The Classical Free-Reed, Inc.: News About Classical Free-Reed Instruments and Performers
Classical Free-Reed News
Please send news bulletins to free-reed@trfn.clpgh.org

(additional news -- in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese and Japanese -- may be found at: Accordions Worldwide Weekly News. For news specific to North America, see Accordion USA


Zhang Guoping Tours US West Coast

December 2000: Chinese concert accordionist Zhang Guoping will perform in Seattle, Portland Oregon, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in January 2001. For more information see http://www.petosa.com.


Washington Balalaika Society Schedules Concerts

December 2000: The Washington Balalaika Society will be perform at the Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) on Saturday, May 12, 2001 and will repeat the performance at Montgomery College in Maryland on the following night, May 13. For details http://www.balalaika.org.


New Age Tango in Miami

Stella Milano and her New Age Tango, the Musical Concert, returns to the Miami Stage, with music and dancing that enhances the passion for Tango with new sounds and new musical compositions and arrangements. With creative spirit and capability, this group lives again the corners of Buenos Aires and invites us to travel back there, to one of the famous Milongas in some of the great Portion vaudevilles of old, where after the show you dance and learn how to dance tango until dawn.

Bandoneons: Richard Scofano and Soledad Centurion; Dancers: Oscar Caballero and Roxana Garber; performances by Los Latigos Santiaguenos (direct from Argentina).

GRAND PREMIER December 15st, 2000
Show Time: 10:00 P.M.
Where: RAMADA Marco Polo Beach Resort
Address: 19201 Collins Avenue, North Miami Beach
After the show: Dancing until dawn
Contribution: $17.00 per person, Includes refreshments Group rates: Available, (special price for groups)
Reservations: (305)937-4979 or (305)932-2233 ext #1377
Web Site http://www.showbizmail.com/stella and http://www.geocities.com/oscaryroxy/shows.htm#Opening


Doktorski Announces Creation of New Website

December 2000: The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. founder Henry Doktorski cordially invites all to visit his new website -- with wavfile samples of twelve musical excerpts from his CDs -- at www.henrydoktorski.com.


Klucevsek Performs

Guy Klucevsek -- Phillip Johnston Duo

Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 PM, BAMCafe, Brooklyn Academy of Music
Saturday, Dec. 9, 8 PM, The Buttonwood Tree, Middletown, CT

Mini-Concert Interview

Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8pm
DCTV. 3rd Fl.
87 Lafayette St. (at White)
reservations 212-219-8242, Roulette

For more info, see Guy Klucevsek Homepage


Duo to Tour USA

November 2000: Ivano Battiston (accordion) and David Bellugi (recorder) announce that they will tour the USA in March 2001. If you would like them to perform at an event in the USA during this time please email: ivanobattiston@tin.it.


Free-Reed Center Announces Symposium & Concert

November, 2000: The City University of New York and The Center for the Study of Free-Reed Instruments (Graduate Center) announce: The Accordion as an Icon of Italian American Culture to take place on 23 March 2001 at Baisley Powell Elebash Recital Hall at The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Symposium: 3:00-5:00

  • Peter Muir, "The Italian and Other Ethnic Issues of Guido Deiro's Recordings, 1911-24"
  • William Schimmel, "Excelsior! The Best and Nothing but the Best"
  • James J. Periconi, "Vergogna e Risorgimento: The Secret Life of an Italian American Accordionist"

    Concert: 7:30-9:00

    Music by

  • Pietro Deiro,
  • Guido Deiro,
  • Pietro Frosini,
  • Charles Magnante, and
  • Paul Creston

    performed by

  • Henry Doktorski,
  • Robert Y. McMahan, and
  • William Schimmel, accordionists.

