Niek van Oosterum from the Netherlands began his piano studies at the age of seven. Since 1987, he has studied with Jan Wijn at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, and graduated in 1998. He continued his studies with prof. Elena Lapitzkaja at the Universität der Künste Berlin. After his succesfull exams in Berlin he finished his studies and graduated with a special marking (Auszeichnung) in “Folkwang Hochschule Essen” with Prof. Boris Bloch. Niek also followed masterclasses with f.e. Giorgy Sebök, Eugen Indjicen, and Vitaly Margulis.

 

After winning several competitions in the Netherlands (Steinway, 1986; SJMN, 1988; Edith Stein, 1989) his major break-through was made in 1990 when he became winner of the Eurovision Contest “Young Musician of the year”. In the years that followed he played a.o. with  the Eastern Orchestra, the “Gelders” orchestra, the “Residentie” orchestra, the Royal Flanders Philharmonic Orchestra, the “Orquesta Filarmónica de Buenos Aires”, the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker and the Berliner Symphoniker (a.o. at the Philharmonie of Berlin).

 

In May 2005 he won the “Förderpreis des Köhler Osbahr Stiftung” in Duisburg, Germany. Following he played in a presentationconcert in Duisburg.

 

Beside solo recitals, as well as radio performances, Niek playes regularly chamber music: he formes a two piano duo with Bas Verheijden (1998 “Gouden Vriendenkrans” in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, 1999 Presentation concert “Nederlands Impresariaat”), a violin-piano duo with Saskia Viersen and together with his wife YooSeon Lee a pianoduet “duet con moto”. He is also an active member of the “Wolf-Ferrari Ensemble Berlin” (pianotrio, duo with Sopran, duo with violin, bigger chamber ensemble).

 

Since 2008 he also teaches at a Music School: Kreismusikschule Engelbert Humperdinck Potsdam-Mittelmark, and Musikschule City-West in Berlin.

 

 

CD recordings:

Tschaikowsky, Pianoconcert nr. 1, with Berliner Symphoniker

Stravinsky, Concert for piano and windorchestra , with the Royal Militair Chapel

Franck, Respighi, Sonatas for violin and piano, with Saskia Viersen

Märchen CD, a CD with Fary Tales and Music, with the Wolf-Ferrari Ensemble (2008)

Nachtmusikern von Robert Schumann, Night music with the Wolf-Ferrari Ensemble (2010)