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Highlights |
2013 Coupe Mondiale Rules and Regulations Online - Canadaby Harley Jones |
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![]() There are 8 competition categories: - 65th Coupe Mondiale - Masters Coupe Mondiale - Junior Coupe Mondiale - International Virtuoso Entertainment - Junior International Virtuoso Entertainment - International Competition for Ensemble Music - International Competiton for Digital Accordion - Best New Original Work (classical) The 2013 Coupe Mondiale is being hosted by the BC Accordion Society and President Aleksandar Milojevic writes: "This will only be the second time ever that the Coupe Mondiale has been held on Canadian soil (Toronto in 1964) and the BC Accordion Society is very excited to promote the Coupe Mondiale in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Victoria, B.C." A feature of the event is the large prize budget with over $50,000 Canadian dollars in prizes and awards. For the first time at the Coupe Mondiale there will be five prizes awarded in each category with additional money prize for the Best New Work. A pre-Coupe Mondiale event is the exciting World Competition of Accordion Orchestras and the rules for this are also on the Coupe Mondiale website. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes are Roland V-Accordions. CIA President, Raymond Bodell looks forward to welcoming you to the 66th Coupe Mondiale and the 130th CIA International General Assembly of Delegates Congress in Victoria, Canada. Full competition and festival information is on the Coupe Mondiale website. |
Shanghai Normal Accordion Quintet Featured at 2013 New Years Concert - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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The 2013 New Year's Concert on January 1st was held at the prestigious Shanghai Grand Theater. Featured was the Shanghai Normal University Accordion Quintet, made up of students from the Accordion Department. The tutors are famous teachers Prof. Li Cong, Prof. Zhang Gouping and Asst. Prof. Crystal Wang. The Quintet players are: Wan Yizhong, Guan Xuan, Liu Beichen, Shi Xuan and Niu Guangyao. The concert was attended by member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the Party Secretary of Shanghai Han Zheng, Shanghai Municipal Committee, acting mayor Yang Xiong, the Municipal People's Congress Chairman Liu Yungeng, the city CPPCC Chairman Feng Guoqing, deputy secretary Yin Yicui and other city leaders. After the performance, the city leaders congratulated all the performers and staff, especially the Shanghai Normal University Accordion Quintet students who showed vibrant mental outlook and superb playing skills. An excellent promotion of the accordion also showing the development of the accordion in recent years in Shanghai. |
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National Accordion Convention, March 7-9, 2013, Dallas - USAby Norman Seaton |
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![]() Picture left: Norman and Sharon Seaton The NAA 26th Annual Festival will be an informative and fun event for all accordion enthusiasts. The convention will feature exciting and educational events including concerts, workshops, trade shows, band camp, jamming all day and night, "Circle of Champions", and much more. All types of accordions are welcome. Included in the workshop presenters/performers are Debra Peters, Kim Clowe, Nick Bratkovitch, Gordon Kohl, Mario Pedone, Dr. Ian Blair Fries, Jessica Faltot, Nick Ballarini, Daniel Kott, Shelia Lee, The Sound Connection and more. For 2013, Convention Manager Gordon Kohl returns to the NAA Convention as a rock 'n roll band director that features the accordion! Gordon Kohl will direct a "Tribute to the American Bandstand and Dick Clark" For further information view the NAA website. |
2013 Accordion Plus Competition and Festival, Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Alexander Poeluev |
![]() Download a list of the categories and the rules at: 2013Rostov There are solo categories for classical music and entertainment, ensembles and digital accordion. A unique feature of the 2013 Accordion Plus is the request: "Even one piece written by Rostov composers and those, whose lives and creations were connected with the Rostov region is advisable (in all nominations and categories ). A. Kusjakow, V. Semionov, G. Gontarenko, V. Khodosh, V. Novikov, V. Shishin, U. Vesnjak, U. Dranga, V. Chernikov, , A. Dorensky, A. Letunov, A. Matsanov, A. Nozdrachev, S. Blank, D. Kiseev, R. Bagilin and others." The competition is included in the Russian system of selection of accordion players to represent Russia at the "Coupe Mondiale 2013" and "Trophee Mondiale 2013". Download the rules, regulations and entry form at: 2013Rostov |
International Accordion Competition Vilnius – Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() There are various age categories and sections for solo accordion (classical and light music), ensembles, chamber groups, and orchestras. Download the General Rules at: 2013Vilnius Entries close 1st March. Artistic Director Raimondas Sviackevicius (picture right) writes: “Spring in 2013 will invite music fans of accordion, promoters, talented young people, educators, activists and all the enthusiasts of this great instrument to the International Accordion Competition in Vilnius. Looking forward to see you in the capital of Lithuania - Vilnius.” For further information email: raimondas@akordeonofestivalis.lt |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Accordion Concerto Endymion Performed in Copenhagen - Denmarkby Harley Jones |
