Duo Diagonal is an innovative duo with a very special instrumental cast: harpsichord and accordion. Two instruments that historically and acoustically are almost at “cross currents” and yet have so much in common.

Historically because the harpsichord with its baroque roots can be difficult to place in the contemporary instrumentarium – while the accordion as a “young” instrument is still looking for its future position.
Tonally because the harpsichord is a string instrument, where dynamics is created through arpeggio and ornamentation – while the accordion is a dynamic wind instrument that freely controls the course and nuance of its tone. At the same time both instruments are polyphonic with several manuals and register options.

Heard together “diagonally”, these two instruments will surprise the listener with a colossal tonal depth, intensity and wealth of nuances.

The repertoire is as colourful as the instrumentation. Both musicians are equally at home in music from baroque to contemporary music – and in music from around most of the world. The two instruments will at a concert be experienced each in their customary element – and in wholly untraditional ways.

The musical work of the duo includes lessons with professors of early music Lars-Ulrik Mortensen and Sirkka-Liisa Kakkinen-Pilch – as well as work with composers who, inspired by the unique acoustic dimensions, work on music dedicated to Duo Diagonal.

In the spring 2008 Duo Diagonal's first CD "Incontri" (english: "encounters") was released at ARS Produktion, Germany, with music from baroque to contemporary barok by A.L. Couperin, F. Couperin, Mattheson, Bashmakov, T. Ørvad and Vladigerov. The CD has been well received by the press - and is the first CD ever with music for harpsichord and classical accordion!

Read more and listen to samples at www.DuoDiagonal.dk