The inaugural ATG World Cup competition was held on Friday morning, where the entrants needed to perform a 23-25 minute program, consisting of a minimum of five pieces, demonstrating different styles and moods, showcasing the use of both stradella and free bass, with at least two of the works originally composed for accordion. The Awards were to be US$5,000 for first place, and US$3,000 for second.

First to compete was Elijah Clements (USA) with the program:

1. Polosynka – Panitsky
2. BWV 871 Prelude – J.S. Bach
3. Asturias – I. Albéniz
4. Beryozka Waltz – E. Clements
5. Ferapontov Monastery – V. Zolotaryov
6. Elijah’s Journey – E. Clements

Second up was Leonid Florin Muravjov (Sweden) with the program:

1. Metamorphoses – Torbjörn Lundquist
2. The Lark – Michail Glinka
3. Shepherd-Girl’s Dance – Hugo Alfvén
4. Passing III – Martin Lohse
5. Le Papillon – Calixa Lavallée
6. Mozart Plays Accordion – Mozart/Walle Rick

Radu Ratoi (Republic of Moldova) competed third with his program:

1. Dance Macabre – C. Saint-Saens/Ratoi
2. Transcendental Etudes No.10 Appassionata S.139 – F. Liszt/Ratoi
3. Anatomic Safari (excerpts) – P. Norgard
4. Balkan Tango – D. Kosorić
5. Dixi Maruntica – M. Amihalachioaie

Fourth and final entrant was Joaquín Muñoz Denoso (Chile) with the program:

1. Pater Noster – Gorka Hermosa
2. Revelation – Jaroslav Olexiv
3. Courante French Suite No.1 – J.S. Bach
4. Vals a Margaux – Richard Galliano/Joaquín Muñoz Denoso
5. Impasse IV Movement – Franck Angelis

The majority of attendees then went to the second rehearsal of the ATG Festival Orchestra, where a local TV crew added to the excitement. The orchestra was also joined by the first singers of the 44 voice choir.

One of the staples of an ATG Festival is the ATG Original Music Concert, where composers and performers can demonstrate new or rarely found works for the accordion.

The concert began with a special orchestra under the baton of Joan Cochran Sommers performing Carnival from Brazilian Suite by Amy Jo Sawyer.

This was followed by:

Lemi Yang (accordion) and Weiping Fan (baritone) performing Tang Dynasty Poem: Bamboo Grove Pavilion, for Baritone and Accordion by Lemi Yang.

Madalynn Ney concluded the concert with Scherzo by Victor Dikussarow.

Dallas Vietty performing Balada de la Musa by Gabriel Mertino.

Kathleen Grambsch performing Shades of Velvet by John Gart.

Beverley Fess performed Midnight Fantasy by Todor Gerov.

Gail Campanella performing Embouteillage (Traffic Jam) by Andre Astier.

The evening started with a cocktail hour with entertainment from Mardy Eisloffel and Charles Weyhaupt, before a Gala Banquet with entertainment from Gordon Kohl. The tables were beautifully decorated with helium balloons and cards celebrating the 90th birthday of Joan Cochran Sommers.

Following the banquet was the Friday evening concert, which was started by Gorka Hermosa (Spain) performing his works. Because his traditional performance fedora hadn’t made it to the USA, he was kindly lent a substitute from Beau Bledsoe (guitar) who joined him on stage with Collen Diecker (violin).

Michael Bridge closed the first half with a selection of his arrangements, including the Evolutionary Toccata in D Minor, using his digital accordion to great effect.

The second half of the concert had Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) take to the stage with the Kansas City based Ensemble Iberica. The ensemble was led by founder Beau, who was joined by Collen, Mark Lowery (piano) and Jeff Harsbarger (double bass).

Together they performed a number of works by Astor Piazzolla and Por una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel.