Martin Kaptein is a Dutch classical pianist whose artistry is shaped by a deep intellectual and emotional connection to music. Known for his distinctive blend of expressive depth and structural clarity, he approaches each performance as a search for meaning, bringing out the philosophical and existential dimensions of music.

His current artistic focus is on the music of Franz Schubert and Alexander Scriabin, composers whose works serve as profound vehicles for exploring music’s existential nature. He is working on CD recordings of Schubert’s and Scriabin’s late piano sonatas, deepening his engagement with their visionary works. Beyond performance, Martin explores music’s connection to perception and audience engagement, particularly through color accompaniment inspired by Scriabin’s synesthetic ideas. He is actively developing projects that integrate visual elements into performance, creating a more immersive listening experience.

Martin Kaptein is also the founder of the Scriabin Club, a global community that unites Scriabin enthusiasts while serving as a platform for publications on Scriabin and innovative ideas. What began as a collaboration with the Scriabin Society of America in 2022 — commemorating Scriabin’s 150th anniversary through an online festival — has since evolved into an ongoing partnership with Scriabin societies worldwide, as well as renowned piano professors and musicologists.

Martin is deeply rooted in the Russian School of Piano Playing, known for its strong emphasis on musicality and emotional depth. He has studied with some of Europe’s most esteemed piano educators, including Michail Markov (Russia), Frank van de Laar (Netherlands), Vitaly Samoshko (Ukraine), and Alessandra Giorgia Brustia (Italy). He graduated with honors from the Tilburg Conservatory (Netherlands) in 2022, earning his Master’s degree in piano performance. His participation in prestigious international festivals includes the Baltimore Piano Festival (USA, 2021), Katowice (Poland, 2021), Bilzen (Belgium, 2022), and the world premiere of 11,000 Strings by G.F. Haas in Bolzano (Italy, 2023).

He has been awarded top prizes in numerous international piano competitions, including the first prize at the St. Cecilia Piano Competition (Porto, Portugal, 2015), the first price at the International Festival Competition (Athens, Greece, 2017). With his trio Martin won the first prize during the ArtEZ chamber music competition (Zwolle, 2019). In June 2024, he gave a grand solo piano recital at the European Piano Festival, commemorating the passing of Maurizio Pollini. An experienced chamber musician and accompanist, Martin has performed extensively in ensemble settings and has worked as a vocal accompanist at leading conservatories, including ArtEZ and Fontys in the Netherlands.

Martin has also been invited as a jury member for several international competitions, including the Festival e Concorso Internazionale della Canzone (Bolzano, 2023), the 9th European Romance Festival (Hamburg, 2024), and the European Romance Festival (San Marino, 2024). Currently, he is based in Germany, continuing his work as both a performer and educator.

Beyond music, Martin embraces a holistic approach to life, believing that the arts, philosophy, and sciences together deepen our understanding of the world. His curiosity extends into technology, science, philosophy, and languages, enriching his approach to music and creative projects.