The accordion’s evolution within the classical music canon

: aesthetic innovation and philosophical perspectives

Abstract

The accordion's role in classical music expanded substantially during the twentieth century. Technical advancements enabled an instrument with folk origins to accommodate new levels of tonal and polyphonic structure, facilitating integration into classical repertoire. The accordion is now an established instrument in solo, chamber and orchestral genres, with a growing presence in contemporary composition and academic curricula.

This research portfolio aims to advance the accordion's place in classical music in the process of critically examining its evolving role. The portfolio comprises three connected projects, each contributing to improved understanding of the accordion’s capabilities and its integration into the broader classical repertoire. These projects collectively contribute to the scholarly resources available for composers, performers and educators.

Project 1 focuses on transcriptions of varied repertoire originally composed for other instruments. It exemplifies the process of adaptation, the idiom of the original works meticulously reinterpreted for the accordion. Through this careful emulation, the project promotes reimagining basic musical ideas in a new sonic framework.

Project 2 investigates approaches to the accordion by composers either of Scottish heritage or residing in Scotland. They embody varied compositional styles and techniques, notably in new works specifically commissioned for the classical accordion. These compositions provide critical insights into the pedagogy, performance practices and contemporary compositional techniques associated with the instrument.

Project 3 covers the development of a comprehensive manual for scales, arpeggios and broken chords specifically designed for the classical accordion, including a free-bass supplement for each scale. It addresses a major gap in the teaching literature, particularly given the increasing prominence of free-bass systems in contemporary accordion repertoire. In offering a cohesive, rigorously researched educational resource, this project fills a vital pedagogical need.

The commentary outlines the practical and theoretical concepts that underlie the accompanying portfolio and provide a framework for understanding its contents.

Date of Award	29 Jun 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Supervisor	Roy Howat (Supervisor) & Kathron Sturrock (Supervisor)