As an accordionist, Mirko Satto, studied the accordion at the “A. Steffani” Academy of Music in Castelfranco Veneto (TV) under the tutelage of Professor Ivano Paterno. There he graduated with a first class honours and distinction for which he received two scholarships as the top student at the Academy.
He continued his studies under the guidance of maestros Sergio Scappini, Hugo Noth and Wladimir Zubitsky and took part in numerous seminars held at Talla (in Arezzo) by the renowned accordionist, Salvatore di Gesualdo where he earned the “Professor’s Special Award” and a scholarship.
Furthermore, Mirko also graduated with distinction with the oboe under the guidance of Professor Paolo Brunello.
He has won numerous national and international competitions as an accordion player including the following most prestigious awards:
Camalo’ (Treviso) where the jury awarded him a special prize for the best performance of a piece of music by an Italian composition; Vercelli; Erbezzo (Verona); Laives (Bolzano) out-and-out first prize winner; Barga (Lucca) where he was the outright first prize winner of 'La Nazione - The Nation” and furthermore, the jury granted him an extra-special award for having performed the best piece of polyphonic music; Verzuolo (Cuneo) outright prize winner of the “S. Seimandi” Memorial Trophy and he also won “The Best New Talent” award organised by the Rotary Club of Cittadella (Padova). In 1999 he was one of three winners in the Soroptimist International “Music Project” Competition, which was held amongst the best newly-qualified accordion players from across Italy.
Mirko has played throughout Europe, Australia, Japan and South America (e.g. “Opera City” Tokyio, “Shymphony Hall” Osaka, “Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall” in Japan, at the Manaus Amazon Theatre in Brazil, the International Summer Music Festival e Moreland Festival in Melbourne, the Organ of Ballarat Festival, the Bendigo Festival, the Beethoven Festiva, the Murray River International Music Festival in Australia, the ACM “Giulio Rospigliosi” (Pistoia), the “Agon and Diapason” in Cremona, the “Dietro le Quinte” in Reggio Emilia, the “Agimus di Firenze” (Florence), the “Asolo Musica” (Treviso), the “Societa’ del Quartetto” and the “Amici della Musica” in Vicenza, the “Festival di Benevento”, the “Festival di Musica da camera” in Chioggia (Venice), the “Società dei Concerti” in Milan, the “Collegium Musicum” in Latina, the “Amici della Musica” in Messina, the “Ass. Musicale “Il Coretto” in Bari, the “Ass. Musicale Melos” in Ragusa, the “Circolo della Musica” in Bologna and in Ferrara etc.).
Eclectic accordionist, Mirko Satto, easily moves from baroque through to contemporary music, from French variations to the Argentinean tango; he is able to adapt many important musical works so that they are suitable for his instrument.
As well as his intensive schedule as a concert soloist, Mirko has worked on important collaborations with chamber orchestras, always contributing towards programmes which raise the profile of music and of his instrument, the accordion, in all different musical settings.
He is currently in a band which follows the work of Astor Piazzolla’s Tango and other famous Argentinean composers, playing many various chamber and orchestral arrangements.
Mirko Satto has played with, and continues to collaborate with the “Filarmonia Veneta” Orchestra in Treviso, the “Nuova Banda” in Castelfranco Veneto, the “Malipiero” Orchestra of Asolo (Treviso), the VenetOchestra, the Orchestra of the Oriental Veneto, the Orchestra of the Olympic Theatre in Vicenza and the Orchestra of the Verona Arena.
He is accordion teacher at the “Giorgione” Musical High School in Castelfranco Veneto (Treviso).