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Daily Reports, Full Video, Coupe Mondiale Underway in Salzburg - Austriaby Harley Jones |
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The 67th Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships is well underway in Salzburg, Austria. As well as the very highest level of international competition, there have been concerts featuring some of Austria's finest performers. Some direct links you might wish to see. Final round of the Senior Virtuoso Entertainment category http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/V31snvR2Eur.htm Round III of the Senior Coupe Mondiale category http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/V01sncR3Eur.htm Final Prize Giving Concert with winners performing and including the World Accordion Orchestra. http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/V01PrizeGiving.htm A huge amount of wonderful music by the competitors is online at the "Videos and Video Timetable": 2014CM-Video Daily Reports at: http://coupemondiale.org/2014/at_coupe_main.htm |
Coupe Mondiale Results Online, Salzburg - Austriaby Harley Jones |
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Coupe Mondiale Results have been released and you can view the Coupe Mondiale Awards Ceremony online at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/V01AwardsKar.htm View pdf files of all Coupe Mondiale category results and marks for all candidates at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/at_report_c_results.html The Prize Winners Final Concert including the World Accordion Orchestra is online at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/V01AwardsKar.htm Videos and Video Timetable at: 2014CM-Video |
Live in Salzburg, Roland Group Release FR-8X V-Accordion Update - Austriaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Sean Montgomery, Roland Europe V-Accordion Product Manager (picture right) writes: "Roland is pleased to announce a significant ‘Version 2’ system update for their flagship FR-8X V-Accordion. This free, user-installable upgrade adds many new improvements and enhancements designed to make the FR-8X even more versatile in any musical situation. Based on user feedback, the new features include new drum and orchestral parameters, improved control of audio files, more Looper functionality and new Orchestral Chord ‘voicing’ capabilities. The Version 2 update will be officially launched by Uwe Steger in a dedicated workshop on Saturday November 1st, as part of the 67th Coupe Mondiale in Salzburg, Austria. This workshop will be available to view online at the Coupe Mondiale website from 4:00pm CET. http://www.coupemondiale.org/2014/VDigital.htm Since the revolutionary V-Accordion was first launched in 2004, Roland has introduced many digital accordion models culminating with the current FR-8X launched in 2013. Roland has recently announced a manufacturing agreement with Fatar Srl that will ensure that production of the V-Accordion range remains in Italy. A dedicated team of Roland staff based at Fatar srl, together with Fatar's world-renowned craftsmanship and quality standards, will ensure that Roland remains dedicated to the ongoing development of the specialised Roland V-Accordion models." For more information, visit: http://www.roland.com/products/en/FR-8xb/ |
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Ron Hodgson (1929-2014), Carlisle – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Born in Carlisle on January 22nd 1929, Ron Hodgson received an accordion as a Christmas present in 1935, and passed all 8 BCA examinations, the last six with distinction. He played in dance bands, and when called up for National Service in the army (1947-49) he took his accordion with him. It was during tours of duty in Germany and Holland that Ron really became hooked on the accordion, “It was there that I heard the accordion being played as it should be”, he later recalled. In 1957 Ron represented the NAO at a World Arts Festival in Moscow, USSR, winning a silver medal. This experience led Ron to learn to play free bass. From 1957 to 2005 Ron Hodgson ran a highly successful accordion school in Carlisle, and his many pupils included Max Houliston, Julie Best, Craig and Scott Bradley, Richard Corrie, and many more. From the school came the highly accomplished Ronmar Accordion Orchestra, twice winners at the All Britain Championships. In the 1990s Ron Hodgson and Julie Best became a popular duo, well-known in accordion clubs and festivals, with three CDs to their credit. Scottish accordionist Gary Blair recalls, “I once phoned Ron late the night before an NAO area competition I was organising, as a judge had let me down. He came up first thing in the morning, judged all day and refused to take a penny, even for petrol! That was the measure of the man. He will be missed”. Ron was known to many as an orchestral MD at accordion festivals such as Caister and St Audries Bay, where he freely shared his vast knowledge of music and accordion playing. Ron Hodgson passed away on October 10th 2014. Harry Hussey played at his funeral service on October 24th. He is survived by his wife Margaret and son Ivor. |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Standing Ovation for Stunning Performance by Yuri Shishkin - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Video: Yuri Shishkin received a standing ovation for his stunning performance. |
