Julius Backer (2003) is a young, versatile pianist praised for his profound interpretations as well as his exceptional communicative ability. He regularly performs throughout Europe as a soloist, chamber musician, and lied-pianist.
Julius discovered his love for the piano at a young age; he gave his first public performance aged six, and at eleven years old, he made debut in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam. Since then, Julius has performed at most major concert halls in the Netherlands, as well as in countries such as the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, and Germany.
For many years, Julius studied with the renowned pegagogue Marcel Baudet at the Sweelinck Academy for young talent at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Subsequently, he moved to the United Kingdom to continue his studies at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School of Music in London. Currently, he studies under the guidance of Claudio Martinez-Mehner and Nina Tichman at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne. Julius received important musical impulses from esteemed musicians including Alexander Melnikov, Andreas Staier en Robert D. Levin. Furthermore, he is a prize winner at several competitions including the Steinway & Sons Piano Competition, the Princess Christina Competition and the YPF Piano Competition. In the 2024/2025 season, Julius collaborated intensively with star-baritone Thomas Hampson as part of the Heidelberger Frühling Liedakademie. Julius has featured on TV-show Podium Klassiek as well BBC Radio 3 and NPO Radio 4.
Together with talented mezzo-soprano Roza Herwig, Julius forms a succesful lied-duo, performing extensively throughout Europe. They explore the boundaries of the liedgenre, often fusing it with theater, musical and jazz. Recently, they reached the semi-finals of the International Vocal Competition and they are part of the Heidelberger Frühling Liedakademie. Julius also is an active member of several ensembles; including a recognised piano-trio in Cologne, several instrumental partners in different countries, as well as the Backer Trio, an award-winning trio together with his sisters clarinettist Paulien Backer and violinist Vera Backer.
Besides the piano, Julius takes a great interest in singing, conducting, as well as historical keyboard instruments. He received coachings from Mezzo-Soprano Sophie Koch, Fortepianist Gerald Hambitzer, conductor and Bernstein-student Matthew Taylor, and many others. Julius feels a strong vocation to spread classical music into all parts of society. On a regular basis, he both performs and presents concerts for babies and small children, as well as in hospices, and schools for special education.
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