Concert - Croatian Accordion Orchestras - Venue: Croatian National Theatre in Varazdin
 featuring works by Dvorák, Khachaturian, Gotovac, Starc, Bui, Gunther-Kölz, Götz,
 Derbenko, Angelis and Piazzolla performed by:

Accordion Orchestra “Ivan Goran Kovacic”
Conducted by Miss. Anamarija Nerad

Accordion Orchestra “Bela pl. Panthy"
Conducted by Mrs. Sanja Nuhanovic

Accordion Orchestra HGGD "Sloga”
Conducted by Mr. Mladen Landau

Accordion Orchestra “Stanko Mihovilic”
Conducted by Miss. Tatjana Lajić

This year seven groups contested the International Competition for Ensemble Music. Groups were required to perform the following:

• For two (2) to five (5) musicians, minimum one accordion (e.g., can be multiple accordions, or accordions with other instruments).
• Ensemble Music competition is for acoustic instruments (no electronics). All accordions must be acoustic reed instruments. No MIDI accordions are allowed. One bass accordion may be amplified; however, the candidate must provide their own amplifier.
• Own Choice Program of concert music consisting of at least two (2) pieces with contrasting style.
• The competition organizers will not provide instruments other than a piano tuned to A 442.
• Playing time: minimum 15 minutes to maximum 20 minutes playing time. Failure to observe minimum or maximum playing time will result in a mark penalty.
• Marking will take into consideration program choice, level of playing and ensemble work.

Ten contestants advanced to the second round of the 63rd Coupe Mondiale where they were required to perform one complete original work for the accordion. The adjudicators for this category are Milijan Bjeletic (Serbia), Raimondas Sviackevicius (Lithuania), Jacques Mornet (France), President of the Jury: Viatcheslav Semionov (Russia), Joan Cochran Sommers (USA-ATG), Geanluca Pica (Italy), Andreas Nebl (Germany), Herbert Scheibenreif (Austria), Li Cong (China).

The following seven candidates advanced to Round II:
 

“Ivan Goran Kovaèiæ” Academic Accordion Orchestra
1. A. Dvoøák: Slavonic Dance no. 8
2. A. Dvoøák: Slavonic Dance no. 10
4. F. Angelis: Interieur
5. A. Khachaturian: Sabre Dance
6. Tamarin: Kuban Dance
Conductor: Anamarija Nerad

Accordion Orchestra “Ivan Goran Kovaèiæ”. The Orchestra was founded in 1977. as a section of the “Slovenski dom” Cultural Educational Association in Zagreb, where it has worked untill 1990. In the beginning of 1991. the Orchestra became a part of the “Ivan Goran Kovaèiæ” Student Cultural and Artistic Association. Zvonko Šiljac founded and conducted the Orchestra untill 2003. when Gordana Šuštiæ took over the role of artistic director. From 2009. she is temporary substituted by Anamarija Nerad.

The Orchestra is one of the most successful amateur music ensembles in Zagreb and one of the best in Europe regarding accordion music. With numerous awards conquered in country and abroad in the past 30 years, the Orchestra very successfully breaks prejudices about accordion as only folk art instrument and gives audience absolutely different view of accordion itself. The Orchestra is cooperating with Croatian Composers’ Society very successfully. It participates regularly on Accordion Orchestra and Solo Players Festivals in Pula and on Music Festivals of Children and Youth of the Republic of Croatia. The Orchestra has received numerous awards on international competitions in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Chech Republic, Portugal etc. presenting Croatian contemporary music. In 2008. Croatian Composers’ Society awarded the Orchestra and conductor for dissemination of culture and art as well as improvement and achievement of their programs and projects.
 

“Bela Panthy” Accordion Orchestra
1. A. Götz: “Slavonian Rhapsody”
Soloist: Dario Glavaš, accordion
2. A. Piazzolla: “Melodia en la menor”
3. W. Kahl: ABBA
Soloist: Gabrijela Blekiæ, vocal
Conductor: Sanja Nuhanoviæ

Accordion Orchestra “Bela pl. Panthy”. The Orchestra currently consists of some thirty members. It is special because of the fact that many generations of young people who were part of this orchestra always maintained a special bond with the orchestra. They keep coming back, either as honorary or associate members. Orchestra members share a common love for music; they enjoy every music note and look forward to every rehearsal. This special atmosphere has been present since the founding of the orchestra, and was created by its founder the late Sir Bela Panthy, whom everybody called by his nickname Beci. His sense of humour, patience, dedicated pedagogical work and love gained the attention of many fans of accordion. The orchestra was established in 1966 at the Music School "Ivan pl. Zajc", where Sir Bela Panthy than worked as an accordion teacher. Back then it was called Youth Accordion Orchestra, and consisted of the first generation of accordion students. In 1971 it joined the HPD Davor as orchestral section and in 1973 began to operate within a RKUD Djuro Salaj. From 1991 to 2004 it has worked under the name Brod Accordion Orchestra. In 2004 it changed its name to Accordion Orchestra „Bela pl. Panthy“ in honour of its founder and late conductor Sir Bela Panthy.

