CTCS Presents Jan-Jiracek von Arnim

The Cape Town Concert Series 2024 presents acclaimed German pianist Jan Jiracek von Arnim.

Regarded internationally as a Beethoven and Liszt specialist he will present a programme of works by Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin concluding with the Moonlight Sonata – and he will also introduce and talk about the pieces during the concert.

Described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘a forceful, mature personality with a formidable technique and playing of emotional depth’, Jan Jiracek von Arnim made his public début in Hamburg playing a Mozart concerto at age 11. Now he performs extensively throughout Europe, playing recitals in London’s Steinway Hall, Salle Cortot in Paris, Berlin’s Philharmonie, Barcelona’s Palau de la Musica, Konzerthaus Wien and in Munich’s Herkulessaal. He is a renowned teacher and is also a frequent juror at high-profile competitions such as the Busoni International, the Hamamatsu International and the London Piano Competition. He gives frequent masterclasses, teaches on the faculties of music schools in several countries, including China, and his biography of Franz Liszt (Franz Liszt: Visionär und Virtuose. Eine Biographie) has been described as the very best possible Liszt biography.

The concert takes place in the Baxter Concert Hall. As always the Baxter restaurant and bar will be available before and after for refreshments.

Tickets are available at Webtickets. R250 regular, R220 pensioner, R100 student

FULL PROGRAMME:
Beethoven: Sonata in B flat major, Op. 22
Liszt: “Vallée d’Obermann” and Ballade No. 2

– intermission –

Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo No. 1, Op. 20/1
Deux Nocturnes, Op. 9 (1 and 2)
Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 10/4

Beethoven: Sonata in C sharp minor “Moonlight”, Op. 27/2

Read more about the programme here where Albert Combrink takes you Inside the Concert with Jan Jiracek von Arnim including some links to talks by Jan himself  about the music.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Born into a family of musicians, pianist Jan Jiracek von Arnim was described by BBC Music Magazine as one of the leading pianists of his generation. A top prize winner at the Busoni Competition (Italy) and Maria Canals Competition (Spain), Jan Jiracek von Arnim was one of the winners of the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (USA). He regularly performs in musical centers such as the Musikverein Vienna, Philharmonie Berlin, Suntory Hall Tokyo, and others.

He was appointed professor for piano at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts in 2001, making him the youngest tenured professor in the history of that school. His students are prizewinners of major international piano competitions, e.g. in 2022 first prize winner at “Neue Sterne” (Germany), 2020 first prize winner at “Unisa” (South Africa), 2019 first prize winner of the “Top of the World” (Norway) and Tucumán International Piano Competition (Argentina), 2018 first prize at the “Maria Canals Barcelona”, as well as “Dublin International” in Ireland and the “Gradus ad Parnassum” in Austria.

Jan Jiracek von Arnim is guest professor at the Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima (Japan) since 2022 and in 2022/2023 visiting professor at Yale University (USA), and he gives master classes on a regular basis in North America, Asia and Europe, most recently for the PTNA Prizewinners and Junior Grade Talents at the Toho Gakuen College in Tokyo, Japan, the Wilhelm Kempff Foundation in Positano, Italy, as well as the Chopin Festival in Duszniki and the Paderewski International Piano Concerto Academy in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Mr. Jiracek von Arnim is frequently invited as a judge at international piano competitions, e.g. the “Hamamatsu International Piano Competition” in Japan, the “Busoni International Piano Competition” in Italy, and the “Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition for young musicians”.

Since 2011, he is the Artistic Director and Chairman of the “International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna”, one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world.

His biography on Franz Liszt (Residenz Verlag, Austria) has been described as “the very best Liszt biography” by the renowned newspaper DIE PRESSE, Austria.

Jan Jiracek von Arnim is a scholarship holder of prestigious foundations, such as the “Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes”. He was named “Paul Harris Fellow” of Rotary Foundation in 2020. He is also honorary citizen of Fredericksburg, Texas (USA).