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Highlights |
Xiaonan Xu Wins 65th CIA Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, Spoleto - Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() Picture above of presentation: left to right, Xiaonan Xu, CIA President Raymond Bodell, Mayor of Spoleto Daniele Benedetti, Mirco Patarini (2012 Coupe Mondiale Artistic Director). Xiaonan Xu (picture lower left) was a very close 2nd in 2011 when the top five contestants were only a 23.01 to 23.56 mark range from 1st to 5th, no doubt making his win in 2012 even more gratifying. This is the first time that China has won the Coupe Mondiale category. Chinese contestants have previously won most other Coupe Mondiale categories and winning the top Coupe Mondiale title in 2012 is a major triumph for China. Under the leadership of the China Accordion Association President Prof Li Cong (picture middle left), China in recent years has accelerated into the top echelon of international accordion competitions culminating in this latest success. A count of Coupe Mondiale 1st places showed China, Russia and Serbia all first equal, with two Coupe Mondiale category wins each and Italy with one. A count of 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings by nation is: Russia 8, China 4, Serbia 3, France 2, Italy 2, Portugal 1 and Moldavia 1. Full Results are at: 2012Results DAILY REPORTS with extensive pictures, results and videos, compiled by Kevin Friedrich Events before Coupe Mondiale: 2012Pre and 2012Mon Tuesday Daily Reports (Opening Concert): 2012Tues Wednesday Daily Reports (competitions start): 2012Wed Thursday Daily Reports: 2012Thurs Friday Daily Reports: 2012Friday Saturday Daily Reports: 2012Sat Results for other cateogries: Junior Coupe Mondiale 1st. Djordje Davidovic - Serbia 2nd. Tian Jianan - China 3rd. VladimirStupnikov - Russia Virtuoso Entertainment Music 1st. Zhao Liu - China 2nd. Raffaele Crusco - Italy 3rd. Sergey Lobkov - Russia Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Music 1st. Matteo Petronio - Italy 2nd. José Dias - Portugal 3rd. Jean-Baptiste Baudin - France Masters Coupe Mondiale 1st. Dmitrii Kiselev - Russia 2nd. Dino Suljkovic - Serbia 3rd. Klavdiya Tarabrina - Russia Ensemble Music Competition 1st. Esse-Quintet - Russia K. Evseev & K. Evseeva (Accordion), M. Krylov & D. Chernykh (Balalayka), D. Gogolev (Domra) 2nd. Perfect Storm - China Xiaonan Xu (Accordion) and Zujian Shang (Erhu) 3rd. Concertino - Moldova E. Negruta, M. Grosu, C. Hioara & V. Leca (Accordion/percussion) & A. Hohotov (Bass) Digital Accordion Competition 1st. Petar Maric - Serbia 2nd. Stanislav Malyshev - Russia 3rd. Guillaume Clerget - France Photo below: Mirco Patarini (Italy) accepting the enthusiastic thanks of CIA President Raymond Bodell and the Congress on behalf of the Italian Accordion Culture (IAC) for organizing the 2012 Coupe Mondiale at the 128th General Assembly Closing Congress. Left to right: CIA President Raymond Bodell, Frederic Deschamps, Harley Jones, Kevin Friedrich and Mirco Patarini. |
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Free Video Download, 2012 Coupe Mondiale 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Winners - Italyby Harley Jones |
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Enjoy free video downloads of the Coupe Mondiale 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the 2012 Coupe Mondiale Categories. Most are now online at: 2012 Archives The Video Archive and Education Project is a project initiated by the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), the purpose being to enable the free spread of knowledge and information and thereby raise the levels of accordion performance and musicianship internationally. The project was first initiated in 2010 and online at: 2010 Archives The 2011 competitions are online at: 2011 Archives 2012 competitions are online at: 2012 Archives |
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Movie ‘Anna Karenina’ Released – UK, US, Russiaby Rob Howard |
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![]() Set in late-19th Century Russian high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina, trapped in a loveless marriage, enters into a complicated life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky. Milos Miliojevic can be seen playing the accordion on screen. The instrument used was an antique Russian-made button accordion, dated about 1890, owned by Scottish-based collector Caroline Hunt. The accordion was loaned to Shepperton Studios by Caroline, who said, “After a lot of restoration (it was in many bits) thanks to John Crawford and a kind local joiner who made a replacement fretwork grill and a lot of polish on the brass fittings, it is now looking pretty good”. Caroline Hunt has a large collection of old accordions, some of which are on public display at Bogbain Farm, Inverness IV2 5BD, Scotland. Many can be seen in the book ‘Vintage Accordions’, by Rob Howard. ‘Anna Karenina’ is released into UK and Irish cinemas on September 7th 2012, in US cinemas on November 16th, in Russia on January 3rd 2013, and other countries on various dates. |