Accordion Concerto: Endymion Published on Dec 21, 2012 Endymion - the sad (yet instructive) tale of a moonstruck young man Composer: Fredrik Österling Accordion: Andreas Borregaard Sjællands Symfoniorkester conducted by Andreas Delfs. |
Petar Marić Performance Report, Košice – Slovakiaby Rob Howard |
![]() "In the Intermezzo bar, 22 year-old Petar Maric stood before the audience and briskly started to play his accordion. The likeable Petar captivated everybody. The bar was packed and people danced. Peter proved that everything really can be played on the accordion. Starting with ‘Kalinka’, then Serbian folk songs, Italian ballads and modern hits. They were all played with unbelievable energy, excellent delivery and a smile. He played tirelessly for more than two hours and his performance will be embedded in the memories of his audience." |
Video: Youth Accordion Orchestra St Petersburg Performance.by Harley Jones |
The 7th European Festival of Accordion Orchestras was held November 1 – 4, 2012 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Youth Accordion Orchestra St. Petersburg performs the Slavonic Dance ? 8 by Dvorak. The event was organized by the Czech Accordion Association and the Concert and Travel Agency CTA. |
‘Balkan Sorrow’ Soundtrack Awards, Amsterdam - Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
![]() ‘Zimmer 606’ has been also broadcast at many festivals worldwide such as Genèva, Uppsala, Paris, Amiens, Montréal, Leuwen, Boston, Warsaw, Badalona, Wiesbaden, Brest,c Kiev, Bern, Neuchâtel, Århus, Strasbourg. Zimmer 606 will be also broadcast in 2013 at the 22nd Flickerfest International Short Film Festival in Sydney, Australia, and the International Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand. Nihad Hrustanbegovic (born 1973) has performed in many European countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, France, Finland, Spain, England, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland. He has also become known as a composer, and famed for his originality. During his first accordion recital in June 2010 at Concertgebouw in Amsterdam he presented his second solo album ‘Opus 7 The Cross-over’ and got huge appreciation in Dutch News Paper Trouw by the journalist Stan Rijven, “What Pablo Casals did for emancipation of the cello, and Astor Piazzola of the bandoneon is Nihad Hrustanbegovic doing for accordion”. For further information email: info@nihad-accordeon.com |
Video: Three North Korean Schoolgirls Performing - North Koreaby Harley Jones |
Published 27 December 2012. Three North Korean schoolgirls performing at a school in Pyongyang. |
Mirco Patarini and Bruno Moritz Concert - Brazilby Harley Jones |
![]() Also performing was well known Brazilian accordionist Bruo Moritz who with the Scandalli accordion company presented the concert. |
Video: Vivaldi in the Berliner U-Bahn, Potsdamer Platz Station - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Published on Dec 1, 2012, Uncommonly good buskers. Deep in the Berliner U-Bahn, Potsdamer Platz Station, these two accordionists played music from Vivaldi's "the Four Seasons". This extract is from Winter, 1st movement, Allegro - Concerto No. 4 in F minor. |
Video: Rehearsal for Tomorrows Show, Brooklyn - USAby Harley Jones |
Rehearsing for a show at the Barbes in Brooklyn, NY, USA. Uri Sharlin (accordion), Avi Avital (mandolin), Yshai Afterman (percussions) and Shane Shanahan (percussion). |
Video: Pamela Souriau "Le tango du thé dansant" - Franceby Harley Jones |
Pamela Souriau (accordion) performing the easy listening "Le tango du thé dansant". |
‘14 Years Ago’ – TV search for America’s sauciest accordionist…by Rob Howard |
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![]() The winner turned out to be Zydeco accordionist Dwayne Dopsie. The jury members, who judged the contestants while considering: overall talent, entertainment value, charisma and professionalism, were Larry Welk (son of Lawrence Welk), John Bahler (Music Director for the Welk Resort), Joan Castle (‘Queen of Piano’ at the Welk Resort and long time cast member of the Welk Show), Art Van Damme (accordion jazz legend), Dale Buse (well known pianist), Gail Lennon (singer/songwriter), and Faithe Deffner (President of the American Accordionists' Association). HOTTEST ACCORDIONIST TO PERFORM ON TELEVISION - USA Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association Last week Jay Leno, host of the ‘Tonight Show’, announced the search for the ‘sauciest accordionist’ to the many millions in his TV audience. He will feature the winning entertainer on his program. A number of other TV shows are already showing interest in having the winner perform. ‘USA Today’ also ran an article on the "Search for the Hottest" campaign on January 20th 1999. |
Future events |
Marco Lo Russo Do Concert, Rome - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The duo will improvised jazz, ethnic music and well known songs by Italian singer-songwriters. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
‘Django and Accordion’ Course, Lodève - Franceby Rob Howard |
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![]() The music will be the compositions of the great jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, and the teaching focuses adapting these jazz pieces for the accordion. The course is from 10am until 5.30pm on both days. For further information email: admv34@gmail.com |
