration with “Festival National d’Accordéon”, a great French accordion event sponsored by many international accordion companies and local firms, CNIMA J.Mornet announces three days of accordion parties. Here are the main events: Friday May 29th, La Bourboule, salle polyvalente (City ballroom): great accordion and dance Gala from 12am to 12pm with two possible meals. Over 20 accordionists including Alain Musichini Musette Trio, Nathalie Boucheix and all CNIMA’s teachers and students. Saturday May 30th, 6pm in Saint-Sauves Church: Light music and classical music concert with J.B. Baudin, Alain Musichini, Roland Digital Duo (Marc Berthoumieux, Ludovic Beier) and Christine Rossi. Sunday May 31st: from 2pm, in Camping Les Vernières, La bourboule, final party with all regional and national musicians as guest artists! Download the full program and information: 2015CNIMA.pdf |
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Chmielewski celebrates 70 years of playing the accordion, Minnesota - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Chmielewski, 88, started his musical career in 1945, at the age of 18. He was hired to play his first job for a wedding dance with a repertoire of only four songs. After serving 3-1/2 years in the US Army Air Force, Chmielewski organized the original five Chmielewski Brothers Polka Band with brothers Leonard, Jerry, Chester and Donny in 1955 and he produced the Polish TV Party on WDSM TV, which was televised in black and white. Since then, Chmielewski produced over 2,000 TV shows known as, Chmielewski Funtime, which were televised on 42 stations nationwide including the RFD-TV Network out of Branson, Mo. The Chmielewski Funtime band included his children, Florian Jr., Jeff, Mark and Patty. The Chmielewski Funtime family band extended their travels and performed all across the United States and Canada including Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Hawaii and Mexico. |
Owen Murray Chamber Music Recital, North Yorkshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The emergence of the concert accordion as a respected instrument on the UK concert platform is due in no small way to the efforts and achievements of Owen Murray promoting the accordion extensively to the education and classical music world. Born in Scotland, Owen Murray studied with Mogens Ellegaard at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. In 1986 he was invited by the Royal Academy of Music to establish an accordion department, where he was appointed Professor – the first appointment of its kind in the UK. Tickets are free – can be booked by visiting: http://www.giggleswick.org.uk/rwt/whatso/music/professor-owen-murray/ |
2015 South Pacific and New Zealand Championships and Festival - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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![]() The event runs on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2015 at the superb Raye Freedman Centre, Epsom, Auckland The Finale Concert on Sunday 31st May from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, will feature: - Massed Orchestra, - Guest Artist Jincheng Xue (China) - The South Pacific Accordion Champion Prize Winners - Selected competitors. - Auckland Accordion Symphonietta conducted by Lionel Reekie. Past events reports at: South Pacific Daily Reports Rules and full information, download: 2015 NZ Prospectus Full information at: New Zealand Accordion Association |
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Classes, Seminars, Workshops - USAby Paul Pasquali Event Organizer |
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![]() ![]() Look over the excitement, view the article and videos about all the great performers published last week - there is still time to register and join the FUN! Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Classes Accordion Effects | Grayson Masefield, Exploring glissandos, tremolo, bellow shakes are some effects to be presented. Accordions Roll Part 1 | Riders in the Sky, Performing and recording with a traveling band. Accordions Roll Part 2 | Riders in the Sky, Performing and recording with a traveling band. Acoustic Duets | Gordon Kohl Appearing in Public | Gina Brannelli, Taking the Stage, dress, presentation and music Controlling your Bellows | Stas Venglevski, The heart of the accordion - it's all about control! Duet & Group Master class | Joan Sommers Ear Training | Joey Miskulin, Often wonder how musicians do what they do - learn to listen with Joey! Electronic Accordion Duets | Gordon Kohl History of Music Notation | Liz Finch, A discussion of how throughout the ages sound has been captured and put on paper. Interpreting music notation | Liz Finch, How to interpret as a performer traditional and non-traditional elements of notation. Jazz Accordion Tips | Paul Betkin/Jerry Cigler A sampling and potpourri of simple performance tips based on the craft of the legendary Leon Sash. This will be a practical and performance presentation of basic techniques and advice geared toward the casual accordionist for the performance of simple lead sheet music. The presentation will be performance oriented, down-to earth, informative and fun. Questions and comments through audience participation is highly encouraged. The information to be presented is a stand-alone art and craft