Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
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Highlights |
2015 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, Sligo – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
![]() The Fleadh Cheoil, one of the world’s largest music festivals, is a week-long competitive event for Irish music, song and dance, with approximately 10,000 competitors and performers, including sections that involve large numbers of accordionists, melodeon, concertina and harmonica players, as well as many ceili bands, accordion and marching bands. Performers involved include accordionist Matt Cunningham, Buttons and Bows, Danu, The Salamanca Ceili Band, Sean Norman Ceili Band, Innisfree Ceili Band, Dartry Ceili Band, and the Swallow Tail’s Ceili Band. The first half of the festival is taken up by Scoil Éigse - daily tuition classes (for all ages and abilities in traditional Irish music) for piano accordion, diatonic button accordion, Anglo concertina, and many other instruments used in Irish traditional music. FleadhTV, the ratings success story for TG4 last year, returns on Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th August for four nights, with broadcasts live from the Fleadh Cheoil in Sligo for three hours on TG4 each night from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. For further information email: info@fleadhcheoil.ie |
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2015 Asia Pacific Accordion Festival, Shanghai to Jeju - China, South Koreaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() Organised by the China Accordion Association (CAA), the event has jury members, guests and competitors coming from Columbia, Brazil, France, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan and Russia. CAA President Prof. Li Cong (picture left) warmly welcomes everyone to the worlds largest accordion ship cruise. Some 1,700 contestants and over 2,500 counting accordion teachers, parents and interested passengers are going to enjoy concerts from: (alphabetical order) Pietro Adragna (Italy), Cao Ye (China), Matteo Petronio (Italy), Varuzhan Shashiyev, (Russia), Shi Xuan (Jessica, China), Tan Jialiang (China), Maxim Ternovsky (Russia), Wang Zheng Liang (China). The event also includes many competition categories, accordion master classes, accordion theme parties and masquerade. Food is served 24 hours a day and the trip includes a visit Jeju Island in South Korea. Further information at: 2015AsiaPacific |
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Gorka Hermosa Touring South America - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chileby Rob Howard |
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![]() August 1st – master classes and solo concert, Porto Alegre, Brazil August 6th - solo concert of Gorka Hermosa’s compositions, San Jorge Pvcia de Santa Fe, Argentina August 7th - solo concert of Gorka Hermosa’s compositions and master classes, Parana, Argentina August 8th - solo concert of Gorka Hermosa’s compositions, Salto, Uruguay August 9th - solo concert, Montevideo, Uruguay August 10th - solo concert, Durazno, Uruguay August 11th – conference, Museo Anconetani, Buenos Aires, Argentina August 14th - solo concert, Villa Alemana, Chile August 15th - solo concert, Osorno, Chile August 17th - master classes, Valparaiso, Chile August 18th - master classes and concert, Santiago, Chile Gorka Hermosa, Professor of Accordion at the Santander Conservatory in Spain, will return to Europe and not long after that, will be travelling to Italy to be a jury member at the Premio Città di Castelfidardo Festival, from September 17th to 20th. For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
XX World Diatonic Accordion Championships, Montescaglioso – Italyby Rob Howard |
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The 20th World Diatonic Accordion Championships take place August 27th to 30th at the Piazza Roma, Montescaglioso, Italy. The initiative involves the Municipal Administration and the Pro Loco of Montescaglioso, the National Union of Local Italy, the Basilicata Region, the APT (Tourist Promotion Agency) of Basilicata, the AMISAD (Italian Association of Musical Instruments reed Diatonic). The World Diatonic Accordion Championships aims to promote the use and status of the diatonic accordion (organetto). It is anticipated that at least 100 participants from Italy, Europe and non-European countries will contest the 5 junior and senior sections. Section Organetto instruments with a 1 or 2 rows of voices singing 2 or 4 low) Cat. A up to 10 years (born from 2005 onwards) Cat. B up to 12 (born from 2003 onwards) Cat. C up to 15 years (born from 2000 onwards) Cat. D up to 18 years (born from 1997 onwards) Cat. And no age limit Section Diatonic Accordion instruments with a minimum of 2 sets of reeds singing with 8 low and over) Cat. A up to 12 (born from 2003 onwards) Cat. B up to 15 years (born from 2000 onwards) Cat. C up to 18 years (born from 1997 onwards) Cat. D with no age limit Section Diatonic Accordion / Organetto diatonic instruments of any kind. Category 50 years and older (born 1965 and later) For further information email: roncogia@alice.it |
