|
|
Arttu Rajala (8 years old) from Ilmajoki - Winner of the Silver Accordion
photo by Julian Feulner |
|
Hosts of the Primus Ikaalinen - Silja Sillanpää and Kimmo Mattila
photo by Julian Feulner |
The eight contestants pictured competing in the Primus Ikaalinen 2009:
|
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 FRANCE, Benoit Nortier
Just 14 years old, Benoit Nortier is the youngest contestant at Primus Ikaalinen. She performed this spring at the French television show Incroyable Talent. Nortier won the first prize in the Coupe Mondiale Junior Variété category in 2008.
1. Hommáge a Jacques Brel, arr. Jerome Richard
2. The Happy Cowboy Jack
1. Tell something about your home country.
"I come from a small French village which is very charming and has two castles one of the twelfth century and the seventeenth century. I got the chance to live near Paris which is the pride of France."
2. Why did you choose an accordion?
"It 's mother who wanted me to do the musique I was 4 1/2 years old and my Grandpa has chosen instrument, and since I love."
3. Tell us some impression connected to Finland.
"I am excited to discover this country and I think to have a good stay and keep a good memory."
4. What would you like to achieve in music?
"I hoped to become a professional musician, composer, and have my own orchestra."
5. Tell us some funny moment or incident, what has happened with you and accordion.
"Until now, I have not had any problems with the accordion.
Everything goes well. I am only a beginner." |
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 RUSSIA, Irina Grigorjeva
27 years old postgraduate student at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg. A student of Professor Oleg Sharov. Grigorjeva comes from Omsk where she started playing the accordion at the age of 7, inspired by her family. She has received several prizes at Russian music competitions.
1. Victor Vlasov: Brahms’ Smile - (theme from Hungarian Dance No. 5)
2. Russian traditional: Polosunka, arr. I. Panitzki
1. Tell something about your home country.
"Russia is big country with big possibilities in all aspects! But you can't see bears on Russian streets :-) ."
2. Why did you choose an accordion?
"I choose an accordion because my mother (she is a doctor) always had play on it. I liked this sounds and wanted to play too."
3. Tell us some impression connected to Finland.
"The most powerful impression was in Tampere in Sarkanniemi on Tornado many years ago, it was unforgetable!"
4. What would you like to achieve in music?
"I want to become professional accordionist with great skill and virtuosity in playing...... may be also a little fame in the world?"
5. Tell us some funny moment or incident, what has happened with you and accordion.
"It has happened 10 years ago. I need to play a few pieces in Sochi in the summer camp for talented children. I lived in Omsk at that time and wasa skinny, feeble girl. I didn't want to carry my old accordion which weigh was 14 kilograms through all Russia. Keeping it a secret from my teacher, I with my friend exchanged our accordions, his was much more light! My friend forgot to give me notice about a special peculiarity of his instrument - when you press register "TUTTI" the sound little by little is disappearing. When I heard this at the concert it was late and for all this, many keys begin to fall. I have finished my performance with a quiet sound and with a few keys which hadn't fallen off!! The audience was delighted and loudly applauded to me, they liked my "interpretation" but my teacher was in shock." |
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 NEW ZEALAND, Grayson Masefield
A 22-year-old talent. Masefield received the second prize in the Varieté category at the Klingenthal International Accordion Competition in Germany this spring. He has enjoyed major successes in the Coupe Mondiale in 2005-2008.
1. Jerome Richard: Pondichery Tango
2. A. Astier: La Tempete
1. Tell something about your home country.
"New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses The indigenous Māori named New Zealand Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud.
New Zealand is situated about 2000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. Becuase isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced.
Sport has a major role in New Zealand's culture, with the unofficial national sport of rugby being particularly influential.Rugby is closely linked to the country's national identity. The national rugby team, the All Blacks, is well known for the haka (a traditional Māori challenge) performed before the start of international matches.
New Zealand is also very well known for its beautiful landscapes which has been shown in many films such as in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Last Saumurai, Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and many more.
Also NZ will have the pleasure of holding this years Coupe Mondiale for the second time."
2. Why did you choose an accordion?
"I didn't, haha. Many of my family plays, parents sisters aunts and uncles. I was given my first accordion at the age of four.."