for the accordion not taught anywhere today in the USA. Jazz Accordion Tips 2 | Paul Betkin/Jerry Cigler, More examples of using and interpreting lead sheets Longevity in the Accordion Business | Gordon Kohl, Marketing the accordion - performing, teaching Master class | Joey Miskulin Master class | Mary Tokarski Master class | Stas Venglevski Orchestra Rehearsal | Joan Sommers Perfecting Your Technique | Grayson Masefield, Perfecting passages and various styles - Grayson will demonstrate and answer your questions. Playing in a Band vs. Solo | John Kolbrich, John will discuss his approach of being a musician first, and accordionist/keyboardist/bassist/vocalist second. Being less busy and more musical is my approach to making the band sound better, leaving space for everything and everyone to come together. John's approach to playing the Concerto blending midi Bass, Keyboards, and Accordion into a very powerful package of sound, the cornerstone to the band. Playing Simple Music | Stas Venglevski, The art of making great music from even the simplest of music. Playing with a digital orchestra | Chuck Henry, Auto accompaniment tools are not for everyone but Chuck will show how to effectively use a backing module with the Concerto. Playing with digital samples | Chuck Henry, Using the Concerto Chuck will show how to make sounds come alive such as making a trumpet really sound like a trumpet. Preparing for A Rehearsal | Joan Sommers, Preparing and making valuable rehearsal time meaningful. Selecting the right accordion (Concerto) for you! | John Kolbrich, John's is playing his second generation Concerto accordion and will review what he has learned about selecting the right model for you, He will review key "go to" sounds, that work well in most commercial sound settings. John will review his settings with examples, how he uses of a "Leslie" Pedal for producing natural rotary speaker Hammond sounds, and his approach for getting the best Bass sound. Styles & Dynamics | Joey Miskulin, A look at various musical styles and the importance of dynamics in music especially with the accordion! Tango Music | Grayson Masefield, The art and style of playing Tango Music Teaching the Accordion I | Gina Brannelli, Starting off correctly and dealing with the basics Teaching the Accordion II | Gina Brannelli, Moving forward after the basics. The Total Package | Mary Tokarski, Everything counts – a look at some of the most misunderstood parts of a performance – and WHY they are important! Traveling with Mantovani AND the accordion | Mary Tokarski, The joys of performing with the “World’s Most Elegant Orchestra”, and traveling with an accordion . . . the great stuff . . . AND . . . some of the horror stories. Learn what works (and what doesn’t) when traveling with your accordion. Youth Master class | Joan Sommers |
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Richard Galliano Concerts, New York – USAby Harley Jones |
![]() Though his career has included unprecedented accordion performances of Vivaldi and Bach, and a revival of the French bal-musette genre, Galliano clearly feels at home playing jazz. He has worked with jazz greats since the 1970s, from Ron Carter and Kurt Elling to Toots Thielemans, and he continues to work with some of the most interesting musicians around. Alongside a veteran group of jazz musicians, the accordion virtuoso will apply his unique sound to the music of Chick Corea, Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, and John Coltrane, as well as classic Brazilian composers like Ivan Lins, Joåo Doato, and Abel Silva. Richard Galliano - accordion, will be accompanied by guitarist Victor Juris, pianist John Nelson, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli . |
Accordionist Art Stoyles Folk Festival Tribute, Newfoundland - Canadaby Harley Jones |
![]() "Art Stoyles, who passed away this year, was a big accordion player in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Folk Arts Society President John Drover on Wednesday. "There's going to be an Art Stoyles tribute on the TD Main Stage ... so all the big accordion players are going to be doing a tribute to Art Stoyles." Art Stoyles learned to play the accordion at the age of eight, and continued to perform for almost six decades prior to his death on April 6th. He was an accomplished solo artist, but also played with Figgy Duff, The Westerneers, The Bannerman Park Band and his own Art Stoyles Band. Other main stage acts announced for this year's folk festival include Hey Rosetta!, Bruce Cockburn and The Fables. The festival takes place from August 7th to 9th at Bannerman Park in St. John's, Newfoundland. |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: L'armonica a mantice di Giuseppe Greggiatiby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
New Music eSheet Military Polonaise Arrangement by Zevy Zions - USAby Zevy Zions |
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Updated Site: Marco Lo Russo Biography and Picturesby Harley Jones |
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Updated Site for Silvio De Pra, CD's and eTrack albumsby Harley Jones |
![]() A listening pleasure for all lovers of Italian song and beautiful music. |
Updated Site: Gary Dahl, Arranger, Composer, Teacher - USAby Harley Jones |
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