Théo Ould, Accordion

Forget everything you know about the accordion—Théo Ould is here to blow your mind. Recognized by Le Monde for his “personality that expresses itself naturally in fantasy, in the fresh and enchanting sense of the term,” this astounding French accordionist makes his Princeton University Concerts debut with a bold, tango-inspired program that proves his instrument’s rightful place in the classical world. At just 24, Ould became the first accordionist nominated as a Newly Discovered Talent at the Victoires de la Musique Classique awards, and he is redefining what the accordion can do—blending Baroque elegance, Romantic passion, and cutting-edge contemporary works (some featuring electronics) written just for him, including by Princeton University graduate student composers. With an instrument he calls “halfway between a typewriter and an extraterrestrial device,” Ould delivers a performance that’s anything but ordinary — don’t miss it.

Presented in collaboration with Princeton Sound Kitchen