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Highlights |
Chinese Accordion Association (CAA) 3rd General Election, Beijing – Chinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() To further promote accordion development in China, the 3rd general election for the executive team of the Chinese Accordion Association (CAA), under the auspices of the Chinese Musicians’ Association, was conducted at a General Meeting on 17th April 2011 in Beijing. More than 40 executive directors from all over the country attended this conference. Based on discussions over recent years as well as the suggestions of related experts, all of the members present voted for Professor Li Cong (picture left), Dean of College of Music, Shanghai Normal University, to become the 4th President of the Chinese Accordion Association (CAA). Another 8 accordion educators and performers, Wang Shusheng, Bai Luping, Zhang Guoping, Du Ning, Yi Yang, Cao Xiao-Qing, Chen Jun, and Yang Guoli, were elected as Vice Presidents of the CAA. Deputy Head of Art Troupe of the Air Force Political Department and national Class-A performer Zhang Tianyu was elected as Secretary-General of the CAA. Long time CAA Vice-President Li Wei Ming is now a CAA Senior Consultant and past president Ziqiang Zhang was elected as a CAA Honorary President. The first three presidents of the Chinese Accordion Association were Yuping Wang (1990-1995), Shouzhi Wu (1996-2002), and Ziqiang Zhang (2002-2011). The retiring President of the CAA, Ziqiang Zhang is highly regarded for his progressive leadership of the CAA during his Presidency, where the CAA has moved into the international accordion world, firstly as a member of the CIA, secondly by becoming more active internationally with many international competition and cultural successes and thirdly, attracting and sponsoring top international teachers to China to develop top level international teaching skills to many parts of China. Such major international events as 2006 Shanghai, 2008 Shanghai, 2009 Shanghai Spring National Accordion Competition and Harbin 2010 (as developed and encouraged by the leadership of Ziqiang Zhang, Professor Li Cong and the CAA Executive) were part of the huge developmental progress that has been happening within China in recent years. The newly elected CAA team held their first presidium conference that afternoon. The conference mainly focused on the key issues of CAA in the future and particularly the upcoming 64th CIA Coupe Mondiale with very exciting plans, to be held in October in Shanghai this year. Read the interesting historical Celebrity Interview of Ziqiang Zhang in 2006. Photo below: Meeting, left to right, Chen Jun Vice-President, Retiring President: Ziqiang Zhang, New President Prof. Li Cong at the meeting. |
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Francesco Palazzo’s Concerts – Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Italian accordionist Francesco Palazzo recently performed a concert for the Consulate and the Italian Embassy held at the Auditorium ENI in Pointe Noire, the second largest city in the Congo, in central Africa. On this occasion he performed the ‘Mediterranean Landscape’ project, a musical written by Louise Morley, for accordion, violin, tuba, and percussion. Francesco also recently participated in the Festival of Contemporary Music ‘UrtiCanti’, with a concert held in the Church of Saint Teresa of Males in Bari, Italy, where he performed the ‘Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 533’ by J. S. Bach, ‘Elegy and Perpetual Motion’, by Palazzo, ‘Melody’, by Toshio Hosokawa, ‘Metamorphoses Torbijorn’, by Iwan Lundquist, and Sofia Gubaidulina's ‘De Profundis’. Another concert in Bari, at the Auditorium of the School of Flowers, in a duo with his wife, mezzo-soprano Tiziana Portuguese, featured folksongs and world music. A recital for the Friends of Music of Barletta, involved performing music by JS Bach, L. Liviabella, T. Hosokawa, T. Lundquist, F. Palazzo, E. Granados, S. Gubaidulina, and Piazzolla. On May 6th Francesco Palazzo is in concert at the Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, where he will perform in the premiere of ‘Concerto for Accordion, Strings and Percussion’, written for him by the young composer Vito Palumbo, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Teatro Petruzzelli, conducted by Gianluca Martinenghi. This new work - bright and modern in character – is an original piece for accordion and orchestra, and allows our instrument to continue increasing participation in the important concert seasons in the most prestigious musical places”. |