    Registration fee is $15 ($7.50 with CUNY or Senior Citizen ID). Make out check or money order (please do not send cash) to "The Graduate Center/CUNY" and send to:

    Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs
    CUNY Graduate Center (Room 8111)
    365 Fifth Avenue
    New York, NY 10016

    Credit card payments are welcome. To check on the availability of tickets and for other information, please call (212) 817-8215, or e-mail at continuinged@gc.cuny.edu

    Classical Mouth Organist Passes Away

    October, 2000: Tommy Reilly, one of the world's greatest classical harmonica players, died on September 25, 2000, at the age of 81. He left us with no less than ten major works written for harmonica and six fine CDs which are still available from http://www.chandos-records.com/Catalogue/Catalogue.asp Chandos Records. For more information, see the
    obituary by Robert White.


    Coppola Concerto

    October, 2000: The newly rediscovered concerto by Academy Award winning composer Carmine Coppola will be performed by Peter Soave and the Emerald Sinfonietta conducted by Maestro Felix Resnick on Sunday, October 22, 2000 --7:00 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial ...32 Lake Shore Dr...Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. see Emerald Sinfonietta calendar: www.gloff.net/escalendar/escalendar.htm. Peter Soave will perform on accordion.

    The season opening concert will be followed by a CD Release Party at the Ambleside Art Gallery at 17116 Kercheval. The name of this new recording is "Homegrown: A Salute to 20th Century Amercan Composers!" This concert and recording (made September 18, 2000) represent a major breakthrough for accordionists in the symphonic world. Coppola's Accordion Concerto was written in 1973 and basically fell by the way side until Maestro Resnick's and Soave's current project. Critics have already referred to this piece as: "Carmine Coppola's GIFT to the Accordion."

    Immediately following the Grosse Pointe appearance, Soave embarks on a European concert tour in which he will perform three concerts in three different countries in three consecutive days." 1) October 26...Bucharest, Roumania with the Roumanian Philharmonic performing the world premier of Aldemaro Romero's: Piazzollana - Concerto For Bandoneon. 2) October 27...Nova Gorica, Slovenia w/The Rucner String Quartet. 3) October 28...Zagreb, Croatia w/The Rucner Quartet. This tour concludes on November 3 in Italy at Villa Borromeo Senago (near Milan) in a star studded concert featuring The Roumanian Philharmonic with the famous Italian singer/actress MILVA and Soave. The program features symphonic works of Aldemaro Romero and Astor Piazzolla.


    Piazzolla In Pittsburgh

    August 2000: The Piazzolla Soloists from the Czech Republic (guitar, accordion & flute) will perform a concert in Pittsburgh PA on September 14, 2000 at 8 PM. Members (who teach at the Conservatory of Prague) are Petr Paulu, guitar; Ladislav Horak, accordion and Jana Kholova, flute.

    Horak is a graduate of the Prague Conservatory and the University of Pilsen. He presently teaches at the Prague Conservatory and gives lessons also in Germany. He is a president of the Czech Accordionist's Association and represents the Czech Republic as a member of international juries of the world organization CIA.

    Paulu is a graduate of the Conservatory and the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Prague. Since 1983 he has been teaching guitar at the Prague Conservatory and giving courses in Germany. He has performed in Europe, North and South America. He has given guitar masterclasses in Brazil and has recorded four CDs.

    Their concert will include pieces by the following composers:

      Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
      Ferdinando Carulli (1770-1841)
      Fernando Sor (1778-1839)
      Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
      Federico Moreno-Torroba (1891-1982)
      Hctor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)
      Joaqun Rodrigo (1902-1999)
      Abel Carlevaro (1918-)

    For more information, call Joe Cepicka at 412-795-4183 or email him at joe_j_cepicak@yahoo.com.


    Lunar Opera at Lincoln Center

    August 17, 2000: Lunar Opera: Deep Listening For_Tunes (A Collaborative Collage) by American composer/accordionist Pauline Oliveros was presented at New York City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on the full-moon day, August 17. The opera was originally commissioned by the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and was premiered at the Rose Mountain Retreat Center in the Sangre de Christo Mountains of New Mexico.