Accordion's Jam Session - Worldwideby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() there is COLOUR ... there is Joy! Diatonic, classic, traditional keys and buttons .... throughout the world ... Enjoy the summer! For more information regarding additional paintings contact the viennese artist: anneliese.amiko@gmx.at |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Dr.William Schimmel Releases New CD, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Aiming to expand the range of the accordion repertoire, on this CD Bill Schimmel plays his versions of ‘Der Rosenkavalier’, ‘Carnival of Venice’, ‘Candide Overture’, and Mahler's ‘Ninth Symphony’. Other tracks include ‘St. Louis Blues’, ‘Wozzeck, the Winner’ (Schimmel), ‘Sonata for Fiddler’, ‘Discarded Melody’, ‘According to Schoenberg’, and MicroBella’. He is joined by nine-time Grammy winner, trumpet player Wynton Marsalis on ‘St Louis Blues’ and Mahler’s ‘Ninth Symphony’. Tom Waits said, "Bill Schimmel doesn't play the accordion, he IS the accordion. This CD is a true crossover: it will appeal to classical listeners, jazz listeners and the millions of people worldwide who play the accordion". Dr. William Schimmel is one of the principal architects in the resurgence of the accordion, and the philosophy of ‘Musical Reality’ (composition with pre-existing music). He holds Bachelor of Music, Master of Science and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in composition from the Juilliard School, along with a diploma from the Neupauer Conservatory of Music in performance/composition. He has performed on CDs with everyone from Sting to the Scent of a Woman and the Billboard No. 1 CD, ‘The Tango Project’. Dr. Schimmel conducts an annual three day Master Class and Concert Series (‘The Seminars’) sponsored by the American Accordionists’ Association, dedicated to the exploration and establishment of an accordion culture. 2015 is the 21st year of the AAA Seminars, which take place from August 7th to 9th at the Tenri Cultural Center in New York City. Dr. William Schimmel is currently performing in ‘An American in Paris’ at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in New York. In addition to his performances, he also developed and realized the accordion part to give the show that distinct Parisian flavor along with the Gershwin Score. The show has been nominated for 12 Tony awards. A cast album has been released on the Masterworks label. For further information email: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
Video: Grayson Masefield Performs at AAA Festival - USAby Dan Grauman |
![]() ![]() Program: 1. Hommage a Paco - Franck Angelis 2. Oblivion - Astor Piazzolla 3. Phils Tango - Phil Bouvier 4. Tico Tico - Zequinha Abreu eTracks mp3 download album available at: Grayson Masefield |
‘Zoe Tiganouria’ Concert, Garden Theatre, Nicaea - Greeceby Rob Howard |
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![]() At a time when Greece is in the midst of huge economic problems, an era of austerity, not only economic but also cultural, the ‘Zoe Tiganouria’ filled the Garden Theatre. In the first part of the show the orchestra of the Conservatory of Byzantine, with amazing choreography from the Dance School ‘Choroaktis’, performed tangos. There were also songs from the sensual singer Thanos Polydoras and mezzo soprano Helena Voudouraki. In the second part of the show, a big surprise was the performance ‘Maistores of Chanting Art’, Byzantine hymn of ‘The Apple in Evosmos’, with Zoe accordion solo and vocalist Achilles Chaldaiaki (picture left) connecting East and West well with a magical way. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening, however, was two unreleased songs, with Maria Papadakis lyrics and interpreted by Achilles Chaldaiaki, presented for their first public performance! The two songs were influenced by Traditional and Byzantine styles, which "could well have been heard in a village recently or in the 17th Century!" The concert featured traditional Greek festive costumes and choreographies from the dance group ‘Fuerza Aztekita Amateur’. For further information email: info@zoe-music.net |
