Beautiful relatives: sheng, harmonica, jaw harp and accordion

We are happy that the Landesmusikrat Berlin is coming to the HARMONICA FEN FESTIVAL with a family concert as part of the Year of the Accordion. The musical fairy tale is open to families and kids.

Many legendary stories surround the Chinese mouth organ, which originated around 3,000 years ago. It is one of the most important instruments in classical Chinese music and is considered the precursor to the accordion and harmonica. Like the sheng, the accordion and the harmonica, the jaw harp is a free-reed instrument that produces sound according to the principle of the so-called striking reed. They build a musical bridge between East and West. This creates an exciting dialogue between the instruments: from the archaic sheng to the expressive harmonica and the fascinating jaw harp to the multifaceted accordion.

The concert programme unfolds as a literary musical fairy tale based on Chinese legends, combining sound, narrative and imagination. The concert is open to families and children.

The sheng is played by Wu Wei, professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and internationally acclaimed virtuoso based in Berlin. With his openness to new ideas, he has secured a permanent place for the sheng in concert halls. It was written by Thomas Sutter, award-winning author, director, actor and composer of well over 500 songs and numerous musical theatre pieces for children, young people and families. Sören Birke plays the harmonica and the Jew’s harp in the play. The multi-instrumentalist approaches music with great curiosity, openness and a thirst for discovery, and already brought the four instruments together on stage 30 years ago at Berlin’s first Zungenschlagfestival. Finally, the accordion is played by Vincenzo ‘Titti’ Castrini. The Italian plays sometimes passionately, sometimes humorously or melancholically – always influenced by the reality he encounters on the streets, in nightclubs, theatres or at festivals. His music is deeply human.

Organised by the Landesmusikrat Berlin e.V. as part of the concert series ‘Global Sound Stories – Accordion meets Literature’ for project of the Instrument of the Year 2026. Sponsored by: Senatverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt Berlin