2006 Hohner Fun Line Tour - China Contributed by Horst Fausel, Hohner Accordion Product Manager
Die "2006 Hohner Fun Tour" durch die Universitäten und Conservatorien der Gross-Städte Shanghai, Chengdu und Tianjin haben beim chinesischen Publikum wahre Begeisterungs-Stürme ausgelöst. Die dargebotene Musik von Klassik bis Pop und die Improvisationen auf bekannte chinesische Folk- und Pop-Songs haben eine neue Seite der Akkordeon Musik aufgezeigt, bei der alle Zuhörer entfesselt mitgemacht haben. Akteure der Tour waren Frederic Deschamps, Jerome Richard und Cyril Blanchard. Sie spielen alle auf den speziell designden "Hohner Fun Line" Akkordeons.
Weiterer Akteur der Tour war Prof. Viktor Romanko aus Russland, within bekannt für seine Konzerte und seine populären Improvisationen. Er spielte auf der neu designden "Hohner Genius" und verstand es den klassischen Stil und popige improvisationen auf dem Convertor Bayan Akkordeon in einer mitreissenden Art zu präsentieren.
Frederic Deschamps und Prof. Viktor Romanko haben an den Conservatorien Workshops abgehalten, die von den chinesischen Studenten begierig und mit großem Talent aufgenommen wurden. Der Ruf nach weiteren Konzerten I diesem Stil und auf die Einführung der Unterhaltungsmusik auch an den Hochschulen wurde laut.
Dieser dynamische junge Performer hat wirklich die Bühnen der Welt in den vergangenen Monaten mit einer Kette von Wettbewerbserfolgen und einem Musikstil, der sein Publikum wirklich reitz, erobert.
In Russland geboren und von Alexander Dmitriev unterrichtet, hat der junge Shirunov wirklich eine Auswirkung auf die Akkordeonwettbewerbsszene in den letzten 12 Monaten vollbracht.
Die CD „Absolute“ ist von Karthause-Schmuelling Germany produziert worden und der Firmendirektor Ulrich Schmuelling schreibt „ Wir haben eine einzigartige und sensationelle CD mit einem blauen Cover kombiniert mit leuchtendem Hellgrün in Übereinstimmung mit der sensationellen Musik erschaffen. Ich kann schon voraussagen, Shirunov wird für diese wundervolle CD den Nicknamen „The blue Shirunov“ erhalten.
Um diese CD vorzustellen gab es eine große Premiere und ein Galakonzert an der bekannten Frankfurter Musikhochschule am Sonntag, den 14. May, welche ein enormer Erfolg war. Shirunov ist ohne Zweifel ein Star in der Mache und diese, seiner erste CD, ist ein weiterer Schritt auf seinem Weg in eine großartige Zukunft.
Vom 5. bis zum 11. Mai wurde der 43. internationale Akkordeonwettbewerb in Klingenthal (Deutschland) abgehalten. Die diesjährige Jury bestand aus bekannten Lehrern und Performern: Jürgen Ganzer, Fritz Dobler, Stefan Fraas, Tobias Morgenstern, Gudrun Wall, Ulf Seifert (Deutschland), Professor Wang Yu Ping (China), Professor Matti Rantanen (Finnland), Professor Friedrich Lips (Russland), Elsbeth Moser (Schweiz), Jacques Mornet (Frankreich), Professor Dr Lech Puchnowski (Polen), Tibor Racz (Slowakei), Ivan Kjoval (Tschechische Republik), Jeanette Dyremose (Dänemark), Claudio Jaccomucci (Italien), Professor Radomir Tomic und Alexander Nicolic (Serbien und Montenegro). Ivan Kjoval (Czech Republic), Jeanette Dyremose (Denmark), Claudio Jaccomucci (Italy), Professor Radomir Tomic and Alexander Nicolic (Serbia and Montenegro).
Das Eröffnungskonzert sah einen Auftritt des Vogtland Philharmoniker Orchester (Stefan Fraas, Dirigent) mit den Solisten Per Arne Glovigen (Bandoneon) und Niko Kumpuvaara aus Finnland (Akkordeon), Gewinner des Klingenthal Wettbewerbs 2005. Am 8. Mai zeigte Ivan Koval (Akkordeon) seine Fähigkeiten beim Vortragen von zeitgemäßer Musik gemeinsam mit Christiane Apel (Violine) und Thomas Müller-Pering (Gitarre). Am Mittwoch, den 10. Mai war das Konzert mit Per Arne Glovigen, Sveinung Lillebjerka (Violine) und dem Gesangsensemble ‘Amarcord’ sicherlich eines der Highlights von diesem Event.
Der nächste (44.) internationale Akkordeonwettbewerb in Klingenthal wird vom 04. bis zum 10. Mai 2007 abgehalten werden.
