Use in various music genres

Main article: Accordion music genres

The accordion has traditionally been used to perform folk or ethnic music, popular music, and transcriptions from the operatic and light-classical music repertoire.^[12]Today the instrument is sometimes heard in contemporary pop styles, such as rock, pop-rock, etc.,^[13]and occasionally even in serious classical music concerts, as well as advertisements.

Use in traditional music

Main article: Accordion in traditional music

Invented in 1829, its popularity spread rapidly: it has mostly been associated with the common people, and was spread by Europeans who emigrated around the world. The accordion in both button and piano forms became a favorite of folk musicians^[14]and has been integrated intotraditional musicstyles all over the world: see thelist of traditional music styles that incorporate the accordion.

This is a button key accordion made by the company Marrazza in Italy. It was brought by Italian immigrants to Australia as a reminder of their homeland.

Use in popular music

Main article: Use in popular music

See also: list of popular music acts that incorporate the accordion

	New York Blues A 1916 recording of "New York Blues" composed and performed by Pietro Frosini, one of the first major stars of the accordion.
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The accordion appeared in popular musicfrom the 1900s-1960s. This half century is often called the "Golden Age of the Accordion." Three players:Pietro Frosini, and the two brothers CountGuido DeiroandPietro Deirowere major influences at this time.

Most Vaudevilletheaters closed during theGreat Depression, but accordionists during 1930s-1950s taught and performed forradio. During the 1950s through the 1980s the accordion received great exposure on television with performances byMyron Florenonthe Lawrence Welk Show.^[15]In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the accordion declined in popularity.

A folk accordionist 2009

In popular music, it is now generally considered exotic or old-fashioned to include the accordion, especially in music for advertisements. Some popular acts do use the instrument in their distinctive sounds.

Use in classical music

Main article: Accordion in classical music

Although best known as a folk instrument, it has grown in popularity among classical composers. The earliest surviving concert piece is Thême varié très brillant pour accordéon methode Reisner, written in 1836 by Miss Louise Reisner ofParis. Other composers, including the RussianPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the ItalianUmberto Giordano, and the AmericanCharles Ives(1915), wrote works for the diatonic button accordion.

The first composer to write specifically for the chromaticaccordion wasPaul Hindemith.^[16]In 1922, the AustrianAlban Bergincluded an accordion inWozzeck, Op. 7. Other notable composers have written for the accordion during the first half of the 20th century^[17]American composerWilliam P. Perryfeatured the accordion in his orchestral suiteSix Title Themes in Search of a Movie(2008). The experimental composerHoward Skemptonbegan his musical career as an accordionist, and has written numerous solo works for it. Russian Bayan virtuoso Stas Venglevski has premiered contemporary works byYehuda Yannay,Charles-Alexandre Julliard,Anthony Galla-RiniandWilliam Susman.^[18]