Borletti-Buitoni Trust
BBT Artists
Rewarding Musical Excellence
Bach Inspirations CD on Cobra
“…inspirational fantasy with unfailing structural flair. His golden touch and linear sensitivity highlights the music’s internal logic, yet like a true Romantic he creates the impression that underlying Bach’s contrapuntal wizadry is a compelling emotional narrative.”
Julian Haylock, BBC Music Magazine March 2014 (Instrumental CD Choice of the Month)
“…every single performance by this 28-year-old Dutch pianist is out of the top drawer…After Minnaar’s debut disc, this makes it two hits in a row.”
Jeremy Nicholas, Gramophone January 2014
“The title indicates the nature of this disc: music by Liszt, Busoni, Franck, Rachmaninov, Bauer, Vaughan Williams and Grainger which has been inspired by Bach. Minnaar’s interpretation of the Busoni reworking of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland is restrained yet intense. He plays through a phrase with a sense of continuity and purpose and his musical intelligence sings out.”
Fiona Maddocks, The Observer 13 October 2013
Rachmaninov/Ravel CD on Etcetera
“This is indeed an astonishing debut… Minnaar is faultless in pacing the many climaxes of the outer movements to attain coherence of the whole, and the strongest sense of direction [ref Rachmaninov Piano Sonata No 1]…This is a disc which I will not be putting away for a long time yet.”
Nicholas Salwey, International Record Review Feb 2012
“…simply sensational…This is a definitive recording [ref Rachmaninov Piano Sonata No 1]…every note of the 40-minute piece is coloured and paced with anticipation and a keen eye for the structure of the whole narration. In this respect, Minnaar has few rivals…Minnaar has the makings of a great artist: a natural technique, musical intelligence, personality, modesty and a talent for hard work (so valued by Rachmaninov). In all, a most thrilling debut and an absolute must hear.”
Eric Schoones, International Piano Magazine Nov/Dec 2011
“…a very fine recording indeed…delicacy of touch, plenty of muscle though … Very skilful playing indeed. Bold choices for a debut. Impressive.”
CD Review BBC Radio 3 14 January 2012.
“For his debut CD he displays further attributes as a convincing tonal colourist and ardent Romantic. I was much taken with the sound world Minnaar creates… He’s a natural talent with a bold streak. I wish him well.”
Jeremy Nicholas, Gramophone December 2011
“The sensational young Dutch pianist Hannes Minnaar, international prize-winner and recipient of a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship…displays his extravagant gifts in this debut disc… Minnaar’s virtuosity needs no comment: we expect that. His musical intelligence, sense of line and structure, delicacy, subtlety of texture and discipline set him apart. His Ravel is muscular and sparkling, his Rachmaninov glowing, meticulous and fervent… Watch out for him.”
Fiona Maddocks, The Observer 20 November 2011
BBT Project: Showcase concert at 20 Mansfield Street, London
“DUTCH TREAT… I accept an invitation to hear young Dutch pianist Hannes Minnaar in a regency living room with Persian rugs on the parquet, artworks on the walls and cherubs on the ceiling. It’s like Chopin giving a salon concert, especially when Minnaar plays the Polish composer in the second half, the audience dreamy with concentration, the bespectacled artist in his other-worldly trance, locks flowing, exploring the extremes in the Twenty-Four Preludes Op28… The owner of the regency lounge tells us that it is Minnaar’s first time in the United Kingdom. It will certainly not be his last.”
Rick Jones Music Blog, 22 March 2012