Biography

Martyn van den Hoek
Martyn van den Hoek

Martyn van den Hoek began his musical studies at the Rotterdam conservatory, graduating in 1975 at the age of 18. 1978 He therefore was awarded the Prix d´Exellence, creating possibilities to study in Moscow, Budapest and New York . There, among others, he worked with Josef Raieff, a late student of Alexander Siloti, who himself was one of the favourite studnets of Franz Liszt. Martyn van den Hoek was a prizewinner of some international piano competitions Wettbewerben , but the most promising was the First Prize at the Int. Franz Liszt Competition 1986, soon followed by the prestigious “Netherlands Music Prize” 1987. Eversince did Martyn van den Hoek play nearly worldwide, pülaying numerous recitals but also appearing as a soloist with orchestras. From 1986 to 1991 he was appointed as a cultural Ambassador for the Port of Rotterdam, resulting in appearances in , sometimes, adventurous venues at harbours around the world.

He cooperated with famous conductors like David Zinman, Emile Tschacharov, Kyrill Kondrashin, Jean Fournet, Li-Denong, Isaac Karabchevski, Richard Dufallo, Hans Vonk, Jerzy Kasyk, Carlo Ricci and others. He was invited to play with orchestras such as Als Solist spielte er
Rotterdam Philharmonic, Concertgebouworkest, ORF Orchestra Vienna, Niederösterreichischen Tonkünstler, RAI Orchestera Torino, BBC Symphony, Residentie Orchester Den Haag, Pretoria Symphony Orchestra,
Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra etc.

BBC, RAI, ORF Austria, Bulgar TV, ORF, ORTF, NOS Netherlands, Kyoto Network und CCTV (China), to mention a few, were among those that made TV productions with him.

Martyn van den Hoek also is an enthusiastic Chambermusic player. As such, he performed with established ensembles such as Prazak Quartett Prague, Sine Nomine Quartett Geneva, dem Wiener Streichquartett, Kyoto young Players or the Concertgebouw chamber Orchestra. Programs for two pianos (with French Pianist Jean Dubé) and piano duet (with his wife Tomiko Kaneko) are play a major role in his artistic curriculum.


His Repertoire covers 400 years of piano literature. Over the last years, 27 CD’s were released, among them van den Hoeks reconstruction of Chopins 2nd. piano concerto for piano and string sextet. His latest Cd covers the Mozart Concerti K.413, K.414 and K.415 played as a pianoquintet, assisted by the Augburger Streichquartet. Aside to his performing activities, Martyn van den Hoek conducts masterclasses for the young and talented musician. He often is a juror in many (inter)national competitions. He taught at the University of Music in Vienna from 1988 to 1995, 1998 he was offered a teaching post at the Vienna Civic Conservatory, meanwhile teaching at the Utrecht Conservatory in the Netherlands.

Musik Zentral in Bad Aussee Logo

1996, Martyn van den Hoek founded the “Musik Zentral Festival” in the Austrian town of Bad Aussee. Music students and – lovers from all over the world take part in courses such as dancing and improvisation and play in concerts and masterclasses.
www.musikzentral.info

Since 2005 he is artistic director of the “music@residence” concert series in the so called Richard Strauss Villa. In cooperation with the Netherlands Embassy, a stage for Vienna based music students is offered . They qualify by entering the “Residence Competition”, held annualy in cooperation with the Josef Haydn Instute o0f the University of Music in Vienna.

Martyn van den Hoek recently took up writing. His book ” Eye and Ear ” (Fytraki publishers, Athens) was released in 2005. The book tries to track down the contents, grammar of “the musical language every one understands…”.

Enriching his performances, Martyn van den Hoek too comments live on his programs. The pianist uprates his concerts with verbal virtuosity, knowledge and wit, without taking the auditor’s own imagination. The integration of all known arts, from dance to science, contribute to a lively and exiting experience for the listener, hoping that the newly opened doors won’t ever close…