Accordionist Peter Soave will present the World Premiere of a new accordion concerto by Max Simoncic with the Stockton Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Peter Jaffe on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 6:00 PM at the Atherton Auditorium, San Joaquin Delta College. The Commission Sponsor and Guest Artist Sponsor: Thomas & Virginia Chen. “Meet the Maestro” pre-concert talks begin 45 minutes prior to each performance.
Recognized worldwide as the foremost master of the bandoneon and concert accordion, Peter Soave has established himself as the leading soloist of his generation. The hallmark of his performances is his unique combination of commanding stage presence and the excitement of his vibrant virtuosity.
Of Italian descent, Peter Soave’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 entered international competitions and swept first place four times, confirming his reputation as a virtuoso of the highest order: Grand Prix in Neu Isenberg, West Germany; Klingenthal Wettbewerb in East Germany; Coupe Mondiale in Folkstone, England; and the Trophée Mondiale in Arrezano, Italy.
In 1987, Peter Soave was the inaugural recipient of “Voce d’Oro,” the international award honoring those who have given prominence to the accordion in the world of modern music. Deeply inspired by the music of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla, Mr. Soave’s impassioned musicianship motivated him to include the characteristic bandoneon in his performances.
Peter’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 Symphony, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Zagreb Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, Flint Symphony, San Salvador Philharmonic, Belgrade Philharmonic, Lubbock Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, Walla Walla Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico, Williamsport Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho and The Zagreb Soloists.
He collaborated with conductors such as James Levine, Neeme 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 appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
In 2007, Peter premiered Astor Piazzolla’s oratorio “El Pueblo Joven”, written for symphony orchestra, voice recitative, soprano, bandoneon, choir, and percussion, with the Radio Romania Chamber Orchestra, Romania.
Numerous compositions have been written for him by the Venezuela’s foremost composer, Aldemaro Romero: “Piazzollana-Homage à Piazzolla” for bandoneon and full orchestra; “Suite de Castelfidardo” for bandoneon 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.
Peter’s recordings include a solo album “Pride and Passion,” “Five Tango Sensations” with The Rucner String Quartet, a double CD “Undertango 2,” and “Peter Soave & Symphony Orchestra,” featuring the music of Astor Piazzolla and Carmine Coppola. His recording awards include the Detroit Music Award for Best Classical Recording in 2001 and Best Classical Instrumentalist in 2003.
Eager to harmonize nature and music, Peter founded the Peter Soave Music Academy (www.petersoavemusicacademy.com — coming soon) in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy in 2010, welcoming music lovers to convene and share.
Slovenian-born and Stockton-based, Max Simoncic has had compositions commissioned, performed, and recorded by orchestras and ensembles across the globe. As in past Symphony milestone years, he helps celebrate the anniversary with a magnificent premiere.
The Stockton Symphony is the third oldest, continuously performing orchestra in California, surpassed in longevity only by the San Francisco Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The Stockton Symphony, celebrating its 85th season, is currently conducted by Maestro Peter Jaffe, now in his sixteenth season. Under his tenure the orchestra has continued sustained growth in artistic excellence, introduced and developed several vibrant educational programs, and gained national recognition through composer residencies, the release of a commercial recording, and world premieres.
For further information about Peter Soave: info@petersoave.com
