Lambert, pianist

Who or what inspired you to take up the piano, and pursue a career in music?

A lack of alternatives can be very inspiring. My Highschool career didn’t lead me anywhere else. Next to music I play a lot of chess, but I prefer music, ’cause you can’t lose!

Who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?

I guess, when I got into improvisation. The way I write music, the way I perform it, the way I live my life, is all based or connected to the idea and concept on improvisation.

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?

Finding out what kind of music I like to write and perform…it was a long journey!

Which performance/recordings are you most proud of?

The Lambert & Dekker Album ‘We share phenomena‘, and I am currently working on new recordings. It feels like there is a new deepness to it…

Which particular works do you think you play best?

I only play my own music… but I used to be an alright Jazz Pianist, and played a lot of Standards on Sessions when I was living in Amsterdam. Playing this music can lead to some kind of freedom, that you wouldn’t have anywhere else in music, or it can be just very boring. Still I sometimes miss those days…

How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?

For my live performances, I pick my own tunes that provide a certain flexibility, since I improvise within the form or with the form of my tunes.

Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?

I really enjoy playing in churches and work with the reverb of the room. I have to react to the room sound and play my tunes differently. I enjoy these kind of challenges, it keeps the performance fresh.

What is your most memorable concert experience?

Playing at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

Being able to do what you like to do, without compromises…

What do you consider to be the most important ideas and concepts to impart to aspiring musicians?

Hard to define this objectively, since every musician has a different way to work with music. To me writing music really helped me to find my own style in music, but also the flexibility on my instrument feels very important.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?

Hopefully still writing and performing my music. I don’t really need much more in life.

What do you enjoy doing most?

Eating Weißwurst (a very nice Bavarian speciality). Very rarely I manage to do nothing. If this happens I enjoy it very much!

Lambert & Dekker’s new album ‘We share phenomena‘ is available now

Lambert’s tour dates:

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Lambert is a pianist and composer from Hamburg, Germany. He always performs wearing a Sardinian mask.

http://listentolambert.com/

(Photo by Andreas Hornoff)