Video: Sergey Gromov (Garmoshka) in Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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Sergey Gromov performs on the Russian traditional accordion (Garmoshka). Over the years, he has won many competitions and now studies at the Russian National Conservatory of Music. This year, he won 1st place and the best performance medal in the Repnikov Cup international folk music competition. Daily Reports of pictures, video, printed program and results at: 2015 Shenzhen |
Italo-American Accordion Co. is marking 100 years owned by family - USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() Her grandfather bought the company in 1915, and it's still going strong - no longer making accordions but selling and repairing them. Romagnoli said her grandfather emigrated from Italy to San Francisco with a brother but eventually settled in Chicago, where he bought an accordion factory with two of his brothers. "We're from the town where the bellows for accordions were invented, Castelfidardo, Italy," she said. The factory was on Taylor Street in Chicago's Little Italy and moved to 3137 W. 51st St., in Chicago. In 1996, the factory closed, two years after her father died, but her mother opened the store, 5510 W. 95th St., that same year. "We've been here ever since," she said. Her mother and father, Anne (picture left) and Joe, started running the business in the 1950s when her grandfather returned to Italy. She proudly hauls out a Chicago Tribune magazine that featured a story about her father in the early 1990s. "I'm not really the head honcho. My mother thinks she is. I don't like to say I run the show. Let's say the family does," Romagnoli said. "I've got great employees. At one time we had 100 employees. We have four now." Her mother (picture left) is the company's best saleswoman, she said, and while in her 80s "still plays the accordion beautifully." |
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Video: Wu Si Jia Wins Open Solo Category, Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() This competition was a single round Open category for standard bass. Category results were: 1st Wu Si Jia, 2nd Wu Si Hui (picture left), 3rd Meng Qing Kai (picture right). Daily Reports of pictures, video, printed program and results at: 2015 Shenzhen |
Video: Yuri Medianik, Four Seasons of Tango, Winter - Russiaby Harley Jones |
Video of Four Seasons of Tango (Winter - Vivaldi) by Yuri Medianik & Emotion-orchestra. This was filmed live at Tchaikovsky Concert Hall (Moscow), 15 July 2014. Published on Jul 5, 2015 Yuri Medianik (bayan), Sergey Pospelov (violin), Alexey Korbanov (guitar), Oleg Trusov (bass). Arrangement by Sverre Indris Joner. |
Video: Beltango Performs Saint George And The Dragonby Harley Jones |
![]() Performed by Quinteto Beltango and special guests: Bassiona Amorosa and Bassiona Serbica, world premiere was 14 July 2014 at St George Church, Wasserburg am Bodensee, Germany. Serbian Premiere 29 November 2014, Dom Sindikata concert hall / Belgrade, Serbia Beltango Quintet: Aleksandar Nikolic (bandoneon), Ivana Nikolic (piano), Jovan Bogosavljevic (violin), Bogdan Pejic (guitar), Ljubinko Lazic (double bass). Bassiona Amorosa: Giorgi Makhoshvili, Jan Jirmasek, Andrej Shynkevich. Bassiona Serbica: Marijana Petrovic, Milos Milovanovic, Petar Holik. CD's available online at: Beltango |
Video: La Campanella by Paganini performed by Håvard Svendsrudby Harley Jones |
The popular La Campanella by Paganini performed by Håvard Svendsrud. Published on May 16, 2015. Filmed at Fra konserten i Villa Fridheim i Noresund on 13 May 2015. |
‘14 Years Ago’: Caister moves to Bridlington, 2001 - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() Bridlington International Accordion Festival – England Contributed by Robert Rolston The Bridlington International Accordion Festival (formerly known as the Caister Accordion Festival) will be held from November 8th to 11th in Bridlington, East Riding Council, sponsored by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Excelsior Accordions. There has been some confusion over this event which in the past was held at The Caister Holiday Centre in Great Yarmouth England. This festival was started by the late Malcolm Gee who pioneered this style of festival in the UK. When Malcolm died 5 years ago it was his wish