Highlights |
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Highlights |
Giancarlo Caporilli Arranges for MusicTech Orchestra – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Giancarlo Caporilli will direct a group of top-class accordionists, all friends and colleagues, each with a different style, but all united by a common love for the accordion. They are all playing “Music Maker Digital 50” accordions manufactured by MusicTech, an innovative technological instrument, weighing only 5 Kg (11 lbs) with an internal sound card that reproduces an infinite number of digitally sampled sounds with sensitive dynamic control by means of the bellows, exactly as in an acoustic instrument. All the guests of the competition and the public of Castelfidardo “Home of the Accordion” and birthplace of the “Music Maker Digital 50” will have the opportunity to hear the unlimited possibilities of this new accordion. Visit the new website: MusicTech or email: musictech@musictech-midi.com |
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, Nevada - USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() Organised by Paul Pasquali, the event this year features the Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra conducted by Joan Sommers, which will perform for the grand finale at the Gala Concert on October 2nd. Alex Sevastian, winner of the 2007 Coupe Mondiale held in Washington DC,will be the featured guest artiste. Legends Dick Contino and Art Van Damme will also be at the Convention, as will Peter Soave, Mady Soave, and from England Gina Brannelli. Others performing include Mary Tokarski, Mario Pedone, Soundscape Accordion Trio, Steve Albini, Gordon Kohl, and Ron Borelli. Carl Fortina will be the Convention’s Honorary Conductor for 2008. Carl is one of the world's most recorded accordionists, having played in some 600 motion picture and 25,000 television sound tracks. When Nino Rota, the composer who wrote the music for ‘The Godfather’, heard Carl play the theme for the movie’s sound track, he told Carl “You don’t play with your hands; you play with your heart”. Carl went onto become musical director of Paramount Studios. For further information email: paul@accordioninfo.com |
Orfeo Borsini Passes Away, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Orfeo was a personality of highest quality, with sincere principles and honest respect for the rights of others. Born into a family with the accordion ‘in the blood’, and with these principles, Orfeo's love for the continuous desire for improvement was reflected in the quality of Borsini Accordions. This concept, completely absorbed by the Company Borsini Accordions, resulted in the famous slogan that faithfully reflects the basic principle of Orpheus Borsini: "Where quality counts". Now Orfeo left us suddenly at the age 82 years having lived with grit and enthusiasm. We wish to be motivated to follow his principles of quality! |
International Festival Events, Castelfidardo – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Among the innovations is the inclusion of a music reality show. The project is an idea of Ideazione Eventi and is supported by Subissati who will provide the house, and Ikea who will furnish it. Sebach will provide the sanitation and Reference Laboratory for the audio and PA. Two musicians will enter the transparent house, in Piazzale Don Minzoni, on Monday evening the 13th, and they will remain until the end of the Castelfidardo Festival on view via internet 24 hours a day. For Information visit the website of the Castelfidardo Festival. |
Carlotta Welcomes Her Brother Adriano Palazzo – Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Her dominant hands leave a glimpse of hope for a future of music....accordionist? Mom says: "…the instrument they may choose, but a musical study will practically be a “must”! Already when drinking his mother’s milk, he is spreading his hands like to stretch an octave ... although in reality it might come to just a 4th. Surely at this time both of them are producing more music than their parents! Accordions Worldwide will be happy to follow the musical progress of Adriano and Carlotta. For further information email: info@francescopalazzo.it |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Allan William Jones Memorial Scholarships, Auckland – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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![]() Scholarships were awarded: Grades 3 and 4 - Mira Bi Grades 5 and 6 - Abigail Wills and Steven Zhao Special Grants were given to previous scholarship winners Grayson Masefield and Campbell Hill towards their study in France with Frederic Deschamps. The Rose Bowl "for excellence" was awarded to Stephanie Panzic. Kevin Friedrich, President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), was presented with the Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand Certificate of Merit for his Outstanding Services to the Accordion Movement. Marie Jones was presented with a basket of flowers for her work as Secretary of the New Zealand Accordion Association for over 35 years. Kevin Friedrich then formally presented Silvio De Pra with the Honored Friend of the Accordion Award from the CIA in honor of his career of dedicated to the accordion in New Zealand. Excellent performances were given by Musicale, conducted by Linley Hawkes, Music Makers, conducted by Christine Adams, Super Sounz with Lorraine Parnell, NSAO conducted by Lionel Reekie, and soloists Eddie Giffney and George Xu, Willow Park Choir and two new accordion groups of children that had just started learning. The Hall was packed with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Full Report of the 2008 AWJMS. |
Stephen Vincent & Stephanie Poole, Takapuna - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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![]() On Sunday 21st September, he performed an organ concert in Takapuna including one work, Noel Suisse by D'Aquin that he arranged for organ and accordion. This was performed with Stephen on organ and Stephanie Poole, Auckland University accordion tutor. The sound was excellent with good balance between the instruments and the audience clearly enjoyed the unusual combination of these two instruments, with Stephen Vincent and Stephanie Poole receiving very good applause. |
Accordion Teaching Week at St Audries Bay, Somerset - UKby Rene Mairis |
