Bernhard Jan

Bernhard Jan is a versatile pianist rooted in both classical and contemporary music. His musical education began at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz and continued at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW), the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna (MUK), and the Jam Music Lab Vienna (JAM). A pivotal milestone in his artistic development was a study period at New York University (NYU), where he immersed himself in jazz and modern piano music while also serving as a piano lecturer.

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Bernhard Jan combines a deep engagement with historical performance practice with a stylistic openness to contemporary and cross-genre music. The sound world of the fortepiano has particularly influenced him, leading him to study with renowned musicians such as Wolfgang Brunner (Mozarteum), Stefan Gottfried (Director of Concentus Musicus), and Harald Ossberger (MDW). His interpretations of historical works are characterized by finely nuanced articulation and exceptional tonal clarity.

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As a soloist and chamber musician, Bernhard Jan regularly performs on international stages. His concert activities have taken him to prestigious concert halls in Austria, Belgium, Germany, the USA, and China. In chamber music, he demonstrates an extraordinary sensitivity to musical interaction and expressive diversity.

Together with Belgian-Swiss pianist Marie-Astrid Wybou, he forms Duo Delirium, which focuses on piano music for four hands and two pianos. The duo emphasizes rarely performed works of the 20th and 21st centuries, blending them with well-established classics. With innovative programs and unconventional concert formats, the ensemble consistently captivates its audience. Performances have taken the duo to venues such as the Ehrbar Hall in Vienna, the Bechstein Centrum Vienna, and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.

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Bernhard Jan is a regular guest at renowned festivals, including the Vienna Piano Summer Festival and the Musicorum Festival in Belgium, . He is also highly active in the field of new music, frequently performing contemporary works and premiering compositions. He has participated in major contemporary music festivals such as Tutte le Corde in New York and the Wiener Tage der zeitgenössischen Klaviermusik, showcasing his dedication to modern repertoire and innovative performance approaches. His versatility is reflected not only in his program choices but also in his collaborations with other artists and ensembles from various disciplines, ranging from historical performance practice to improvised music. He is a sought-after partner for song recitals and interdisciplinary projects that integrate music with literature and performance art.

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A big fan of Jazz and improvised music, Bernhard studied Jazz with renowned American Jazz pianists as Danny Grisset, Dave Kikoski and Steve Ash. As Jazz Musician he can be heard in venues as Smalls in New York or Grand Hotel Wien.

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Despite his intensive artistic activities, Bernhard Jan is also dedicated to educating young musicians. He is the founder of the Vienna Piano School and the Sing & Swing Academy in Vienna and has been teaching at the Upper Austrian State Music School system for over a decade. In addition to his pedagogical work, he frequently serves as a juror for competitions and as a masterclass instructor worldwide. Furthermore, he organizes the Vienna Piano Summer Festival, creating a platform for emerging talents and established artists alike.

Through his artistic endeavors, Bernhard Jan continually sets new accents, combining profound musical understanding with creative openness. His concerts and projects reflect the diversity of his musical interests, making him one of the most multifaceted personalities in today’s piano scene.