Daily Reports: Friday 15 May | Saturday 16 May

Download 40 page color program

From May 14th to 17th, 2026, the Hotel Estrel Berlin became the center of the nationwide accordion scene. For the first time, the German National Youth Accordion Festival of the German Harmonica Association and the Berlin Accordion Festival joined forces there for a major event.

Schedule:

Saturday May 16:
10:00 – 18:00 hrs Concert slots for participating orchestras/ensembles (45 mins each)
10:00 – 18:00 hrs Workshops with Axel Meier (drums, percussion – 90 mins each)
20:00 hrs Festival Highlight Concert: ArtAccA – Project-Orchestra and Accordion ROCKester Berlin

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10:00 TaBa Con Fuoco, Program Page 34

Our name says it all! “con fuoco” means “with fire,” and that fits perfectly, even though we’re all laid-back northerners. At many events, we’ve already proven at a young age that playing accordion from the north isn’t just about sea shanties! Quite the contrary, to this day, only Santiano has made it onto our setlist as “sea shanty music.”

Click each picture to see large size:

For 20 years now, we’ve been an orchestra and have had the privilege of participating in two German Orchestra Competitions and inspiring many people with our diverse repertoire.

But TaBa isn’t just an orchestra; it’s home.

Music:
– Rhapsodia Andalusia, Adolf Götz
– Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond (Arr. Hans-Günther Kölz)
– Viva la Vida, G. Berryman, J Buckland, W. C (Arr. Rudi Braun)
– Whiskey in the Jar & Drunken Sailor, trad. (Arr. Rudi Braun)
– The Show Must Go On, F. Mercury, B. May, R. Taylor (Arr. Kai Armbruster)
– Transylvania, 1. Satz: Vranje, Helmut Quakernack
– Adiemus, Karl Jenkins (Arr. Gerd Huber)
– Castle of Glass, C. Bennington, R. Bourdon (Arr. Ralf Schwarzien)
– Eternal Flame, B. Steinberg, T. Kerry, S. Hoffs (Arr. Alexander Balz)
– Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen, M. Heubach, K. Demmler (Arr. Stefan Bauer)
– Tetris, trad. (Arr. Rudi Braun)

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11:00 Accordanza, Program Page 20

The accordion ensemble “accordanza” consists of five players: Ronja Löbnitz, Marina Gersonde, Gabriele Bosch, Detlef Quaas, and currently Lena Schobert and Bernd Löbnitz.

Together they attend numerous training courses, play in the state and national accordion orchestras, and undertake concert tours.

Their repertoire encompasses a wide range of diverse music, from Baroque arrangements for church concerts and original accordion music to Tango Nuevo, Ragtime arrangements, and lively Italian Tarantellas.

In its 30 years of existence, the ensemble has won numerous prizes at renowned national and international competitions, including second prize at the International World Music Festival in Innsbruck in 2013.

Music:
– Quetschkommoden-Overture, Paweł Baranek
– Andante Festivo, Jean Sibelius
– Duetto buffo di due gatti, Gioachino Rossini
– Tango für Elise, Udo Menkenhagen
– Gegen Elise, Stefan Hippe
– Leichtes Blut, Johann Strauß
– Cantina Band, John Williams (Arr. Arne Lorenz)
– Maracaibo, Mario Castellacci (Arr. Rupert Fischer)
– Tarantella arrabiata, Hans-Günther Kölz
– Pageant, Janusz Wojtarowicz

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DHV Information Area

The DHV had a office / display area of information for accordionists to view and talk with DHV officers.

Picture above: Standing by the nearby large DHV sign were Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) Ambassador Kevin Friedrich (USA) and reporting the event were Alison Worthington (London Accordion Orchestra, UK) and Harley Jones (CIA Public Relations, New Zealand).

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12:00 Akkordeonorchester Unterpfaffenhofen, Program Page 26

The Unterpfaffenhofen Accordion Orchestra experienced two major changes last year: the reunification with the Funtasten, who had emerged from the second orchestra, and the change of conductors from Marko Sevarlic to Leoš Frahnke.

We are therefore very much looking forward to our first major performance under Leoš’s direction and the atmosphere in Berlin during the Year of the Accordion.

