The accordionist preceded the Kazakh Nurlanov and the Serbian Dincic in the final hosted at the Astra theater to close a Festival with record numbers. The director Spaccarotella: “Exceptional edition, already at work for 2024”.
On the throne of the accordion sits Zhiyuan Zhang. It is the Chinese musician to win the Pif 2023, succeeding his compatriot Hang Ding who had inscribed his name in the Golden Roll of the event just last year, and confirming the great rise of the Dragon in the world of the bellows instrument. The quality jury, directed by the master Cesare Chiacchiaretta, preferred him to the Kazakh Olzhas Nurlanov, second, and the Serbian Petar Dincic, evaluating the respective interpretations of the Concerto Piccolo, accordion score and symphonic orchestra written specifically for the Pif.
A work destined to remain in the musical literature of the accordion, available to all musicians in the world. “This was my fourth participation here in Castelfidardo, I am happy and excited for this victory. What is music for me? It’s my life” Zhang’s first words after the victory. On stage, accompanying him, there was the Calabria Philharmonic Orchestra. The Chinese has been awarded a scholarship by the Association Music Marche Accordions (Amma) and, moreover, having also won the Special Prize Nügo will have the opportunity to produce, record and publish a record. “We have once again surpassed ourselves – the artistic director Antonio Spaccarotella is delighted – and I am extremely satisfied with what we have done together. A heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to the success of the Pif, the jury and the schools that have allowed us to get this contest to very important numbers”. Among the Italians stood out the Apulian Sirius Accordion Trio (Alberto Nardelli, Michele Bianco and Pietro Segundo) winners of the Chamber category, dedicated to groups. “Today we realized a dream – they said hot – winning was a great emotion. We believe in art and this gives us the strength to study many hours a day. We have many projects: the ultimate goal is to try to affirm this instrument in cultured music, we gave ourselves this task”. Among the organizers there is great satisfaction. “We have witnessed incredible evenings and a contest of the highest quality – said the mayor Roberto Ascani – a great success. Classical music, jazz and eventually even the accordion in a mix with electronic music with Piazza della Repubblica full of people dancing. The final balance is of great satisfaction and of future commitment to raise the bar already from the next edition”. And already the mind travels towards the next editions. “We are approaching the 50th edition of PIF – underlines the Councillor for Culture, Ruben Cittadini – and therefore it is our task to arrive at the golden anniversary of the accordion with an increasingly recognized and international event”.
