Accordionist Radu Ratoi: 2025 Young Concert Artist Virtuoso Showcase
Don’t miss 26-year-old Moldovan accordion phenomenon Radu Ratoi—winner of the 2024 Young Concert Artist Annual Award and one of the most electrifying talents of his generation! With over 60 international awards and a style that fuses the passion of the Russian school with the elegance of Western Europe, Ratoi redefines the boundaries of classical music. Known for his transcriptions of works by composers including J. S. Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Rameau and Liszt, Radu’s groundbreaking contributions to the accordion repertoire and unforgettable performances continue to set him apart as one of the foremost accordionists of his generation.
Artist Bio
Radu Ratoi, accordion Winner of the 2024 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, accordionist Radu Ratoi, began playing the accordion at the age of six in his hometown in the Republic of Moldova. A prodigious talent, Radu excelled early on, winning numerous international competitions in the junior category. He has since gone on to achieve an extraordinary record, claiming victory in six of the most prestigious accordion competitions in the world: Coupe Mondiale, Klingenthal Accordion Competition, Trophy Mondiale, Arrasate Accordion Competition, PIF Castelfidardo, and the Moscow Accordion Competition. In total, he has received more than 60 national and international awards. Praised for his originality, versatility, and virtuosity in both classical and contemporary repertoire, Radu has earned several prestigious honors in his homeland. In 2018, he was awarded the “Excellence Diploma,” and in 2022, the esteemed Moldovan National Distinction “Master in Arts,” both presented by the President of the Republic of Moldova. Radu studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where he was awarded the Sonning Music Prize, one of Denmark’s most prestigious honors. His artistry is defined by the unique way he blends two major musical traditions—the Russian school and the Western European school—into a deeply personal and distinctive style. In 2022, Radu released his debut album, Greatest Organ Works Arranged for Accordion, featuring works by J.S. Bach and F. Liszt. Through his transcriptions of pieces by J.S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, J.P. Rameau, F. Liszt, and others, Radu has expanded and redefined the accordion repertoire. As both a soloist and chamber musician, Radu has captivated audiences worldwide with his musicality, technical brilliance, and charisma. He has performed in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Radio Concert House Copenhagen, Victoria Concert Hall, Tivoli Hall Copenhagen, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan, and Harbin Concert Hall, among others. In 2024, he was appointed as a soloist with the National Chamber Orchestra of Moldova. Radu’s groundbreaking contributions to the accordion repertoire and his unforgettable performances continue to set him apart as one of the foremost accordionists of his generation.
