Third Accordion Festival held in October

The Santa Maria Accordion Band, founded in 1992 and directed by Maestro Marthese Busutill Cassar L.B.C.A., is Malta's only Accordion Band. This Year she organised the 3rd Accordion Festival-Malta. The visiting guest band was the Swentibold Acco

By: independent.com.mt

Nov 01 2024
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Third Accordion Festival held

The Santa Maria Accordion Band, founded in 1992 and directed by Maestro Marthese Busutill Cassar L.B.C.A., is Malta's only Accordion Band. This Year she organised the 3^rd Accordion Festival-Malta. The visiting guest band was the Swentibold Accordion Orchestra from Holland directed by Maestro Henk Tiebosh, and consisting of 35 members. The first festival took place in 2017, and it was suggested by Mr. Philippe Agius and Maestro Marthese took up the idea and never looked back.

The Santa Maria Accordion Band has performed abroad and invited other bands to play in Malta. Significant milestones include hosting the Foreign Accordion Orchestra from Potsdam, Germany in 2015, and celebrating the 25^th Anniversary in 2017 with performances in Italy and Malta at the Teatro Comunale "Mario del Monaco" and San Anton Palace.

The Band invited the Akki-Harmonisti Orchestra from Germany in 2018 consisting of 15 members. That same year the Santa Maria Accordion band received registration as a Voluntary Organisation.

This year's festival took place in Santa Maria Band Club Mqabba on the 17^th October, on the 18^th they performed at The Imperial Hotel, Sliema where they were greeted by a great audience who participated during many popular musical pieces performed by both orchestras. A highlight was the Soprano Olga Agafonova whose voice during the performance of "Habanera" kept everyone mesmerised. She also sang "Xemx" in Maltese. The last performance took place at San Anton Palace on Saturday 19^th October and we were honoured by the presence of the Dutch Ambassador to Malta H.E.Djoeke Adimi-Koekkoek who was very instrumental in getting contacts with the Dutch Band.

During each performance which included pieces such as The Second Waltz by Shostakovich, William Tell by Giacomo Rossini, Barber of Seville, Yo so Maria by Astor Piazzolla, Abba Gold by Andersson played by separate bands the audience participated by clapping or singing. At the end of the festival the two bands played together. Laurena by Johan Nijs and La Morenita by Jiri Mathis were conducted by Mro. Henk Tiebosch whereas Danza Kuduro by Niels Tiebosch and Espana Cani by Pasqual Narro were conducted by Mro. MartheseBusuttil.

There were four solo performers from The Santa Maria Accordion band, three of whom were veterans but the one who stole the show was eight-year-old Jean Carl Busuttil playing Waltz from Poet and Peasant by Palmer - Hughes and The Village Tavern polka by Svec. He happens to be Mro. Busuttil's grandson who started his accordion lessons when he was four years old!

Maestro Marthese Busuttil instills the desire in many young or old to entertain themselves and others. They perform in churches, outdoor cultural activities, old people's homes and local councils and other private functions.

The next performance will take place at the Rabat Sacrum on the 3^rd November from 16.30 to 17.30. On the 7^th December their Christmas Concert in Balzan will take place at 20.00 weather permitting. Before the end of the year there will also be other activities.

The 3^rd Accordion Festival was sponsored by the Ministry fo Culture and and by VisitMalta.