08 August 2008
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Fisitalia Blue
Das Wichtigste aus aller Welt...
BCA Francis Wright Memorial Stipendium II Bewerb, Leicester – GB
Ein “neuer” Roland in Acquaviva Picena - Italien
Jim Johnstone (1937-2008), Schottland – GB
Konzertberichte, Masterklassen, Festivals, Wettbewerbe etc
Summer School, Zalec - Slovenia
Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival, Scotland - UK
Thom Hardaker, Young Musician Concert, Keighley - UK
Bevorstehende Konzertdaten/Auftritte usw
Polka Dance, Minnesota - USA
Gorka Hermosa Concerts, Madrid - Spain
‘Accordion Monsters Invade West Coast Cities!’ - USA
André Loppe New DVD and Performances – Belgium, France
Drama: ‘Accidental Death of an Accordionist’, Scotland – UK
Flaco Jiménez Concerts, Texas – USA
Eddie Bronson at Cafe Carnivale, Sydney – Australia
Emily Smith to Perform in USA and Canada
James P.  O'Brien
CD Bericht
Neue und aktualisierte Webseiten


Yuri Medianik CD's
BCA Francis Wright Memorial Stipendium II Bewerb, Leicester – GB
Beitrag von Anna Bodell / Charnwood Music


Der 2. BCA Francis Wright Memorial Stipendium/Bewerb findet am Sonntag, den 21. September in Leicester statt. Die drei dazu ausgewählten Finalisten sind Caitlin Barnes-Davies, Thom Hardaker und Julie Langton.

Caitlin ist einstiger nationaler NAO Meister und Schüler von Stella Hughes. Thom, ehemaliger Schüler von Harry Hinchcliffe, hat soeben sein erstes Studienjahr an der Rimsky Korsakow-Konservatorium in Sankt Petersburg bei Professor Oleg Sharov absolviert. Julie ist die amtierende nationale NAO Meisterin und Schülerin von Gina Brannelli. Alle haben erfolgreich Stufe 8 der BCA Prüfungen (oder höher)abgeschlossen.

The jury will consist of Raymond Bodell (BCA Principal), Alistair Gillespie (Senior Examiner), and Frederick Parnell. The British College of Accordionists, founded in 1936, has been offering graded examinations and diplomas for over 70 years and Francis Wright was for more than 30 years Chairman of the BCA Board of Administration.

Die Jury setzt sich zusammen aus Raymond Bodell (BCA Principal), Alistair Gillespie (Senior Examiner) und Frederick Parnell. Das britische College der Akkordeonisten, welches im Jahre Jahre 1936 gegründet wurde, benotet seit mehr als 70 Jahren Prüfungen und Diplome. Francis Wright war für mehr als 30 Jahre Vorsitzender des BCA Aufsichtsrates.

Wenn Sie zusätzliche Information wünschen, so schreiben Sie bitte via e-mail an: bcaexams@btinternet.com
 
Viatcheslav Semionov CD's  for sale
Ein “neuer” Roland in Acquaviva Picena - Italien
Beitrag von Kevin Friedrich

Während meines letzten Besuches im Roland-Hauptquartier in Europa, wo ich die Top-Verantwortlichen der Firma Roland - darunter den Präsidenten von Roland Europa und die Leiter der V-Akkordeon und Marketing-Abteilungen kennenlernte, konnte ich die gesamte Roland Produktionslinie und speziell die neue aufregende Familie von Instrumenten von Anfang bis Ende besichtigen.

Ich habe eine umfangreichen Artikel mit vielen Fotos über die Roland Herstellung und ihre vielseitigen Produkte zusammengestellt.

A Roland is Born in Acquaviva Picena
 
Friedrich Lips CD Collection

Jim Johnstone (1937-2008), Schottland – GB
Beitrag von Rob Howard

Jim Johnstone, weithin anerkannt als eine der führenden Akkordeonisten von Schottland accordionists, starb letzte Woche friedlich im Alter von 71 jahren. Er verbrachte die letzten Jahre in einem Pflegeheim nach einem schweren Schlaganfall.