    In this performance, which lasted some seven hours, the outdoor environs of the Lincoln Center were transformed into a country named Lunarus on the far side of a moon named Anomaly which orbits a planet very much like our own. The cast of characters, which seemed to number around one hundred, represent inhabitants of lunar cities, ambassadors, mayors, archetypal beings, and moonstrels -- carefree beings who enjoy music making and singing. At the opening of the opera, a gala procession takes place after which an oracle is cast. The birth of a divine being is predicted during the next seven hours in one of the lunar cities. Of special interest to free-reed enthusiasts was the Accordion Fan Walk, consisting of 99 characters playing toy accordions (which sounded something like a giant accordion) provided by the Schylling Toy Company, which led the visitors on a pilgrimage to the City of Sacred Fire for the first performance.

    For more information, including a New York Times review, see http://www.artswire.org/pof/lunar.


    Carnival of Venice Returns

    August 2000: Bogota: Colombian accordionist Lácides Romero (instructor at Universidad Pedagógica Nacional) has published a set of six variations on Carnival of Venice. The movements are titled Introduction, Tema-Vals, Guabina, Pasillo, Bambuco, Danza, Joropo, Porro. To order, contact Romero at lacidesromero@yahoo.com


    Anzellotti In Alaska

    August 2000: Teodoro Anzellotti will perform at Juneau, Alaska, USA, September 2, 2000, at the Northern Lights Church. Specially commissioned works include a piece by Hiroko Ito for erhu, accordion, flute, horn, koto, and string quintet, and a piece by Alexandra for accordion, flute, horn, trumpet, euphonium, koto, mandolin, and string ensemble. Anzellotti will also perform Luciano Berio's Sequenza VIII for solo accordion.

    For more information contact Jocelyn Clark at 907-586-9601, email: directors@crosssound.com or visit CrossSound, Southeast Alaska's contemporary music presenter.


    Colombian Accordionist to Tour

    July 2000: In October, Colombian accordionist Lácides Romero (instructor at Universidad Pedagógica Nacional) will travel to Europe to offer concerts in Milán, Berna, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid, and Málaga. His Milán performances will take place at the first Colombian Art Festival which will include dance, literature, poetry, painting, sculture, and Colombian music. For more information contact lacidesromero@yahoo.com


    Klucevsek to Perform

    Saturday, July 15, 8 PM, 2000: Guy Klucevsek will perform at Tonic -- located at 107 Norfolk Street (between Delancey/Rivington), New York City, admission $10 -- works by John Cage, Mary Ellen Childs, Dave Douglas, Jerome Kitzke, Klucevsek, Yuji Takahashi and John Zorn.


    Bayan Duo to Perform

    July 2000: Bayan players Susanne Köhler (Germany) and Veli Kujala (Finland) will play a concert on Friday July 21 at St. Peter's By the Sea church in Eagle Harbor, about 30 miles north of Hancock (Michigan - USA). The concert is part of the Sibelius Festival organized by the Suomi College (Hancock). Their program will include works by J. Tiensuu, J.S. Bach, N. Paganini, V. Zubitsky, D. Scarlatti, E. Gismonti, V. Holmboe and J. ter Veldhuis.


    Harmonium Piece Published

    June 2000: Augemus of Germany has sent a piece by the 19th-century French composer/organist Cesar Franck for harmonium and piano to The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. for mention in this column and inclusion in The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. library. The work, titled Prelude, Fugue et Variation, op. 18, was written in 1884 and appeared in several versions: for solo organ; for violin, harmonium and piano; for for piano four hands.

    The piece can be ordered from Augemus Musikverlag at AUGEMUS@t-online.de, telephone: 0 54 01 / 85 12 75


    Accordion Ensemble Featured on Radio

    June 2000: The Dutch Accordion Ensemble, Alphen Opus 2, conducted by Sergé Latychev, was featured during the "Performance In Pittsburgh" weekly radio show produced and broadcast by WQED-FM studios in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Sunday June 25. The show, lasting more than one hour, was rebroadcast again on Thursday June 29. It consisted of a broadcast of the group's concert at the First Unitarian Church recorded last April interspersed with informative and enthusiastic commentary by producer-host Paul Johnston and also interviews with Alphen Opus 2 spokesperson Peter Klaver and Pittsburgh concert accordionist Henry Doktorski, who organized the Pittsburgh concert.

    Selections which were broadcast included Andrei Petrov's Overture Feuerbaendigung, Rudolf Wuerthner's Variationen fuer Akkordeon-Orchester, Louis Vierne's Cortège, Wolfgang Russ-Plötz's Divertimento Ritmico, Walery Gavrilin's Tarantella Anyuta, Gerie Daanen's Très Composiones pora Orchestra de Accordéon, Isaac Albéniz's Asturias, and Nicolai Tschaikin's Konzert Rondo.

    Producer Paul Johnston was visibly impressed by the virtuosity and musicality of the performers and he stated that Pittsburgh audiences were extremely fortunate to be able to hear this great accordion ensemble.


    Petric's New Website

    June 2000, Toronto Canada: Canadian concert accordionist Joseph Petric announced the creation of his new website at http://www.interlog.com/~jpetric and, believe me, it is impressive. I invite anyone who appreciates an outstanding website by an outstanding classical accordionist to visit this site. -- Henry Doktorski


    Gershwin Article Published

    June, 2000, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania: An article by Henry Doktorski titled The Accordion and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue: A Historical Perspective, has been published in the scholarly journal: Music Theory -- Explorations and Applications, Volume 7.

    The article, which was researched in part at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., examines important accordionists and their performances and recordings of the Rhapsody, beginning with the historic 4.5 minute 1928 Victor Record by the Basil Fomeen and Nick Hope duo, and ending with the 18.5 minute 1998 Alanna Records compact disc by the author and the Duquesne Chamber Players.

    The journal also featured five articles by other writers, ranging from topics such as Function Over Form in Gregorian Chant: The Pragmatic Aspects of Medieval Monody to Chromatic Harmony in the Waltzes of Scott Joplin.

    "Music Theory -- Explorations and Applications" can be ordered from the Duquesne University School of Music. Contact Dr. Robert Shankovich at shankovi@duq2.cc.duq.edu for more information.


    Peter Soave with the Emerald Sinfonietta

    May, 2000, Detroit: (Reprinted from Detroit Public Television's Backstage Pass.)

    Ever heard (or even heard of) the bandoneon? We hadn't, not until Peter Soave (considered by many to be the world's premiere virtuoso on this highly unusual instrument) agreed to grace our stage. Soave insists that he's known his life's work since age three. After a period of intense study, he swept first place in the four major international competitions in England, Germany, Italy and East Germany, a feat unprecedented for a virtuoso of any instrument. Expertly accompanying him is the Emerald Sinfonietta, a group of accomplished musicians culled from the ranks of time-honored university faculty (Wayne State and the University of Michigan) and The Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of Felix Resnick, Emerald Sinfonietta's firm commitment to artistic excellence and musical adventure make this pairing with Peter Soave a true match made in classical heaven. Performances like this are rare treasures…enjoy!

    Event: Emerald Sinfonietta, Summer In The City III, Carl's Chop House, June 11, 7pm


    Ensemble DRAj Performs

    May 2000, Berlin: The Ensemble DRAj -- Annette Krüger (voice), Ralf Kaupenjohann (accordion) and Ludger Schmidt (cello) -- performs on Friday June 2nd at 8:00 under the auspices of "Health-day 2000," performing in this Berlin program "Songs of the Ghetto." It is hoped from this occasion will emerge a CD of the same title. The concert takes place at: Charity University Clinic, Medical Faculty, Humboldt University, Berlin. For more information, see http://www.draj.de.


