Martynas Levickis likes to call his instrument a “magical box of tricks” – and indeed, when the Lithuanian accordionist steps onto the stage, he conjures mesmerising soundscapes with dazzling virtuosity, refined musicality, and boundless imagination. Hailed by The Independent as “the amazingly talented Martynas Levickis, the man who is single-handedly reinventing the accordion”, he stands as one of the most exciting and transformative forces in classical music today.

Levickis’s musical journey began not in a concert hall, but deep in the Lithuanian woods. At just three years old, he began imitating birdsong and the rustling of leaves on a toy accordion – a gift born of necessity, when his family couldn’t afford a piano. What seemed like a compromise soon became the foundation of an extraordinary career. He enrolled at the S. Sondeckis School of the Arts in Šiauliai at the age of eight and later studied with Prof. Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music in London, as well as with Prof. Iñaki Alberdi at Musikene in San Sebastián.

His breakthrough came in 2010, when he captured the public’s imagination by winning Lithuania’s Got Talent. Soon after, he became the first accordionist ever signed to Decca Classics; his debut album Martynas soared to No. 1 on the UK Classical Chart. Since then, he has received over 30 international awards, including the prestigious Coupe Mondiale and, in 2023, an OPUS KLASSIK as “Instrumentalist of the Year”.

For Levickis, the accordion is not a relic of nostalgia but a dynamic vehicle for emotional nuance, stylistic breadth, and sonic innovation. Whether interpreting Bach or Philip Glass, baroque transcriptions or his own compositions rooted in Lithuanian folk traditions, he brings a fresh, vibrant perspective to every piece. His 2023 solo album Autograph (accentus music) – featuring works by Glass, Bach, Franck Angelis, and Levickis himself – showcases the full range of his artistry, from introspective minimalism to expressive, folkloric colors.

A global performer in high demand, Levickis is equally at home in solo recitals and large-scale productions, he moves effortless between styles and centuries. He appears at leading venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts and is a frequent guest at major festivals such as Rheingau Musik Festival where he is “Fokus Künstler 2025” and Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern where he was “Preisträger in Residence” in 2023.

He brings intense musical curiosity and emotional depth to collaborations with conductors such as Andris Nelsons, Joana Mallwitz, Omer Meir Wellber or Andrés Orozco-Estrada, organist Iveta Apkalna, baritone Benjamin Appl and orchestras such as Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen or Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

In autumn 2024, ARTE TV aired a dedicated documentary “Martynas Levickis and the accordion”, offering an intimate portrait of his life and work.

But Martynas Levickis is more than a performer – he is a visionary and cultural catalyst. He founded the Composers Academy for accordion music in Lithuania, leads Accordion Music Week, and is the creative force behind Mikroorkéstra– a genre-defying ensemble that fills Baltic concert halls with immersive, cross-genre productions. A committed mentor to young musicians, he was recently appointed Visiting Professor at the Royal Academy of Music – a testament to his impact on the future of his instrument.

At every step, Martynas Levickis challenges expectations, expands the accordion’s expressive vocabulary, and connects with audiences across genres and generations. As both guardian of tradition and trailblazer of the future, he proves – again and again – that his “magical box of tricks” holds virtually limitless possibilities.

Season 2025/2026