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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Who are the
real faces! Some famous friends having a little fun beside this very
large poster outside one of the competition venues.
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. |
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