Harley Jones Awarded the Premio "Paolo Soprani" Prize, Spoleto - Italyby Mirco Patarini |
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![]() The presentation was made on stage at the 2012 Coupe Mondiale by Mirco Soprani, Mayor of Castelfidardo and Vincenzo Canali, President of the International Accordion Museum of Castelfidardo. Also present on stage was CIA President Raymond Bodell and 2012 Coupe Mondiale Artistic Director Mirco Patarini. Picture above. Harley Jones, was thrilled with the Premio "Paolo Soprani" award statue which is the design creation of famous Italian sculptor Franco Campanari and is a real work of art in bronze, coming complete in a specially designed box with a published book about the art of Franco Campanari. The award inscription said: (Italian: a Harley Jones, per la sua vita, la sua passiona e la sua dedizione esclusiva alla Fisarmonica) in English: "to Harley Jones, for his life, his passion and exclusive dedication to the Accordion". Picture left is the beautiful award statue. Previous awards were to: 2010 Gian Mario Spacca, President of Marche Region 2011 Vincenzo Canali, President of Accordion Museum in Castelfidardo Harley Jones thanked the "team of Accordions Worldwide including Holda Paoletti-Kampl, Kevin Friedrich, Li Cong, Roberto Zambelli, Rob Howard, Rita Davidson, our translators and the AWW staff for all they had done for accordion and the internet to also achieve this award." Photo below: Vincenzo Canali (President of the International Accordion Museum of Castelfidardo), Premio "Paolo Soprani" recipient Harley Jones, Mirco Patarini (2012 Coupe Mondiale Artistic Director) and Mirco Soprani (Mayor of Castelfidardo). |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
New Book: ‘Playing Well: Prevention and Biomechanics of Musician Injuries’by Rita Barnea |
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![]() She has written and illustrated a new book, ‘Playing Well’, which is a detailed reference for players and teachers of accordion, concertina and bandoneon with regard to injury, injury prevention and performance. The book is likely to be of interest to physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and other practitioners who treat injured musicians and would have an academic or professional interest in knowing about players of accordion, concertina and bandoneon. Lynda Griffith has 30 years experience in private practice as a physical therapist specializing in manual treatment and biomechanic analysis of orthopedic injuries to musicians, dancers and athletes. She currently has a private practice in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. In addition she studied music with accordion as her primary instrument at University of Wisconsin-Superior. She is also a graduate of Accordion-Concertina Repair Technicians' School in Superior WI. Lynda launched the book at the ATG Festival last week. The book selling for $60 was well received and is now available online from the author. For further information email: Lgaccord@hughes.net |
5 Star Review for ‘Italia 'n' Caledonia’, Edinburgh – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The theatrical show received a great review in the ‘Three Weeks in Edinburgh’ newspaper. ‘Italia 'n' Caledonia’ has toured Scotland with great success, and the accordion is a significant part in the story. The review says: “Funny, fresh, fascinating and personal history from the heart of Edinburgh culture – an hour of storytelling that would work for a lot of the local history clubs of Edinburgh enthusiasts. The story of Italians in Edinburgh (and all over Scotland); they came here with a suitcase in hand, ideas in their head, memories of home in their hearts – and recipes that would make the local community a warmer place. Ice cream, Fish ‘n’ Chips, the smell of wild garlic. Scots and Italians in the Great War shoulder to shoulder, in 1940 Italy declares war on Great Britain. Skilled storytelling, singing, and a delightful accordion player guide the audience through this fascinating story in a place that truly smells of history”. |
New João Frade CD, Branqueira - Portugalby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() The CD title is ‘Piriquitos e Botonetes’, and the music has many colors from Portuguese, Brazilian and African roots along with Jazz and World Music influences. It is mainly an instrumental CD but there are some vocal elements on several songs and the track features the Cape-Verdian star Mayra Andrade. The CD is now available on the internet at CD Baby. For further information email: joaofrademusic@hotmail.