Mundesley Festival Finale, Norfolk – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() There was an abundance of top class playing in concerts from the Paris-Moscow Duo (Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov), accordion/clarinet duo David Vernon & Dick Lee, virtuoso Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, jazz entertainer Harry Hussey, virtuoso Rosemary Wright, and jazz and swing accordionist Bert Santilly. The festival participants spent much time in the orchestral workshops during each day, culminating in a concert performance in the afternoon of the last day. Congratulations to Heather Smith for organising this and previous festivals at Mundesley, Seacroft (Hemsby), Caister and Pakefield. Her festivals in Blackpool will continue, the next being set for May 10th/15th 2015. The original festival organiser, the late and still missed Malcolm Gee – whose first festival in Norfolk took place in November 1986 at nearby Caister, which starred Toralf Tollefsen and Lars Ek, once described accordion festivals as “a total indulgence in accordions”, and this remains today as true as ever. |
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Viennese Magic in Mozarts' Salzburg - Austriaby Harley Jones |
Video Music List: 1. Video: Rondo from "A little Nightmusic" by W.A.Mozart 2. Video: 3rd Movement from "Oktett" by Franz Schubert 3. Video: a) "Rosenkavalier-Waltz" by Richard Strauss b) "Java Jive" by Manhattan Transfer The Viennese Chamber Accordion Ensemble took some of the magic of Vienna to the home of Mozart when they were featured at the Thursday night concert of the Coupe Mondiale. The Viennese Chamber Accordion Ensemble was founded in 1967 by Prof. Walter Maurer, well known as a central figure of the CIA while serving several key positions, including as General Secretary from 1975-2006. The ensemble, directed by Werner Weibert comprises the best soloists in Austria and virtually has remained together ever since. One of the secrets of this lasting success is consistency. The repertoire contains all styles and epochs. More than half of their standard programs are compositions from Vivaldi, Bach to Mozart and Mussorgsky, from Johann Strauss to Gershwin, Bernstein, Piazzolla and many more. Success was also achieved through performances of original music by Rudolf Wuerthner, Brehme, Schollum, Jacobi, Dobler or Seiber, just to mention a few. |
Frosini Society News, Astorp – Swedenby Rob Howard |
![]() 1. Gringo Vibes 2. A Romantic Autumn 3. Discotango 4. A Gentle Touch 5. Bahia de tu Amor 6. Dreamy Ballad 7. A la Paisana 8. Blu Dolphin 9. A Night Stroll 10.Blue Bossa For further information email: lars@frosinisociety.org View and purchase online the music of this popular Australian composer at: Franco Cambareri |
‘14 Years Ago’: Accordion Seminar held in Turkey’ in 2000by Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending October 27th 2000 included an article about an Accordion Seminar for children held in Turkey. The Turkish Accordion Association over the years regularly sends Accordions Worldwide news of accordion activities, the next being a concert this Saturday November 1st, 8am, featuring a trio - accordionist and cello with percussion – performing at the Living Room, Art Café & Social Club, Istanbul. Accordion Seminar, Eskishehir – Turkey Contributed by Tsvetana Kojuharova In September Bulgarian accordionist Diana Stancheva held a two week seminar for 11 enthusiastic children in Eskishehir, Turkey, which included 8 hours of intensive work each day. The event was held at the ‘International Musik Center’ with the assistance of Turkish accordionist Aidin Yavash. The seminar covered ‘Development of the Bellows Shake’, ‘Working upon the ‘loure’ and ‘leggiero’ touch with methods developed by Jacques Mornet’. |
Future events |
Sam O’Doherty’s gigs for next week – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
![]() October 31st - tea dance, Lorrha Hall, County Tipperary November 1st - Kades Kounty, Glenville, County Cork November 2nd - Carrolls Hotel, Knocktopher, County Kilkenny November 3rd - the Michael Commins Show, Salthill, Galway November 4th - County Arms Hotel, Birr, County Offaly November 5th - West County, Ennis, County Clare November 6th - Ramble Inn, Michelstown, County Cork November 7th - Clonmel Park Hotel, Dublin November 8th - Ahern's, Newport, County Tipperary November 9th - Deanrock, Togher, Cork |
Swing & Tango Concert, Cape Town – South Africaby Rob Howard |
![]() Stanislav Angelov, originally from Bulgaria, has done a great deal to promote the accordion in South Africa through his performances, recordings and website. He leads the popular band CT Tango Ensemble. For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
Gala Accordeon Evening, Valaise – Switzerlandby Rob Howard |
