2006 Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival
1st to 6th May, 2006

Daily Report - 2nd May

We all enjoyed a pleasant bus trip to the centre of Shanghai City on the way to the Opening Ceremony and Concert. This was held at the prestigious Shanghai Centre Concert Hall.

Prior to the concert the Mayor Han Zhen and Vice Mayor Yang Xiaodu along with Shanghai City officials greeted the VIP guests at his office in the Shanghai Centre Complex beside the Concert Hall.

It was a great honor to have the Mayor of this major city (approx. 17 million people) personally welcome all the
overseas guests and Chinese accordion officials.

Above is festival organizer Li Cong and Kevin Friedrich, part of the official party to meet the Mayor, looking splendid in their suits for the ocassion.

The Opening Ceremony consisted of meeting the Mayor and then the official opening ceremony and concert.

The Mayor was very enthusiastic about the accordion and music generally, when he greeted all the famous visitors and heard the artists performing at the Opening Concert, which he attended.


To the right is Massimo Pigini, Joan Sommers and Viatcheslav Semionov.

Official greetings between the Mayor of Shanghai Han Zhen (right) and Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes President Kevin Friedrich.


Everyone clapping the Mayor of Shanghai for his welcome speech which included the fact that he used to play the accordion (still plays quite well we are told) and that he was really excited about the accordion being part of the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival for all instruments, for the first time. The Mayor said that he wanted to attend some parts of the accordion festival, time permitting, and he hoped to get excited enough to get on the stage and "play a piece too".

Pictured, left to right, Kevin Friedrich, (above Li Cong), Zhou Yin Chang, Li Wei Ming (above Lu Zai Yi), Zhou Jing, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Yang Xiaodu, Mayor of Shanghai Han Zhen, behind the Mayor (in white) is the Director of the 2006 Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival Chen Dong, in pink is the City translator, Massimo Pigini, Joan Sommers, and far right the famous talented (hands only!) of Viatcheslav Semionov.

After a very pleasant meeting with the Mayor, our ever efficient event organiser Li Cong made sure we were all inside the prestigious
Shanghai Centre Concert Hall for the start of the Opening Ceremony and Concert.

Vice Mayor of Shanghai Yang Xiaodu opening the 2006 Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival.

President of the Shanghai Music Association Lu Zaiyi making his speech at the Opening Ceremony. Pictured left is translator Yawen Kristen Ludden, VIP guest from the University of Kentucky, USA.

Ge Jia Qi (above) performing Concert-Poem by Repnikov with the Shanghai Normal University Symphony conducted by Zhao Xiao.
Next performing was the virtuoso musette entertainment duo of Jerome Richard and Cyril Blanchard. Photo of Cyril above.
The other part of this very entertaining duo, is the dynamic Jerome Richard.
Pavel Fenuik performed with beautiful style and sensitivity, the Cycle No. 1 "Portraits of Composers" 2nd, 3rd and 4th movements by Runchak.
The very popular duo of Alexey Peresidly and Nikolai Sivchuk (from Moscow) performed Don Rhapsody by their teacher Viatcheslav Semionov in their brilliant musical style, obviously enjoyed by the large audience.

Shao Ying performing a very lovely Chinese work.

Victor Romanko in action, finishing with an improvisation on a famous Chinese theme interweaved with some popular Russian melodies, to the delight of the audience.

Peter Soave completed the concert performing the Bandoneon Concerto by Piazzolla in beautiful style, with command and authority, of this famous work.


World Champion accordionist Peter Soave and the Shanghai Normal University Symphony conducted by Zhao Xiao in action, before an audience clearly enjoying the fine music.

Finale bows, with all the main performers on the stage to receive thanks for an excellent Opening Ceremony and Concert from the near capacity audience.

After this very successful concert, Pavel Fenuik (pictured left) with his bouquet of flowers in front of the Shanghai Centre.

A few minutes later, we were taken by bus back to the University for a short lunch, to be ready to start the competition events on time.
You can see how lovely the University campus looks with all the accordion event banners and sign boards everywhere, amongst the grassy green tree lined park.

Also enjoying the lovely park were many children, parents looking on, getting in a last minute practise before their competitions started.



Who are the real faces! Some famous friends having a little fun beside this very large poster outside one of the competition venues.
Kevin Friedrich and Harley Jones were caught having a quick break at the bar before reporting the afternoons competition. Massimo Pigini picked up our camera and took this photo saying "please publish and show everyone you are not working all the time!!!" and strolled off laughing. We are having a most enjoyable time.

Jerome Richard and Cyril Blanchard performing some virtuoso musette music at the Hohner instrument display, watched by a rapt audience. Jerome Richard, Cyril Blanchard and Victor Romanko are making the "2006 Hohner Fun Tour" to this event and several other Chinese cities.

Attendees of the Opening Ceremony Concert outside the famous Shanghai Center Concert Hall located in downtown Shanghai.

Another photo of the nice time we all had with the Mayor of Shanghai. Left to right is: Zhou Jing, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Yang Xiaodu, Mayor of Shanghai Han Zhen, Shanghai City translator.


The jury for the top category, which continued until dinner, and then resumed for the evening until the 26 competitors had all performed. See Jury link below for full jury details.

Pictured below are several of the contestants performing the Test Piece round of the Senior Competition. Notice the large graphic sign at every concert and venue that makes a very nice backdrop to the festival events.