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Highlights |
“100 Accordions in Concert" conducted by Enrico Melozzi – Italy
50th Anniversary Festival of the Royal Danish Academy of Music – Denmark
Rachael Xu Heard by Millions On Recording Track of Pop Star Zhang Jie - China
Ksenija Sidorova Performs at George Enescu International Festival - Romania
HHC Nufringen Performs Concert Dedicated to Günther Stoll – Germany
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Wiesław Ochwat Receives Gold Diploma at “Music Eagles” Competition - Poland
Accordionists Win Online "Rising Star" Competition - Germany
Renzo Ruggieri Performs with Campania International Arches Orchestra - Italy
Friedrich Lips 2021 Future Events - Russia
New Dates for IDEAS Symposium 4.0 - USA
Video: Orchestra Popolare del Saltarello New Release – Italy
Future events |
“En Canto” Perform Forró Music Concert, Seattle - USA
Datastico e. V. Accordion Orchestra “Accordion Music…” Live Again Concert – Germany
Jon Hammond Performs at Bar Mitzvah - USA
John Kirkpatrick MBE Anglo Concertina Workshop - England
CNIMA Accordion Workshop for Adults - France
Brandon McPhee Live Concert - Scotland
Childrens Corner |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
2021 PIF Castelfidardo Accordion Festival, 28 Sept to 02 Oct - Italyby Harley Jones |
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  The PIF International Accordion Prize returns to Castelfidardo for the 46th edition from 28 September to 02 October. The tradition of this prestigious accordion event continues, with several new features for 2021.“Getting together is a very important need for musicians from all over the world” – says Antonio Spaccarotella, new Artistic Director of the PIF – “To truly experience Castelfidardo and try again the thrill of concerts in contact with the public, in a serene and stimulating atmosphere, is like that of a family“. “Living the accordion world every day” – continues the young Calabrian maestro – “I feel a strong desire for “real” events, after the "virtual wave" that happened to the whole world of music. See the astonishment admired in "the eyes of the musicians who feel that the Prize will be held in live attendance is for me a source of great joy and an incentive to do better and better, to find new solutions to improve, starting with the regulations“. Ruben Cittadini, Councilor for Culture of Castelfidardo also shares the same opinion – We are working with renewed commitment to the organization of the live event. “The commitment of the Administration is to promote the culture of the accordion, heritage of our city, both at an artistic and industrial production level” – explains the mayor Roberto Ascani – “a project of which we are particularly proud of this year, after the sad events of the pandemic that hit us, both globally and locally. A concert for accordion enthusiasts by two famous accordionists, Mirco Patarini and Renzo Ruggieri, will take place on Thursday September 30th at the Theatre Astra. They are accompanied by the Calabria Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the exceptional Filippo Arlia with a program of sure to be loved music. Rules and information are online at: 2021Castelfidardo A Daily Report of pictures and results will be added next week at: 2021Castelfidardo 2021PIFGeneralProgram.pdf 2021PIFConcerts.jpg 2021PIFAuditionsCompetitions.pdf |
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“100 Accordions in Concert" conducted by Enrico Melozzi – Italyby Christine Johnstone |
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  An orchestra of “100 Accordions in Concert” conducted by Enrico Melozzi and accompanied by soprano Estìbaliz Martyn (pictured left), performed in concert at the Arena Sferisterio in Macerata, Italy on July 27th, 2021.“Imagine 100 accordions on stage, 100 bellows opening together, and thousands of reeds playing in unison”. The event was a special evening as part of the Macerata Opera Festival held in collaboration with PIF Castelfidardo International Accordion Award and Pigini Accordions to celebrate their 75th anniversary and to mark the Centenary of Sferisterio. Picture above right: Massimo Pigini, Federico Pigini and Francesca Pigini. Their program included music by Mozart (such as “Very Merry” from Symphony n.40 in G minor K550, “Ouverture” from The Magic Flute K620, and “Der hölle rache” from The Magic Flute K620) and Ravel (Boléro), as well as popular themes and pop music (Prelude from Psycho, Lord of the Peaks, A mano a mano and Nikosi Sikelel’iAfrika - “God bless Africa”). The musical coordination was by Massimiliano Pitocco. Members of the orchestra included students of several Italian Conservatories and state-recognized musical institutes such as: Conservatorio “Santa Cecilia” di Roma, Maestro Massimiliano Pitocco Conservatorio “Torrefranca” di Vibo Valentia, Maestro Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi Conservatorio “Giuseppe Martucci” di Salerno, Maestro Giuseppe Scigliano Conservatorio “Domenico Cimarosa” di Avellino, Maestro Angelo Miele Conservatorio “Luisa D’Annunzio” di Pescara, Maestro Adriano Ranieri Conservatorio “Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa” di Potenza, Maestro Samuele Telari Istituto “P.I. Tchaikovsky” di Nocera Terinese, Maestro Marco Gemelli Conservatorio “Gaetano Graga” di Teramo, Maestro Massimiliano Pitocco Conservatorio “Francesco Antonio .Bonporti” di Riva del Garda, Maestro Walter Di Girolamo Conservatorio “Bruno Maderna” di Cesena, Maestro Raffaele Damen Conservatorio “Gicomo Puccini” di La Spezia, Maestro Endrio Luti Conservatorio “Arrigo Pedrollo” di Vicenza, Maestro Davide Vendramin Conservatorio “Nicola Sala” di Benevento, Maestro Samuele Telari Conservatorio “Umberto Giordano” di Foggia, Maestro Cesare Chiacchiaretta |