Überall im Lande bekannt als Tanzband spielte er im laufe seiner langen Karriere von der Nachkriegs-Ära,Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod bis in die heutigen Szene.

Jim lernte sein Handwerk durch die Gründung seiner eigenen schottischen Tanzgruppe, als er noch ein Teenager war. Später, nach seinem Militärdienst spielte er mit den Bands von Andrew Rankine und Jimmy Shand. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Rankine schärfte in ihm ein ausgezeichnetes Können im Gegensatz zu den meisten anderen, ging er zu den BBC-Studioaufnahmen ohne Proben. "Rankine war gut für mich, aber schwierig. Ich wurde bis auf’s letzte gefordert und dies machte mich stark“. Mit dem großen Jimmy Shand unternahm er viele Gigs, Tourneen, Aufnahmen und Sendungen. Jim erinnerte sich oft an ihn mit den Worten: "Er war ein Mann von unglaublicher Ausdauer. Wir haben einaml eine Tour mit One-Night-Stands in Australien gemacht, die mich fast umwarf – aber nicht Jimmy! Er blühte daran auf!

Später spielte Jim mit Jimmy Blue und danach bildete er seine eigene und sehr erfolgreiche Band, mit welcher er reiste in den White Heather Clubs tourte und wodurch er auch besonders im land bekannt wurde. Im Laufe der Jahre produzierte seine Band zahlreiche hochwertige Aufnahmen, und diese bleiben uns allen als Erinnerung an eine außergewöhnliche Kariere die der schottischen Tanzmusik im In-und Ausland gewidmet war.
 
Accordion Repairs Made Easy - Reuther

An A to Z of the Accordion
Summer School, Zalec - Slovenia
Contributed by Gary Daverne

I have just returned from a weeklong summer accordion music school in Zalec, Slovenia. There were about 40 students, with ages ranging from 11 to 26, and including some very fine players. This was a first for Slovenia and was brilliantly organised by accordion teacher and conductor, Andreja Turnsek.

The days were taken up by individual tutoring from top European accordionists and teachers with a three-hour rehearsal at the end of the day, usually from 6pm until 9pm. If there was a concert planned that evening, the practice was from 5-8pm.

The final concert was held in a lovely Baroque concert hall in the neighbouring town of Celje on the Saturday evening, involving three conductors, many solo items, and a very fine accordion quartet. The concert lasted about 80 minutes, without an interval.

I was very happy to see they have recorded some of my compositions on CD in Slovenia and also, to see how many of my titles were in their library, purchased from Ernest Deffner Publications, USA.

For further information of Gary Daverne original music and CD’s: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/daverne/index.htm
 
Thierry Benetoux
Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival, Scotland - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

‘The Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2008, a weekend of Scottish music and dancing, took place on July 4th, 5th and 6th at venues in Arbroath: the British Legion, Viewfield Hotel, Meadowbank Inn and Community Centre.

This non-competitive festival includes concerts and pub sessions, but the focus is on dancing and dance bands. Performing this year were the bands led by accordionists Marian Anderson, Steven Carcary, Neil Hardie, Iain MacPhail, Tom Orr (picture above left), Craig Paton, George Rennie, Davie Stewart, Liam Stewart, and Gary Sutherland. Other accordionists performing included the Bon Accords, Lynne Christie and Jim Halcrow.

A DVD and CD of the weekend’s music will be released in October. A CD was released for the 2007 festival, cover picture left.
 
Fisitalia Black
Thom Hardaker, Young Musician Concert, Keighley - UK
Contributed by Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications

On July 5th 20008 Thom Hardaker took part in a ‘Young Musicians in Concert’ event staged by the Keighley Vocal Union. Thom started his performance with ‘Prelude and Fugue’, by Bach, followed by ‘Chau Paris’, by Astor Piazolla. He then concluded his first session with ‘Wedding in the Farm’, by Basula, to rapturous applause from the audience, many of whom had never heard Thom play, and did not know what to expect!

