Accordionist Matthias Matzke has a deep passion for his instrument and his inspiration goes beyond the sound. \u201cYou can really push yourself to the limit and there is a connection between the muscle strength and the sound produced,\u201d he said. Matzke’s enthusiasm for the accordion began in his childhood. Now he is one of the Ambassadors of the Instrument of the Year 2026.<\/p>\n
"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. This initiative highlights instruments that typically play a niche role in orchestras or are considered solo instruments, such as the mandolin in 2023 and the tuba in 2024. 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.<\/p>\n
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 told DW. Accordionist Andreea Gheorghita is setting viewership records on TikTok by performing pop songs with Balkan rhythms and playing at techno festivals for her over 500,000 followers.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cFor Latin Americans, the accordion is an integral part of their lifestyle,\u201d explains Michael Mantay, marketing manager at Hohner. \u201cThere are talented musicians who attract millions of viewers and perform at festivals.\u201d<\/p>\n
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-W\u00fcrttemberg. \u201cIt\u2019s named after an Italian accordion maker and even has gold parts,\u201d Mantay said. Hohner manufactures instruments for the European and American markets at its production facilities in Castelfidardo, Italy. This city has been a center of accordion manufacturing since the 19th century and is often referred to as the \u201cCity of the Accordion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hohner not only makes musical instruments, but also founded the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen. According to the company, it is the only vocational school for accordion teachers in Germany. Matzke completed part of his training there. Hohner also takes part in the \u201cInstrument of the Year\u201d initiative and supports ambassadors like Matzke. Matzke has been dedicating himself to his passion for the accordion as a teacher for many years. \u201cSome people associate accordion music with French sidewalk cafes, others associate it with Astor Piazzolla\u2019s Argentine tango,\u201d he said. Matzke wants to help his students realize their own accordion dreams in the classroom. 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.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cWhat our society needs now, especially in these times, is a way for people to come together and communicate through music,\u201d Matzke said, adding that the portable accordion makes that possible. \u201cAuthentic live music is still in demand, but is not practiced enough.\u201d He hopes the Year of the Accordion will help change that. With its rich history, versatility, and ability to bring people together, the accordion is an instrument that will continue to inspire and delight audiences for years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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