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50th Anniversary Festival of the Royal Danish Academy of Music – Denmarkby Christine Johnstone |
  Video: Seven Words for cello, bayan and strings (Sofia Gubaidulina) performed by the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra conducted by Per Kristian Skalstad, with Geir Draugsvoll.The Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM) in Copenhagen, Denmark will hold an accordion festival from October 1st to 3rd, 2021, to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Festival organiser, Professor Geir Draugsvoll (picture above left) says “The Accordion department at the RDAM in Copenhagen, is considered to be an international centre for the accordion, with students from 9 different countries, and lots of guests from abroad. It is a pleasure to invite everybody to the 50th anniversary of accordion education at RDAM! We celebrate this by arranging an ambitious 3-day festival from October 1st to 3rd, where we put a spot on history, the present, and - of course - the future.” The festival will include 8 concerts of historical music, a pedagogic concert with children from all over Denmark, The Virtuosic Accordion, and portraits of some of the accordion’s most important composers. This includes a World Premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina, a World Premiere by David Lang, visit by the composers Martin Lohse and Staffan Mossenmark and a lot of wonderful new pieces by young American composers. Students from the Sibelius Academy, the Lithuanian Academy of Music and the Academy of Music in Oslo have been invited to attend and take part in masterclasses by Prof. Geir Draugsvoll, Claudio Jacomucci, Raimondas Sviackevicius, Bjarke Mogensen and Jose Valente. They will also perform during the festival together with students from RDAM. Concert performers include Frode Andersen, Geir Draugsvoll, Bjarke Mogensen, Radu Ratoi, Jostein Stalheim, Sini Ström, Hanzhi Wang and many more. All concerts will be live streamed including the premieres. All events will take place at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. Festival program as follows: • October 1st: Opening Concert at the Studio Hall – 7.30pm to 9.30pm • October 2nd: Children’s Concert at the Study Centre – 1.30pm to 2.15pm • October 2nd: 50 Years of musical virtuoso and history at the Study Centre with RDAM accordion students - 3pm to 4pm • October 2nd: The Nordic Sound I at the Study Centre with Nordplus students from Oslo, Helsinki and Vilnius playing with RDAM accordion students – 5pm to 6pm • October 3rd: Academic Morning Presentation of research projects and development work on accordion with Andreas Borregaard, Bjarke Mogensen and Geir Draugsvoll at the Study Centre – 10am to 11am • October 3rd: The Nordic Sound II at the Study Centre with Nordplus students from Oslo, Helsinki and Vilnius playing with RDAM accordion students – 1pm to 2pm • October 3rd: Martin Lohse (50 years) and Staffan Mossenmark (60 years) concert of accordion works by these two composers at the Study Centre – 2.30pm to 3.30pm • October 3rd: New works by American composers with RDAM accordion students and Frode Andersen at the Study Centre – 4.30pm to 5.30pm • October 3rd: Concert celebrating the 90th anniversary of the birth of Sofia Gubaidulina with performances by Hanzhi Wang, RDAM accordion students and others - 6pm to 7pm For details email: dkdm@dkdm.dk |
Rachael Xu Heard by Millions On Recording Track of Pop Star Zhang Jie - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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| Over the past month, Chinese Pop Star Zhang Jie has been releasing his latest album ‘You Deserve Better’ track by track. Eleven year old accordionist Rachael Xu from Chengdu, China was chosen by the Singaporean song writer Eric Ng, after he saw her winning performance at the Zhongsin International Music Competition, to play the accordion in one of his compositions. He invited her to perform in the fourth released single ‘Take a Look’. Due to Covid 19 travel restrictions the audio was recorded in Chengdu with Eric directing the process live through online meetings. The track was an immediate success with an amazing 3 million plus listens in just under two hours. Rachael Xu, student of Grayson Masefield, is