Paul Chamberlain Concert Tour – England, Scotland, USAby Rob Howard |
![]() He then will be performing around Northwestern California, starting in Santa Cruz, followed by a recital in San Francisco Cathedral and then a performance at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. As 2013 is the 50th Anniversary of the Pink Panther, this concert will feature a project involving live scoring to a number of the short animations which will be shown on screen. The final concert in the tour is a recital as part of the 10th Anniversary series of the popular Seventh Avenue Concerts in San Francisco’s Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church. Tour dates: January 31st, 1.15pm – Lunchtime Recital, Ripon Cathedral February 1st, 12.30pm – Lunchtime Recital, Bury Parish Church February 9th, 1pm - Lunchtime Recital, Dundee Cathedral February 13th, 1.10pm – Lunchtime Recital, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester February 13th, 8pm – Stockport Accordion Club, Woodley Methodist Church, Stockport February 17th, 3.30pm – Solo Recital, Music@Home, Middleton, Manchester February 21st, 12.10pm - Santa Cruz Public Library, California, USA February 24th, 3.30pm – Solo Recital, St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco, CA February 28th, 6.30pm – Evening Concert, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA March 2nd, 7.30pm – Solo Recital, Seventh Avenue Concerts, San Francisco, CA For further information email: paul@theaccordionist.com 1 CD and original music available at: Paul Chamberlain |
Erika & the José Hyat Orchestra play for dancing, Tourne – Franceby Rob Howard |
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On Sunday January 27th, 2.30pm, Belgian accordionist Erika guests with José Hyat and his orchestra to play for dancing at the Salle des Fetes, Tourne, Aquitaine, southwestern France. |
Scottish Reels Night @ the Folk Music Workshop, Salford – UKby Rob Howard |
John Trigg, who is an accompanist for Royal Scottish Country Dance Society classes, is the guest leader at next month’s Folk Music Workshop on Friday February 1st, 8pm, at the Pendleton Bowling Club, 13 Eccles Old Road, Salford M6 7DE. John’s topic will be the ‘Eightsome Reel’, and the tunes played will be ‘De’il Among the Tailors’, ‘Fairy Dance’, ‘Mason’s Apron’, ‘Morpeth Rant’, and ‘Breakdown’. The sheet music is available in advance or on the night. All are welcome. For further information email: johntrigg@mypostoffice.co.uk |
Gorka Hermosa Concerts, Tudela, Urretxu, Valladolid - Spainby Rob Howard |
![]() January 27th - Gorka Hermosa and the Wind Band of the municipality of Irún perform at the Amaia Theater, Irun, Spain February 8th - Flamenco Etxea Trío, Tudela February 16th - Flamenco Etxea Trío, Urretxu February 23rd – Bacanal, Valladolid February 24th – Bacanal, Valladolid For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
Joanie Madden’s ‘Folk N Irish Cruise’ – West Indiesby Rob Howard |
A ‘Folk N Irish Cruise’ sails from Miami, Florida, to the Bahamas, February 2nd to 9th. There is a large number of entertainers booked, including the all-female band Cherish the Ladies, Scottish accordionist Phil Cunningham, two Irish ceili bands, and many more. Activities available include waltzing, jiving, ceili and set dancing, sing-a-longs, concerts, workshops, sessions, etc. For further information email: info@joaniemaddencruise.com |
Eastbourne Winter Accordion Festival 2013, East Sussex – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The next Eastbourne Winter Accordion Festival takes place from Friday February 15th to Monday 18th at The Cumberland Hotel, 34-36 Grand Parade Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 3YT. The guest artists include Gianluca Campi (Italy - Trophee Mondial 2000 Variete winner), Roy Hendrie (Scotland), Eddy Jay (picture right), Harry Hussey, Roman Voloshchuk (Ukraine), and John Romero (festival organizer, picture left). For further information email: jr@carillonstudios.co.uk |
International Festival & Competition, Filadefia - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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The International Festival & Competition takes place during the month of May in Filadefia, Calabria, Italy. The event includes contests for a wide range of instruments, including accordion, guitar, harp, piano, strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion. There are sections for solo, bands, ensembles, and choirs. The closing date for choir and bands is January 31st, and for others April 2nd. For further information email: associazione.melody@libero.it |
5th ‘World Meeting of Accordion Music’, Valledupar – Colombiaby Rob Howard |
![]() This year’s festival will welcome 20 accordionists from Uruguay, sponsored by the Fondo Nacional de Música, and there will be a Uruguayan theme in repertoire and style to this year’s event. The Foundation invites everyone, all types of music, solo, group, etc. who uses the accordion as a central instrument to the II ‘World Meeting of Accordion Music’. Valledupar is the capital city of Cesar, which is a state in Colombia. There are competitions for solo accordionists and ensembles that use accordions, and the closing date for entries and participation in the festival is April 18th 2013. For further information email: eldiariovallenato@gmail.com |
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. |
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