Our program spans from the Baroque era to the modern day, from Argentina to Spain to Germany.

Music:
– Concert for Two Violins in A minor, Vivaldi/Bach
– Three Spanish dances, Enrique Granados
– Triptico Vasco: Aldapeko, Tomás Aragüés
– Pictures from an exhibition: Das Alte Schloss, Modest Mussorgsky
– Slavic Dance No. 8, Antonín Dvorák
– Milonga del Ángel, Astor Piazzolla
– Bohemian Dream, Norbert Gälle

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13:00 Akkordeonorchester Euphonia, Program Page 24

For more than 40 years, the Berlin Accordion Orchestra Euphonia has been an ambassador for the expressive power of the accordion. Under the direction of Philipp Höning, this festival program offers a concentrated preview of the October concert, themed “per aspera ad astra” (through hardship to the stars).

It leads from destruction and lament through incantation and peace to new beginnings and light. With sonic power and narrative intent, Euphonia unfolds a dramatic movement: from turmoil grows composure, from threat hope, from darkness radiance.

On October 16, this journey culminates in Mozart’s Mass in C minor – and in a concert at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church that makes the path through the night into the light audible.

Music:
– Die zertrümmerte Kathedrale, Václav Trojan (Arr. Stanislav Stepán)
– Valse Triste, Jean Sibelius (Arr. Philipp Höning)
– Épisodes sur une image, Hans-Günther Kölz
– Peace, Ian Watson
– An der schönen blauen Donau, Johann Strauss (Arr. Walter Maurer)
– Tanguera, Mariano Mores

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Music and Accordion Display Area

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14:00 Akkordeon-Orchester Heilbronn Neckargartach, Program Page 25

The Heilbronn Neckargartach Accordion Orchestra presents a diverse musical program in a joint performance by the youth and adult orchestras, ranging from original compositions to their own arrangements of pop songs.

We will play pieces where the experienced players can support the younger members, and the young musicians can bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to the orchestra.

This creates a musical community that demonstrates how music connects people – regardless of age or experience.

Music:
– 2012, Ian Watson
– Sofia, Alvaro Soler (Arr. Rudi Sanwald)
– Party Shaker, Yanou, Manian & Nicco (Arr. Rudi Sanwald)
– Ma Chérie, DJ Antoine (Arr. Rudi Sanwald)
– Major Tom, Peter Schilling (Arr. Rudi Sanwald)
– Die fabelhafte Welt der Amélie, Yann Tiersen (Arr. Rudi Sanwald)
– Africa, David Paich, J. Porcaro (Arr. Ralf Schwarzien)
– Daft Punk
– Michael Jackson Special, Michael Jackson (Arr. Matthias Hennecke)

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15:00 Akkordia 1935 Berlin, Program Page 28

Founded in Berlin in 1935, our repertoire ranges from
classical and original compositions to tango, swing, pop, and film music.

With pieces like “James Bond” and those of the
Comedian Harmonists, we demonstrate that the accordion can do
much more than just folk music.

Music:
– 2026, Ian Watson
– Seven Songs of Joy, Wolfgang Ruß
– Comedian Harmonists in concert, Hans-Günther Kölz
– Serpent, Herbert Pixner (Arr. Susanne Stampfer)

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16:00 Akkordeon-Orchester Berlin, Program Page 23

Spring in your ears, rhythm in your heart:

Look forward to a delightful spring concert with the Berlin Accordion Orchestra under its new conductor, Janin Janke.

“Pastoral & Springtime Feelings” promises musical images full of light, lightness, and passion.

On the program: the colorful “L’Arlésienne Suite II” by
Georges Bizet, excerpts from the 6th Symphony “Pastoral” by Ludwig van Beethoven, an epic suite from “The Lord of the Rings,” and the spirited “Revirado” by Astor Piazzolla – sometimes gentle and connected to nature, sometimes rhythmically vibrant.

Charming, lively, and full of springtime magic – we look forward to seeing you!

