Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music and who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?
Probably a mixture of things. My mom took me to a lot of symphony concerts and recitals that were toddler-friendly in Budapest. Music was always playing in the background at home too and I sort of remember being totally captivated by Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no.1 or Beethoven 5th Symphony, Vivaldi 4 Seasons, Chopin fantasie-impromptu, all the evergreens when I was 2-3 years old. My grandparents had an upright piano and when I was 5 or 6 I succeeded in convincing my parents that “I promise I can sit still and practice everyday, for REAL!” It took a lot of effort, but eventually they believed me and agreed that I start lessons. Years kind of went by, my parents were so supportive at that stage, taking me to youth competitions, masterclasses, piano summer courses, they made lots and lots of sacrifices so that I can just be a happy boy getting better at playing the instrument, learning more and more pieces. I am also lucky in the sense of meeting incredible people in my piano teachers, solfege and composition teachers who just genuinely lived and breathed music. I never cared for a career, but I knew that music would be at the center of my life too in some way. I just feel so fortunate and grateful for the people I met at various stages of my life. My early teachers: Judit Bánk, Flórián Juhász, Keveházi Gyöngyi, Gulyás István, my composition teacher István Fekete Győr, my teacher and mentor at the Royal Academy of Music and in Birmingham, Pascal Nemirovski. Just absolutely gold people. Over the years as a student I am so grateful for the many many meaningful friendships formed as well. Of course indirectly Richter (or insert other legend) inspired me too.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
Every musician will know this… it`s f*cking hard making it work as a musician. The whole thing sometimes feels like a big challenge.
Which performances/recordings are you most proud of?
There were a couple where I felt that I got close to the standard I was aiming for.
Which particular works/composers do you think you perform best?
I am not the one to say what I think I play best, but I feel especially connected to the music of Schubert, Liszt, Mozart. But honestly I love nearly all of them.
How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?
It usually starts with the idea of a centrepiece that I am really eager to learn and then I will try to devise the rest of the programme around it. It sometimes takes months to come up with a programme until I find the exact pieces that I believe will compliment that centrepiece best to make for a great recital.
Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?
I don`t have a favourite one. It`s the open hearts and ears present that make any occasion special.
What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?
Focus, breathe. I try to eat good food, run through the music in my head. Stretch a bit, warm up when it is possible. Have a nap. Very boring things.
What is your most memorable concert experience?
Playing Liszt in the Philharmonie in Kyiv in October 2023 was very special. I was able to go and play a recital of Liszt`s – as a kind of homage to the plight of Ukrainians. The whole trip was very heavy, you could just sense that everyone has lost someone in this war – talk about a real sacrifice. But at the same time seeing the courage of the people who stayed, to put on concerts or events, for the musicians to play concerts, to teach at the conservatoire, to carry on their daily lives.. Truly inspiring.. So many of them told me they`d rather die than leave their city…It was humbling. And an absolute honour to be there for a few days. Slava Ukraine.
As a musician, what is your definition of success?
Having at least one more concert coming up in the diary. Not being broke at the end of the month. Approaching the instrument with love and patience. Not having to play music that doesn`t speak to me. Not having to present myself or the music in any other way than I believe I should be presenting myself or it.
What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’s audiences?
Bringing more music to schools. Outreach projects.. I really enjoy doing these when I get asked to.
What’s the one thing in the music industry we’re not talking about which you think we should be?
I don`t know enough to answer this very eloquently. Industry is not really a thing I care a great deal for. You can`t mass produce art. As for the bullshit that musicians face because of their colour, gender, sex or beliefs… I really hope things are heading towards a fairer, less judgmental world, where everyone is treated with the dignity they deserve. As far as getting started as a musician now is unbelievably difficult. I think currently a huge emphasis is placed on streaming numbers and followers and likes… I don`t mind admitting that I am a dinosaur when it comes to social media presence. Many times the packaging seems to be more important than the value of what it contains. I know in many cases people that sign artists aren’t interested in substance but the number of followers. It probably always has been like this.
On another matter, I find it really sad that it really is mostly only the children in wealthier families that stand a chance in this country to have music lessons. Back in Hungary in 1998 when I started piano I received a very good level of music education for next to nothing at the local music school. For very little money I had theory lessons, piano lessons, choir, solfege… every week. For any kid to have this their parents would need to fork out a vast amount of money for private lessons, there is just no other way. The 30 minute long instrumental lesson that some schools provide won`t lead to a curiosity about music.. Where are we going to find future music lovers who will put their trust in us musicians and occasionally pay for a concert ticket? An audience that will challenge the musicians – because they have an insight to the art – that in turn we musicians can challenge too? I think not on Instagram or TikTok. I think fighting for a quality musical education to be more affordable is a crucial issue if the goal is to keep live music-making alive.
What advice would you give to young or aspiring musicians?
Be humble, compassionate, grateful. Be prepared to have to do a lot of work outside the practice room. Care for the connections you make with people who believe in you. Approach colleagues and everyone you meet with compassion. Keep an open mind and heart. Always know that you can learn more.
What’s next? Where would you like to be in 10 years?
I will be recording a CD soon, it will probably be out in 2027. In 10 years time, if I still have the chance to be on stage, to work with amazing musicians, to teach, then it`s great, I will be very happy. I hope all my current friends will still be there, and I hope I will have made some new ones too.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Balance.
What is your most treasured possession?
I hate throwing things away. So I have a lot of clutter like old programmes, posters, tickets, itinerary`s, old pocket diaries etc. A few vinyl records, lots of CD`s (classical and a decent range of all kinds of metal). I love books. I also keep greeting cards from friends, I have a young sister and I kept her drawings from when she was very little. Sadly I wasn`t around a lot when she grew up. Pictures of my 3 nieces as well. A photo of my late granddad to whom I was very close. A tuning lever.. That`s very important. The piano that I have is really quite old and beaten up BUT it grew very close to me and I genuinely love it… it is impossible to keep it in tune though. Honestly in it`s prime it was a beautiful instrument for sure and I am really really really grateful to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for gifting it to me nearly 10 years ago now!
What is your present state of mind?
It`s just gone 1am, so I am sleepy, calm, but also looking forward to practicing tomorrow.
Daniel Lebhardt performs Hidden Gems of Piano at the 1901 Arts Club on Wednesday 28 October. The concert is in support of the ENO Benevolent Fund. Find out more
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