a multiple international winner for her age group and had planned a 2021 international concert tour (China, Singapore, Korea & Japan) that was going to donate all proceeds to the International Music Council (IMC), NGO of UNESCO. Unfortunately the tour was postponed because of Covid 19 restrictions. Max Fage-Pederson, director of Danish Radio in Copenhagen, has set up an interview with Rachael Xu about her support for the IMC. He will also be playing some of Rachael's recordings for the Danish audiences. Rachael is the first of the soon to be announced ‘Titano Youth Artists’, a project by Titano Accordions to help developing young accordionists and aiding them to engage with younger audiences to promote the accordion, music and youth education. Rachael Xu performed on her newly designed Titano Infinite Horizon, a completely customisable accordion, for this record breaking new album by pop star Zhang Jie. |
Ksenija Sidorova Performs at George Enescu International Festival - Romaniaby Christine Johnstone |
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  Ksenija Sidorova will perform a concert at the George Enescu International Festival in the Radio Hall, Bucharest, Romania on September 25th at 1.30pm.Following her successful September concert at the BBC Proms (news item: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=17-Sep-2021&lang=en#art18025), Ksenija then travelled to The Netherlands to perform with Camerata RCO (members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra) in Amsterdam (picture above right). Their program included works from Ksenija’s latest album “Piazzolla Reflections” and original works written for accordion by Franck Angelis, Sergey Akhunov and two pieces by Italian accordionist and composer Pietro Roffi, “Nocturne” and a new version of “Is There A Place In Your Heart” for accordion and string quintet. On the same night they were guests of a fun classical TV show Podium Witteman on NPO2 Television Channel. The 25th edition of the George Enescu International Festival began on August 28th and will run through to September 26th, 2021. Ksenija will perform at this festival with the Dogma Chamber Orchestra, directed by Mikhail Gurewitsch. Their program will include Sequences for string orchestra (Cornel Taranu), Viva Voce – Concerto No. 2 for Bayan (Efrem Podgaits), In Nomine (Gavin Bryars), Seven Rhymes for Glory (Mikhail Gurewitsch) and When Ingrid met Capa (Michael Nyman). |
HHC Nufringen Performs Concert Dedicated to Günther Stoll – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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 The Handharmonika-Club Nufringen (HHC Nufringen) will perform a concert entitled Musikalische Erinnerungen (Musical Memories) on October 9th, 2021 at 7pm in the Schwabenlandhalle in Nufringen, Germany.The concert will be dedicated to the orchestra’s conductor, Günther Stoll (picture left), who died suddenly in June 2021 as they would like to remember him musically. http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=25-Jun-2021&lang=en#art17714 Günther Stoll celebrated his 50th Anniversary as conductor of the HHC Nufringen in 2018. See Accordions Worldwide news item: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=13-Apr-2018&lang=en&s=14200 The orchestra will perform music arranged in summer 2020 by Wolfgang Russ, Musical Director, accompanied by mezzo soprano soloist Nadine Wagner. For details email: karten@hhc.nufringen.de |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
IX All-Russian Pop Music Competition "Merry Accordion", Nizhny Novgorod - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
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| The IX All-Russian Pop Music Competition "Merry Accordion" will take place in Nizhny Novgorod from December 2nd to 5th, 2021. The competition will be held in four categories: Solo performance (for piano & button accordion and for other reed instruments); Ensemble performance; Art of improvisation; Orchestral performance. Solo age groups include: "Debutant" - soloists (up to 10 years old) "A" - Younger (under 12 years old) "B" - Medium (up to 15 years old) "B" - Youth (up to 18 years old) "G" - Concert performers (no age limit). "Ensemble Performance" category is for ensembles of no more than 8 players and must include accordion: "D" 15 years and under) "E" - no age limit "Art of improvisation" - no age restriction "Orchestral Performance" is for Children's orchestras (orchestras of music schools, art schools and palaces of children's creativity), Student orchestras (orchestras of secondary and higher educational institutions) and Professional orchestras. The participation of a button accordion or accordion in the orchestra is mandatory. The competition will be held in two rounds: Round I - qualifying Round II - final The jury will consist of Yuri Brusentsev (Chairman), Gennady Mamaikov, Vitali Dmitriev, Eduard Akhanov and Venedikt Peunov. Entries close on November 1st, 2021. Download competition rules here: 2021MerryRules.pdf |