Wettbewerbsergebnisse:
Kategorie I (Solisten bis 12 Jahre):-
1. – Tian Jia Nan (China)
2. – Eliasson Victor-Daniel (Schweden)
3. – Nikolic Aleksandar (Serbien und Montenegro)
Kategorie II (Solisten bis 15 Jahre):-
1. – Wang Han Zhi (China)
2. – Pekovic Nikola (Serbien und Montenegro)
3. - Zivanovic Nikola (Serbien und Montenegro)
Kategorie III (Solisten bis 18 Jahre):-
1. – Jiang Bo Long (China)
2. – Puritz Iosif (Russland)
3. – Projovic Nevena (Serbien und Montenegro)
Kategorie IV (Solisten ohne Altersbegrenzung):-
1. – Vlasova Maria (Russland)
2. – Pakarinen Petra (Finnland)
3. – Kotkov Sergey (Russland)
Kategorie VA:-
1. – Duo Reflections (Spanien)
2. – Akkordeonduo (Russland/China)
3. - Akkordeon Duo Exprompt (Bielorussia)
Kategorie VB:-
1. – Duo Galuszka/Wolynczyk (Polen)
2. – Luosujärvi/Vaahtoranta (Finnland)
3. - Con Abbandono (Deutschland)
Kategorie VI (Virtuose Light Music für Solisten);-
1. – Saussard Dimitri (Frankreich)
2. – Adragna Pietro (Italien)
3. – Vonau Sarah (Frankreich)
Kategorie VII (Bandoneon):-
1. – Sabatier William (Frankreich)
2. – Mercadé Marisa Laura (Argentinien)
3. - Rokseth Andreas (Norwegen)
Marie Walsh’s Debut CD, Galway – Ireland
Contributed by Rob Howard
Diatonic two-row button accordionist Marie Walsh, from Clifden, Galway, has released her debut CD, ‘The Red Box’, a recording of Irish dance music. Marie Walsh won All Ireland titles on button accordion and piano in 2003 and 2004, and is much in demand as an accordion teacher and performer.
On May 13th the Hohner Accordion Orchestra 1927 performed a very successful concert in the Dr Ernst Hohner Concert Hall in Trossingen, resulting in a standing ovations from a very enthusiastic audience. The orchestra dedicated this evening to the works of the composer and arranger Werner Niehues, who was present at this concert.
The audience gave much applause for arrangements such as ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and ‘Porgy and Bess’, but also for the announcement of the Managing Director of the Hohner company who declared that Hohner in future will fund the ‘Werner Niehues Scholarship’ for students of the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen.
On May 25th the orchestra (MD Johannes Baumann) travelled to Bavaria, where they will perform three concerts over the weekend in health resort villages in the Werdenfelser countryside. These performances involve an open-air concert in front of the beautiful scenery of the mountains ‘Waxensteine’ and ‘Zugspitze’ – the highest mountains in Germany. The next day the players will perform in the evening in the Austrian holiday village Ehrwald. The final concert will be on May 27th at Mittenwald, near Innsbruck.
The musicians also will use some of the newest instruments of the Hohner company and present to interested people information about the development of Hohner accordions and about the Conservatory.
Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Sussex – UK Contributed byRob Howard
The next Eastbourne Accordion Festival, organised by former All Britain Champion John Romero, takes place at the Cumberland Hotel, Eastbourne, from October 13th to 16th.
The guest artistes include former CMA World Champion Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, David Lukins, Angie Lukins, Harry Hussey, and Charlie Watkins. Also present will be the leading accordion technician Alan Young, and the trade show includes The Accordion Shop, Trevani Studios, and WEM.
International Accordion Cruise, Larvik – Norway
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl
Sweden, France, Russia, Denmark and Norway were all represented in Norilds ‘Accordion-Cruise’, on the boat ‘Peter Wessel’, on April 22nd and 23rd. The tour went from Larvik in Norway to Hitshals in Denmark, and back. During the 6-hour stop in Denmark, all the accordionists went to the local inn, ‘The Skipperkroen’, to entertain, along with members of the accordion club ‘Ørskog and Omegn Trekkspillklubb’.
The travelling passengers were met with beautiful weather and accordion music featuring many different performers and styles throughout the trip, ensuring a great atmosphere.
Accordionists included Kjetil Skaslien, Anders Larsson, who played in the style of the great Carl Jularbo, Henrik Larsson, Tor Bekkelund, Trond Lönstad, Reidar Opsal and Kjetil Skaslien and The Paris-Moscow Duo - Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov (picture above).
Members of the accordion club from Örskog in Norway were also on board and, with Linda Nygaard as MD, performed a program that included Frosini, Andrew Walter, Egil Hauge, Ebbe Jularbo, Leroy Anderson, Skjalg Bjørstad, and Wetesse.
Also performing were ‘Sigmund’s Orchestra’ with Sigmund Saeter, Wenche Eikeland, Paal Steinar Flakne, Olav Hunnes, Kaj Endresen and Elin Saeter. Sigmund’s daughter Elin also joined in some of the tunes on diatonic accordion, to good effect.
The trip featured classical, French, Russian, and Scandinavian music that was greatly enjoyed by all on board. The next ‘rendezvous’ with some of these artistes will be in the Swedish festival of Ransäter, from July 6th to 9th.
Borut Zagoranski’s Performance, London - UK Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl Borut Zagoranski, post-graduate student of Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music in London, gave an outstanding performance at the 'Friends of the Royal Academy of Music Wigmore Award 2006' in the famous Wigmore Hall on May 15th.
