Hartwin Trio’s Cinematic European Folk Shines at Tradfest 2025

The Hartwin Trio, led by acclaimed Belgian accordionist Hartwin Dhoore, offer a distinctive European folk sound shaped by cross-border influences. Rooted in Flemish tradition but drawing inspiration from Hartwin’s years living and touring in the Baltic region, the trio’s music is marked by a lyrical, cinematic quality.

This iteration of the Hartwin Trio (not the same line-up as responsible for Hartwin’s 2021 album Valge Valgus) comprises cellist Flavia Escartin and fiddler Pavel Souvandjiev. Whilst Escartin and Souvandjiev do not feature on Dhoore’s latest release, Unfolding, extensive touring throughout Europe finds the band in tight, playful form.

Fresh Tracks and Standout Performances in Edinburgh

So, fortunately, this Hartwin Trio has an album release to look forward to — and on the evidence of the instantly memorable tracks plucked from the upcoming This Is the Place for their Tradfest show, it’ll be one to grab. From the epic melodies of opening number ‘In the Mountains’ to the sweet ‘Eagle Feather,’ buoyed along on Escartin’s plucked notes, this is music to set adventures to, be it an elegant indie film or a Studio Ghibli fable.

It’s no surprise that they were summoned to entertain Italian dance devotees, Liberi Danzatori, nor that Hartwin composed a trippy little ode to them in return. Such is the catchy, often toe-tapping power of their playing

“…on the evidence of the instantly memorable tracks plucked from the upcoming This Is the Place for their Tradfest show, it’ll be one to grab.“

For me, however, the stand-out new tunes were ‘A Bit Lost’ — a genuinely beautiful piece of soul-searching — and the multi-movement experience provided by the ‘will-be’ title track, ‘This Is the Place.’ Hartwin may be the group’s compositional powerhouse, but their arrangements and delivery result from shared passion and talent. Souvandjiev and Dhoore enjoy a natural harmonic interplay, and Escartin’s versatile playing, encompassing bow, pizzicato, and percussion, adds endless dimensions to each song.

A Modern European Folk Sound That Defies Labels

As part of a younger generation of European folk artists, their unbound approach to the genre and the traditional forms focuses on atmosphere and mood. It’s a fresh, continental perspective to be welcomed, not least in veering towards the neo-classical, where other trad ‘breakouts’ have more frequently turned to jazz.

“Souvandjiev and Dhoore enjoy a natural harmonic interplay, and Escartin’s versatile playing, encompassing bow, pizzicato, and percussion, adds endless dimensions to each song.“

Add in Hartwin’s genial comfort when telling tales of the performing road to the audience, and the result is simply splendid. I suppose trad purists might find their 21st-century approach a little challenging, but it’s hard to imagine any audience resisting the Hartwin Trio’s enormously accessible music, rich as it is with both melody and virtuosity.