The gathering of numerous international musical influences and tastes has been manifested in the pianism of Saar Ahuvia.  A native of Israel, Mr. Ahuvia was awarded the America-Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarship for the extraordinary period of ten consecutive years. 

His highly acclaimed solo recitals have taken him to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Prague, Moscow, Zürich, New York, Baltimore, Chicago Atlanta, Washington, Paris and Barcelona.  He has appeared as a soloist with the Young Israel Philharmonic, the Haifa Symphony, the Israel Chamber Orchestra, the Florida Symphony, the Musikreis Horgen (Switzerland), the Johns Hopkins Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Symphony Rishon le Zion.  He has also appeared in radio and television broadcasts in Israel, Switzerland and the U.S.  His international music festival appearances include solo appearances at the Candas International Music Festival and the New Millennium Piano Festival (Spain).

He made his public debut at the age of 10, and at age 12 was already a promising soloist, winning the First Prize of a Steinway-sponsored piano competition in Florida.  Since his debut, participation in International piano competitions led to a First Prize in the Ariana Katcz Piano Competition and Finalist in the Francois Shapira Competition, both in Isarel. In Barcelona, Mr. Ahuvia captured the Third Prize and two Special Prizes at the Maria Canals International Piano Competition. During his studies in Switzerland he was awarded the Second prize at the Walter Bringolf Competition and the Orpheus Prize.

Saar Ahuvia’s teachers have included Arie Vardi, Michael Bugoslavsky, Gary Wolf and Daniel Höxter.  From Israel to Puerto Rico, Argentina, Switzerland and finally the United States, he studied at the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University, the Schaffhausen Conservatory and the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.  Mr. Ahuvia completed both a Masters of Music as well as a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute in 2004, under the direction of Leon Fleisher.  He continued to prosper while in Baltimore, winning the Baltimore Music Club Competition, a Peabody Career Development Grant and reaching the Semifinal round at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.  Mr. Ahuvia was a fellow at the Toradze Piano Institute at the University of Indiana in South Bend.

"…Beethoven's bright and joyful musical depictions were presented by Saar Ahuvia with dramatic and incisive piano sequences…"

Zürichsee Zeitung - April 25, 2005

 

"…The fingers of the New York pianist (Saar Ahuvia) glided over the keys with ease…"

Fürttaler - April 29, 2005

 

"…The brilliant soloistic playing by Saar Ahuvia granted the work
(Chopin- Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante) significance..."

Haaretz - June 22, 2003

 

"…( Saar) Ahuvia reveals real artistic thinking. His strong presence forced the conductor and the orchestra to give him real feedback, forming a connection…"

Haaretz - January 1997

 

"…Saar Ahuvia has demonstrated exceptional growth in his musical understanding. Hard working and highly motivated, I feel he is a young performer with a promising future…"

Leon Fleisher, pianist and piano faculty, Peabody Institute February 11, 2003