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A Gala Accordeon evening – dinner and dance - takes place on Saturday November 1st, 7pm, at the Salle de l’Eau, Vive Martigny-Croix, Valaise, Switzerland. Accordionists performing include Fabrice Pelusso and Manu Maugain, with supporting players including Pierrot Glappey, Frederic Barben, Alain Bourgeois, Theodore Monnet, and Jean Yves-Sixt. |
Accordion Virtuosi of Russia Concert, New Jersey - USAby Rob Howard |
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‘FolkOnMonday’ Concerts, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() November 3rd, 8.30pm, Green Note, Camden Town, London - Mairearad Green (accordion and bagpipes) and Anna Massie (guitar, banjo, fiddle), from Scotland, are a truly captivating duo, providing a highly energetic performance with an instantly warm and friendly stage presence. November 4th, 8.30pm, Green Note - the trio Barrule, featuring accordionist Jamie Smith, come from the Isle of Man and specialize in performing traditional Manx music. Barrule also perform in Belgium on November 15th at Muziekcentre Dranouter, and on the 16th at the Muziekclub ‘t Ey, Belsele. November 5th, 7pm - The Borderline, Soho, London - nominated for Best Group in the 2013 BBC Folk Awards, The Treacherous Orchestra, an 11 piece Scottish Supergroup will fill both the stage and the venue with their presence, not to be missed. |
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Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Concert, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, originally formed by Jimmy Blair, as part of his wider music school in the early 1970s, was very successful in NAO All Britain competitions until it was disbanded in the late 1980s. The orchestra was revived in 2009 by Gary Blair, and has since won several competition honours, and performing in many concerts. For further information email: gazzapt@yahoo.co.uk |
‘Accordion Commotion Day’, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() NHAA meets at Accordion Connection, LLC, 136 Route 106, Gilmanton, NH 03237. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
"Take Apart Your Accordion!" Repair Workshop, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Mike’s presentation includes the ‘Top 10 Accordion Fixes Every Accordionist Should Know’: 1. Level a treble key that is too high or too low 2. Reset or replace a loose treble pad 3. Fix a sticky or slow treble key 4. Block and unblock the bass for safe shipping 5. Straighten a bent bass button 6. Repair small air leaks 7. Replace a bass strap 8. Fix a reed that is not playing 9. Replace a problematic reed valve 10. Tighten loose reed blocks Don't miss this great opportunity to learn about the mechanics of an accordion! We are also taking calls for performers. If you are interested in performing a piece or two at the meeting, please email us! Beginners and first timers are welcome. Please sign up a head of time if you plan to perform a piece or two. It will help us plan the meeting better. For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Dr William Schimmel guests with Percussion Ensemble, New Jersey – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Dr William Schimmel is a virtuoso accordionist, author, philosopher and composer. He has performed with most of the symphony orchestras in the USA, and is also one of the principle architects in the tango revival in America, the resurgence of the accordion and the philosophy of Musical Reality (composition with pre-existing music). He received his diploma from the Neupauer Conservatory of Music and his BM, MS and DMA degrees from the Juilliard School. He has taught at the Juilliard School, Brooklyn College CUNY, Upsala College, New School University, Neupauer Conservatory, and has lectured on accordion-related subjects at Princeton, Columbia, Brandeis, University of Missouri, Duke University, Manhattan School of Music, the Graduate Center CUNY, Santa Clara University, The Janacek Conservatory in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and at Microsoft. For further information: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
Charity Accordion Variety Concert, Staffordshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: stevehg0@gmail.com |
Nihad Hrustanbegovic Premieres ‘The Four Seasons’, The Hague - Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
![]() Nihad Hrustanbegovic will undertake a concert tour of ‘The Four Seasons’ during December, with performances in the Amsterdam Lutheraan Church, Den Haag De Diligentia (The Hague), Rotterdam Conservatory, The Ground Concert Hall in Utrecht, and Middelburg Zeeuwse Concert Hall. The tour is continues in 2015 with concerts forthcoming in Brussels, Paris, Vienna, and Istanbul. For further information email: info@nihad-accordeon.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Franco Cambareri Release New Compositionsby Franco Cambareri |
![]() 'Capriccio Cubano', catalog: cfranco191 The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
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