3. Tell us some impression connected to Finland.
"My first impressions when I now think of Finland its very popular accordion world with its International Ikaalinen festival and the 'infamous' winter cruise which has a huge number of accordionist around the world attend."
4. What would you like to achieve in music?
"I would like to become the best musician that I can possibly be, not only in variety and classical accordion but to learn more deeply and to gain a greater understanding of music on all levels and instruments."
5. Tell us some funny moment or incident, what has happened with you and accordion.
"There is a lot but none that is suitable for television from 8pm!!! Haha." |
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 FINLAND, Katariina Ahjoniemi
Katariina Ahjoniemi is a student of Marjut Tynkkynen at the Junior Sibelius Academy. She has played the accordion for 14 years. Her other interests include singing classical music and acting.
1. Egberto Gismonti: Frevo
2. Traditional, arr. M. Nyman: Säkkijärven Polkka |
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 MACEDONIA, Aleksandr Kolovski
Started playing the accordion at the age of 7. Ninteen year old Kolovski is one of the most talented young accordionists in Macedonia and has participated in many international events. He received a special prize at European Music Competitions for Youth in 2005.
1. traditional: Dancing Fantasy, arr. Branko Kolovski
2. Viktor Novikov: Gipsy Paraphrase
1. Tell something about your home country.
"Macedonia is located in the southeastern part of the evropa.Makedonija country that is available with a great tradition. MACEDONIA has great natural wealth, such as Lake Ohrid, which is under the protection of the UNESCO."
2. Why did you choose an accordion?
"I chose the accordion because my father also was accordionist and was a professor at my school."
3. Tell us some impression connected to Finland.
"And what connects with me Finland is currently the Primus Ikaalinen but I heard that there is a very cold climate and would be to feel as I tell my friends in which they would want to come to Finland."
4. What would you like to achieve in music?
"Im happy while I play and feel good, especially when there are a lot of people in the audience ... I'd like to allow the audience to feel the music as I was satisfied of my performing."
5. Tell us some funny moment or incident, what has happened with you and accordion.
"Interesting events was once I come play on my concert without my accordion hahaha."
|
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 ITALY, Matteo Marinelli
17 years old. He has studied at the Italian Roberto Fucelli accordion school. Marinelli received the first prize in the junior Varieté category at the Spoleto Spring Festival in Italy in May 2009.
1. Richard Galliano: Fou Rire
2. Federico Gili: Pedro’s Samba
1. Tell something about your home country.
"I love my country and italian music. It's a sunny country and this is the reason we always smile."
2. Why did you choose an accordion?
"I chose the accordion because i always listen to my cousin and my uncle playing."
3. Tell us some impression connected to Finland.
"In my fantasy it's the land where "Babbo Natale" lives, with the snow flakes and his reindeers."
4. What would you like to achieve in music?
"I'd like becoming a very good jazz performer, just as Frank Marocco."
5. Tell us some funny moment or incident, what has happened with you and accordion.
"Some years ago i had a concert in a city that was a long way from my house..so i prepared everything: performance and scores... when i arrived i realized i had forgotten my accordion!? but i was very young...." |
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 GREECE, Zoe Tiganouria
The first Greek musician at Primus Ikaalinen. Tiganouria comes from Samothraki and she studied the piano and the accordion in Athens. She is a composer and a song-writer who has performed with several Greek artists and with other famous musicians, such as the American guitarist Al di Meola.
1. Lagrimas Negras
2. Richard Galliano: Valse á Margaux
1. Tell something about your home country.
"my home country is the island Samothraki. it is popular for the statue 'niki tis samothrakis' which is at the entrance of the loubre 's museum. it is popoular too, for the kaviria mysteries which were worldwide famous at the old times. general greece has beautiful islands, sunny beaches and of course it is known for the hospitality."
2. Why did you choose an accordion?
"when i play the accordeon i put it near to my heart and i feel like we are one. I can play with this different style of music, I can express my feelings and I can mimitate the sound of klarino, bandoneon and violin."
3. Tell us some impression connected to Finland.
"I’m honoured that you invite me to this festival, because it's an important festival. I’m proud because I represent Greece to this festival and I want to know better your country and Finland people."
