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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=28-Feb-2020&lang=en&s=16242
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=28-Feb-2020&lang=en&s=16242
28-Feb-2020
XXII Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival Celebrates 400th Anniversary of Kokkola - Finlandby Raimo Vertainen |
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  The XXII Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival was held in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of the city of Kokkola at a variety of venues in Kokkola, Finland from February 9th to 16th, 2020.The Artistic Director since inception of the festival is Raimo Vertainen (picture left). As part of the 400th anniversary celebrations, there was a performance by Guardia Nueva (conducted by Raimo Vertainen). Their performance included tangos, evergreens and music by local composers with soloists Virva Puumala, Matti Korkiala, Maria Autio & Jiri Tammilehto. Other events included a large variety of concerts, parades, children’s events, surprise events to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city, lunchtime performances, sledding events, Songs for Seniors and jazz music. Over 5,000 people enjoyed attending these events over the eight day festival. Festival highlights included the world premiere of the new concerto by one of the most significant Finnish composers, Aulis Sallinen entitled “Duo Concertante” for two accordions, strings and percussion Op.115. The work was performed by Sonja Vertainen and Janne Valkeajoki (picture above right) with the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra conducted by Anna-Maria Helsing. Helsing is now a main conductor with the London BBC Concert Orchestra. The Concerto was broadcast by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE Radio1) which is a main radio channel in Finland. Aulis Sallinen’s operas, symphonies and concertos have been played all over the world - in Metropolitan New York, Convent Garden, London and so on. To get a new work from him is a treasure to the music world and for accordion. The Music Wizards – Veli Kujala and Jarkko Riihimäki: This is a show with music and magic. Accordion wizard Veli Kujala and piano magic man Jarkko Riihimäki entertained with a world premiere show of music by Pekka Pohjola, Pat Metheny, Gardel and inprovisations. This show surely was something special. Nordic Sounds Duo from Estonia included Tiit Kalluste (accordion) and Villu Veski (saxophone). The duo’s performance included pictures and melodies from the coast. Jörgen Sundeqvist and Päivi Mettälä from Sweden performed music from Höga Kusten (Sweden) and Julia Hansson (Kokkola). Raimo Vertainen also conducted the Active Accordion Orchestra with a performance of ballet music by Philip Glass and conducted the Young Accordion Orchestra and the K-30 Orchestra. Download festival pictures and videos here: 2020Kokkola.pdf |