Introduction to the Accordion
Accordionist Matthias Matzke has a deep passion for his instrument, and his inspiration goes beyond the sound. “You can really push yourself to the limit, and there is a connection between the muscle strength and the sound produced,” he said. Matzke’s enthusiasm for the accordion began in his childhood, and now he is one of the Ambassadors of the Instrument of the Year 2026.
The Accordion’s Versatility
"The accordion stimulates the imagination. Sometimes it sounds like an orchestra with wind instruments, but you can also cover pop songs wonderfully," he told DW. Since 2008, Germany’s state music councils have chosen the instrument of the year, highlighting instruments that typically play a niche role in orchestras or are considered solo instruments. The focus is also on instruments that connect people across different musical genres. In 2025, the choice fell on the human voice, and in 2026, on the accordion, which plays a prominent role in many cultures, from Russia to Latin America and throughout Europe.
Break Away from the Outdated Image
Renowned artists demonstrate the accordion’s versatility through captivating live performances. Social media is full of clips of accordionists performing feats that you wouldn’t normally associate with the instrument. Camilo Rivera from Chile plays the accordion while inline skating. Martynas Levickis from Lithuania floats in the clouds and plays his instrument in a hot air balloon. "At some point, the connection to the audience was lost because the Wi-Fi was cut off. That was the highlight: the music disappeared into the sky," Levickis said.
The Right Accordion for Every Genre
Hohner, the renowned German accordion manufacturer, is working to give the instrument a fresh image. The company offers a range of accordions for different genres of music, from folk to heavy metal. This diversity is reflected in their product line, which includes modern, trendy colors for the mainstream audience, exclusive models for professional musicians, and special editions such as the Corona II Los Tigres, created specifically for the Hernandez brothers of the Mexican band Los Tigres del Norte.
Accordions Made in Germany
Hohner claims to be the market leader in accordion building, producing specialized instruments for all types of players. Entry-level instruments are manufactured in China, while the company’s flagship product, the Gola, is made in Trossingen, Baden-Württemberg. “It’s named after an Italian accordion maker and even has gold parts,” said Michael Mantay, marketing manager at Hohner. Hohner manufactures instruments for the European and American markets at its production facilities in Castelfidardo, Italy, a city that has been a center of accordion manufacturing since the 19th century and is often referred to as the “City of the Accordion.”
Learning to Communicate Through Music
Hohner not only makes musical instruments but also founded the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen, the only vocational school for accordion teachers in Germany. Matzke completed part of his training there. Hohner also takes part in the “Instrument of the Year” initiative and supports ambassadors like Matzke. Matzke has been dedicating himself to his passion for the accordion as a teacher for many years. “Some people associate accordion music with French sidewalk cafes, others associate it with Astor Piazzolla’s Argentine tango,” he said.
The Future of the Accordion
Matzke’s goal in class is to help his students realize their own accordion dreams. To reach a wider audience, he founded the digital learning platform Accordio and developed methods that make it easier for users to learn both through reading notation and by ear. The organizers of the Instrument of the Year initiative aim to introduce the accordion to a wider audience, particularly in schools and through social activities and special concerts. “What our society needs now, especially in these times, is a way for people to come together and communicate through music,” Matzke said, adding that the portable accordion makes that possible. “Authentic live music is still in demand, but is not practiced enough.” He hopes the Year of the Accordion will help change that.