that the publication ‘Accordion News’ and the ‘Autumn Accordion Festival’ (held in Caister) be sold to Robert Rolston of Rolston Accordions in Scotland as Robert had helped Malcolm in the past to promote the accordion festival. The festival was held at the holiday centre at Caister for several years but this year the venue was changed to Bridlington (on the East coast of England) as it is in the centre of the country, is easily reached by air or sea and the theatre holds about 2,000 people. The event will include a variety of entertainment and workshops. Performers include the Ballymun Accordion Orchestra, Brian Laurie Showband, Bridlington Dance Band, Family Von Skrappe, Gary Blair Trio, George & Rodney, Emil Johannsen (Norway), Gervasio Marcosignori (Italy), Daniele Ravaglia (Italy), Seamus O'Sullivan, and Finton Stanley (USA). Workshops will be given by Ron Hodgson (Biggest Band and Intermediate Band), Jean Corrighan (Beginners Band), Michael Irvine (Elementary Band), Jean Hanger (Vintage), John Leslie (technique), Jack Nesbitt (music on the computer), Adrianne Sharpe (Songs of Praise), Tracey Middleton (English Folk Dancing), David & Angie Lukins (Barn Dancing), Harry Hussey (jazz), George Syrett & Rodney (Play with the Pro's), Seamus O'Sullivan (Irish Music) and Gary Blair (Scottish). |
Future events |
Beltango Concerts – Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Italyby Rob Howard |
The Serbian tango quintet Beltango perform as follows: July 31st - Tango Farm Fest, Bad Walsee, Germany August 2nd - Brandenburgische Sommer Konzerte, Werder, Germany August 4th - Summer of Culture Festival, Bratislava, Slovakia August 5th - La Strada Festival, Graz, Austria September 3rd – Trieste, Italy Beltango was founded in Belgrade, Serbia, 1998, by the teacher, bandoneon player and composer Aleksandar Nikolic. Beltango perform all kinds of tango repertoire, including traditional tango pieces, the tango nuevo Astor Piazzolla, and original compositions. They have performed in concerts and festivals in Argentina, Germany, France, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Malta, Austria, Poland, Turkey, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Macedonia and Montenegro. Beltango is the only European tango orchestra to be invited by the Ministry of culture of Buenos Aires to perform at ‘World Tango Festival - Buenos Aires, 2007’. Five CD's available online at: Beltango For further information email: info@beltango.com |
8th Brantry Fleadh, County Tyrone – Northern Irelandby Harley Jones |
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The weekend of July 31st – August 2nd sees the return of the Brantry Fleadh 2015. Supported by the Mid Ulster Council and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, this competitive event at The Brantry Bard Cultural Centre, near Dungannon, County Tyrone, will see a series of concerts each evening followed by music sessions. The 8th Brantry Fleadh commences at 9pm on Friday July 31st with an evening of song featuring the magnificent Cara Dillon, performing at the Brantry for the first time. The evening of Saturday August 1st sees the debut of new Irish band, Breaking Trad (pictured), who recently launched their self-titled debut album to huge critical acclaim. The band is made up of Dónal Murphy (accordion), a winner of numerous All-Ireland titles on both button accordion and melodeon, Niall Murphy (fiddle), and multi-instrumentalist Mike Galvin who has vast experience working in a wide range of musical styles from Rock and Roll to Irish Trad. Breaking Trad will be supported by 2008 All Ireland Senior Accordion Fleadh Cheoil winner Darren Breslin, a native of Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. Also on the Saturday there will be Traditional Music Classes, which include accordion tuition by Dermot Byrne and Sean Og Graham. |
‘Accordion-O-Rama’ Concert, Minnesota – USAby Rob Howard |
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![]() “This show proves that the accordion is anything but passe,” said Marie Marvin of Crossings. “I’m not sure what ever gave us the idea to have three or four accordions on stage at one time; maybe it was just how truly ludicrous the whole idea was. But we stopped laughing when the concert sold out — as it does year after year. Our patrons knew better than we did how great the music is.” |
Café Mondiale Concert, Cambridge – UKby Rob Howard |
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Festival "Acordeão em Espectáculo" - Portugalby Harley Jones |
