Radu Ratoi is an internationally acclaimed accordionist recognized for his originality, versatility, and artistic depth across both classical and contemporary repertoire.
Recognition and the international stage
In 2024, he was named Winner of the YCA “Susan Wadsworth” International Auditions in New York, one of the most prestigious and selective platforms for emerging instrumental soloists worldwide. He is also a recipient of the Leonie Sonning Music Prize – Talent Prize, one of Denmark’s most distinguished music honors.
In recognition of his artistic achievements, Radu was awarded the national title “Master in Arts” by the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu. Since 2024, he has served as a soloist with the National Chamber Orchestra of Moldova, appearing regularly in both solo and chamber music performances.
Radu’s international career has taken him to leading concert halls around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Radio Concert Hall Copenhagen, Tivoli Concert Hall, Merkin Hall in New York, and Harbin Concert Hall. His performances are widely praised for their technical mastery, musical imagination, and compelling stage presence.
A singular figure in the accordion world, Radu is the first and only artist to have won all major international accordion competitions in both Classical and Virtuoso/Entertainment categories, including Coupe Mondiale, Trophy Mondiale, Castelfidardo, Klingenthal, Arrasate, PIF Castelfidardo, and the Moscow International Accordion Competition. To date, he has received more than 60 national and international awards.
AYA Artists
Radu Ratoi
AccordionistReimagining the accordion repertoire
Committed to expanding the artistic possibilities of the accordion, Radu is known for his transcriptions and reinterpretations of works by J.S. Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Jean-Philippe Rameau, and Franz Liszt. His discography includes Greatest Organ Works Arranged for Accordion (2022) and 12 Transcendental Etudes by Franz Liszt (2023), both reflecting his dedication to redefining the instrument’s role in classical music.
Musical foundations and the instrument
Born in 1998, Radu began studying the accordion at the age of six in Chișinău, Moldova. He later pursued advanced studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. He performs on a custom-built Pigini Nova-RR accordion and is represented worldwide by Young Concert Artists, Inc.
With AYA
Performances, stories and creative collaborations.
