The History of the International Accordion-Competition
The very first Music-Days took place in Klingenthal 1946.
In the year 1948 during these music-days the first “Contest for Accordion-Solo and Duos” was held.
The arguments of organizers: “The accordion should be an important part of calendar of culture events, because this instrument is the main product of industry in Klingenthal.” The first musicians took part, were names like Hans Boll, Helmut Reinbothe and Herbert Gerbeth. Many participants came from Klingenthal and the area around.
 
Das Akkordeon-Duo Nietzsche & Herold (links) und Herbert Gerbeth
Hans Jürgen Deutschmann
During the Fifties were fixed the main ideas, which making the International Accordion-Competition one of the most important and most demanding in the world also today:
- to Support playing of Accordion and Bandonion
- Developing a wide variety of accordion music by solo and ensembles
- Popularizing the ensemble performance of accordion and orchestra
- exchange experiences
- Introduction new accordion music compositions
Especially because of the last point in Klingenthal was founded a collection of original compositions for accordion.
1952 the participants had to play: compulsory piece and optional pieces - “as possible original compositions”.
The Music-Days became to a big event, which involved all people in town: the council of Klingenthal asked all shop-owners to decorate their windows with symbols of music and all house-owners to offer bed and breakfast.
1954 won Hans-Jürgen Deutschmann the competition for Solo-Accordion.
1956 met producers of VEB Klingenthaler Harmonikawerke and musicians for an exchange of experiences. One year later the accordion-type named “Supita” was given up. In this time it was the biggest and best accordion for soloists (with Cassoto), which was made in Klingenthal.
With this meeting 1956 was founded one of ideas more:
- exchange experiences between instrument manufacturers and musicians
1963 got the Accordion-Competition an international character: Two participants (Antolizey Zielinski and Lech Kolago) came from Poland and Roger Verschelde came from Belgium. Also the Jury became international in the years after.
 
Antolizey Zielinski (Bild links - mitte) Merja Ikkelä (Bild rechts)
 
Professor Dr. Lech Puchnowsky im Jahre 1966 (Bild links - rechts), die Jury 1970 (Bild rechts)
1968 the organizers decided to offer a list with demanding solo pieces. The target was, to make the competition also more demanding and only open for professional players. In this time also groups with accordion and other instruments were became a part of competition.
1970 took part musicians from 20 countries.
On the anniversary of "125 years of manufacturing accordions in Klingenthal" took place an exhibition in town hall.
 
Sonderschau 1971 (links), Estraden-Programm auf dem Klingenthaler Marktplatz
Preisträger 1990: Christine Rossi aus Monaco
1991 was founded the “Kuratorium of international instrumental competitions in Markneukirchen and Klingenthal”.
Frederic Baldo, 1. Preisträger der Katagorie "Virtuose Unterhaltungsmusik" im Jahr 2000
1991 was founded the “Kuratorium of international instrumental competitions in Markneukirchen and Klingenthal”. >> Circle of Friends
The category virtuosic light music took place the first time in 1993. In the same year the wife of president of Saxonia, Ingrid Biedenkopf became patron of the International Accordion-Competition.
30 years after the competition became international, the organizers counted 177 enrollments.
1999, die langjährigen Organisatoren Johannes Grimm und Manfred Gäbler beim Eintrag in das Goldene Buch der Stadt Klingenthal
The culture program around the competition is today also very demanding and contents a wide variety of accordion music. Parts are concerts, workshops and so on.
Sensation 2001 in Klingenthal: Richard Galliano mit seinem Jazz-Trio zu Gast
Die internationale Jury 2006
2001 presented the Harmona Akkordeon GmbH the “Supita II”. The “Goddess” was a sign for the international rivals: In Klingenthal were made instruments also for soloists.
2006 the category Bandoneon became a part of competition. The organizers recognized: this instrument is on vogue, Tango-music also. In Klingenthal the best Bandoneon players of the world are meeting also in next years, to play this rhythm of Argentina in high performance.
In this way the International Accordion-Competition of Klingenthal always is influencing the accordion music all over the world and gives many other competitions ideas.
The chairman of international jury Professor Jürgen Ganzer wrote 2004 about Klingenthal: “The competition is elite. It is trying to reach the highest level and not only looking for a common spirit.”
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