Hannes Minnaar

Dutch pianist Hannes Minnaar received international acclaim after winning prizes at the Queen Elisabeth Competition (3rd prize) and the Geneva International Music Competition (2nd prize). He studied with Jan Wijn at the Amsterdam Conservatory, graduating with the highest distinction and took Master classes with Alfred Brendel, Menahem Pressler and Ferenc Rados. In addition, he studied organ with Jacques van Oortmerssen.

Minnaar was soloist with various orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, during which time he worked with conductors such as Marin Alsop, Herbert Blomstedt, Frans Brüggen, Eliahu Inbal and Edo de Waart. He gives recitals in many European countries and around the world. He performed at the Royal Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Gewandhaus (Leipzig) and Musashino Hall (Tokyo) and was invited to the festivals of La Roque d’Anthéron, Bordeaux (Jacobins), Bahrein and Guangzhou.

Minnaar is also active as a chamber musician. His Van Baerle Trio won prizes at competitions in Lyon (CIMCL, 1st prize) and Munich (ARD, 2nd prize). Last season, the trio gave 18 concerts in an international tour in the “Rising Stars” series, including the Barbican, Musikverein (Vienna) and Cité de la Musique (Paris). Minnaar also performed with musicians such as Janine Jansen, Isabelle van Keulen and Mischa Maisky.

His two solo albums are highly acclaimed. His debut album was awarded an Edison and Gramophone published a full-page article about this album. The same magazine wrote this about his second album “Bach inspirations”: “After Minnaar’s debut disc, this makes two hits in a row”. BBC Music Magazine selected it as “Instrumental choice of the month” with 5 stars.

Future concert highlights include Liszt’s Totentanz and a new concerto by Robert Zuidam with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Markus Stenz, Beethoven Piano Concerto 4 with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek, Beethoven Piano Concerto 5 with the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Juanjo Mena and the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck.

Minnaar is currently recording all of Beethoven piano concertos for Challenge Classics. Over the course of three seasons, Minnaar will record and perform these concerts with the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jan Willem de Vriend.