In the second half they heard ‘March’ and ‘Dance of the Shepherds’, by Tchaikovsky, then ‘Amid the dale so wide and even’, by Panitsky. His final rendition was a Russian folk piece called ‘Oh You Wintery Winter’.

The whole evening was very enjoyable, all the young musicians excelled, and the audience were treated to a performance of accordion music played at it’s very best!

Thom was a former student of Harry Hinchcliffe, and is currently a student of the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia.

Thom, who is studying classical accordion under Professor Oleg Sharov, has successfully completed the conservatory’s one year preparatory programme and is about to start the four year course which teaches up to doctorate level giving a D.M.A. qualification (Doctor of Musical Arts).
 
Deffner Music catalog

Alexander Shirunov CD forsale
Polka Dance, Minnesota - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard

On Sunday August 10th Craig Ebel's DyVersaCo Polka Band performs at Withrow Ballroom, 12169 Keystone Avenue North, Hugo Minnesota 55038, from 2pm to 6pm. The event is part of a weekend festival called Withrow Days.

Craig Ebel's DyVersaCo plays a wide variety of music from polkas, waltzes and schottisches to Cajun and Country. These multitalented musicians not only perform different types of music, but also different styles of polka music. The band features Mike Cielecki on accordion and Craig Ebel on bandoneon. Craig Ebel, the leader, can also be heard weekly on "It's Polka Time" on radio stations throughout the country.

For further information email: mossak@popp.net
 
Gary Dahl esheet
Gorka Hermosa Concerts, Madrid - Spain
Contributed by Harley Jones

Spanish accordionist Gorka Hermosa performs as follows:

August 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th - Theater Pradillo, Madrid: ‘Los cinco sentidos’ (‘The five senses’) - Spectacle of flamenco dance.
August 22nd, 23rd and 24th - EXPO of Zaragoza: Saioa (voice and guitar) and Gorka Hermosa, presenting the new CD ‘Matrioska heart’, by Saioa.
September 5th – Gorka Hermosa Trio perform music by Bach, Messiaen and Piazzolla at the Palace of Revillagigedo, Gijón
September 6th – Gipuzkoa, Zumarraga: Gorka Hermosa Quintet perform ‘IBERIA in FUSION’.

For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com
 
Charnwood Graded Music
‘Accordion Monsters Invade West Coast Cities!’ - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard

The ‘Monsters of Accordion 2008’ tour takes place throughout the Western United States during August. Accordionists Jason Webley, Mark Growden, Amy Denio, and Duckmandu, plus a variety of special guests, share the bill for what they call “ten nights of squeezebox mayhem from Los Angeles to Seattle”.

The ‘Accordion Monsters’ do not play a program of polkas, but will be delivering five evenings of squeezebox-fuelled drinking songs, punk rock covers, experimental pop, dark tangos and sultry dirges.

"I meet so many amazing accordion players in my travels, and I thought it would be really fun to bring some of the best together," explains Webley, who organized the tour. Referring to the fact that the players on this tour all perform rock and world music to young audiences, and have international followings, Jason Webley comments: "These things move in cycles, you know. I can foresee a day when playing the electric guitar will be a laughable thing, and people will be embarrassed to admit they ever took guitar lessons as kids."

