Career
He played the French horn as a youth. Soudant has held music directorships with the Utrecht Symphony Orchestra (1974–1980), the Radio France Nouvelle Orchestra Philharmonique (1981–1983), l"Orchestra Toscanini (1988-1992), l"Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire (1994–2004) and Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg (1994–2004). He has also served as the principal guest conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
He became principal guest conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in October 1999, and music director in September 2004.