Recognized worldwide as the foremost mast er of the bandoneon and concert accordion, Peter Soave has established himself as the l eading soloist of his ge neration. The hallmark of his performances is his unique combin ation of commanding stage presence and the excitement of his vibrant virtuosity.
Of Italian descent, Peter Soav e’s earliest memories are of music played on an accordion. By age three, he was certain of his life’s work. He began music studies at five, and quickly gravitated towards classical music. At sixteen, he en tered international competitions and swept first place four times, confirming his reputation as a virtuoso of the highest order: Grand Prix in Neu Ise nberg, West Germany; Klingenthal Wettbewerb in East Germany; Coupe Mondiale in Folkst one, England; and the Trophée Mondiale in Arrezano, Italy.
In 1987, Peter Soave was the inaugural recipi ent of “Voce d’Oro,” the international award honoring those who have given promin ence to the accordion in the world of modern music. Deeply inspired by the musi c of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla, Mr. Soave’s impassioned musicianship motivated him to include the characteristic bandoneon in his performances.
Mr. Soave’s engagements include performances as a soloist and with orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout North and South America, Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Russia. He has appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Phoenix Sy mphony, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Zagreb Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, Flint Sy mphony, San Salvador Philharmonic, Belgrade Philharmonic, Lubbock Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, Walla Walla Symphony, Orquesta Sinf ó nica de Puer to Rico, Williamsport Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho and Th e Zagreb Soloists. Mr. Soave collaborated with conductors such as James Levine, Neem e Jarvi, Thomas Wilkins, Robert Spano, Leone Mageira, Hermann Michael, Duilio Dobrin, and Guillermo Figueroa. For the only North America appearance in 1999 of the “Three Tenors,” Soave performed as the featured bandoneonist. He has also ap peared on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
In 2007, Soave premiered Astor Piazzolla’s or atorio “El Pueblo Joven,” written for symphony orchestra, voice re citative, soprano, bandoneon, choir, and percussion, with the Radio Romania Chamber Orchestra, Romania.
Mr. Soave has had numerous compositions written for him by the Venezuela's foremost composer, Aldemaro Romero: “Piazzollana-Homage à Piazzolla” for bandoneon and full orchestra; “Suite de Castelfidardo” for ba ndoneon and string orchestra; “Soavecito” for accordion and string orchestra; and “Tango Furioso” for bandoneon and string quartet. Romero’s “Five Paleontological Mysteries,” for accordion and string quartet, received its American premiere in Detroit in February 2008 and its European premiere in Italy in July 2008.
Mr. Soave’s discography includes a solo album “Pride and Passion,” “Five Tango Sensations” with The Rucner String Quarte t, a double CD “Undert ango 2,” and “Peter Soave & Symphony Orchestra,” featuring th e music of Astor Piazzolla and Carmine Coppola. His recording awards include the Detroit Music Award for Best Classical Recording in 2001 and Best Clas sical Instrumentalist in 2003.
Eager to harmonize nature and music, Soave founded the Peter Soave Music Academy(www.petersoavemusicacademy.com) in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy in 2010, welcoming music lovers to convene and share.
Mr. Soave plays a “Mythos #002” concert accordion and an “Adrian #001” bandoneon, made by Pigini in Italy.