10 questions – Péter Nagy

You were admitted at age eight to the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest – at what age did you begin to play the piano?

I started at the age of five. My first piano teacher was a student of Dohnányi and I still remember very vividly her wonderful enthusiasm for teaching.

What is the importance of the Liszt Academy to Hungarian musicians – and to you in particular?

The Liszt Academy represents a complete musical universe for us Hungarian musicians. My musical mind has been built there from the first cell. This institute gave me a firm and uncompromising musical foundation.

Does being Hungarian influence the way you play the piano?

If a certain temperament could be connected to Hungarian character then maybe yes.

What are the challenges of your international career as a concert pianist?

I try to concentrate on one challenge at a time and that is the piece I am playing at the moment. This means that I am trying to concentrate on the music and try to be free from the “business” of the music world.

How important is it for you to play chamber music?

Chamber music requires a very high level of intellectual and psychological concentration. It is a very exciting “game” of giving and taking – a great challenge. Because of that it’s a great stimulus for me in my musical development.

You teach in both Hungary and Germany – what does teaching bring to your playing?

It brings control again and again for my own practising. In teaching I not only have to control what the students do but also myself when I demonstrate or formulate a musical idea or solution. This makes me very aware of myself.

In 2001 you won the Liszt Prize – what is this Prize awarded for and what was its importance to you?

This is a state prize and is given to musicians who are actively taking part in the Hungarian music life. I think I was awarded this prize because of my wide repertoire and participation in varied musical projects.

What are you particularly looking forward to in these programmes with the Quartet that you’ll take around New Zealand?

I am anticipating “exit” discussions after concerts. I am very much looking forward to listening to the Quartet in the concerts and I very much hope they will also listen to my solo pieces so after the concerts we can exchange ideas.

You and your family lived in Christchurch a few years ago – now they are returning with you for this visit. What does New Zealand mean to your family?

They were very sad when leaving New Zealand. They confessed that they could not stop crying on the plane when they took off from Christchurch airport so you can imagine how much it means for them to be able to return to see their friends of whom they became very fond.

What do you do when you’re not rehearsing, performing, recording or teaching?

Due to my dual professorship in Hungary and in Germany I have had a very busy schedule lately. But just now in the last few days I very much enjoyed playing ping-pong. Commuting between Hungary and Germany gives me a chance to read on the plane. I am trying to study German.