After his college preparatory studies, Jacob Bogaart went to Salzburg where he continued his education at the Mozarteum University, majoring in piano and orchestral conducting. He quickly qualified for the solo exams but was obliged to interrupt his studies and return to the Netherlands for military service. Back in Holland he studied extensively with Jan Wijn and upon winning a scholarship from the Italian government he left for Rome. There he participated in the “Corso di Perfezionamento” under the tutelage of Carlo Zecchi at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia.

His travels took him thereafter to Paris where he studied with Magda Tagliaferro. She named him her assistant at the Académie Internationale de Piano and since then he was coached by Raphael de Silva and Claudio Arrau for an extended period.

In the meantime he had gained prominence as a finalist in several international competitions and began appearing as a soloist in almost all European capitals and music centers. In addition he played in the USA, Russia and the Styriarte Festival in Graz, Chambermusic Christchurch NZ, Eilat Chambermusic Festival and the festivals for modern music in Århus and Warsaw.

He has played as soloist with such famous conductors as Neumann, Comissiona, Benzi, Maderna, Fournet, De Waart, and Ernest Bour, with whom he recorded all of the Beethoven Piano Concertos.

He is an avid chamber music participant, appearing with ensembles such as the Alban Berg, Kodaly and the Orpheus Quartet. Through his collaboration with mezzo-soprano Elisabeth von Magnus they accumulated a repertoire of over three hundred Lieder. They have toured together in concert in many European countries, the USA and the Middle East.

‘The press was unanimous in their declaration of  a monumental achievement.’

In the spring of 2015 Jacob Bogaart’s magnum opus The Art of Dutch Keyboard Music was published. A set of 8 CD’S comprising 400 years of Dutch keyboard music; 112 works by 50 composers. The press was unanimous in their declaration of  a ‘monumental achievement’. Jacob Bogaart has held functions of artistic adviser, producer, member of international panel of judges, and was for many years head of the music recording division of the Netherlands Broadcasting Company (NOB).

From an early age he has been active in various areas of the fine arts.