The amazingly talented Martynas Levickis, the man who is single-handedly reinventing the accordion” The Independent
“The brilliant young Lithuanian accordionist is making the music world sit up and reevaluate his instrument as one capable of great expression and emotion” Classic FM
“Come and hear the past, reinvented” Manchester Camerata
Praised by The Times for his “mastery of an instrument once dismissed as a squeezebox”, accordionist Martynas Levickis has captivated audiences and critics alike with his musicality, charisma and dynamic performances. As one of the world’s leading exponents of the accordion, his virtuosity and versatility in the classical and contemporary repertoire has transformed the way we hear the instrument. Encouraged by his family, at the age of just three Martynas began to teach himself the traditional folk music of his home country, Lithuania. At eight years old he began to learn formally at the S. Sondeckis School of the Arts in his hometown of Šiauliai, before going on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, followed by postgraduate studies at Musikene in Spain. He is the recipient of over 30 international awards, including winner of the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships. The first accordionist to be signed to Universal Music Decca Classics label, his eponymous debut album went straight to the top of the UK Official Classical Album Chart.
Martynas has performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall, Waldbühne Berlin, Konzerthaus Berlin, the Seoul Arts Center and St Petersburg Grand Philharmonic Hall among many others. He has appeared with various orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Lithuanian National Symphony, Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras. In 2015, Martynas founded the Mikroorkéstra chamber orchestra and has created a number of touring projects with the orchestra, directing from the accordion or as conductor. These have included appearances in Germany, Italy, Republic of Korea and China.
He is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of his distinguished contribution to music in his field. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Lithuanian World Arts Council.
