The early-winter season in Bangladesh heralds a time of festivity and cultural celebration. As part of this vibrant atmosphere, Dhaka’s music aficionados were treated to a rare delight on Monday evening, when internationally renowned Austrian accordionist Jakob Steinkellner took the stage at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
The concert, titled ‘Melody of Accordion’, commenced at 7:30 pm and drew an enraptured audience eager to experience the expressive range of the instrument in the hands of a master.
Organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Austrian Consulate in Dhaka, in association with BSA, the event opened with a warm welcome from the institution’s Director General, poet Rezauddin Ahmed Stalin, who lauded Steinkellner’s efforts in fostering cultural exchange through music.
With effortless command of his accordion, Steinkellner transported the audience across genres and emotions, from spirited, rhythm-filled sequences to deeply melodic interludes.
His setlist featured both original compositions and traditional folk favourites, each performed with the finesse and flair that have earned him international acclaim.
Between the solo performances, Steinkellner engaged warmly with the audience, speaking in English and occasionally in Bangla, using familiar phrases such as “Dhonnobad.”
He shared the stories and inspirations behind his compositions before once again weaving his musical magic.
“Music has no language,” Steinkellner reflected, a sentiment echoed by the audience, who responded with rhythmic applause to unfamiliar tunes and held a reverent silence during his moving tribute to his late grandfather.
“We should let our dear ones know how much we love them before they are gone,” he said softly before performing the emotional piece.
This visit marked a short but eventful tour for Steinkellner, who also performed several solo shows in Dhaka, including a special morning concert on November 8 at Bengal Shilpalay.
The event, held in collaboration with the Austrian Cultural Forum, featured a spontaneous musical dialogue between Steinkellner and young musicians from Bengal Parampara, celebrating the unity of sound and spirit.
After Monday’s performance, when The TIMES of Bangladesh asked how he felt about the experience, Steinkellner smiled and replied, “There’s this little phrase in English that says, ‘When words are missing, music speaks.’ That’s exactly how I felt tonight. I’d love to come back and collaborate with the talented local musicians here.”
Born in Linz, Austria, in 1995, Styrian accordionist Jakob Steinkellner began learning the instrument at the Upper Austrian State Music School and, at the age of 14, passed the entrance exam for the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz, where he continued his formal training. Alongside his studies, he developed a distinctive style by blending traditional and modern techniques.
Since 2018, Steinkellner has taught at music schools in Upper and Lower Austria, and until 2023, he lectured at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, where he also led the folk music programme.
His dual commitment to performance and teaching reflects a deep passion for nurturing the next generation of accordionists.
Between 2023 and 2025, Steinkellner has scheduled an impressive 200 concerts across 30 countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia, Greece, England, Montenegro, Romania, Tunisia, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Israel, Peru, the USA, Canada and now Bangladesh.
As the evening unfolded, the audience responded with thunderous applause, moved by the blend of European sophistication and universal emotion woven into every note.
Melody of Accordion not only celebrated Jakob Steinkellner’s artistry but also reaffirmed the timeless truth that music transcends borders and unites hearts across cultures.