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![]() It will be one of the major events organized in Portugal this year. It is not in one place as the concept is to take a few performers and go "on the road" to present the show in a lot of places and to many different audiences. For further information email: geral@rodrigomauricio.com |
Kyiv Classic Duo @ Soar Valley Accordion Club, Leicestershire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Currently on their annual UK tour, the Kyiv Classic Duo, from the Ukraine, are once again fund raising for the Chernobyl Children’s Fund. For further information email: dpmusic@hotmail.co.uk |
‘Accordion Night’ Concert, Ottweiler – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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Accordion soloists Geir Draugsvoll, Mie Miki, and Stefan Hussong with pianist Armin Fuchs, perform works by Mossenmark (premiere), Couperin, Grieg, Bach, Harada, and Piazzolla in a concert titled ‘Accordion Night’ on Sunday August 2nd, 7pm, at the Landesakademie fur musisch-kulturelle Bildung e.V, Ottweiler, Germany. The concert marks the end of the 14th International Accordion Seminar Week Saarland. |
Antique Accordion Display, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() In the evening, 7.30pm-11pm, there will be a ceilidh by Jock-the-Box and The Muchtymusicmakers. For further information email: info@muchtymusicmakers.co.uk |
Mazaika Concert, London - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: igor.outkine@yahoo.com |
Martynas performs Vivaldi in Concert, Panevezio Apskritis – Lithuaniaby Rob Howard |
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![]() The program will be works by Antonio Vivaldi. The other guest soloist will be guitarist Chris Ruebens. |
Ludovic Beier Master Classes at CNIMA J.Mornet, Auvergne - Franceby Rob Howard |
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![]() CNIMA J.Mornet has asked Ludovic Beier, a regular speaker in the center, to lead sessions around the above styles for acoustic and digital accordions, standard bass and free bass. These 5-10 masterclasses, each over 2 whole days with full board during the week, are spread over the year from October 2015 to June 2016. They will constitute a cycle covering most styles of accordion playing. To consolidate and better organize this unique training course for the world, CNIMA wish to have your opinion. Thank you for taking the time to complete the form at CNIMA J.Mornet |
CD Reviews |
CD Review: Ivano Battiston plays Johann Sebastian Bach - Italyby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
Yuri Shishkin: 3 CD's Now Only Available as eTrack mp3 Albums - Russiaby Harley Jones |
![]() Catalog: yshishkin02eT Images Of The Passing Time Catalog: yshishkin03eT Favourites Catalog: yshishkin05eT Pictures at an Exhibition There are three other CD's available now while CD stocks last at: Yuri Shishkin Catalog: yshishkin01 Towards the Sun CD and eTracks album Catalog: yshishkin04 Shishkin Plays Semionov CD and eTracks album Catalog: yshishkin06 Libretto (Bajan on the Russian Opera Stage) CD and eTracks album |
Chapter 16 Warm Up, Before You Play by John Bonica - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() This chapter is about protecting your body from potential injury and unnecessary stress while playing or practicing your accordion. - Warm Up Before You Play ... - Stretch Before You Squeeze.... addresses in detail with exercise examples, the subject of adequate warm-up preparation prior to practice or playing. A quote from Chapter 16: So often we blame good old “arther” (arthritis) for our aches and pains in the extremities when really it is merely ligament tightness, poor blood supply to the muscles, and lack of range of motion! So don’t give up because you feel stiff and achy — get out and stretch and exercise and you may be amazed at how your “arthritis” disappears! There will be a minimum of 24 chapters, 16 chapters released so far. Special introductory offer, you can purchase the whole book for US$22 (or Euro equivalent) and be sent each chapter by e-mail as it is released. For more information, and to purchase: John Bonica |
Charnwood Publish New Douglas Ward Composition - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
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![]() The homepage of Douglas Ward is also updated. Order from Charnwood Music Publishing using the high security eCommerce site provided by Worldpay. |
Site Updated: Florida Accordion Association - USAby Harley Jones |
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