    Soave on TV

    May 2000, Detroit: Bandoneon virtuoso Peter Soave will appear on WTVS (Detroit) Channel 56's Backstage Pass with the Emerald Sinfonietta, conducted by Felix Resnick, performing works of Astor Piazzolla and Aldemaro Romero on May 21 at 7:30 p.m., May 25 at 5:30 p.m. & May 26 at midnight. For more information log on to http://www.BackstagePass.org.


    The Klucevsek/Bern Unit

    May 2000, New York: Guy Klucevsek--accordion, compositions and Alan Bern--accordion, piano, compositions will appear on Friday, May 26 at 8 PM at Tonic at 107 Norfolk St. (Delancey/Rivington), New York City. For more information, see Tonic or Guy Klucevsek Homepage


    Soave in Concert

    Sunday, May 1, 2000: Paris Conservatory Of Music-CNSM. Geir Drugsvoll, Myriam Bonnin, Peter Soave performed a program of original compositions with various instrumental combinations featuring the bayan and bandoneon. Soave performed Astor Piazzolla's "5 Tango Sensations" with the Conservatory string quartet. The capacity audience included famous French accordionist Marcel Azzola and former CIA Coupe Mondiale winners: Frederic Guerouet and Max Bonnay.

    May 9 through June 3, New York City: Peter Soave will be the "sole" musician in the off Broadway production of "EUYRIDCE: LEGEND OF LOVERS" by Jean Anouilh; presented by the Storm Theatre.... May 9 through June 3... tues, wed, thurs: 7:30 PM...... fri-sat: 8:00 PM. Tickets: (800) 965-4827 For more information visit http://www.stormtheatre.com

    May 19th, Michigan: Peter Soave performas at 8 PM at Smith Theatre, (OCC Orchard Ridge) in Farmington Hills, Michigan with award winning bassist, Marian Haden. Concert will include Classical-Jazz music of Claude Bolling. (248) 522-3667 for tickets.


    Accordionist Murdered

    May 2000: The accordionist and composor Michael Ganian came to a tragic end and lost his life on 13 April 2000, being killed in Brno, Czech Republic, one day before his leaving for the USA. Circumstances of his murder are unknown.

    Upon issue of the latest CD "Ici Paris" in the USA, by the JPMC company in March this year, Ganian planned and intended to issue a series of new CDs and video clips. Realization of the projects was not granted him, but marvellous music of the artist will remain in his friends' and fans' hearts forever. The latest Ganian works will be recorded and issued by his friends and relatives, thus honoring his memory. The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. reviewed seven of his CDs in The Free-Reed Review.

    For more information, contact:

    Vahan Harutyunyan
    Domazlicka 2
    Brno
    621 00
    Czech Republic

    Tel./fax.: (+4205) 41214275 or (004205) 41214275
    Mobil phone: (+4205) 604 151924 or (004205) 604 151924
    Email: Miracles@WebMusic.cz


    Jupiter Opens European Distributorship

    April 2000: The well known Russian accordion manufacturer "Jupiter" has opened a distributorship in Jyvaskyla, Finland. They have four modifications of "convertor" models "Jupiter" Accordions, for the professional educators and performers. "Jupiter" also produce standard-bass accordion models for the nonprofessional players and special orchestral models. For more information, go to www.saunalahti.fi/dwl


    New Webpages Announced

    April 2000: German concert accordionist Stefan Hussong has announced the creation of his homepage located at http://members.aol.com/shussong14. The site contains photographs, CD ordering information (including info on his new release, Stefan Hussong plays Frescobaldi), as well as a RealAudio file of Stefan winning the 'ECHO-KLASSIK' award of the 'Deutscher Schallplattenpreis 1999' on October 17, 1999.


