The sheng originated about 3,000 years ago and, due to its construction, is considered the precursor to the accordion. Many legendary stories surround the Chinese mouth organ, which is one of the most important instruments in classical Chinese music. The harmonica and the jaw harp, which, like the sheng and the accordion, belong to the free-reed instrument family, also employ the principle of the striking reed and build a sonic bridge between East and West. This creates an exciting dialogue among the instruments: from the archaic sheng to the expressive harmonica and the fascinating jaw harp, all the way to the multifaceted accordion.
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Wu Wei
The concert program unfolds as a literary musical fairy tale based on Chinese legends, combining sound, narrative, and imagination. The concert is open to families and children.
It is curated by:
- Wu Wei, professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and a world-renowned virtuoso based in Berlin. With his openness to new ideas, he has secured a permanent place for the sheng in concert halls.
- Thomas Sutter, award-winning author, director, actor, and composer of well over 500 songs and numerous musical theater pieces for children, young people, and families.
- Sören Birke, multi-instrumentalist, harmonica and jaw harp player, who approaches music with great curiosity, openness, and a spirit of discovery. Exactly 30 years ago, Sören organized Berlin’s first Zungenschlag Festival and, even back then, brought the four instruments—sheng, jaw harp, harmonica, and accordion—together on stage.
- Vincenzo "Titti" Castrini is an Italian accordionist. His music is passionate, humorous, and melancholic—shaped by the reality he encounters on the streets, in nightclubs, theaters, or at festivals. His music is deeply human.
Admission: 11.00 EUR / reduced 9.00 EUR (incl. 1.00 EUR service fee)
Tickets can be purchased online via the website of the Landesmusikrat Berlin e.V.
- An event organized by the Landesmusikrat Berlin e.V. in cooperation with the Harmonika FEN Festival.
The concert is part of the concert series "Global Sound Stories – Accordion Meets Literature."
Additional information
Dates
May 2026
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