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 10th 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 former and current students are prizewinners of major international piano competitions, such as 2021 first prize winner at “Géza Anda” (Switzerland), 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, the “Gradus ad Parnassum” in Austria and “Neue Sterne” in Germany.
Jan Jiracek von Arnim is guest professor at the Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima (Japan) since 2022, visiting professor of Yale University (USA), and currently also visiting guest professor of China Conservatory, Beijing.
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, including 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 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). Jan Jiracek von Arnim is an official Steinway Artist.
The CMIM thanks the members of the Jury’s circle who contribute to making it possible for the international jury to come to Montreal: Guy Breton, Colabor, Huguette and Jean-Louis Fontaine Foundation, Marie-Carole Pinard, and Marc Vanasse.
The Piano 2024 jury is housed at the Ritz-Carlton – Montréal
