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. 

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.