Wide Angle


Accordion Revolution


Produced by:
Abbie Stillie and Katey Gries

Descended from an ancient Chinese reed instrument, the bellows-driven accordion wheezed its first notes in 1820s Germany and Austria. For more than a century, the instrument skulked in the much-maligned territory of oom-pah bands, church music, and the polka party circuit. But a new generation of musicians is picking up on the accordion’s distinctive sounds, push-button chords, and portability. Get ready for an accordion revolution...