Hannes Minnaar

Hannes Minnaar, hailed by Dutch newspaper Het Parool as the pianist who “joins the ranks of the great pianists of our time”, has consistently earned praise for his ability to convey the essence of music with spontaneity and naturalness. Making history in 2019, he became the first Dutchman in 22 years to perform on the prestigious Master Pianists Series at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. The national press celebrated this achievement, emphasising NRC’s recognition of his playing as “free of bluff and swagger” and “in deference to the music at all times”.

Having initially gained attention as the second prize winner of the Geneva International Music Competition in 2008 and the third prize winner at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2010, Minnaar’s musical journey has been profoundly shaped by influential teachers such as Jan Wijn, Jacques van Oortmerssen, Menahem Pressler, and Ferenc Rados.

His commitment to musical excellence is evident in collaborations with renowned conductors including Herbert Blomstedt, Antony Hermus, Eliahu Inbal, Marin Alsop, Xian Zhang, Edo de Waart, James Gaffigan, David Robertson, Karina Canellakis, and the late Jirí Belohlávek and Frans Brüggen. He performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Royal Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Konzerthaus (Berlin), Musashino Hall (Tokyo), and the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Moscow). In 2025, he will make his recital debut in Hong Kong.

Minnaar, a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellow since 2011 and the recipient of the Dutch Music Award in 2016, has made a lasting impact on the classical music scene. Acclaim for his debut solo album, describing him as a “convincing tonal colourist and ardent Romantic” by Gramophone, and BBC Music Magazine recognising his second album as their Choice of the Month, showcase his artistry.

During the pandemic-induced concert hiatus, Minnaar found inspiration in Bach’s Goldberg Variations, leading to a concert tour across monumental Dutch churches and the well-received recital disc, Nox, featuring works by Schumann, Ravel, and a specially commissioned cycle by Robert Zuidam.

Highlights of the 2023/24 season include a solo recital at the Concertgebouw and the world premiere of the concerto for luthéal/piano by Jan-Peter de Graaff in the NTR ZaterdagMatinee series. Additionally, Hannes Minnaar is artist in residence at the AVROTros Vrijdagconcert in TivoliVredenburg, where he will collaborate with the Dutch Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, performed new work by Grace-Evangeline Mason for solo piano and choir with the Dutch Radio Choir, and joined baritone Thomas Oliemans in a shared recital. With the Van Baerle Trio, he will present the world premiere of Robert Zuidam’s piano trio and make a return to the United Kingdom.

Vitally important to Minnaar’s musical identity is his collaboration with the Van Baerle Trio, founded in 2004 with violinist Maria Milstein and cellist Gideon den Herder. The trio toured internationally in the ‘Rising Stars’ series in 2014, performing at renowned venues like the Barbican (London), Musikverein (Vienna), and Cité de la Musique (Paris). The trio has released Beethoven’s complete works for piano trio for Challenge Classics.

Minnaar’s six solo albums received high acclaim, with his debut album featuring works by Rachmaninov and Ravel, earning an Edison. BBC Music Magazine selected his second album Bach Inspirations as ‘Instrumental choice of the month’. His third album featuring piano music of Gabriel Fauré received rave reviews, including from Gramophone: “Minnaar’s identification with this unique realm of music is complete, and his deeply felt interpretations shine with clarity and infinite nuance.” His discography further includes Beethoven’s complete Piano Concertos, with the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend, the recital album Nox, Bach’s Goldberg Variations, which was rewarded an Edison and a Diapason d’Or, an album with Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes and Fugues, all for Challenge Classics label, and Fernand de la Tombelle’s Fantaisie pour piano et orchestra with the Brussels Philharmonic led by Hervé Niquet for the Bru Zane label.

At home, next to a modern grand piano, Hannes Minnaar plays an Erard from 1858, which he has on loan from the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation.