Michael Krücker

Michael van Krücker, born in 1961, is a German classical pianist, composer, and editor of musical works. He received his initial piano instruction from Professor Ferdinand Bruckmann and went on to study music at the conservatories of Düsseldorf and Rotterdam, graduating with distinction. He further honed his skills in master classes with renowned pianists such as Bruno Canino (chamber music), Irina Zaritskaya, György Sándor, Tamás Vásáry, and Daniel Wayenberg. His synesthesia, experiencing music as a combination of sounds and colors, adds a unique dimension to his artistry.

Career Highlights

Krücker has garnered international recognition through successes in music competitions and prestigious scholarships, leading to performances across Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States. He has been a featured artist at major festivals including the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Heidelberger Frühling in Germany, the Festival de la Roque d'Anthéron in France, and the Pomeriggi Musicali in Italy. His solo and chamber music performances, including those with the Cologne Piano Duo, have been met with critical acclaim. Critics have praised his "jeu perlé," "cultivated piano playing," and "nuanced and poetic musicianship."

Collaborations and Performances

As a chamber musician, Krücker has collaborated with the Kölner Rundfunkchor, Chorus Musicus Köln, and Rheinische Kantorei. He has also performed with esteemed vocal soloists such as Christiane Oelze, Barbara Schlick, and Klaus Mertens. His orchestral collaborations include performances with the Gürzenich Orchestra, the WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln, and the Bamberger Symphoniker. Krücker has a keen interest in the intersection of words and music, leading to collaborations with actors and authors like Christoph Bantzer, Will Quadflieg, and Jörn Pfennig.

Repertoire and Recordings

Krücker is dedicated to reviving forgotten repertoire from the Classical and Romantic eras. His discography includes premiere recordings of the complete piano works of Friedrich Nietzsche and piano music by Alexander Dreyschock and Friedrich Kalkbrenner. He has recorded for numerous labels, including RCA Red Seal, Sony/BMG, Koch Schwann, Berlin Classics, and NCA. His interest extends to minimal music and performances on historical keyboard instruments. For the NCA label, he has recorded several CDs on French pianofortes from the Romantic era.

Editor and Educator

Beyond his performance career, Michael van Krücker is an editor of piano works for the Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag in Leipzig, where he has edited works by Mozart, Nietzsche, Jan Brandts-Buys, and Julius Röntgen. The same publisher also issued his own piano composition, "Memories". He serves as a jury member for national and international music competitions, gives masterclasses, and delivers lectures. Additionally, he is the artistic director for several concert series and was the artistic advisor for the First International Jörg Demus Festival in 2017.