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48th International Accordion Competition, Klingenthal – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() The music ranges from classical music, original compositions, modern to entertainment. The competition will be accompanied by a program of performances by high-profile stars of the accordion and bandoneon scene. Decades of experience and 150 years of history in the harmonica in Klingenthal are the foundations of one of the world's most prestigious competitions. The International Accordion Competition in Klingenthal every year features performances of the highest levels and for many, the Klingenthal competition is considered as a springboard to international success. The program format is a great insight into the diversity of accordion and bandoneon music. This year’s International Jury includes Jürgen Ganzer (Germany), Gudrun Wall (Germany), Tobias Morgenstern (Germany), Ulf Seifert (Germany), Fritz Dobler (Germany), Claudio Jacomucci (Italy), Frédéric Deschamps (France), Tibor Rácz (Slovakia), Owen Murray (UK), Cao Xiao-Qing (China), Friedrich Lips (Russia), Aleksandar Nikolic (Serbia), Dr. Lech Puchnowski (Poland), Elsbeth Moser (Switzerland), Ivan Koval (Czech Republic). |
NAO UK Championships 2011, Blackpool – UKby Raymond Bodell, Charnwood Publications |
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![]() ![]() This year, as well as the Instrument and Music Trade displays, the festival will incorporate the UK Qualifying sections for the CIA Coupe Mondiale 2011 to be held in Shanghai, China, in October, the National Finals of the Roland V Competition in conjunction with Roland UK in which the UK Representative for the 5th International Roland competition will be selected, the NAO Composers’ Competition as well as the diverse Solo, Duo and Ensembles categories which go to make this renowned UK competition. The Jury will include renowned UK accordionists, Graham Laurie, Elaine Beecham, Frederick Parnell, Larysa Bodell, Karolyn Broadhead, Douglas Ward, and Ken Farran, as well as guests from Italy, Antonio Spaccarotella and Marco Cinaglia (Roland Europe). For further information view the NAO website email: naouk@btinternet.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Yuri Shishkin’s Recent and Future Performances - Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France, Poland, Chinaby Harley Jones |
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In early 2011 Yuri Shishkin's new CD ‘Libretto’ was released, featuring music by Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Yuri is now preparing to record another CD, this time of American music by Gershwin and Copland, and also some jazz. This spring Yuri Shishkin has performed successful concerts and given master-classes in Germany (Hamburg, Cottbus) and Poland (Warsaw, Stalowa Wola). In Poland he performed solo and in trio together with the "Harmonium Duo". Yuri Shishkin CD's available online. Yuri was a guest at the international festival ‘Accordion Plus’ in Rostov-on-Don, March 29th to 31st. In May, Yuri Shishkin will give master classes in the Conservatory of Shanghai and will play recitals in some cities of China. In June he will perform in the Ukraine, and from July 2nd to 10th, he has been invited to a summer school in Mientne, Poland. In August Yuri Shishkin will perform at the Berlioz Festival in La Cote Saint-Andre, France. Yuri Shishkin speaks: "It is most difficult to play one program whilst preparing a new one. It is like trying to be on both a ship and the submarine at the same time! Sometimes I just don't have the concentration for a concert. I should be practising 4-8 hours in a day. A minimum”. Russian accordionist Yuri Shishkin (born 1963), is the winner of international contests held in Klingenthal (Germany, 1988), Kansas City (USA, 1990), Castelfidardo (Italy, 1991), and a graduate of the Rostov-on-Don Conservatory, Russia, followed by postgraduate studies with Professor Viatcheslav Semionov at the Gnessins' Russian Academy of Music in Moscow. |
East Antrim SAO Win Major Title at All Ireland Festival, Navan - Irelandby Rob Howard |
