Motion Trio

Janusz Wojtarowicz accordion
Marcin Galazyn accordion
Pawel Baranek accordion

Ask anyone for their thoughts on the accordion and the response is likely to be less than enthused. Old fashioned? Stuffy? Reserved exclusively for folk music and the theme tune to Last of the Summer Wine? Enter Motion Trio, a distinctly different breed of accordionist.

For years, this trio of Polish musicians busked on the pavements of Krakow, a humble beginning but one they called ’a great adventure’, honing their sound over several years whilst playing on the streets of cities all over Europe. They have since shot to fame on stages around the world, receiving two standing      ovations for their performance at Carnegie Hall in New York, and working with the likes of Bobby McFerrin and Michael Nyman.

Playing custom-built, extended range Piginis, (the Rolls Royce of accordions, according to founder/leader/principal composer Wojtarowicz) this genre bending group employ innovative writing and  unorthodox techniques to achieve an effect that is utterly unique. Drawing on Balkan folkdances, minimalist compositional approaches, movie soundtracks, rave, trance, house, tango, Celtic and jazz music, Motion Trio create throbbing, complexly layered beats. Using accentuated vibrato, the shaking and scraping of the bellows, percussion on the accordion, unique articulation of the notes and gliding from one pitch to another, they produce an incredibly varied range of sounds from just three instruments. 

Live, Motion Trio challenge expectations, bringing  real passion and diversity to the stage, able to switch from surprisingly danceable, rhythmic, joyful beats to moments of emotionally charged, atmospheric stillness.

The lads always keep in mind something they call the ‘Notion of Motion’ - to redefine the accordion and explore soundscapes far beyond what has been experienced and associated with this instrument to date. It shows - anyone who has seen them is unlikely to forget it, nor mix it up with anything they have heard before!

With their rock-style energy, Metallica-like look and gripping acoustic sound, Motion Trio are here to open minds - the accordion has never been so cool…
 

£16 (£15 concessions, £14.40 Friends, £8 students)

Have a listen... 

Have a look...