Accordion sensation Ksenija Sidorova in a showcase demonstrating the full range and emotional power of her instrument. 'As an accordionist you sort of have to carve your own path, so I consider it my mission in this way to introduce the instrument to a wider audience', she says.

The CD contains old and new repertoire, transcriptions and original works.

Fairy Tales concerto by Vaclav Trojan, recorded with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, is written in an enchanting and approachable style with beautiful, heartfelt melodies.

Arrangements and transcriptions of virtuosic showpieces include Moszowski’s Caprice Espagnol, the scherzo from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (a transcription that has its roots in Rachmaninov’s arrangement) and Grieg’s Holberg Suite.

Contemporary composition Who’s the Puppet? was written for Ksenija by Russian composer Artem Vassiliev. Petr Londonov’s Scherzo-­Toccata is a popular piece with accordionists but little-­known to wider concert audiences.

All are performed on Ksenija’s Pigini accordion which she considers to be the Rolls Royce of instruments.

Ksenija was recently awarded the Latvian Grand Music Award 2012 ‘Outstanding Performance’ prize. She combines a busy concert schedule, including performances with guitar star Milos Karadaglic, with outreach and education work.