During the forty years of its existence the orchestra has participated in various competitions and performed in many cities around Croatia and Europe. It made appearances in Italy, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic and won numerous awards, of which four Grand Prix and seven first prizes, three second and two third awards. From the very beginning the orchestra was conducted by maestro Bela Panthy, and after his death in the period from 2004 to 2007 by Prof. Anita Kovaèeviæ. Since 2007, with enthusiasm inherited from the late Beci and the same amount of love for the orchestra, Prof. Sanja Nuhanoviæ, a long time member of the orchestra took over the baton. After so many years of activity, age limit in the orchestra ceased to be relevant. Currently there are several generations playing together, and for that reason a wide repertoire of compositions is performed. Every year members of the orchestra prepare an annual concert in Slavonski Brod, to show what they have prepared during the year. All members of the orchestra share a common desire to preserve values that the generations before them have made, to continually refine their artistic expression and to prepare a special experience for their loyal fans.
 

“Sloga” Accordion Orchestra
1. A. Piazzolla: Adios Nonino
2. B. Starc: Mikrodanza
3. R. Bui: With a Bit of Swing
4. A. Piazzolla: Libertango
Conductor: Mladen Landau

Accordion Orchestra HGGD „Sloga”. The accordion orchestra HGGD "Sloga" has been operating/functioning constantly since 1866 as well as The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. The accordion orchestra which was formed in 1947 is one of the three orchestra by which the International Accordion Festival in Pula was established. The orchestra was recognized, praised and awarded in Croatia and abroad.It won the Silver Award in Kerkrade in 1974, the Golden Award in Chambery in 1978 and the Bronze in Aix les Bains in 1979.

The deceased Ernest Dvoržak was the orchestra;s first conductor.He was a pioneer of accordion playing in this area.He was followed by Mr Mladen Landau who was been conducting the orchestra more than forty years.The orchestra takes part in all festivals and events by the City of Zagreb (events like "Musicians in the City Hal/Assembly", "Music Festivity","Summer in Zrinjevac", the festival of Zagreb amateurs)and it also participates in international competitions. There are 14 amateurs playing in the orchestra at the moment,from retired people to primary school students,people of different jobs and professions.
They nourish the spirit of amateurism and a great musical history of our society.
 

“Stanko Mihoviloviæ” Accordion Orchestra
1. E. Derbenko: Concert Fantasy
Soloist: Ozren Grozdaniæ, accordion
2. H.G. Kölz: “City Moments“
I. Morning
II. Rush hour
3. J. Gotovac: Symphonic Kolo
Conductor: Tatjana Lajiæ

Accordion Orchestra “Stanko Mihoviliæ”. The Orchestra was founded in 1959 and it is named after its founder and longtime conductor. It is an amateur orchestra comprising musicians of different age and profession, ranging from secondary school pupils and students, to clerks, teachers, economists, etc. Over the years, the orchestra has received the highest awards and prizes at numerous performances, concert tours and competitions, and has also won the favor of both the jury and audience all over Europe and America. The Orchestra has held concerts in Croatia, France, Italy, Germany, Czechs Republic, the USA and Canada, performing together with guests, conductors and soloists, from Slovenia, Austria, Italy, the USA, Russia, and Ukraine.
 
The "Stanko Mihoviliæ" Orchestra has received at major International accordion Competitions the highest awards as: First prize at the European Grand Prix Competition in Strassbourg, France in 1989. At the 26th International Accordion Competition held in Pula in 1995, it received two first prizes in two different Categories and also won the Cup of the City of Pula. This was repeated in 1997 in the category with no age limit. In 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2002 at the International Competition in Erbezzo, Italy, it was awarded first prizes and proclaimed absolute winner for receiving the greatest number of points in all categories.

At the International Competition in Castelfidardo in 1995, 1996 and again in 2002 it received first prizes, while in 1998 the orchestra was invited to the opening ceremony of this prestigious Competition. On the 1st European Accordion festival in Prague in March 2000, won first place in the IB category – classical music. As result the orchestra was called as guest in 2002 and has given a concert in the Majakowski Hall. The orchestra frequently makes radio and TV recordings, and has also produced two CDs. Since March 2010 professor Tatjana Lajiæ has taken the place as Conductor of the Accordion Orchestra “Stanko Mihoviliæ” , Pula, Croatia.