PIAZZOLLA RELOADED – Concert Highlight in the Year of the Accordion

Berlin and the whole of Germany have chosen the accordion as the Instrument of the Year 2026! For all accordion lovers – and for those who want to become one – this is a reason to celebrate. And for the instrument itself, it is a great opportunity to gain more attention, recognition and new fans.

One of the most important pioneers who paved the way for the bandoneon and accordion to enter the world’s great concert halls is Astor Piazzolla. The major concert highlight of the accordion year in Berlin is dedicated to him: with PIAZZOLLA RELOADED, we celebrate his music and carry it into the future.

PIAZZOLLA RELOADED
Concert on 12 June 2026  |  6 p.m.
Berlin Philharmonic | Chamber Music Hall

TICKETS
This year, the ticket sale will be organised by the Berlin State Music Council. Please buy your tickets at Landesmusikrat Berlin Ticket Shop.

PROGRAMME
In the first half of the concert, winners of the Astor Piazzolla International Competition will present their interpretations of his music, including Romina Balestrino, who captivated the jury with her powerful vocals. Four new compositions, also awarded prizes in the competition, which are inspired by Piazzolla and build on his musical ideas, will receive their world premiere at our concert.

After the interval, two international stars of the accordion and bandoneon scene will take to the stage, accompanied by the​ chamber orchestra Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn under Miran Vaupotić:

Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (bandoneon) and Luca Lucini (guitar) are the soloists in Roberto di Marino’s ‘Double Concerto’. Ksenija Sidorova (accordion – photo © Kaupo Kikkas) will conclude the concert with Astor Piazzolla’s famous concerto ‘Aconcagua’.

The musical contributions are linked and complemented by readings by María Cecilia Barbetta. The author approaches Piazzolla’s music in a deeply personal way from her own perspective – as an Argentine, an immigrant, and a writer whose musicality is language.

The concert PIAZZOLLA RELOADED is part of the concert series ‘Global Sound Stories – Accordion meets Literature’ and creates a very special concert experience by combining literature and music. 

By the way – speaking of Piazzolla – some of you may remember that five years ago, our PANTONALE festival celebrated the composer’s 100th birthday with a concert entitled ‘Berlin Celebrates Piazzolla’ performed by Quinteto Respiro – winners of another Piazzolla competition – at the Auenkirche Berlin. The love of Piazzolla’s music brought the best musicians from seven European countries to Berlin, where they performed this unique concert together. You can find the recording here on YouTube.

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