I’ve never played a bayan (Russian chromatic accordion), but I’m consistently blown away by the bayan virtuosos I’ve seen and heard. A Metafilter post on Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka led me to this excellent clip of Finnish accordionist (and 1989 Coupe Mondiale winner) Mika Väyrynen performing a selection from the ballet. It really shows how, in the right hands, one accordion can sound like an entire orchestra.
