Portfolio

My work has never fit neatly into one box. I’m a classical pianist, I perform, teach, write, research, build websites, and use - and occasionally develop - open-source software to automate processes. To me, these are not separate worlds but connected ways of creating and communicating ideas.

This portfolio offers an overview of the projects I’ve been working on recently - from lecture recitals and competitions to publications, research, and IT projects.

Lecture piano recitals

Newspaper article about Martin Kaptein in Meinerzhagen, Germany.

Concert program Sala Michelangeli Bolzano

Recent work includes lecture-recitals and presentations in Germany and Italy. I believe that music is a powerful way to convey ideas, and that with the right introduction and context it can reach audiences with far greater impact.

Scriabin Club

The Scriabin Club is one of my central long-term projects, bringing together my interests in music, philosophy, education, and technology. Its mission is to promote Scriabin’s music and ideas, and to create a space where musicians, researchers, and listeners can explore them in depth.

Key contributions:

Founded and developed a worldwide community of students, musicians, and researchers who meet regularly.
Created and maintain the leading online Scriabin platform, including an organized website and a structured database for scores, writings, and research materials.
Combine artistic, organizational, and technical work - from hosting events and lectures to developing web infrastructure and digital tools.

Jury Work and Accompanist

In recent years, I have served as a recurring jury member for Lied competitions in Hamburg and San Marino, where I also contributed to the organization and worked as an accompanist. Both competitions feature categories for young performers — encouraging them to pursue the arts — as well as professional divisions that provide a high-level platform for artistic development.

Newspaper article about Martin Kaptein as jury member

Competition announcement with Martin Kaptein as jury member

Papers

Here is a selection of papers and articles I have written.

Applying Scriabin’s color theory practically in piano education, EPTA. Read here (Dutch)

Exploring the relation between color and harmony in Scriabin’s music, Fontys, Tilburg. Read here

Scriabin’s 8th sonata as a philosophical case study: Can music express complex, timeless ideas?, Scriabin Club. Read here

Can J.S.Bach be imitated using machine learning?, ArtEZ, Zwolle. Read here

Teaching

In my full-time teaching practice, I work with students from ages 4 to 75. I am qualified to teach classical piano, music theory, and composition, and I enjoy helping each student develop both skill and musical understanding. Working closely with people at different stages of life is one of the most rewarding aspects of my profession.

Scriabin Festival Platform

I created the online platform for the International Scriabin Festival organized by Sherry Grant in collaboration with the Scriabin Society of America. This project is part of a long-standing collaboration with Scriabin societies worldwide, in which I also regularly contribute lectures and presentations for festival programs.

Website for pianist Alexandra Kaptein

I developed a custom website for pianist Alexandra Kaptein, including a tailored visual design and a fully customized, easy-to-use control panel that allows the client to manage all content independently.

Technical blog writings

Here are some highlights of my more technical writings from my blog: