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Editor's Note: World Accordion Dayby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() It was on May 6th 1829 that Cyrillius Demien (Cyril Damian) patented his first accordion design in Vienna, Austria, sparking off what rapidly became a global craze for this instrument. It is amazing to see how the accordion has adapted so well to a large number of musical genres and sub-genres around the world. It is played by young and old alike in every inhabited continent, and its repertoire continues to expand delight audiences everywhere. Long may this continue to be the case. Rob Howard |
Coupe Mondiale Online Entry System Opens - Finlandby Harley Jones |
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![]() The entry system for competitors for the 68th Coupe Mondiale is now online. Entries must be received by 31st August 2015. All details at: Coupe Mondiale The event features 8 International Accordion competition categories including Classical, Virtuoso Entertainment, Ensemble and Digital. Kimmo Mattila (picture left), CIA Secretary General and President of the Finnish Accordion Association (Suomen Harmonikkaliitto), CIA member and host organiser, warmly welcome guests, competitors and supporters to enjoy the prestigious Coupe Mondiale at the superb world class Turku Logomo. The 68th Coupe Mondiale is sure to be a very exciting event and full information, accommodation and entry details are online at: Coupe Mondiale Logomo (main theatre picture below) is one of Finland's most spectacular event centers. Logomo features several different sized auditoriums and a restaurant with each auditorium having excellent acoustics, lighting and sound facilities. Every guest artist and contestant will sound their very best. In 2011, Turku was the European Capital of Culture, and next October, the Turku Logomo will be the World Capital of Accordion! |
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Musikmesse 2015 Frankfurt - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Frankfurt_Musikmesse_2015_Accordion_Live_Report - with impressions from the exhibition. |
NAO UK Championships 2015, Liverpool - UKby Anna Bodell, Past NAO Chairperson |
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![]() What a great weekend atmosphere, friendly, and full of wonderful music from the entrants who competed in this 70th year of National Competitions! A wonderful Celidh on Saturday evening with the band Highland Fling under the helm of of NAO Hon Vice President Graham Laurie – with a superbly entertaining performance by international guest Pietro Adragna (Italy). Outstanding competition successes included - 14 year old Roseanna Bodell – winner of the 17 & under “Bell Trophy” Solo, Junior Recital, Polka (16 & under), Senior Musette and Open Premier Duet - Brother Alexander Bodell who was the winner of the International and Senior Recital. - Very commendable ensemble performances were given by the St Johns Accordion Group (Northern Ireland) and the Brian Laurie Accordion Showband (Scotland). The NAO was also particularly pleased to welcome teacher Gerry Kelly and international participants from the the Republic of Ireland - Gerry Kelly whose soloists greatly impressed over the weekend especially Madison Doherty. Honoured during the festival with the NAO Merit Award was renowned teacher and Musical Director Brian Laurie for his devoted service to the accordion spanning over 30 years! (Brian Laurie, and Joyce together with Raymond Bodell) A special opening to the festival was that on Friday 17th, the longest member - 65 years, himself a NAO Honorary Vice President and a CIA Honoured Friend of the Accordion – Ken Farran celebrated his 80th birthday! The NAO UK Championships 2016 will again be held at the the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool from 22nd - 24th April. Picture below: Bell Trophy Presentation, Jury members Ken Farran, Pietro Adragna, and Graham Laurie with winner Roseanna Bodell and prizewinner Stephanie von Gunten. Full results are available on the NAO website www.accordions.com/nao |
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Full Report: 2015 China Youth Accordion Year Opening Ceremony - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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The Opening Ceremony of the 2015 China Youth Accordion Year and the Symposium of Accordion Education's Development and Innovation took place on the 6th April at the Beijing Childrens Palace. Full report including pictures and 7 videos: 2015ChinaYouth |
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Sergey Osokin and Alexander Komelkov in Concert, Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Harley Jones |
![]() On 26th April, Sergey Osokin (picture left) and Alexander Komelkov (picture below) will be performing a concert in Rostov on Don. The concert will be part of the International Competition Anatoli Kusiakov which is traditionaly held in the southern Russian accordion capital of Rostov-on-Don. Sergey Osokin has won many Russian and international competitions (Italy, Germany, France and Spain) and has participated in various international festivals in Russia, Austria, Germany, Spain, Slovakia, Serbia, Lithuania, Latvia, China, North Korea). Since 2006 he has been a tutor at the Schnittke Moscow State Institute of Music and has released two CD's available online at: Sergey Osokin |
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2015 Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival - Australiaby Harley Jones |
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![]() AATA President Tania Lukic-Marx warmly welcomes international contestants and supporters and invites all accordionists to take part in the International Massed Orchestra. Well known accordion/vocal performer Lionel Reekie from New Zealand will conduct the International Massed Orchestra and will be performing. 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. For further information email: tats64@gmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Mestre Camarão (1940 to 2015), Recife, State of Pernambuco - Brazilby Harley Jones |
![]() He was honored as a Live Heritage through the State Law No. 12,196, of May 2, 2002. Governor Paulo Câmara issued a statement on the death of Mestre Camarão. "Pernambuco and Brazil lost one of their masters of popular northeastern music with the death of Camarão. A master by the mastery with which he performed his art and also for the support and encouragement he gave to new generations. My strong sympathy to the families and friends of Mestre Camarão". The Department of Pernambuco Culture and the Foundation of Historical and Artistic Heritage of Pernambuco (Fundarpe) issued joint official statement, lamenting the death of Mestre Camarão. The Mayor of Recife, Geraldo Julio, also paid tribute to Mestre Camarão, Recording List: (2000) Forrofando em Caruaru – independente - CD (1998) Camarão plays forró – Nimbus/Records - CD (1986) Camarão e o grupo mandacaru - Polygram/Memória - LP (1984) Camarão ao molho de forró – Rozenblit/NIF - LP (1983) Braz, pedacinho do norte – Rozenblit/NIF (1981) A Bandinha do Camarão - Copacabana - LP (1980) Casa de festejo - C.I.D/Itamaraty - LP (1979) Bem ti vi atrevido – C.I.D/Itamaraty - LP (1978) Na toca do Camarão - C.I.D/ Itamaraty - LP (1976) Forró no palhoção - Camarão e Seu Acordeom - Tropicana/CBS - LP (1975) Camarão ao vivo - Rozenblit/Passarela – Compacto Simples (1974) Retrato de um forró – Rozenblit/A.M.G – LP (1973) Camarão ao vivo – Rozenblit/passarela - LP (1972) Com Camarão em todo canto tem forró – Rozenblit/passarela - LP (1971) Camarão quente no São João– Rosenblit/ A.M.G – LP (1970) Bandinha do Camarão - RCA Victor - LP (1970) Los Marines embalo 70 – Continental/Musicolor – LP (1969) Bandinha do Camarão - RCA Victor - LP (1967) Nordeste "Cabra da peste" - Participação - Mocambo - LP (1966) Viva São João - VOL. 4 - Mocambo - LP (1965) Forró do Zé do Gato - Participação - Mocambo - LP (1965) Trio Nortista –Rozemblit – LP (1964) Lá vai brasa – Rozenblit/Mocambo – LP (1963) Cabra da peste/Fungado bom - Mocambo - 78 rpm (1962) Arrasta-pé no Jucá/Choradeira - Mocambo - 78 rpm |
Video: Ole Guapa by the Johann Strauss Orchestra - Mexicoby Harley Jones |
The Johann Strauss Orchestra conducted by Andre Rieu performs the ever popular tango Ole Guapa. Solo accordionist is Johann Strauss Orchestra accordion/bass trombone player Leon van Wijk. The Johann Strauss Orchestra was formed by Andre Rieu in 1987 and this video was recorded on tour in Mexico. Published on Sep 12, 2013. |
Carlo Agresti International Music Competition - Italyby Eleonora Ienaro |
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![]() Marked by a passion for music, students of various accordion classes of teacher Antonio Spaccarotella (picture left), after months of preparation, achieved notable successes. Overall winner of the classical accordion section (with a program by such composers as Scarlatti, Mozart, Angelis) was the young Egidio Apuzzo. Daniele Carabetta won the modern accordion section (with a program by composers such as Corea, Ruggieri, Carrozza, Frade) including arrangements by Antonio Spaccarotella. These successes, were a part of the enthusiasm and intensity of passion that an instrument like the accordion can arouse. CD/eTracks Mp3 album available: Antonio Spaccarotella |
Navihanke Performs Na mojem licu - Sloveniaby Harley Jones |
The members of Navihanke are talented, vibrant and seek to showcase the very best of Slovenia's modern culture. This video of Na mojem licu was published 25 August 2013 to promote a 2014 tour to the USA. Navihanke Members are: Sonja Hercog (saxophone, vocals), Tamara Gobec (guitar, vocals), Maša Uranjek (lead vocalist, flutist, guitar, piano), Tanja Cretnik (accordion), Jasmina Šmarcan (bass guitar, guitar, vocals). |
Arseniy Strokovskiy Performs 'Cinema' at Memorial Concert - Russiaby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() The concert included the accordion work 'Cinema', that was written specially for the competition Arrasate Hiria International Accordion Competition as a test piece in 1996. 'Cinema' was performed by Arseniy Strokovskiy (picture left). Sergei Berinsky's 'Cinema' was also the title of a CD/mp3 album by Prof. Friedrich Lips (Catalog CD012) and the work was also on the CD/mp3 album of Sergey Osokin titled Il Cinema per Sempre (Catalog os602). Arseniy Strokovskiy was the laureate of several international competitions in 2014 and is a student of the Schnittke Moscow State Institute of Music, under the tutelage of the prize winner of numerous all-Russia and international contests Sergey Osokin. |
Jac & Co US Tour Report – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Hello from Philadelphia! For more than three weeks "Jac & Co" has offered our "French touch" music in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania! Success leads to more success, and our playing has led to other private concerts in different places, not foreseen. It must be said that "April in Paris" with Jac & Co in the French restaurant ‘A la Maison’ in Philadelphia already gives us two concerts per week minimum in April! Yesterday, we went to play in Greenwich Village, NY, in a beautiful jazz cafe, sharing the stage with American musician friends. Early May, it will be a car journey that will take us to play in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island for three weeks, with other musical encounters and adventure. Back in early June ... for programing in the same French restaurant in Philadelphia during the last 15 days of the stay ... but also several house-concerts in the region and especially for a filmmaker and a film studio in Philadelphia! We still found time to visit the Barnes Foundation, Cezanne and Renoir with these ... and many other tourist places like Brooklyn in NY. It really is already a great second Jac & Co US tour!! Remaining tour dates: April 24th - French restaurant ‘A la Maison’, Ardmore, Philadelphia April 26th - Corinthians Yacht Club, April 30th and May 1st - Auberge chez François, Great Falls (VA), near Washington May 2nd and 3rd - Wine & Food Festival, National Harbour May 5th to 10th - Jac & Co recording session & concert in C.A.S Studio, Vineland, New Jersey May 11th - French restaurant ‘Pot au feu’, Providence, Rhode Island May 14th - Gateway Lodge, Pennsylvania May 29th – concert at Cooperage project, Honesdale For further information email: jacques.pellarin@wanadoo.fr |
Video: Jorge Matlaszuk Dance, Amigos del Acordeon - Argentinaby Harley Jones |
Jorge Matlaszuk performing at a recent social function organised by the association Amigos del Acordeon (Friends of the Accordion), April 19, 2015 in Argentina. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Accordions Serenade Russian and German leaders in April 2001 - Russiaby Rob Howard |
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The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending April 27th 2001 included a report of a meeting in St. Petersburg between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, during which the political leaders were entertained by accordionists Vladimir Ushakov and Svetlana Stavitskaya. The world needs surely more of this! Meeting of Russian President and German Chancellor Accompanied by Accordionists – Russia On April 9th and 10th 2001 a meeting was held with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder in St. Petersburg, which included a visit to the ancient wooden frigate ‘Kronwerk’, which is moored on the Neva River near the building of the Admiralty. On the frigate, accordionists Vladimir Ushakov and Svetlana Stavitskaya (members of the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble) entertained the dignitaries with popular variety music, folk music and classical compositions including pieces by Albert Vossen, Will Glahe, Heinz Munzonius, popular German songs and Russian national melodies. At the completion of their program, Vladimir Putin and Gerhard Schroeder approached the musicians and warmly thanked them for their musical support of the meeting and shook their hands. The fact that accordionists were chosen to entertain at this meeting is a great achievement and demonstrates the popularity of the accordion at such a high level. |
Future events |
Klezmer Workshop, Valletta - Maltaby Rob Howard |
![]() At the end of the week-long workshop, participants will perform a concert open to the media and public. Then, following the performance, the Klezmorimalta Foundation will approach participants individually to find the best team to create Malta’s first-ever Klezmer band. This new band will be invited to perform at the annual Farsons Beer Festival, between Friday July 24th and Monday August 2nd. For further information email: klezmorimalta@outlook.com |
Richard Galliano Concert Dates - Europeby Rob Howard |
![]() April 24th – with the New Musette Quartet, Bremen, Germany April 25th – with the Nino Rota Quintet, Lisbon, Portugal April 26th – with the Orchestre Symphonique Confluences, Biarritz, France April 29th – a Mozart programme with the National Radio Orchestra, Bucharest Romania May 8th – with the Tangaria Quartet, Imst, Austria May 9th – Mare Nostrum, Florence, Italy May 16th – Mare Nostrum, Vicenza, Italy May 25th – with Avi Avital, pieces from ‘Between Worlds’, Theatreplatz 2, Dresden, Germany May 26th – Vivaldi/Piazzolla/Galliano, Richard Galliano Sextet, Besancon, France May 29th – Vivaldi/Piazzolla/Galliano, Richard Galliano Sextet, Bologne-sur-Mere, France Richard Galliano (born 1950) studied at the Academy of Music in Nice, and after winning the Junior and Senior CMA Trophee Mondiale in 1966 and 67, embarked on a highly successful professional career, with a special interest in playing jazz. Over the years Galliano has worked and recorded with Juliette Greco, Charles Aznavour, Chet Baker, Bireli Lagrene, Wynton Marsalis, Toots Thielmans, and many more. For further information email: gingaproductions@yahoo.fr |
Craven Accordion Orchestra Concert, Lancashire – UKby Rob Howard |
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The Craven Accordion Orchestra (MD Harry Hinchcliffe) performs in concert at the Bethel Independent Methodist Church, Burnley Rd, Colne, Lancashire BB8 8JD, on Saturday April 25th, 7.30pm. Members of the Craven Accordion Orchestra have just returned from a busy and successful weekend at the NAO UK Championships in Liverpool. Their solo, duets, group and the band, between them brought home to Yorkshire a total of 26 trophies: 7 first places, 13 second places, and 6 third places. |
Katerina Lekka Concert, Athens - Greeceby Rob Howard |
![]() Katerina Lekka began to play the accordion at the age of seven, and later studied with the composer George Georgiadis until she graduated from the Athens Conservatory in accordion, piano, and music theory. She performs in various styles, including Greek. She works as a solo accordionist and in various ensembles, composes, teaches accordion, piano and music theory, and is a session musician as a frequent guest on various CD projects (including Nikos Grapsas, Iossif Valet, G. Lyckouras etc.). |
Mazaika Concerts, London - UKby Rob Howard |
The duo Mazaika – Igor Outkine (acoustic and midi accordion, vocals) and Elizabeth Harrison (violin, domra, vocals) – perform two concerts, on April 25th and May 9th, 7.30pm both evenings, at Pushkin House, 5A Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2TA. The concert on May 9th celebrates the end of World War Two in Europe - ‘Defenders of the Fatherland Day’ – and features many Russian songs of the war years. For further information email: igor.outkine@yahoo.com |
Brooklyn Accordion Club @ Brooklyn Zine Fest, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() There will be live performance of accordion music by some of the Brooklyn Accordion Club members for early visitors from 11.30-12.30. Brooklyn Zine Fest takes place at Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn, NY 11201. For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Erika’s Monthly Sunday Dance Dates, Floreffe – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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Stanislav Angelov @ Almenkerk Wine Estate, Western Cape – South Africaby Rob Howard |
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Accordionist Stanislav Angelov performs background music in the French musette style on May 2nd and 3rd during lunchtimes, 11am until 3.30pm, during a two days wine tasting event. The event is organised by winemaker Joris van Almenkerk, at Almenkerk Wine Estate, Viljoenshoop Road 50, 7160 Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa. For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
Victorian Day @ Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire – UKby Rob Howard |
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Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert, New Jersey – USAby Rob Howard |
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‘Festival der Harmonika’ concert, Thannhausen – Austriaby Rob Howard |
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New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri New Work Island Dreamerby Franco Cambareri |
![]() Catalog No: cfranco103 - Island Dreamer (solo) as an eSheet, able to be purchased online with credit card and sent to you by email. Island Dreamer is a Romantic Hawaiian Ballad. |
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