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![]() In addition to the orchestra success, a number of pupils from the East Antrim Accordion School competed in solo categories. In the Adult Section, Evelyn Moore, from Templepatrick, took second place with 88 points just ahead of 3rd placed Derek Preshaw, from Larne, whilst Ajmer Singh from Ballyclare was placed 5th and four youngsters from the School competed in the junior sections. They all gave excellent accounts of themselves with 12 year old Jonathan Wilson (Larne) being awarded 2nd place out of 13 in the Under 16 Light just ahead of Jenny Beattie from Straid whilst Larne sisters Lauren and Hannah Blackburn were awarded medals and certificates in their respective Under13 & Under 11 Solo Sections. This was the 40th All Ireland Festival run by the Irish Accordion Association and it attracted over 240 entries. The adjudicators were Ian Watson and Julie North from England, and Renzo Ruggieri (picture right), guest artist from Italy. To celebrate this 40th anniversary the festival was made international with all sections open to all players. In addition to the local competitors from North & South there were also entries from England, Scotland, Ukraine and Russia. There was also an excellent trade stand from Jetelina Music from Germany. Formed in February 2006 the East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra consists mainly of adult students and former adult students of the highly successful East Antrim Accordion School. The Orchestra rehearses every Monday from 7.30pm and is open to all ages, classes and creeds. Anyone who plays the accordion or drums or is interested in learning either should contact Clyde Johnston on (028) 2827 2258 to find out more about what the Seniors Orchestra, East Antrim Accordion School or East Antrim Drumming School has to offer. For further information email: asrz33@dsl.pipex.com Renzo Ruggieri 8 CD's available online. |
International Competition of Young Musicians, Kaunas – Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
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![]() From March 30th to April 2nd, Kaunas held the first International Competition of Young Musicians called ‘Kaunas Sonorum’. The competition was organized by the Kaunas City Municipality. The groups of participants were divided into five categories – piano, fiddle, and accordion; the winds and singing groups. Accordion group adjudicators were: Boris Lenko (Slovakia) chairman; Kazys Stonkus (Lithuania) and Vladislav Pligovka (Belarus). The competition attracted 375 participants, of whom 130 were young musicians from 15 different countries, shows the interest this classical music competition generated. The final competition round and the closing event have been recorded live on internet and for broadcast by the Lithuanian National Television. The winner of the Grand Prix accordion group has been announced: Laimonas Salijus from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater. During the final round, his rivals were pianist Jan Vojtek (Czech Republic - Hungary), clarinetist Antasnas Makstutis (Lithuania), cellist Arnas Karolis Kmieliauskas (Lithuania) and singer Mikolas Stanevicius (Lithuania). The pianist Jan Vojtek won the main competition prize of one thousand euros with accordionist Laimonas Salijus second. We would like to express our support of this competition concept, where accordion is competing equally with other musical instruments. Many members of the jury supported Laimonas Salijus’ (accordion) as being a superb musician, and he was thanked for showing the accordion, as a universal, colorful and important musical instrument. For information about the Kaunas Accordion Society contact Mindaugas Labanauskas by email: mindaugas@akordeonas.lt |
‘Methode D’Accordeon M.I.D.I.’ Published, Pontarlier Cedex – Franceby Rob Howard |
A new tutor book has recently been published, ‘Methode D’Accordeon M.I.D.I. Volume 1’, by Jean-Louis Noton and Manu Maugain. The authors are experts at using MIDI with accordion, and explain with examples how to use sounds, tempos and rhythms with the accordion. The book contains many arrangements for MIDI accordion, of various degrees of difficulty, and includes a CD featuring all those arrangements. The arrangements include unusual settings of such pieces as ‘When the Saints’ – in techno rhythm, ‘El Condor Pasa’ – with a funky sound, a reggae version of ‘Ave Maria’ (Gounod), and disco version of ‘Marche Americain’. For further information email: contact@cavagnolo-accordeon.com |
9th International Festival of Accordion ‘Vivat, Bayan!’, Samara Festival – Russiaby Harley Jones |
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The IX International festival of accordion music ‘Vivat, Bayan!’ in Samara ended on April 7th with a final Gala Goncert. 2011 Samara Photos Sergey Voytenko has organized this festival since it began with the support of the Governor of Samara Region, the Ministry of Culture of the Samara region, Samara Regional Duma, departments and offices of the culture of the cities and villages of Samara Region, the Center of Aesthetic Education of Children and Young people of Samara city, and the society ‘Cultural Initiative’. The festival was dedicated to a few events. In 2011 Samara region celebrates its 160th anniversary, and the festival celebrated this region, and that it is a hub of Russian accordion culture! On New Year's Eve, a very close friend of the festival, virtuoso performer, superb teacher and composer, Nicolas Massutie died. He had performed at this festival several times and this French accordionist was remembered with love at the festival concert. This year the festival consisted of three musical events. The concert called ‘Cuban Nights’ took place in February, featuring the Kuban Cossack Quartet ‘Kumovya’. Italian accordionist Claudio Jacomucci and dancer Kathleen Delaney presented the concert ‘Italian Nights’ in March. French accordion maestro Julien Gonzales and World Champion Grayson Masefield, from New Zealand, crowned the festival. The musicians were not only in Samara - festival concerts also took place in Togliatti, Novokuibyshevsk, Zhigulevsk, Borskoye, Isakly, and Pokhvistnevo. Next year, 2012, will be a Jubilee (10 years) for the Samara Festival and preparation has already begun, to be the most representative in the history of the festival ‘Vivat, bayan!’. We are going to invite the maximum number of participants of past concerts and of course some new musicians to perform on the stages of our region. 2011 Samara Photos |
‘14 Years Ago’ – New Zealand Embassy in China Welcomes Accordionistsby Rob Howard |
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![]() The teacher Mr Li is none other than Prof. Li Cong who has just been elected President of the Chinese Accordion Association (CAA) and is the subject of the first article of this news. CHILDREN PERFORM FOR EMBASSY IN CHINA Contributed by Shien Joe Mr. Li and five of his students plan to participate in the 1997 South Pacific Accordion Championship held in Auckland. Just prior to issuing visas to the group, the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing made a request to "have the children perform to the Embassy staff". So, Mr. Li packed the children and their accordions aboard a flight to Beijing. When the children had finished their performances, they received warm applause and congratulations from the Embassy staff. They wished the children a wonderful trip to New Zealand and their entry visas were issued on the spot. Hooray to the power of music. |
Future events |
‘Squeezebox Mania 1V’ Concert, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Accordionist Juan Tejeda, appearing with the Conjunto Aztlan in the ‘Squeezebox Mania 1V’ concert, will also be taking part in the ‘Big Squeeze Accordion Contest’ concert in the afternoon in Houston. For further information email: juantejeda@sbcglobal.net |
Victor Prieto’s Next Dates, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() May 3rd, 9pm - with the Arturo O'Farril Latin Jazz Orchestra, Aimee Allen Group, Iridium Jazz Club, New York May 14th, 9pm - Arturo O'Farril Latin Jazz Orchestra, Wall to Wall Sonidos Festival, New York May 15th – with the Thomas Bergeron Trio, Yales Club, New York May 25th – with Emilio Solla y La Inestable de Brooklyn, Jazz Standard, NY June 12th – with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Ojai Music Festival, California June 13th - with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, California For further information email: vpcruz@gmail.com |
Paprika in World Music Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
Paprika, featuring accordionists Milos Milivojevic and Zivorad Nikolic, perform on in a concert titled ‘These Lands Are Your Lands’ on May 8th, 7pm, at the Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX. Also appearing are Kosmos and She'Koyokh. This exhilarating triple bill conjures up a heady mix of Balkan and Latin grooves, Jewish and Gypsy passion, and soulful Arabic improvisations. Sixteen world-class musicians - one unique, unforgettable evening. Paprika, whose members originate from Romania, Serbia, and UK, combine traditional Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy and classical music. Paprika has toured extensively across the Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. For further information email: info@paprikamusic.com |