    Wanted: Ninety Nine Concertinists for Opera

    April 2000: Lincoln Center Out of Doors is presenting Lunar Opera: Deep Listening For_Tunes by Pauline Oliveros and Ione in New York City at Lincoln Center on August 17 2000. Lunar Opera includes a procession of ninety nine concertina players. If you are interested in participating as a volunteer please check out the following web sites for a description, schedule and sign up form.

    http://www.artswire.org/pof/lunar/index.html
    http://www.artswire.org/pof/lunar/lunar-signup.html
    http://www.artswire.org/pof/lunar/synopsis.html

    For more information, contact Pauline Oliveros at: paulino@deeplistening.org


    New Website Promotes Classical Concertina

    Wim Wakker, classical concertinist from the Netherlands and periodic contributor to The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. has just created the first (to our knowledge) website devoted exclusively to the classical concertina. Readers may visit The Concertina Connection at http://www.concertinaconnection.com.


    Two Cassettes Released

    April 2000: Accordionists on both sides of the Atlantic have sent cassette tapes to The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. for mention in this column and inclusion in The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. library.

    1: The Italian accordionist/composer Ivano Battiston sent his cassette, titled Classica, which includes works by the Baroque composers

    G. Picchi: Ballo detto "Todescha" and Ballo detto "Il Pichi"
    G. Frescobaldi: Canzona IV
    D. Scarlatti: Sonatas in Bm and E
    J.S. Bach: Toccata and Fugue in Dm

    Twentieth-century composers include

    B. Bartolozzi: Madrigale di Gesualdo
    I. Battiston (the performer): Due aforismi
    L. Fancelli: Acquerelli cubani
    F. Alfano: Nenia

    The Romantic era is represented by G. Rossini: Figaro's Aria from Barber of Seville.

    Mr. Battiston teaches accordion at the "Cherubini" Music Conservatory in Florence. He has studied under Salvatore Gesualdo graduating with honours at the Music Conservatory Castelfranco Veneto. In 1978, he won first prize at the XXVIII Trophée Mondial de l'Accordeon. He also appeared on a compact disc by Fonit Cetra performing Sieben Worte by Sofia Gubaidulina with cellist Mario Brunelle which will be reviewed soon in The Free-Reed Review.

    Cassettes may be ordered from Ivano Battiston at ivanobattiston@tin.it


    2: American accordionist Rita Weinbuch Davidson sent a cassette titled The Music of Eugene Ettore. Works include: Waltz, Rhapsodie Espagnol, Lullaby and Awakening, Concert Etude, Introduction Cadenza and Tarantella, Contrast, Sonatina and Agitato.

    Eugene Ettore (1921-1985) was an American accordionist/composer and president of the American Accordionists Association (1953-1954). Cassettes may be ordered from Ms. Davidson at Ritabelll@aol.com.

    Ms. Davidson wrote,

    "The late composer, Eugene Ettore, was my accordion teacher. I believe that his compositions have been neglected for too many years. I am sending you a cassette which I recorded a few years ago of some of his virtuoso compositions. He was present at the recording session. I am planning on re-releasing it as a CD very soon.

    "I am in the process of preparing a program for the AAA workshop on August 27, 2000 in New York City. Dr. William Schimmel invited me to play. I will be performing several of Ettore's pieces. Also, "Waltz for Accordion and Strings" by Gary Daverne which I had mentioned to you that I premiered in New York at the United Nations last year.

    "I have been teaching music in the public schools for the past 27 years. I use my accordion in my classes every day. I am a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Music Education. I majored in piano and viola. Accordion was not accepted as a major instrument. I am also on the Board of Directors of the ATA of NJ and judge all levels of competition."


    Three Penny Opera

    April 2000: American bandoneonist Peter Soave will play the original bandoneon part in Kurt Weill's "A Little Three Penny Music" with Eri Klas and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in four concerts Friday April 7 at 10:45 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Sat April 8 at 8:30 p.m. and Sun April 9 at 3:00 p.m. Originally written (1928) for chamber orchestre d'harmonie with bandoneon and banjo, the accordion has substituted for the bandoneon in most modern day performances.


