About

The young accordionist and composer Nico Gutu is an internationally sought-after soloist, composer, and music educator. He discovered his passion for the accordion at the age of six through his grandfather. In addition to studying classical accordion in Weimar and Hannover, he refined his improvisational skills as a guest student in France and Italy. After successfully completing his studies, Nico Gutu, as the sole accordionist in Germany, began studying Jazz and Improvisation at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien in Hannover 2019.

 

Nico Gutu is a multiple award winner in national and international competitions (China, Switzerland, Russia, Portugal, Italy), including the German Accordion Music Prize and the DAAD Prize in 2018. He gained special attention and recognition as a soloist with the Orchestra della Calabria in Italy, at the "Klassik in der Altstadt Hannover" music festival, at the "Heidelberger Frühling" international music festival, and solo performances in the Berliner Philharmonie, among numerous other concerts in Europe and Asia.

 

Key influences in his artistic work came from collaborations with personalities such as the world-renowned clarinetist Sharon Kam, cellist Corinna Eikmeier, and the renowned pianist Daniel Garcia. Equally significant for his career was collaboration with Théâtre à Tempo from Canada and the Theater der Bundesstadt Bonn, as well as diverse performances alongside orchestral musicians (such as the NDR Radiophilharmonie and Kölner Philharmonie from Germany).

 

Bold and innovative, Nico Gutu seamlessly combines Baroque, Classical, Jazz, and free improvisation. He places his art in the service of innovation and improvisation, expanding the tonal nuances of his instrument through new playing techniques, aiming to establish the accordion in the realm of improvisation and jazz.

 

Teaching is not just a secondary pursuit for Nico Gutu; it is a calling. His students have already become prize winners in several competitions throughout Germany. He has also worked as a team leader and music/improvisation educator at various educational institutions across Germany. Nico Gutu has conducted his own masterclasses and workshops on an international level, particularly in the field of improvisation, and has been invited as a judge for several competitions in Germany and France.