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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=17-Jul-2015&lang=de&s=10607
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=17-Jul-2015&lang=de&s=10607
17-Jul-2015
by Kevin Friedrich
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 Russian accordionist Vitaly Kondratenko won the $20,000 first prize, the largest prize ever offered in an accordion competition, and maybe in any classical musical competition! The Faithe Deffner Memorial Competition was held at the recent American Accordionists' Association (AAA) festival in Alexandria, Virginia in memory of their President Emerita, the late Faithe Deffner.The four contestants were required to perform three rounds of competition. Round I was a Test Piece, Herrick's Road for accordion and percussion by Karen Fremar. Karen wrote this as an AAA commission in honor of Faithe's Gala Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, depicting her busy life working on behalf of the accordion from her office located on Herrick's Road in Mineola, NY. Round II asked the contestant to choose any movement from Divertimento by Viatcheslav Semionov and a short classical program. Also commissioned by the AAA, Prof. Semionov dedicated Divertimento to Faithe in honor of her many years service as AAA President. Round III called for a short entertainment program. A dynamic personality in the accordion world, Faithe Deffner was born on the 17th March 1931 and passed away on the 3rd June 2014. She translated her passion for accordion into action as she devoted her life's work to elevating and advancing the instrument worldwide. Throughout her career, Faithe Deffner has participated in almost every aspect of the accordion world. Whether helping to fill the decks of a cruise ship with 700 participating accordion enthusiasts playing 'Anchors Aweigh' as they sailed past the Statue of Liberty, or staging the 2007 Coupe Mondiale in Alexandria, Virginia, the largest international accordion event ever staged in the USA, or arranging for Myron Floren to conduct six busloads of accordionists performing at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, or collaborating with Lawrence Welk Resorts in a two-year “Search for the Hottest Accordionist", Faithe created numerous and significant opportunities to publicly showcase talented accordionists. After her passing, a friend and AAA Presidential advisor, Steve Stolaruk provided a generous donation that gave an unprecedented $20,000 first prize with additional cash awards of $3,000 & $2,000 for 2nd and 3rd. In addition, Anne Bargou and Linda Soley Reed offered additional financial support that enabled the AAA to host the 'Faithe Deffner Memorial Competition'. Host for the competition was Kevin Friedrich with adjudicators being Joan Cochran Sommers and Joe Natoli. Prize Winners were as follows with their programs which were performed in addition to the set piece Herrick's by Karen Fremar. 1st: Vitaly Kondratenko (Russia) Divertimento (2nd mov. - Nostalgia) by V. Semionov Rakoczy March - Liszt/Horowitz Chiquilin de Bachin by F. Angelis Valse Caprice by V. Semionov 2nd: Emmanual Gasser (Canada) Divertimento (2nd mov. - Nostalgia) by V. Semionov Green Sleeves & Scenarios from the Renaissance by Semionov Accordion Rag by Rossi/Astier Ranch of the Merry Jack by Tikhonov Notes Vagabondes by C. Thomain 3rd: Rachel Quirbach (USA) Divertimento (2nd mov. - Nostalgia) by V. Semionov Concerto in A minor by Grieg, arr. Magnante Yard Bird Suite by De Rossi Omaggio ad Astor Piazzolla by Zubitsky 4th: Szyu Zhu (China) Divertimento (2nd mov. - Nostalgia) by V. Semionov Austurias by Albeniz Winter (1st mov.) from Four Seasons by Vivaldi Variations on an Ukrainian Theme, arr. Palmer & Hughes Celestial Beauty Scattering Flowers by Yugiu Li The 2016 American Accordionists' Association (AAA) festival will take place from July 6-10, 2016 in Buffalo, NY and will include an excursion to the famous landmark Niagara Falls. For more information please visit: www.ameraccord.com. |
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