    Guy Klucevsek Performs

    April 2000: Balkan Cabaret! Solo Concert, Saturday, April 8 at The Den under 2 Boots 44 Ave. A at 3rd Street, New York City. Two sets: 9 and 10:30, $10 cover ($8 w/student ID)


    Accordion Master Class

    March 2000: Promoter: Orchestra da camera di Belluno, Place: Belluno (Italy), Period: from July 31st 2000 to August 6th 2000, Teacher: Ivano Battiston, Programme: free

    General information: Every summer, the Orchestra da camera di Belluno (Belluno Chamber Orchestra) organises master classes of music for musicians from all over the world with the collaboration of internationally known teachers. The Courses are held at the Auditorium Comunale in Belluno, a small medieval town, near the Dolomites, 65 miles north of Venice.

    The quiet and friendly atmosphere encourages artistic relationships between students and professors and assures concentrated studies. During the Courses, the best students can take part in the Orchestra da camera di Belluno Concerts both in small groups or as a soloist.

    Participants in the master class are divided into two categories: Active and Observer Enrolment fee: Lit. 100.000, Course fee: Lit. 350.000 for active participants and Lit. 150.000 for observers, Diploma: A certificate of attendance will be given to all participants - active and observer - who have successfully participated in the Course for the whole period.

    For more information:

    Corsi di perfezionamento musicale
    c/o Delio Cassetta
    Via dei Castelli 48
    I-32030 Paderno di S. Gregorio BL (Italy)
    tel. +39.0437.806.258
    E-mail: orchbl@tin.it

    Ivano Battiston, professor of Accordion at the "Luigi Cherubini" Conservatory of Music in Florence, Italy, studied with Salvatore di Gesualdo and received his degree in Accordion at the conservatory of Castelfranco Veneto with highest honors. In 1978 he won the first prize at the XXVIII Trophée Mondial de l'Accordeon (Pula) after which he also obtained conservatory degrees in choral music and bassoon as well as continuing his studies in music composition with Bruno Coltro.

    Mr. Battiston has performed in recitals in Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Yugoslavia, Finland, Holland and Brazil and as soloist with the "Solisti di Mosca" conducted by Yuri Bashmet, with the Slovenian Radio Television Orchestra of Ljubljana, with the Symphonic Orchestra of the RAI of Turin, with the Chamber Orchestra of Belluno and with the Orchestra d'Archi Italiana.

    Since 1995 Mr. Battiston has appeared in duo with cellist Mario Brunello (winner of Cajkovskij competition in Moscow): their recording of "Sieben Worte" for cello, accordion and Strings for Fonit Cetra was acclaimed as one of the five most significant recordings of 20th century music to have been released in 1997.

    In 1993 Mr. Battiston won the second prize at the Rome International Competition of Humorous Music. See http://www.accordions.com/battiston


    Soave with Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra

    March 2000: American bandoneonist/accordionist Peter Soave has been contracted to replace the famous Argentine bandoneonist, Daniel Binelli, in a performance of Astor Piazzolla's Concerto (Aconcagua) for bandoneon and orchestra on Monday, March 27, 2000 with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Stanley DeRusha, at the Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, Indiana. The concert will be at 7:30 PM. Mr. Binelli, former member of Piazzolla's sextette, cancelled his appearance due to personal matters. The pre-concert lecture will be at 6:45.


    Klucevsek to Perform

    March, 2000, New York City: An evening of cross-disciplinary collaborations unfolding in five vignettes, featuring choreographer David Dorfman and performance artist Dan Froot, composer Mary Ellen Childs, toy theatre miniaturist Dan Hurlin, choreographer Claire Porter, video choreographer Victoria Marks, with a score composed and performed by Klucevsek on accordion.

