Foreword by Crystal Wang
In the realm of the accordion world, recent activities on Accordions Worldwide have brought significant attention to Xu Xiaonan, a remarkable young Chinese accordion virtuoso. The site has released several in-depth news reports on him, highlighting his extraordinary talent and contributions to the field.
As we look forward to October 29, Xu Xiaonan is set to continue captivating audiences with his concert– My Motherland. He stands as a prominent representative of China’s new generation of accordion players and artists, embodying innovation, passion, and dedication.
Through the preview of his upcoming concert on this date, the author aims to initiate a crucial column topic that delves into the endeavors of Chinese new generation young accordion players. This column will serve as a platform to showcase the diverse contributions of these talented individuals. In various fields such as performance, they grace stages with their masterful skills, bringing the beauty of the accordion to life. In the teaching realm, they pass on their knowledge and love for the instrument, nurturing the next generation of accordion enthusiasts. In entrepreneurship, they explore new avenues to promote and develop the accordion industry. Additionally, in the area of social activities, they use the power of music to bring people together and make a positive impact on society.
The author holds a strong hope that through the remarkable development of China’s new generation of accordion players, more extensive exchanges can be established with countries around the world. By sharing experiences, ideas, and musical expressions, we can work together to elevate and develop the world accordion. Let us join hands and embark on this journey of musical exploration and cooperation, for the betterment of the accordion on a global scale.
My Motherland–Xu Xiaonan Accordion Recital Concert Preview
At 19:30 on the evening of October 29th, Xu Xiaonan, a famous young accordionist in China, will give an accordion solo concert at Lang Lang Concert Hall – My Motherland. Xu Xiaonan will use his accordion to lead us through the corridor of the years and feel the melodies that carry the memory of the country and the spirit of the nation, and together we will celebrate the glory of the motherland!
“This concert is my tribute to the 75th birthday of my motherland, showing the colorful Chinese style of accordion music. The first half of the concert will be opened by the classic melody My Motherland composed in the 50’s. The Finnish composer Mark Oen’s adaptation gives the song a new accordion and the color of the times; In Bright Sunshine is full of Tibetan flavor, overflowing with the joyful atmosphere of singing and dancing, and cohesion of the accordion’s old-timer’s sentiments; the outstanding representative of the post-90’s composers, Li Bochan’s Gazing after You will bring us into the inner world of the contemporary youth by his novelty and delicate strokes; the Spanish composer Hermosa will bring us into the inner world of contemporary young people by his delicate strokes. With novel imaginative and delicate strokes, it will take us into the inner world of contemporary young people; Spanish composer Hermosa’s Dragon Triptych aims to pay tribute to Chinese culture, consisting of three pieces composed from 2013 to 2019, and will finally be presented in sonata form in 2023 under the joint deliberation of the composer and me. It is worth mentioning that the commissioning of these works by foreign composers was spearheaded by Prof. Cao Xiaoqing of the Central Conservatory of Music, and subsequently by the International Accordion Composition Competition Triptic of Loong.”
“The second half of the program consists of my own compositions, most of which are explorations for the development and construction of my discipline since I joined the program. The two sketches Song of Spring and Childhood with You are memories of childhood; Like Snow is a lyrical work, and Dedicated to the Heroes is a three-movement work with a more grandiose theme and scale, which is a stark contrast between the two; Fantasia No. 1, first performed at the 10th China Music Golden Bell Awards in Guangzhou, expresses its own grandeur through the rhythms of Inner Mongolia’s folk songs; I Drive a Train to Tour around My Motherland was composed in 2021, the music is full of sunshine and praise, showing that “I” am driving a train to travel the great mountains and rivers of the motherland, and if you listen carefully, you can also hear the fragment of Singing the Motherland, which will be performed by me together with teachers and students of the Xinghai Conservatory of Music.”
Welcome, everyone.” Xu Xiaonan, Oct 2024
Program List
My Motherland——Xu Xiaonan Accordion Recital
Program
1、Composed by Liu Chi,adapted by Petri Makkonen:My Motherland(2017)
2、Yang Wentao,Yang Yi: In Bright Sunshine(1980’)
3、Li Bochan: Gazing after You(2014)
4、Gorka Hermosa :Sonata No.2 “Triptic of Loong”(2013-2023)
I.The Great Wall – II.The Forbidden City – III.Zhèng Zài
Intermission
5、Xu Xiaonan: Song of Spring(2008-2009)
6、Xu Xiaonan: Childhood with You(2019)
7、Xu Xiaonan: Like Snow(2018-2019)
8、Xu Xiaonan: Sonata“Dedicated to the Heroes”(2020)
9、Xu Xiaonan: Fantasia No.1(2015)
10、Xu Xiaonan: I Drive a Train to Tour around My Motherland（for accordion quintet，2021）
Biography
Xu Xiaonan, youth accordionist, associate professor and director of the keyboard teaching and research office of Piano Department, Central Conservatory of Music, was born in 1990, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province.