In attendance were many distinguished musicians who were unanimous in their praise for Borut's performance.
Borut also performed with the London Sinfonietta on May 21st in St. Luke's Church, London, and is to perform at the Aldeburgh Festival on June 21st.
Brendan Shine Concerts, England, Scotland – UK
Contributed by Rob Howard
Irish singer and accordionist Brendan Shine appears at the Springfields Exhibition Centre, Spalding, Lincolnshire, on May 28th, and at the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow on October 31st.
Marco Lo Russo – accordion, with Andrea Giuffredi - trumpet, Joe Alessi - trombone (from the New York Philharmonic), Tiziano Zanotti - bass, Luca Colombo - guitar, Lele Veronesi – drums, performs I the following concerts:-
Speciale parteciapazione di Tarabuk.
June 12th, at 9pm - Romano Lombardia, Bergamo
15th, at 9pm - Desenzano sul Garda, Brescia
23rd, at 9pm - Comune di Cupello, near Vasto, Chieti
See the excellent CD Review of the Marco Lo Russo CD named Tarabuk.
French accordionist Pascal Contet performs the following dates:-
June 1st to 8th – Festival in China
11th - Pique-Nique bavard, Fort de Montbard, Montbeliard
13th and 14th – Festival, Clermont-Ferrand
16th to 18th – Toulouse
20th - Mende
4th International Mediterraneon - Europe Accordion Contest, Palgianello – Italy
Contributed by Harley Jones
The 4th International Mediterraneon-Europe accordion contest takes place on August 26th and 27th in the town of Palgianello. Accordion players of all nationalities can take part, with instruments of all types and brands.
There are money prizes and diplomas available for the winners, and full details of the competition are now available. The closing date for registration is July 30th.
Accordionists Wanted, Paris – France
Contributed by Rob Howard
Pascal Contet is the artistic director of a 2-day event in Le parc de la Villette, Paris on August 26th and 27th. For this event the organisation is looking for accordionists from all over the world, of any age, style or experience to participate on August 26th, from 3pm to 6 pm. All participants are offered food and beverage and entrance for the special cabaret evening in Sauvage on the August 26th.
The festival Swing 41, from June 2nd to 5th, is a festival of gypsy jazz music and one of the most important in France, involving a significant number of professional and amateur players, and enthusiasts for this style of music. Most of the ensembles performing this kind of music include an accordionist. Gilles Briselance will exhibit Fisitalia Accordions during the festival.
Help Required
Accordionist Stefaan Walraet, from Belgium, would like to contact Russian bayan player Valery Petrov in connection with purchasing some bayan music. Stefaan is also interested in many other Russian sheet music books for solo accordion, with variations on Russian Folksongs for solo accordion. Email: stefaan.walraet@fe-bi.org
Tarabuk by Marco Lo Russo (accordion) and Tiziano Zanotti (double bass)
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Alexander Shirunov – ‘Absolute’’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Luna Rossa’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Buongiorno Tristezza’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo – CinePassion’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo - Canzone Della Strada’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled ‘Quadro Nuevo – Moccaflor’, with sound samples. Music from Karthause Schmuelling of Germany. Purchase online.
Die "2006 Hohner Fun Tour" durch die Universitäten und Conservatorien der Gross-Städte Shanghai, Chengdu und Tianjin haben beim chinesischen Publikum wahre Begeisterungs-Stürme ausgelöst. Die dargebotene Musik von Klassik bis Pop und die Improvisationen auf bekannte chinesische Folk- und Pop-Songs haben eine neue Seite der Akkordeon Musik aufgezeigt, bei der alle Zuhörer entfesselt mitgemacht haben. Akteure der Tour waren 
Weiterer Akteur der Tour war Prof. Viktor Romanko aus Russland, within bekannt für seine Konzerte und seine populären Improvisationen. Er spielte auf der neu designden "
Die CD „Absolute“ ist von 
Vom 5. bis zum 11. Mai wurde der 43. internationale Akkordeonwettbewerb in 
Diatonic two-row button accordionist Marie Walsh, from Clifden, Galway, has released her debut CD, ‘The Red Box’, a recording of Irish dance music. Marie Walsh won All Ireland titles on button accordion and piano in 2003 and 2004, and is much in demand as an accordion teacher and performer.
The travelling passengers were met with beautiful weather and accordion music featuring many different performers and styles throughout the trip, ensuring a great atmosphere. 
Also performing were ‘Sigmund’s Orchestra’ with Sigmund Saeter, Wenche Eikeland, Paal Steinar Flakne, Olav Hunnes, Kaj Endresen and Elin Saeter. Sigmund’s daughter Elin also joined in some of the tunes on diatonic accordion, to good effect.
Borut Zagoranski, post-graduate student of 
Marco Lo Russo
French accordionist 
The 4th International Mediterraneon-Europe accordion contest takes place on August 26th and 27th in the town of Palgianello. Accordion players of all nationalities can take part, with instruments of all types and brands. 
Pascal Contet
Swing 41 Festival, Salbris - France