![]() Daily seminars covered a range of styles and techniques. Gary Blair gave two Scottish workshops full of hints and tips on ornaments, bellows shakes and repeated notes and an entertaining concert. Gennaro Fiondella worked hard with the mixed ability orchestra, four sessions and managed to achieve a polished performance of three pieces. Harry Hussey led three jazz seminars which were much enjoyed. He also led the busking sessions every evening in the bar, jamming with anyone willing or playing requests. John Romero kept busy with Electronic and Midi workshops, helped sort technical problems and everyone was happy. Pearl Fawcett-Adriano arrived on Wednesday evening and if anyone was flagging her arrival lifted spirits to the sky. Pearl gave two excellent seminars which were useful for all standards and abilities. Every evening there were concerts given by the artistes plus a guest concert. Gary, Gerry, John and Pearl were all fantastic – and very well received. To sum up, this was a week of music and laughter with friends and a chance to indulge in our favourite hobby. |
Future events |
Victor Prieto with Pablo Aslan and Avantango at Bates College, Maine - USAby Rob Howard |
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Kal’s Tour Dates – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The members of Kal are Dragan Ristic - guitar and lead vocal, Dragan Mitrovic - accordion, Jovica Maric - accordion and vocals, Djordje Belkic - violin, Aleksandar Cvejic - electric bass, Goran Savic – drums, and Aleksandar Radojicic - percussion. Kal’s tour dates include: September 27th, 8pm - Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park, California 28th, 2pm - The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Altadena, CA 29th, 9.30pm - San Diego Sports Club, CA 30th, 7.30pm - Balboa Park Club Building, San Diego October 1st, 8pm - 4th and B Club, 345 B Street, San Diego 2nd, 8pm - Grove of Anaheim, 2200 East Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 3rd, 8pm - EMU Ballroom, University of Oregon 4th - Euphoria Studios, Portland, Oregon 5th, 7.30pm - Triple Door Theatre, Seattle, Washington 7th, 8pm - McDonald Theatre, Eugene, Oregon 8th, 9pm - Roseland Theater, Portland, OR 9th, 8pm - Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA 10th - The Blue Danube European Restaurant & Cafe, Alington, Texas 11th and 12th - La Villita, San Antonio International Accordion Festival, Texas 13th, 8pm – Cactus Café, Austin, Texas 14th, 7pm Your Inner Vagabond, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 16th, 7.30pm - Arab American Museum, Dearborn, Michigan 17th, 7.30pm and 10pm – Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago 19th, 9.30pm – Joe’s Pub at Public Theater, New York 20th - International Action Center, New York For further information email: voiceofroma@comcast.net |
The Lars Ek Trio Returns, Norfolk – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() In November 1986 The Lars Ek Hot Trio appeared at the Caister Accordion Festival, sharing top billing with Norway’s Toralf Tollefsen. Their lively and engaging performance of music by Frosini, Pietro and Guido Deiro, Scandinavian traditional music and jazz made a huge impression on their audience. At one point during this concert, Tollefsen went on stage to personally congratulate Lars Ek for his performance, announcing to the audience: “I am very grateful to Lars Ek for performing and promoting the music of Frosini, and ensuring that it is heard by the audiences of today.” Seacroft is a compact site, situated just 3 miles from last year’s venue at Caister, offering excellent facilities. The other guests appearing at Seacroft are Pino Di Modugno (Italy), Giancarlo Caporilli (Italy), and British artistes Stefan Andrusyschyn & Denise Leigh, Harry Hussey, Bert Santilly, and local accordion sextet Norvic Concordia (MD Peter Ayers). The festival offers workshops led by Brian Jenkins, Peter Whiteley, Heather Smith, Adrienne Sharpe, Jean Hanger, Bert Santilly and John Trigg, plus a trade show. ‘Accordions International 2008’ continues a long tradition of autumn accordion festivals in East Anglia, founded by the late Malcolm Gee, now organised by Heather Smith. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |
Pearl Fawcett-Adriano Concerts – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() October 1st, 7.30pm – Barnsley Accordion Club, Trades Hall, Roscommon Rd, Barnsley 10th to 13th – Eastbourne Accordion Festival 13th, 8pm – Uxbridge Accordion Club, Anglers Retreat, Cricketfield Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7HG; email: david.lukins@btinternet.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it November 1st – All Scotland Accordion Championships, Perth For further information email: pearladriano@hotmail.com |
West Head Project 3, New South Wales - Australiaby Rob Howard |
The West Head Project brings together some of Sydney’s finest improvisers to make experimental music, performing mainly for outdoor events. For the third year the West Head Project will perform at the large flat tessolated rock on top of West Head in the Ku-ring-gai National Park, Elvina Track. The next performance takes place on Sunday October 26th, 4pm, at West Head, Ku-ring-gai National Park, Elvina Track, NSW. The performers include Monika Brooks - piano accordion, Jim Denley - wind instruments, Peter Farrar - alto sax, Joe Derrick – trumpet, Robbie Avenaim - percussion, Matt Earle - guitar, electronics, and Rory Brown - double bass. |
CD Reviews |
Hot Club Of Detroitby Joan C. Sommers |
![]() CD Reviews Index. |
New and Updated Sites |
New Music - 'Maple Leaf Rag', 'Sunrise Sunset'by Gary Dahl |
Gary Dahl - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator, releases 3 new works and one new work update for accordion available for purchase online, 'Maple Leaf Rag','Sunrise Sunset', 'It's All In The Game', and 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. 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. |
New music - 'Rondo Alla Turca', 'William Tell'by MusicForAccordion.com |
MusicForAccordion.com site releases 4 new music of 'Rondo Alla Turca', 'William Tell, catalog:mfa6021', 'Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag' and 'Santa Lucia'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
New CD - "Coctab"by Finland recordings |
Finland recodings of Finland selling a CD titled "Coctab" with sound samples. Purchase online. |
New CD - "Terre"by Renzo Ruggieri |
A new site selling a CD titled "Terre" with sound samples. Music performed by Renzo Ruggieri. Purchase online. |
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