Accordion orchestras and groups from all over Europe converged on the Tyrolean town, Innsbruck between 5th to 8th May, for the 12th World Music Festival organised by the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. (DHV). Held every 3 years, this event attracts some of the world’s finest accordion orchestras and groups..

With over 180 orchestras, ensembles and groups competing in the various categories, capacity audiences filled both the Innsbruck Congress Halls and Messe, often with five categories running simultaneously. The winning group of the premiere orchestra category, was Akkordeon-Orchester Baltmannsweiler e.V. conducted by Thomas Bauer. Their dynamic rendition of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story suite was received by the audience with a standing ovation.

In addition to the competition events, evening concerts attracted huge audiences especially on the Saturday evening with many venues offering the audiences standing room only. Guests artists, included Herbert Pixner Projekt, Trio Klaus Paier, Nebl and Nebl, Giora Feidman with Gitanes Blondes and others.

Additional highlights were the Gala Concert featuring the previous festival winners – Orchestra AKUD Sonja Marinkovic, and a wonderful selction of popular Edith Piaf numbers presented by the Nurnberger Accordion Orchestra.

The Saal Dogaana came alive the sound of accordion entertainment with both the group “A-Train” and the world-famous Hohner-Klang. This hall originally built in the 1500s by Archduke Ferdinand as a sporting arena was the perfect setting for the party atmosphere with many taking the opportunity to dance the night away!

To close the event, The Olympic Arena saw nearly 5000 people celebrate with flags balloons, streamers and banners, with the Europa Orchestra under the direction of Hans-Gunther Kolz giving a rousing performance before the announcement of the official results.

Lionel Reekie