Karlo Posnjak (Varaždin, 2000) is a Croatian pianist and artistic collaborator whose work is distinguished by a mature and subtle interpretation of lied and a confidence in the piano solo repertoire. He began studying piano at the age of ten in the class of prof. mr. art. Danijel Ljubić at the Music School in Varaždin, where he graduated with honors from high school in 2019. During his education, he received the Rotary Award "prof. dr. Franjo Ruža" for exceptional achievements and excellence.
He supplemented his musical education at numerous seminars and master classes with distinguished pianists and pedagogues, including Đorđe Stanetti, Srđan Čaldarović, Milana Chernyavska, Hinko Haas, Vasilij Šerbakov, Bruno Vlahek, Dubravka Vukalović Vlahek, Ruben Dalibaltayan and Julija Gubaidulina. He particularly distinguished himself as an artistic collaborator through his work with leading experts in lied and vocal chamber music, including Juliette de Massy, Nejc Lavrenčič, Johannes Held, Doriane Tchakarova, Emmanuel Olivier and Hans Adolfsen, thereby developing a refined artistic communication with singers.
He graduated in 2022 in the class of Prof. Ruben Dalibaltayan, with whom he is continuing his master's studies in artistic direction. As part of the Erasmus+ program, he further advanced his studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (mdw) in the class of Prof. Nataša Veljković. His master's thesis, dedicated to physical preparation as a key prerequisite for injury prevention in pianists, was invited to present at the 47th international conference of EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association), which confirms his interest in a holistic and sustainable approach to piano practice.
He is also active on the international scene. He participated in a student exchange project between the Academy of Music in Ljubljana and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) in Switzerland, where he participated as an artistic associate in intensive lied workshops, concluded with a concert at the Toni-Areal Concert Hall in Zurich. In 2024, he was a participant in the prestigious educational project Young Europe Sings (YES), and is currently participating in the project MIND – Music Inspires New Directions (2025–2026), aimed at developing permanent artistic duets between singers and pianists, within which he is developing his own authorial project together with the singer and deepening his knowledge of lied interpretation and cultural management.
Among his more notable performances is a solo concert with the UL AG Symphony Orchestra in 2025 in the Marjan Kozina Hall of the Slovenian Philharmonic, where he performed Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F major. He has performed twice with the Varaždin Chamber Orchestra at the Varaždin Baroque Evenings and in the concert cycle at the Great Hall of the Music School in Varaždin, as well as at concerts of awarded pupils and students. He regularly performs at national and international festivals and cycles, including the Varaždin Baroque Evenings, the Concert of Young Talents of the Croatian National Theatre Varaždin, EPTA - The Piano Pedagogical Society, Glasbena mladina Ljubljana, Mladi virtuozi, Solo e da camera UL AG and Tutti UL AG.
He has won more than sixteen first, ten second and three third prizes at national and international competitions, as well as special awards for the most promising young pianist, exceptional concert maturity and the best performance of a classical piece.
C. Franck: Prelude, Fugue and Variations, Op. 18
E. Grieg: Holberg suite, op. 40
L. van Beethoven: Sonata in no. 23 in F minor, Op. 57
F. Liszt: Ballad no. 2 in B minor, S. 171
