Works by Pyotr Londonov, Artyom Nyzhnyk, Moritz Moszkowski, Sergei Rachmaninov, Alexei Voitenko, Alfred Schnittke

The accordion is still a relatively new instrument on the classical stage. After major changes were made to its mechanics in the 1960s, its own original repertoire started to grow rapidly, and this has strengthened the instrument's identity.

“During the concert you will hear some of the most popular original compositions written for accordion as well as transcriptions of classical works to which the accordion brings new life. One of the works, Nyzhnyk's Sansara, is getting its French premiere tonight,” says the Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova.

Ksenija was encouraged by her grandmother to take up the accordion at the age of eight. At the age of 16 she went to London to study with Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music where she was a prize-winning undergraduate and went on to receive a Masters with Distinction. She was also awarded the Philharmonia Orchestra Martin Musical Scholarship and the Philharmonia Orchestra Friends Award. She was the first accordion player to win the prestigious WCoM Prince’s Prize.

Past engagements include performances with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Riga, Kremerata Baltica, the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre and CBSO, recitals at the Royal Festival Hall and Purcell Room, Colston Hall, the Lucerne Festival and other concerts in the UK, Australia, Estonia, France, Norway, Switzerland, Italy and Latvia.

This concert is part of te "Latvian days in Strasbourg" organised by the Latvian representation to the Council of Europe. Entrance is free of charge.

Please confirm your attendance at the concert by email: contact@ape-europa.eu or telephone: +33 388251949 (in French or English).