Atsind – Eastern European Folklore

“Atsind”—the Yiddish word for “now”—is the guiding principle behind this duo, featuring violinist Nicolaas Cottenie and accordionist Ira Shiran.

Together, they interpret traditional music from Eastern Europe, exploring the musical and cultural interconnections between Jewish music, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Greece, and Turkey. With a keen historical awareness and a contemporary sensibility, Atsind invites reflection on the shared stories woven through diverse musical traditions, and on the power of sound to connect past and present, people and place.

Atsind is about the dialogue between violin and accordion. This instrumentation allows the duo to delve into the textures, modes, and narratives of traditional music, offering programs suited for concert halls, school performances, and private events alike.

With Atsind, Nicolaas Cottenie and Ira Shiran invite listeners on a journey through time and culture—rooted in history, played in the moment.

Nicolaas Cottenie (BE) is a violinist and composer trained in jazz and who has for many years been focusing on Eastern European folk music traditions. His musical journey has taken him across Europe, performing and researching the cultural roots of Eastern European repertoire. His interest in modal music and intercultural dialogue informs a distinctive playing style that bridges traditional forms with a contemporary, exploratory spirit.

Ira Shiran (IL) was born in Israel and has been living in Berlin for nearly ten years, where he works as a freelance musician. Shiran’s accordion playing focuses on Balkan music and the music of the Sinti and Roma. To master this demanding style, he traveled through the Balkan countries, attending lessons and workshops led by some of the best in the genre. In addition, he has performed both solo and as a member of orchestras with several Israeli symphony orchestras. He has also been active in theater, participating in productions at HaBima, the National Theatre of Israel, and Yiddishpiel, the Israeli National Yiddish Theatre. Shiran has composed pieces for accordion, songs, theater music, and has created orchestral arrangements.