The shape-shifting sounds of the accordion | Maria Telesheva

The accordion functions as a versatile acoustic instrument capable of mimicking the range of a bassoon, piccolo, or full organ. Maria Telesheva, an 18-year-old virtuoso, demonstrates this range through performances of works by Bach and Schubert. Beyond the music, the instrument’s complexity—featuring 120 buttons, chin switches, and bellows acting as lungs—demands both physical stamina to manage its 35-pound weight and significant mental focus. Despite her technical mastery and early start under her father’s tutelage, Telesheva faces a unique academic hurdle: the scarcity of American university programs that recognize the accordion as a major. This reality highlights the ongoing challenge of institutionalizing niche instruments while underscoring the profound personal purpose and joy that dedicated musical practice provides to young performers.