4. What would you like to achieve in music?
"through my music I want to help people' s spirit, mind and soul."
5. Tell us some funny moment or incident, what has happened with you and accordion.
"once I had a concert so I put the suitcases to the car but I forgot the accordeon out of my house. When I realised it, I came back to pick it up so I missed the flight and I almost loose the accordeon that I had left it at the entrance of my house. Fortunately it was there by itself waiting for me."
|
|
photo by Julian Feulner |
 SERBIA, Petar Maric
Maric is a 19-year-old musician who has studied classical music at the Belgrade conservatory. He won the first prize at the Klingenthal International Accordion Competition in Germany this year and received the best musician award at Spoleto Spring Festival in Italy in May 2009.
1. Traditional: “Folksong One little Girl and Gipsy Music” arr. A. Nikolic
2. Richard Galliano: Tango pour Claude
1. Tell something about your home country.
"About my country, I just waiting to put of the Shengen visa that I can trips everywere...... very temperament country, and lot of nice girls!!!!."
2. Why did you choose an accordion?
"I really don’t know, the accordion found me!!!! =]]]]]]"
3. Tell us some impression connected to Finland.
"I am very lucky that I will be on the show like this. I am sure that like first I will have a lot of fun!"
4. What would you like to achieve in music?
"I just enjoy in music, and music makes me happy!!!!"
5. Tell us some funny moment or incident, what has happened with you and accordion.
"Everything!!!!!"
|
|
Each of the contestants took the stage to perform one of a medley of well-known Finnish melodies including:
Satumaa - Daada - Paratiisi - Olen suomalainen - Säkkijärvi - Autiotalo - Sankarit - Sata salamaa
photo by Julian Feulner |
|
Members of the International Jury
Translator Iikka Miettinen, Chairperson of the Jury Renzo Ruggieri - Italy,
Frank Marocco - USA,
Kevin Friedrich - New Zealand,
Jörgen Sundeqvist, Sweden,
Frederic Deschamps, France,
Mika Väyrynen, Finland, Secretary of the Jury Minna Kulmala |
|
The Terem Quartet (Russia)
photo by Julian Feulner |
After the first round, the points were as follows:
1. Grayson Masefield, Uusi Seelanti 60 p.
2. Petar Maric, Serbia 60 p.
3. Matteo Marinelli, Italia 58 p.
4. Katariina Ahjoniemi, Suomi 55 p.
4. Irina Grigorjeva, Venäjä 55 p.
6. Zoe Tiganouria, Kreikka 52 p.
7. Benoit Nortier, Ranska 51 p.
7. Aleksandr Kolovski, Makedonia 51 p.
With a an exact tie for 4th place, Jury Member Frank Marocco was given the task to decide the 4th contestant to play in the final, and he chose Katariina Ahjoniemi from Finland.
The marks of the four finalists were as follows:
1. Grayson Masefield, Uusi-Seelanti 60 p
2. Petar Maric, Serbia 60 p
3. Matteo Marinelli, Italia 55 p
4. Katariina Ahjoniemi, Suomi 54 p
the Jury then chose Grayson Masefield as the winner by a vote of four to two. |
|
The two finalists Petar Maric (Serbia) and Grayson Masefiled (New Zealand) performing the traditional Liebertango Duel
photo by Julian Feulner |
|
Petar and Grayson performing the Liebertango duel with the band comprising Jari PUHAKKA - conductor, piano,
Jarmo NIKKU - guitar,
Seppo HELIN - keyboard,
Risto SALMI - winds,
Jari HEINO - bass and
Miri MIETTINEN – drums |
|
|
Host Kimmo Mattila talking to the President of the jury Renzo Ruggieri (right)
with translations being carried out by Iikka Miettinen |
|
Runner Up - Petar Maric (Serbia) and 2009 Primus Ikaalinen Champion Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) |
|
2009 Primus Ikaalinen Champion Grayson Masefield with his teacher Frederic Deschamps |
|
|
Following the Competition the Contestants and Jury Members and invited guests were hosted to a dinner. Pictured above, Champion Grayson Masefield talking with festival Director Sirpa Sippola and below, greetings being offered by Kimmo Mattila, Artistic Director |
|
|
