Classical Accordion Duo
Two accordions, one orchestra: The most innovative classical duo redefining today’s concert halls.
Gemini Duo is the classical accordion duo of twin sisters Wanchen Zhao and Wanxu Zhao. Originally from Shenzhen, China, they have been based in Copenhagen since 2019. They trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Geir Draugsvoll, one of the most important and innovative figures in the accordion world, completing their Bachelor’s, Master’s and Advanced Postgraduate Soloist studies in chamber music.
Their work centres on the classical accordion as a modern concert instrument, with a particular interest in bringing orchestral repertoire into the sound world of two accordions: Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Holst’s The Planets, Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, alongside contemporary and newly commissioned music. The duo has won first prizes at five international competitions, all in the chamber music category. Signed to the French label Evidence Classics, they released their debut album Morning Echoes in 2026.
Gemini Duo is the twin-sister accordion duo of Wanchen Zhao and Wanxu Zhao. Originally from Shenzhen, China, they have been based in Copenhagen since 2019. They trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Geir Draugsvoll, regarded as one of the most important and innovative figures in the accordion world, completing their Bachelor’s, Master’s and Advanced Postgraduate Soloist studies in chamber music.
The duo has built an international profile through concerts, recordings and collaborations with contemporary composers. Their work centres on the classical accordion as a modern concert instrument, with a particular interest in bringing large-scale orchestral repertoire into the sound world of two accordions. Their repertoire includes their own approaches to works by composers such as Stravinsky, Holst, Grieg and Borodin, alongside contemporary and newly commissioned music. Performing from memory is central to their approach, allowing greater freedom on stage and a direct connection with the audience.
Gemini Duo has won first prizes at five international competitions, all in the chamber music category: the 47th PIF Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition (2022) and the 46th Pula International Accordion Competition (2023), both with the highest score, as well as the Berlin Art Rising Star Award (2021), the Manhattan International Music Competition (2023) and the Vienna International Music Competition (2024), each open to all instruments.
Signed to the French label Evidence Classics in 2025, Gemini Duo released their debut album Morning Echoes in 2026, bringing together orchestral transcriptions, contemporary repertoire and music connected to their Chinese background. Two tracks from the album were selected for Spotify’s official New Classical playlist.
Five international competitions, five first prizes – all in the chamber music category.
Gemini Duo’s artistic focus lies in the classical accordion and its orchestral potential. Through transcriptions of works by composers such as Stravinsky, Holst, Grieg and Borodin, they explore how two accordions can carry the scale, colour and dramatic energy of orchestral music.
Performing from memory is central to their approach. It allows greater freedom on stage, closer communication between the two players and a more direct connection with the audience.
Alongside their existing repertoire, Gemini Duo is continually expanding its orchestral transcriptions, bringing large-scale symphonic works into the distinctive sound world of two accordions. This ongoing exploration has become a defining part of their artistic identity and their approach to the accordion duo as an orchestral medium.
No works in this category yet.
In 2025, Gemini Duo signed with the French classical label Evidence Classics. Their debut album Morning Echoes, released in 2026, brings together orchestral transcriptions, contemporary repertoire and music connected to their Chinese roots. Two tracks from the album were selected for Spotify’s official New Classical playlist.
“The charismatic Gemini Duo … gave the orchestral version of Stravinsky’s Petrushka a run for its money in terms of symphonic size, variety and color.”
“Known for their seamless interplay, expressive depth and refined elegance, the duo left a lasting impression on the jury and the audience alike.”
“…they combine virtuosic precision with an extraordinary level of communication – something only twins can share…”
Gemini Duo is a classical accordion duo formed by twin sisters Wanchen Zhao and Wanxu Zhao. They are known for transcribing large-scale orchestral works, such as Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Holst’s The Planets, for two accordions, and for performing contemporary and newly commissioned music.
Gemini Duo has been based in Copenhagen, Denmark, since 2019. The sisters are originally from Shenzhen, China.
They studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen with Geir Draugsvoll, completing their Bachelor’s, Master’s and Advanced Postgraduate Soloist studies in chamber music.
Their repertoire includes their own transcriptions of Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Holst’s The Planets, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suites and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, contemporary works by composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina, and new music written for the duo.
Yes. Their debut album Morning Echoes was released in 2026 on the French label Evidence Classics. Two tracks were selected for Spotify’s official New Classical playlist.
Booking enquiries go to Jessie Hong at Sperity Classical: geminiduo@jessiehong.de.
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