Congratulations to pupil Sofia who won first prize in Senior Category (18 to 25 years of age) at the Arrasate Accordion Competition 2019. The competition, organised by Confederación Guipuzcoana de Acordeón has been running since 1975 and attracts soloists from around the world. It was judged by an international panel including Mie Miki (Japan), Matti Rantanen, (Finland), Stefan Hussong (Germany).
Sofia had a busy few days in the run up to the final. “On the 6th December I took part in the first round which was held in the Amaia Theatre in Mondragon, I played Tears by Lorentzen. The next day I performed in a concert in the ‘kulturate’ hall as part of last year’s prize and I played Córdoba by Albeniz, mvt. 2 of Kusyakov’s 2nd sonata and Paraphrase by Ivanov. Then the next day I played in the second round of the competition, with four other finalists and I performed Bach Prelude and Fugue in D minor, Scarlatti Sonata k.25, Kusyakov’s Sonata n.2 and Scherzo-Tocatta by Londonov.”
Speaking about her experience Sofia said “The competition was an amazing experience. It is great to meet other accordionists from all around the world that share the same passion as you for this incredible instrument. It’s also so very nice to meet and speak to the adjudicators as they always have something interesting to say about your playing.”
Following the competition Sofia went on to take part in the inaugural Accordion Meeting Point, a five day course which involved young accordionists from different places in the world and masterclasses from internationally renowned musicians. The course included sessions from the well-known accordionist Stefan Hussong (Germany), Paco Moya and Gloria Medina from IBS Label who spoke about recording and editing and agent Paloma Marti.
Sofia, who lives in Santander on the north coast of Spain started playing accordion at the age of six, studying at the “Jesus de Monasterio” conservatoire in Spain with teacher Gorka Hermosa. She comes from a musical family where both her parents are musicians, and her grandfather also plays accordion.
“What I love about the accordion is that it is so expressive, it feels like having a whole orchestra inbetween your hands which enables you to play so many different kinds of music.”
Sofia joined St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh as a boarding pupil at the age of 13. “When I was 12 I went to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s summer course and that’s where I met Djordje Gajic and he told me about St Mary’s Music School. I thought it would be a great opportunity to study there as in Spain it is impossible to find such an amazing school. St. Mary’s has such a nice musical atmosphere, it’s full of amazing teachers and musicians and studying there has made me realize how big my passion for music is.”
Sofia has studied with Djordje Gajic while at St Mary’s Music School and she will continue to study with him at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she starts her degree later this year.