Nicole Renaud’s ‘Couleurs’ Multimedia Concert, New York - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The French accordion magazine ‘Accordéon-Accordéonistes’ review states, “In this album, Nicole Renaud’s sound is white as snow, pure, transparent, lyrical.” Ms. Renaud’s multimedia concert takes place on May 8th, 8pm, at Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main St, Brooklyn, New York. Her performance involves live projection of the translated lyrics on her dress throughout the performance, thus creating visual poetry in the same vein of Apollinaire’s Calligrammes. The soprano accompanies herself on a new one-of-a-kind, luminous transparent accordion, the ‘lincordian’, designed by British artist-engineer Paul Etienne Lincoln. The scenic design and costume are by Parisian art director Jacques Perdigues, who has worked in the field of theater (Victoria Chaplin, Aurélia Thiérrée) and fashion (John Galliano, Thierry Mugler). For further information email: info@nicolerenaud.com |
Vincenzo Abbracciante Plans 2011 USA Tourby Rob Howard |
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Italian accordionist Vincenzo's first USA performance and jazz workshop of 2011 will be held at the Accordion Festival in Leavenworth, WA, on June 18th. He is available for accordion club or festival performances, West Coast, between June 7th to 15th, and on the East Coast between June 20th to 29th, after which he will be on tour in Africa. Vincenzo will be playing the latest Borsini accordion, which has taken a year to build by hand. He will also be involved in playing at various jazz clubs around the country. Live video performances and some studio recording in Los Angeles is also on the bill. He is currently finishing up a long awaited jazz CD which will be made available at his performances. Please contact Jeffrey Iacono, Borsini Accordions USA, as soon as possible to arrange a performance. For further information email: jeffrey@borsiniaccordions.it |
Accordion Summer Course, Valladolid - Spainby Jesús Peñaranda Portilla |
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![]() The subjects are: individual lessons, chamber performance, score analyze and accordion technique. Also the students will enjoy the beautiful area of Castilla León, with its architecture, countryside and gastronomic culture. Angel Huidobro is the counterpoint and fugue professor of the High Conservatory of Madrid and highlights of his international career as a performer include concerts in the UK, Egypt, Germany, Poland, Italy, Brazil, etc. This course has been organized by Villabin and is sponsored by the Asociación Musical de Acordeonistas de Valladolid. For further information email Jesús Peñaranda: jesuspe_aranda@hotmail.com |
BIAGIO ACCARDI & ETNO MEDITERRANEAN TRIO - Rome/Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() Central via dei sabelli,17 Roma (Rome, Italy) FROM COSANGELES CALABRIFONIA, BIAGIO ACCARDI PRESENTS A REPERTOIRE OF MUSICS FROM THE ETNIC-MEDITERRANIAN. All in dialect from Calabria with: BIAGIO ACCARDI: voice and guitar ROBERTO PALERMO: accordion ENRICO GALLO: percussions Info: Roberto Palermo rob.palerbo@yahoo.it |
CD Reviews |
Accordeon Classique CD by Camille Privatby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
Charnwood Publications releases 4 new piecesby Charnwood Publishing |
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Sebastiano Cali updated all his sitesby Sebastiano Cali |
Sebastiano Cali - accordionist, performer, maintenance, updated all his sites online. |
Finland Recordings updated siteby Finnish Accordion Institute |
Finland Recordings updated its index page online |
Renzo Ruggieri updated sitesby Renzo Ruggieri |
Renzo Ruggieri updated his sites online |
Zevy Zions updated his siteby Zevy Zions |
Zevy Zions has just updated his sites online |
Renzo Ruggieri releasing his first new musicby Renzo Ruggieri |
![]() 'Song For S.B', catalog:rrenzo501. Sample 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. |
Dražan Kosoric releasing his first 3 new musicby Drazan Kosoric |
![]() 'Prelude And Basso Ostinato' catalog:dkosoric101 'Suite' catalog:dkosoric102 Toccata' catalog:dkosoric103. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Sebastiano Cali releasing 1 of his new musicby Sebastiano Cali |
![]() 'Nocturne in Eb major - Op. 9 No. 2', catalog:scali050. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
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