Wednesday

59th Coupe Mondiale in Norway
Wednesday, October 18th, 2006

Coupe Mondiale, Round I

Today saw the first round of the Coupe Mondiale competition. Each contestant was required to play the 3 pieces including: "FRACTALS" Op. 142 by Wolfgang Plagge and an own choice program where the candidate must select a program consisting of two pieces where one is to be of a slower, lyrical style and the other piece to be of a technical virtuosic style.

The composer of the test piece Mr. Wolfgang Plagge (pictured right with CIA President Kevin Friedrich) was in attendance throughout the day and thoroughly enjoyed hearing the many renditions of his work.

Mr. Plagge is currently composing a new work for five accordions and organ which is due to be released in the coming months.

The contestants in the Coupe Mondiale played in the following order:

Ivan Sverko - Croatia
Mia Cojbasic - Croatia
Idler Salakhov - Russia
Victor Semenkin - Russia
Harri Kuusijarvi - Finland
Xue Feng - China
Ida Lovli Hidle - Norway
Peppe Nicola Sirolli - Italy
Marina Hernaez Mendizabal - Spain
Liisa Ojantausta - Finland
Vincent L'Hermet - France
Marco Gemelli - Italyu
Live Berger Brekke - Norway
Vladimir Chernukh - Russia

Coupe Mondiale International Jury

Joan C. Sommers (USA)
Paulo Jorge Ferreira (Portugal)
Viatcheslav Semionov (Russia)
Vojin Vasovic (Serbia)
Andreas Nebl (Germany)
Frederic Deschamps (France) - President of the Jury
Inaki Alberdi (Spain)
Jon Faukstadt (Norway)
Graham Laurie (United Kingdom)
Tibor Racz (Slovakia)

Some of the Contestants competing in the 2006 '59th Coupe Mondiale'

Victor Semenkin (Russia)	Harri Kuusijarvi (Finland)

Harri Kuusijarvi (Finland)	Xue Feng (China)

Ida Lovli Hidle (Norway)	Pepe Nicola Sirolli (Italy)

Marina Hernaez Mendizabal (Spain)	Liisa Ojantausta (Finland)

Vincent L'Hermet (France)	Vladimir Chernukh (Russia)

Junior Coupe Mondiale, Round I

Wednesday was the first round of the Junior Coupe Mondiale where contestants were required to perform a test program including two pieces including one original work for accordion and one baroque work written for harpsichord/clavichord. Playing time: minimum 10 minutes to maximum 15 minutes playing time.

18 contestants competed including (in playing order):

Johannes Borregaard (Denmark)
Marko Miletic (Serbia)
Barbara Slawinska (Poland)
Milan Vidovic (Bosnia)
Petar Maric (Serbia)
Stjepan Vugar (Croatia)
Marko Servarlic (Serbia)
Marko Stojanovic (Serbia)
Aleksandar Taanskovic (Serbia)
Nicola Kerkez (Serbia)
David Wahlen (Sweden)
Andre Natanael (Portugal)
Mirko Jetovic (Serbia)
Ines Vas (Portugal)
Vitaly Pugachev (Russia)
Samantha Jarquio (USA-ATG)
Ozren Grozdanic (Croatia)
Yngvild Vivja Haaland Ruud (Norway)

Junior Coupe Mondiale

Vjera Odak-Jembrih (Croatia)
John Leslie (United Kingdom)
Peter Anders (Denmark)
Jörgen Sundeqvist (Sweden)
Milan Bletjic (Serbia & Montenegro)
Jacques Mornet (France) - President of the Jury
Gunther Zeilinger (Germany)
Ron Van Overbruggen (Netherlands)
Nada Vjestica (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Geanluca Pica (Italy)

Some of the Contestants competing in the 2006 Junior Coupe Mondiale

Samantha Jarquio (USA-ATG)	Samantha Jarquio (USA-ATG)

Ozren Grozdanic (Croatia)	Yngvild Vivja Halland Ruud (Norway)

Opening Concert

The 59th Coupe Mondiale was formally opened with an official 'Welcome Concert' featuring accordion artists from around Norway. The concert was attended by the Mayor of Asker, Mr. Morton Strand, the Chief of Culture Mrs. Tus Bernham as well as international delegates and guests attending the Coupe Mondiale.

Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival Public Relations Manager Minna Plihtari and Director Sirpa Sippola (CIA Delegates from Finland) with CIA President Kevin Friedrich	Kevin Friedrich with Norwegian born Jon Knoff who resides in the USA with his wife and family. Jon and Kevin were accordion students of Max Bonnay at the Conservatory of Paris at the same time.

MC Jon Faukstadt - Norway	Baerum and Oslo Accordion Orchestra Brith Laila Ouff - Director

Bjorn Myhrer performing on his grandfathers accordion from 1880's.	Ingunn Bjorgo Asker, Norway

Oivind Farmen and Jörgen Sundeqvist performing the world premiere of Fredrik Högberg's new work entitled "Dancing According to Me".

Jörgen Sundeqvist dedicating his performance to his friend and mentor.. the late Anthony Galla-Rini who recently passed away at the age of 102 years.	Oivind Farmen, and Jörgen Sundeqvist recognizing the composer Fredrik Högberg at the conclusion of their premiere performance.

President of the Norske Trekkspilleres Landsforbund (NTL) Mr. Kjell R. Olsen welcoming the guests	CIA President Kevin Friedrich presenting a certificate to the organizer of the 2005 Coupe Mondiale in Castelo Branco, Portugal in appreciation for all the work he did in producing an outstanding 58th Coupe Mondiale

The Oslo Accordion Orchestra under the direction of Eric Bergene

International Guest Artist - Alexander Shirunov, Russia