This album traces a personal musical journey across borders, generations, and sound worlds – an artistic exploration inspired by the expressive depth of the modern accordion in dialogue with various chamber orchestra formations. Featuring works by Ihor Shamo (1925-1982), Ole Schmidt (1928-2010), and Anders Koppel (b. 1947), the programme presents three distinct compositional voices united by a shared spirit of curiosity and innovation that allows tradition and experimentation to coexist.

At the heart of the album lies Ihor Shamo’s Concerto for Accordion and String Orchestra (1981), dedicated to Ukrainian accordionist Wladimir Besfamilnow. In this work, Shamo treats the accordion almost like an organ, particularly in the opening Preludio and Fuga, where sustained chorales and contrapuntal textures evoke cathedral-like sonorities. The opening music gives way to a lyrical Aria and a concluding whirlwind Toccata. This rarely heard Ukrainian masterpiece combines classical architectural clarity and folkloristic vitality, offering the listener a passage into the Nordic landscapes conjured up by the two Danish composers.