Educational Background
His musical studies began at the age of six in his native under the tutelage of Feng Jian and Meng Hui. In end 2003, he continued his learning and training with Prof. Cao Xiao-Qing. Xu made his way to a professional career in 2005, starting with the admission to the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School, as the first-place candidate of the initial enrollments of accordion performance major.
Xu completed his bachelor’s degree (2013), master’s degree (2016) and doctoral work (2021,Doctor of Philosophy) at Central Conservatory of Music under the instruction of Prof. Cao Xiao-Qing, and has been on the faculty after post-graduate since 2016. During the academic years, Xu was elected onto the Top-notch Innovative Personnel Cultivation Project (2011), also known as the Best of Best (BOB) Plan. Meanwhile, he furthered his studies with Prof. Hao Wei-Ya in composition, along with mentoring from Prof. Chen Chang-Feng, Prof. Jia Guo-Ping and Prof. Qin Wen-Chen.
Awards and Honors:
Xu has proved himself with acclaimed performances. As one of the most fruitful award winners, he has received first-prize honors from various international competitions including the Coupe Mondiale (CIA) International Accordion Competition (Spoleto, Italy, 2012), Trofeo Mondiale (CMA) International Accordion Championship (Pineto, Italy, 2011) and Klingenthal International Accordion Competition (Germany, 2012), “Citta di Castelfidardo” International Accordion Competition, (Castelfidardo, Italy, 2012). He was also the second prize in XX International Accordion Competition (Arrasate Hiria, Spain, 2013) and Bayan and Accordion International Competition (Moscow,2010).
Remarkably, as the winner of the 65th Coupe Mondiale (CIA) International Accordion Competition, Xu is the first Chinese champion in the 75-year history ever since the competition was launched in 1938. He also won the 61st Trofeo Mondiale (CMA) International Accordion Championship as the first Chinese champion in the highest-level group, since the event started in 1951. In 2015, Xu was awarded the China Golden Bell Award, which is currently the only national professional award in the Chinese music industry.
Music and judging experience
As an active soloist, recitalist and chamber musician, his recitals and concerto appearances as well as competition judge work home and abroad include La Jolla Summer Festival (USA, 2010), Moscow Accordion International Festival (Russia, 2012), Kragujevac International Festival of Accordion Artists (Serbia, 2012), International Festival Days of Music (Montenegro, 2012), Santa Cecilia International Accordion Festival (Italy, 2014) Folefest (Portugal, 2015), Yale-NUS College(Singapore, 2016), Trossingen International Accordion Opening Contest(Germany, 2017 & 2018), Chamber Music Festival, Beijing Modern Music Festival, Beijing Youth Arts Festival, “Harbin Summer” International Accordion Festival, Shen Zhen International Accordion Festival etc.
Music Popularization and Education
Being a music educator and cultural facilitator, Xu keeps practicing music popularization across the country. He is constantly working on teaching and coaching young talents, many of whom have grown to prize winners of prominent events. He is also an active participant in academic activities as curriculum designer, performer and keynote speaker. With close collaborations with other composers, he debuted in numerous accordion solos and original works of chamber music,such as Song of Life by Chu Wang-hua, Phoenix by Xu Chang-jun,Gazing after You by Li Bo-chan, My Motherland by Petri Makkonen, Zheng Zai and Sonata No.2 by Gorka Hermosa,Syntropia by Alfredo Luigi Cornacchia. His performances often can be heard on a great many movies and TV soundtracks. Xu has released four free bass accordion albums: Sunrise, the first debut in 2008, recorded by China Record Shenzhen Cooperation, Power(2014), Wheel of Time(2021),Duo Fantasia(2023)released by Beijing Global Audio & Video Publishing House.
Music Creation and Recording Achievements
Composer and arranger-wise, several of Xu’s works did well in both national and international composition contests such as “Golden Cup”, “Yan-Huang Cup”, “Fu-Tian Cup” and National New Accordion Works Collection. Some was selected as prescribed programs in national contests. In 2019, Phoenix by Prof. Xu Chang-Jun, which he co-arranged with Prof. Cao Xiao-Qing was published by Sikorski Press. His composition works, accordion solos The Melody of Spring and Guerrilla Variations, and the chamber music Autumn Leaves’ Story, have been included in Chinese Accordion’s New Works, which is part of the 12th five-year plan for national major audio-visual products.
International Remark
Xu Xiaonan has showcased immaculate virtuosity, outstanding artistic expression and exquisite but passionate performance style have earned industry recognition among professionals worldwide.
Yuri Vostrelov, the first Russian world cup winner of accordion commented on Xu in the 5th international Accordion Competition in Moscow, “I feel pretty good with him. He is such a genius and a strong contender in this contest.” Mr. Renzo Ruggieri, Chairman of the 61st Trofeo Mondiale (CMA) International Accordion Championship, spoke highly of Xu’s performance, “The Chinese player Xu Xiaonan’s perfect performance has written a new page of history for the 61st Championship, leading the competition into a new level. I sincerely cheer this Chinese accordionist’s brilliant performance.