The ‘Monsters of Accordion’ are playing from August 14th to 23rd in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Eugene, Portland and Seattle. Their dates are:

August 14th - Church House Theater, Santa Rosa
15th - Safari Sam's, Los Angeles
16th - 12 Galaxies (21+), San Francisco
17th - 21 Grand, Oakland, CA
18th – Octagon, Garberville, CA
19th - The Black Sheep, Ashland, CA
20th - Wow Hall, Eugene, Oregon
21st - Kennedy School Theater, Portland, OR-
22nd - Caterina Winery, Spokane, Washington -
23rd - Fremont Abbey (upstairs), Seattle, WA
Accordion Monster Master Classes:
August 17th, 3pm - 21 Grand, Oakland, CA
24th, 3pm - 1412 Gallery, Seattle, WA

For further information email: jason@jasonwebley.com
 
Edition Harmonia music catalog
André Loppe New DVD and Performances – Belgium, France
Contributed by Rob Howard

Belgian musette accordionist André Loppe has released a new DVD ‘Nos Régions au Son de l’Accordéon’. Born in 1958, André Loppe performs extensively throughout Belgium and France, and is one of the leading lights of his genre. He is a regular at the annual Chartres Accordion Festival, and has numerous recordings to his name.

During August, André Loppe performs as follows:

August 14th, 9pm - Grand bal populaire, village podium, Gernelle, France
16th, 3.30pm – dance, Salle Marbisoux, Marbaix, Belgium
17th, 3pm – dance, ‘Les Echos du Ton’, Ethe
19th, 9pm – Grand Festival de Accordeon, Ayen, France
30th, 1pm – ‘Passage Oublié’, Florennes, Belgium
31st, 3pm - dance, ‘Les Champs Elysées’, Saint-Quentin

For further information email: Andreloppe@skynet.be
 
Finland Recordings
Drama: ‘Accidental Death of an Accordionist’, Scotland – UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

The play ‘The Accidental Death of an Accordionist’, first produced in 2001, embarks on a 9-week tour from July 2008, taking in the Highlands & Islands, Glenkinchie Distillery, a 3-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Argyll & Bute, Aberdeenshire and finally Moray. The cast includes accordionist Sandy Brechin.

The advance publicity says: “Glengirnie's holding its grand ceilidh and the village is out in force. Master of Ceremonies for the evening John Angus is loosening up his vocal chords with a couple of drams, Aly the accordionist and the band have promised not to be late, the raffle's ready, the bar's well stocked and Jean's even sold a ticket to the Laird. But behind the scenes, there's trouble brewin'!

You’re invited to take your partners for the first dance and join the craic… but watch your back, because just below the surface of this Highland idyll lurks deceit, mistrust, jealousy, hatred and bloody revenge!”

The performance dates for this interactive comedy ceilidh murder mystery theatre show from Right Lines Productions include:

August 4th – 23rd, 10.30pm (not Sundays) – Acoustic Music Centre, Edinburgh
August 24th to September 8th – various locations in the Western Isles
September 9th, 8pm – New Deer Public Hall, Turriff
10th, 8pm – Victoria & Albert Memorial Hall, Ballater
11th, 8pm – The Loft, Keith
13th, 8pm – Tullynessle & Forbes Village Hall, Alford
16th, 8pm – Glen Urquhart Public Hall, Drumnadrochit
17th, 8pm – British Legion Hall, Moray
18th, 8pm – Lossiemouth Town Hall, Moray
19th, 8pm – Glenlivet Public Hall, Moray
20th, 8pm – Miltonduff Hall, Moray

For further information email: euan@rightlines.net
 
The Ins and Outs of the Accordion
Flaco Jiménez Concerts, Texas – USA
Contributed by Rob Howard

Flaco Jiménez (born 1939) is a legendary figure in the genre known alternatively as Tex-Mex, Conjunto or Tejano. Jiménez has taken performed in many parts of the world, and has done more than anyone to spread the music of the people of Mexican origin living in Texas internationally.

He has also performed and recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris, Los Lobos, The Mavericks, Bryan Ferry, The Clash, The Chieftains, Jimmy Sturr, Willie Nelson, Ry Cooder, David Hidalgo, and the Rolling Stones.

Flaco Jiménez performs as follows:

August 16th - Tejano Music National Convention, Dallas, Texas
August 23rd - Nelson City Dance Hall & Party House, Boerne, Texas
September 13th - Maverick Plaza Downtown (sitting in with Tex-Mex Experience), San Antonio, Texas
September 20th - Continental Club, Houston, Texas
November 2nd - Dia De Los Muertos Festival, Birmingham, Alabama

For further information email: info@flacomjimenezmusic.com
 
Las Vegas International
Eddie Bronson at Cafe Carnivale, Sydney – Australia
Contributed by Rob Howard

Accordionist Eddie Bronson, Anatoli Torjinski – cello, and Leonid Beshlei - saxophone, keyboard, accordion - share a wealth of experience playing in many musical genres. The trio also shares a special interest in Klezmer music, which they combine with various other styles including jazz, tango and French musette. Eddie Bronson leads the trio in concert on Sunday August 31st, 5.30pm and 8.15pm, at Glen Street Theatre, Sydney.

Cafe Carnivale is Sydney's year-round world music festival, presenting authentic and inspiring performances of the music of the diverse cultures of our city. Established in the year 2000 to provide performance opportunities for Sydney musicians of non-English speaking backgrounds, Cafe Carnivale is a celebration of music from around the world.

For further information email: musicaviva@mva.org.au
 

Emily Smith to Perform in USA and Canada
Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

Scottish singer/accordionist Emily Smith will be performing in Canada and New York State in August. Though only in her mid twenties, award winning Scottish singer and songwriter Emily Smith has firmly established herself as one of Scotland’s leading lights in folk music.

Since becoming BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2002 Smith has gone on to gain further accolades. She gained an Honors degree in Scottish Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Smith became the first ever winner from Scotland in the USA Songwriting Competition in 2005 after winning the folk section with her song ‘Edward of Morton’, another of her songs ‘Always a Smile’ was short listed in the final ten. To date she has released two studio albums.

Her appearances in the USA and Canada are as follows:

August 4th to 9th - Celtic Roots Festival, Goderich, Ontario, Canada
August 12th, 7.30pm - Rum Runner, Kitchener, Ontario
August 14th, 7.00 pm - Emmanuel Howard Park United Church, 214 Wright Ave, Roncesvalles, Toronto
August 16th, all day event - Amherst Museum Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Amherst, New York, USA

For further information e-mail: info@emilysmith.org
 
Fisitalia Black


  CD-Kritik von Alessandro Mugnoz

J.S. BACH, "I quaderni"


Riccardo Centazzo
eSheet Music



The August edition of the USA News is now online. Also featuring an article about Roland production and the Roland accordion factory.

The website has been updated to include many .pdf samples of his original and arranged music. The site also includes a printable order form for his sheet music and CD and Cassette recordings. Please visit: www.accordions.com/dongrzanna
 

Sebastiano Cali music catalog

Young Russian concert artiste Alexander Shirunov who appears around the world at many major accordion festivals, has expanded his website to include a complete translation in Russian. Please visit: www.accordions.com/shirunov
 

Peter Piccini - CD's & music catalog

The website has include the latest information for their 70th Anniversary Festival to be held in the Washington DC area from August 13th to 17th 2008. Featuring Russian accordionist Alexander Poeluev the festival also features three international competitions with $12,000.00 in Prizes as well as the annual National Competition and Festivals. Please visit: www.ameraccord.com
 

Bernadette Conlon CD's

His site has been updated to include new music samples as well as .mp3 files of selected works.
Please visit: www.accordions.com/garydahl
 

Alexander Dmitriev - CD's & DVD

The RMAC in Philipsburg, Montana on Friday and Saturday, August 1st and 2nd 2008, has been updated to include the latest information regarding its festival. Please visit: www.accordions.com/rmac
 

The International Trio - CD

His website has been updated with revised text including his recent international competition successes and new photos. Please visit: www.accordions.com/gmasefield
 

William Schimmel CD's

The website has been updated with new online entry forms systems. Please visit: Coupe Mondiale
 

Fisitalia Blue