Music:
– Auszüge aus 6. Symphonie „Pastorale“, Ludwig van Beethoven (Arr. Janin Janke)
– L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2, G. Bizet (Arr. Curt Herold)
– Herr der Ringe Medley, H. Shore (Arr. John Witney)
– Revirado, A. Piazzola (Arr. Hans-Günter Kölz)

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17:00 Berlin Accordion Collective, Program Page 30
World Premiere with Singers

The Berlin Accordion Collective (BAC) is always open to extraordinary concert formats: from interdisciplinary concerts, for example on the themes of “Landscapes” or “Exile,” to full-length excursions into specific genres or cultures, such as the concert evening “Tales of Ireland.”

At the Berlin Accordion Festival 2026, you can expect an exciting world premiere: The first act of the music theater piece “Auf und Davon” (Up and Away), composed by Janin Janke, will be performed for the first time with several singers. The piece is about Aron, who is tired of village life and – against the warnings of his sweetheart – sets off for a much-celebrated city. Life there is almost too good to be true.

Music:
– Vor der Morgendämmerung (Before Dawn)
Janin Janke
– Alles ist neu (Everything Is New), Janin Janke
– Siehst du nicht (Don’t You See?) , Janin Janke
– Wiegenlied (Lullaby), Janin Janke
– Mutterherzensschwäche (Mother’s Heartbreak), Janin Janke
– Doch sie wartet (But She Waits), Janin Janke
– Auf und Davon (Up and Away), Janin Janke

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Evening Concert

ArtAccA

The ArtAccA Orchestra unites around 35 musicians from all over Germany. Founded in 2005 on the initiative of conductor Tobias Dalhof, the ensemble has since pursued the goal of exploring new sonic worlds with the accordion and making the extraordinary versatility of this instrument audible in numerous projects.

For 21 years, ArtAccA has stood for musical curiosity and stylistic openness.

The repertoire ranges from original works for accordion orchestra to arrangements of classical literature, film music, and contemporary compositions. Programs are constantly being created that shed new light on familiar works and make the unknown accessible.

At the Berlin Accordion Festival, the ArtAccA Orchestra will present works from the programs “ArtAccA Glück Auf! Music about Underground” and “ArtAccA Rhythm! When Music and Body Become One…”
www.artacca.de/verein/

LandesAkkordeonROCKester Berlin (LARB)

The LandesAkkordeonROCKester Berlin (LARB) catapults the instrument to where it’s really going: right into the heart of rock and YOU directly onto the dance floor!

Founded in 2025, this project orchestra unleashes a sonic onslaught of rich bass lines, catchy hooks, and unbridled enthusiasm.

Under the direction of Tobias Dalhof, there’s no flirting here – it’s full-on assault!
Every song can be belted out with confidence, whether it’s AC/DC, Die Ärzte, or Linkin Park. Meanwhile, the backline will be giving you a constant gut-punch. LARB will close out the Accordion Festival Berlin 2026 with full throttle. After that, it’s all about cleaning up.
www.dhvberlin.de/larb

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The Organizing Team of Akkordeon Festival Berlin 2026 can be very happy. This was a fun event greatly enjoyed by the audiences, highlighting the huge repertoire available to accordionists and accordion orchestras, who we heard performing an amazing array of different genre. If you have the opportunity to attend the next Akkordeon Festival Berlin, make sure to be there!

Veranstalter: (Organiser)
– Landesmusikrat Berlin e. V. (Berlin State Music Council)
– Kooperationspartner: (Cooperation partners)
– Deutscher Harmonika Verband e. V.
– Deutscher Harmonika Verband Landesverband Berlin e. V. (Berlin State Chapter)
– Hohner Konservatorium Trossingen GmbH
– Deutscher Akkordeonlehrerverband e. V. (German Accordion Teachers Association)
Förderer: (Sponsor)
– Berlin – Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt (Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion)
– Lotto Stiftung Berlin (Lotto Foundation Berlin)
Orgnizational Team:
– Rita Sosedow – Project Lead – Berlin Music Council
– Johnny Eric Mundelius – President DHV Berlin
– Björn Kasan – Vice President DHV Berlin
– Phillip Höning – Lead Accordion Youth DHV 

Daily Reports: Friday 15 May | Saturday 16 May