Roland Crowns 3rd V-Accordion Festival Winner

    
    Alexander Sevastian to Represent Canada at the International Finals in
    Italy
    

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 2 /CNW/ - Alexander Sevastian was crowned the next "V-Accordion Idol" at the Roland V-Accordion Festival National Finals, held on September 24th at the Hansa Haus in Mississauga. The competition showcased three semi-finalists who were chosen out of dozens of entries from accordion players across the country. As first place winner, Alexander Sevastian is now preparing for his performance at the International Finals on November 20th and 21st in Rome, Italy , where he will be representing Canada .

Sevastian is no stranger to the spotlight. A four-time world accordion champion, Alexander started playing the accordion at the age of seven. Born in Minsk , Belarus , Alexander's musical education took him to Moscow , where he obtained his Masters Degree in Performance. He has toured the world as both a solo performer and with several symphony orchestras; most recently touring Atlantic Canada with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Alexander is also a member of the internationally renowned quartet 'Quartetto Gelato'.

Alexander's performance at the National Finals began with a dramatic piece titled "Cosmo Romance", which was a personal composition directly inspired by the sounds featured on the Roland FR-7 V-Accordion. The piece showcased dissonant, droning chords and highlighted Alexander's dynamic playing abilities. His performance concluded with a set of three traditional European accordion pieces; Sentido Unico by Argentine Tango Composer Astor Piazzolla, Don Rhapsody by Viatcheslav Semionov and Neapolitan Dance by Russian Composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was apparent from the very first notes that emanated from Alexander's V-Accordion that the audience was in store for something incredibly special. Alexander's charisma, intensity and virtuosic technical skills generated a thunderous applause from the audience of over 250 people.

The 3rd Roland V-Accordion Festival invited accordion players from across Canada to submit a short video of an accordion performance to Roland Canada's Headquarters between May 6, 2009 and September 8, 2009 .

Sergiu Popa from Montreal placed second in the competition and Valery Borodin from Victoria took third spot - each winning a Roland FR-3S and FR-1 V-Accordion respectively.

About Roland Canada Ltd.

Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music accessories. The Roland brand family includes Roland, BOSS, EDIROL by Roland, Rodgers, RSS by Roland, and Cakewalk by Roland. Roland's impressive line of products includes, but is far from limited to, guitar effects pedals, electronic percussion, acclaimed digital pianos, synthesizers, digital mixers and music production software.

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For further information: Sally McKague, Roland Canada Ltd., [phone] (x102), www.roland.ca