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Chinese Language Added to Accordions Worldwide - Chinaby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The Accordions Worldwide news for September 4th 1998 included a report about this momentous development written by Li Cong, who is today, the President of the China Accordion Association. This was also the start of the Chinese language news site at www.accordions.com/china Over the last 14 years, this has now grown into an enormous website covering the huge variety of accordion activities in China. It has been estimated that in China, there are 30 million active accordionists, certainly a significant percentage of the worlds accordionists, and many of whom, read this Weekly News in Chinese and also read the Chinese accordion news site. CHINESE ACCORDIONISTS PROPOSE TOAST Contributed by Li Cong Chinese accordionists can now read the Weekly Accordion News in the Chinese language. Li Cong said recently, "Let's propose a toast for the start of Accordions Worldwide in China! To build a new site is not the hardest part of the job. The really difficult part is to make it better and better, now more Chinese accordionists can read the news. The great significance of this happening has already exceeded more than any one accordionist could normally hope to do. I am proud of this achievement and extend gratefully the thanks of all Chinese accordionists. We have a saying in China: A good start is a one half of success. Let's work hard for the other part!" |
Future events |
‘Carrefour Mondial de l’accordéon’, Québec – Canadaby Rob Howard |
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![]() The ‘Carrefour mondial de l’accordéon’ has been presenting different accordion styles, genres and repertoires since it began in 1989. The festival includes indoor and outdoor concerts, and the venues include the Carrefour Accordion Museum. More information about is on the festival website. This year’s guests include Daniel Colin and Aaron Collis (France), Trio Contrass, Dominique Cravic, Alexandre B. Caron, Fabrizio Causio (Italy), Club Carrefour, Aaron Collis and Daniel Payne, Trio Contrass, Antoine Couturier, Luke Daniels and John Dipper (UK), Kevin Desrosiers, Joaquin Diaz, Bernard Lafargue, Frédéric and Nathanaëlle Langlais (France)(picture lower left), Susie Lemay and Denis Pépin, Saioa Eta Leire (Spain), Maréemusique, Gaston Nolet, Steve Normandin, Duo Nuances, Paire & Grin’, Antoine Pigeon Bourque, Portelli, Petar Ralchev (Bulgaria)(picture top left), Art Richard, Trio Safar (France/Jordan), Alexander Sevastian, Belarus/Canada), Anita & Bob (USA), Enrique Tellaria (Uruguay), Olivier Thibault, Timi Turmel and Christian Nolet, Paolo Vani, and Georges Camitsis. For further information email: accordeon@montmagny.com |
Irish Music Festival, County Longford – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
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The Longford Arms Hotel, Longford, is the venue for an Irish Music Festival, August 31st to September 2nd. Appearing are the Kilfenora Ceili Band, the Salamanca Ceili Band, the singer Mary O’Connor, and the Black Lace Band. For further information phone: 043 3346296 |
Marco Lo Russo Concert, Ponza - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The following Sunday September 9th, Marco Lo Russo will be a guest at the 4th accordion festival to be held in Trentino. In October he travels to Havana, Cuba, to perform at the ‘IV Festival Leo Brouwer de Música de Cámara’, a large classical music festival. For further information email: dina.tomezzoli@alice.it |
Erika & Jean-Marie Play for Dancing, Marche – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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Mazaika Perform Russian and Gypsy Music, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Mazaika are Igor Outkine – vocals, Roland V-accordion, and Sarah Harrison – violin, domra, vocals. Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door; to book by phone call: 020 7485 9899. For further information email: igor.outkine@yahoo.com |
Andre Roqués’ 65th Birthday Concert, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() Other accordionists appearing include Thierry Roqués, Delphine Lemoine, Sébastien Farge, David Firmin, Sylvie Pulles, Sandrine Tarayre, Veronique Pomies, and Nathalie Bernat. |
Accordion Noir Festival, Vancouver – Canadaby Rob Howard |
![]() The guests include the highly accomplished singer/accordionist Guro Von Germeten, from Norway. For further information email: accordion.noir@gmail.com |
Duo Mares Concert, Cologne – Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: info@marko-kassl.de |
Trio Concert, West Yorkshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() All three are students at the Rimsky Korsakov State Conservatory, St Petersburg, Russia. |
CD Reviews |
Richness of the Tones CD by Esra Pehlivanli (Viola) and Marko Kassl (Accordion)by Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
Charnwood Publications composer Sue Coppard has a new siteby Charnwood Publishing |
![]() 'Piccolo Mio', catalog:M674, 'Paddy's Penny Whistle', catalog:M634 'Warszawa Mazurka', catalog:M641 'Sampling the Cider', catalog:M665 'Once Long Ago', catalog:M664 'Picnic Time in Bavaria', catalog:M632 'The Wizards' Waltz', catalog:M643 Samples of the music are available online. Purchase with credit card. |
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