Sergey Sadovoy is a classical accordionist whose work bridges the deep tradition of the Russian performance school with the precision and aesthetics of the European artistic scene.
Born in 1998 and based in Frankfurt since 2019, he studied at the Rostov State Rachmaninov Conservatory under the world-renowned accordionist and leader of the international accordion movement, Yuri Shishkin. A laureate of international competitions, Sadovoy is a vivid representative of the Russian instrumental tradition. At the same time, he actively integrates European influences through his artistic life in Germany and his ongoing musical exploration. His approach to music honors the depth of tradition while always reaching for something new. His professional concert career began in late 2022, when he was invited to collaborate with the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company, under the direction of the acclaimed Italian choreographer Jacopo Godani. This creative alliance quickly developed into a fruitful long-term partnership, leading to performances in prestigious venues such as Alte Oper Frankfurt, Nikolaikirche Leipzig, Teatro Grande Brescia, LAC Lugano, Teatro Petruzzelli Bari, Teatro Rossini Pesaro, and the National Theatre of Belgrade, among others.
Since 2024, Sadovoy has been building a strong presence on social media. In just a short time, he has cultivated the largest global audience for classical accordion on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Alongside his digital journey, he records studio albums and produces high-quality video projects that combine his musical artistry with a passion for filmmaking and sound design.
In 2024, he released his debut solo album 1685, dedicated to the birth year of Bach, Scarlatti, and Handel—three composers who form the artistic core of this project. His creative work increasingly revolves around the studio environment, where he finds the freedom to refine every nuance of sound and image. Sadovoy continues to develop his vision of music as a multi-layered art form—uniting performance, recording, and cinematography into a cohesive and immersive artistic statement.
Despite his diverse repertoire, the primary source of inspiration and foundation of Sergey’s creativity is the universe of Johann Sebastian Bach, with Glenn Gould’s recordings serving as the conduit into this universe.
«As a child, I wasn’t particularly drawn to Bach’s music; I played folk melodies on my instrument and didn’t ponder much about the direction I wanted to pursue. But everything changed the moment I first heard Glenn Gould’s rendition of the Invention in F Major. My world literally turned upside down; each note touched my heart, and Gould’s unconventional interpretation resonated with me so deeply that I yearned to immerse myself in this realm. This moment truly defined my artistic journey.» — Sergey Sadovoy