    March 22-25 (Wed.-Sat);
    March 29-April 1 (Wed.-Sat.)
    8 PM; $20
    March 23: Post-Performance Discussion

    The Kitchen
    212-255-5793
    512 West 19th St. (btw. 10th-11th Ave.)
    www.thekitchen.org
    www.ticketweb.com

    "Guy Klucevsek is a musical Orient Express whose themes pass from Hungarian gypsy to Slovenian waltz to Middle Easter wail without stopping at the borders." --Milwaukee Journal Sentinal


    Soave With Symphony

    Peter Soave will perform Janika Vandervelde's "Cafes of Melbourne" for solo accordion and orchestra on Saturday March 18, 2000 at 8 P.M. with The Plymouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nan Washburn. This Concert will also include selections by Astor Piazzolla on Bandoneon. Location: Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Plymouth, Michigan. Tel. number is (734) 451-2112.

    The composer writes: "Cafes of Melbourne" was inspired by the cafe culture of Melbourne, Australia, where I spent 3 months in 1997. Though completely romanticized, I thought I'd discovered the equivalent of Paris in the 1920's.


    Dutch Accordion Ensemble to Perform in U.S.

    March 2, 2000: The Alphen Opus 2 accordion ensemble will perform several concerts in the United States during their first U.S. tour from April 25 to May 2, 2000, including concerts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, see the Alphen Opus 2 Tour Page.


    Bandoneonist Performs with Brooklyn Philharmonic

    February 29, 2000: American concert bandoneonist Peter Soave performed Piazzolla's Double Concerto for guitar, bandoneón and strings in two concerts with the Brooklyn Philharmonic last weekend. The New York Times wrote, "The Piazzolla profited from two absolutely splendid soloists. David Leisner played the guitar, Peter Soave the bandoneón. Their parts are elaborate and difficult and were made to breathe with great naturalness. Piazzolla's music is of the streets, but these particular streets are delightfully landscaped and maintained; they may even be paved with gold."


    Accordionist Performs with Edmonton Symphony

    January 13, 2000: Canadian accordionist Antonio Peruch performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and conductor Grzegorz Nowak in a concert titled "From Paris to Paraguay" which also featured pianist Jorge Suarez and dancers from Tango Norte and Tangueros de La Bohème. Peruch performed in three pieces: A. Pontier's Milongueando en el Cuarenta, O. Pugliese's La Yumba and A. Troilo's Responso.

    Mr. Peruch played a chromatic Victoria free-bass accordion expressly created for tango and jazz performance. Like the bandeneón, it has single notes on both keyboards. Mr. Peruch began playing at age 5. His experience in performing jazz has stood him in good stead in tango performances, which require a player with excellent improvisational skills.


    Bandoneon Symposium Scheduled

    January: The Center for the Study of Free-Reed Instruments will host a symposium titled Tango, Bandoneon, Piazzolla to take place in New York City on March 7th, 9th, 10th, and 13th. Presentations include:

    • Master class with Pablo Ziegler and Hector Del Curto (bandoneon)
    • Maria Dunkel (Freie Universitaet, Berlin), "How the Bandoneon Conquered the Tango"
    • Pablo Aslan (Quintet for New Tango), "'No es tango': Astor Piazzolla's Tango Roots and Ruptures"
    • Allan W. Atlas (Graduate Center, CUNY), "Astor Piazzolla: Tangos, Funerals, and 'Blue Notes'"
    • David B. Cannata (Temple University), "Piazzolla's New York Concerts"
    • Ulrich Kraemer (Arnold Schoenberg Gesamtausgabe), "Harmony and Form in Maria de Buenos Aires"
    • Malena Kuss (North Texas University), "The Referential Poetics of Astor Piazzolla"
    • Ramon Pelinski (Universidad Jaume I), "Wandering Ostinato Figures and the Pleasures of Repetition in Astor Piazzolla's Music"
    • Martin Kutnowski (Graduate Center, CUNY), "Instrumental Rubato and Phrase Structure in Astor Piazzolia's Music"
    • Concert: Pablo Ziegler and the Quintet for New Tango

    For more information, see The Center for the Study of Free-Reed Instruments Announcement.


    For news prior to 2000, please see News Bulletins: 1999 and News Bulletins: 1998 and 1997.

    Back to The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. Homepage