Wiesław Ochwat Receives Gold Diploma at “Music Eagles” Competition - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
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  Video: Wieslaw Ochwat performing Libertango (Piazzolla) with Maciej Zimka at the 4th edition of the Musical Majówek in Ojców, Southern Poland.Accordionist Wieslaw Ochwat has been awarded a Gold Diploma for his album “Between Paths” (picture top) in Category I - Phonographic Album in the First International Competition “Music Eagles” in Cracow, Poland. The CD of contemporary accordion music (DUX Recording label) includes Polish solo works by composers Blecharz, Janas, Zimka, Zagajewski, Olczak, Peszat and Scheller. |
Accordionists Win Online "Rising Star" Competition - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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  The 6th Rising Stars Grand Prix 2021 International Music Competition Berlin was held online this month. The online competition included age group categories for soloists and chamber music duos to sextets, in a variety of instruments including the accordion. Competitors chose a free program of any classical music period (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary etc.), as well as folk/traditional music or jazz. Results: 1st Prize: Senior (19 Years and over) – “Gemini Duo” (picture above left) which consists of twins Wanchen Zhao and Wanxu Zhao (China) who are Bachelor students under Professor Geir Draugsvoll at The Royal Danish Academy of Music. 1st Prize: Senior (19 Years and over) – Accordion & Flute Duo of Raphael Brunner (Austria - accordion, picture above right) and Juan Bueno (Colombia - flute). Due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19, the 2021 Prize Winner Concert, which was due to be held in the Philharmone Berlin, has been postponed to 2022. |
Renzo Ruggieri Performs with Campania International Arches Orchestra - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
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| Renzo Ruggieri performed in concert with the Campania International Arches Orchestra directed by Leonardo Quadrini at Piazza Alessio de Vito in Summonte, Avellino, Campania, Italy on September 17th, 2021. Their program included works by Kramer, Piazzolla, Morricone, Rainbow as well as some of Ruggieri’s own compositions. |
Friedrich Lips 2021 Future Events - Russiaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 Friedrich Lips has a busy schedule of events for the remainder of 2021, following a Masterclass he held in Kasan, Russia last week.Dates as follows: • September 21st to 25th: Head of Jury at “Vivat Bayan” in Samara • September 30th: Piazzolla-Studio concert in Tcherepovets • October 1st: Piazzolla-Studio concert in Vologda • October 14th; Piazzolla-Studio concert in the Philharmonic Hall in Moscow • November 2nd: 90th anniversary of Sofia Gubaidulina: Fachwerk event at the Gnesin Academy in Moscow • November 15th to 18th: Masterclass in Moscow • December 15th to 19th: 33rd “Bayan and Bayanists” Festival in Moscow For details email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
New Dates for IDEAS Symposium 4.0 - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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| The International Digital Electronic Accordion Society have rescheduled their Gr8 IDEAS Symposium 4.0 which was due to be held in November this year. The new dates are: January 21st to 30th, 2022. Organisers say that having this extra time for planning will “make sure we don't miss a beat, and that we deliver everything you have come to expect from our Symposium each year. Expect to be dazzled and thrilled with the information and concerts presented to you.” You can attend in person, or attend virtually whenever it is convenient for you as the symposium will be recorded. For details email: thegr8.ideas@gmail.com |
Video: Orchestra Popolare del Saltarello New Release – Italyby Christine Johnstone |
 Video: The Orchestra Popolare del Saltarello performing their new single “Maria Nicola” which was released in August, dedicated entirely to Abruzzo, Italy.The group, which includes founder and accordionist Danilo Di Paolonicola (picture left), enjoy performing a repertoire of popular songs from Abruzzo, ranging from traditional songs to the Saltarelle, Spallate and Ballarelle. |
Future events |
“Folk Trio” Entertain at 3rd Folk Ratu - Lithuaniaby Christine Johnstone |
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| Video: Folk Trio performing at the 2020 Folk Ratu. “Folk Trio” will entertain at the 3rd “Folk Ratu” Ethnic Festival which will be held at the Varena Cultural Center in Varena, Lithuania on September 28th, 2021 at 6pm. The festival is organized by Etnoprojektai along with the Varena Cultural Center and is supported by the Lithuanian Culture Council. Band members Nerijus Bakula (accordion), Jan Maksimovic (saxophone) and Ineta Meduneckyte (vocals) play a mix of World music, traditional Lithuanian folk songs as well as improvisations of saxophone and accordion masters. Covid-19 regulations will be in place at this event. For details email: ethnoprojects@gmail.com |
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“En Canto” Perform Forró Music Concert, Seattle - USAby Rob Howard |
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| “En Canto” will perform a concert of Forró Music at The Royal Room Outdoor Ave venue in Seattle, Washington on October 1st, 2021 at 8.30pm. “En Canto's sound is fueled primarily by twin accordions and tinged with the jazz backgrounds of several of the musicians. Anchored in the classics and contemporaries of Brazilian Forró, they pay tribute to influences Luiz Gonzaga, Mestrinho, Dominguinhos, Sivuca and many others.” The group features accordionists Jamie Maschler and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues. Attendees must bring proof of vaccination to enter the venue, masks worn unless actively consuming food or drink. See poster for details. |
Datastico e. V. Accordion Orchestra “Accordion Music…” Live Again Concert – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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| The Datastico e. V. Accordion Orchestra will perform a concert entitled “Accordion Music…” Live Again at the Leohaus Olfen in Olfen, Coesfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on October 2nd, 2021. Due to Covid-19 regulations, the number of spectators is limited to 70 people per concert, so the orchestra will perform three, one-hour concerts in total at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Their program will include a variety of rock, pop and classical pieces. For details email: karten@datastico.de |
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Jon Hammond Performs at Bar Mitzvah - USAby Christine Johnstone |
 Accordionist Jon Hammond will perform at a Bar Mitzvah with Marc Baum (saxophone - pictured left) at the Synagogue in California on October 9th, 2021. The event celebrates the initiation ceremony of a Jewish boy who has reached the age of 13, is regarded as ready to observe religious precepts and is eligible to take part in public worship. Jon and Marc have played together for most of their lives and will perform a variety of Israeli and Jewish pieces at this event. |
John Kirkpatrick MBE Anglo Concertina Workshop - Englandby Christine Johnstone |
 John Kirkpatrick MBE (picture right) will hold an Anglo Concertina Workshop Weekend at The Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle in Shropshire, England from October 15th to 17th, 2021.Attendees will need an Anglo with not less than thirty buttons, ideally in the commonest key combinations of C/G or G/D. Not suitable for beginners. The workshop will cover how to add chords in the left hand, melodies in the right hand and what dizzy tonalities can be found using this approach, traditional English folk music, Morris tunes, Country dance tunes as well as folk tunes and how to accompany them. For details email: squeezer@johnkirkpatrick.co.uk |
CNIMA Accordion Workshop for Adults - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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 The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix (picture left) will hold an accordion workshop for adults from October 25th to 29th, 2021.The workshop will cover the same content as regular workshops including holding the instrument, balance of the bellows, various playing “touches”, musicality etc., but is more suited to the specific problems adults can encounter. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
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Brandon McPhee Live Concert - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
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| Popular accordionist Brandon McPhee and his band will perform a live concert entitled The Brandon McPhee 'Experience', organised by the Tain Gala Association on October 22nd, 2021 at 7.30pm. The concert will be held at the Duthac Centre in Tain, County of Ross, in the Highlands of Scotland. See poster for details. |
Childrens Corner |
Video: Young Alina Khlebnova Performs - Russiaby Christine Johnstone |
| Video: Alina Khlebnova (Russia) plays and sings “Winter Song”. |
New and Updated Sites |
Franck Angelis Site Updated MusicForAccordion.com - Internetby Harley Jones |
 Franck Angelis site has had information about his composition Beijing 2011 updated with:New video of the Coupe Mondiale in Canada, where selected composers were invited to have their 'Original Solo Work' (composed in 2012/2013), to be performed at the Coupe Mondiale for the first time, by the artist of their choice. Tian Jianan performed the work and the work won the Best Original Solo Work Award at the 2013 Coupe Mondiale. Video online at: ang567 along with samples of the sheet music. and video of Franck Angelis at a seminar in China explaining each movement of Beijing 2011 in detail with Tian Jianan performing. ang568 Spleen has video of Anna Kryshtaleva performing the premiere concert. |
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