“The Bechstein piano has a unique ability to help the pianist perform with its refined sound to the fullest extent. Whether it is a soft lyrical piece or the most dynamic playing style the instrument always retains the brand’s characteristic warm and full sound.”
Alex Szilasi
Alex Szilasi was born in Parma to Hungarian parents. His musical journey was profoundly shaped by his grandfather, the composer Imre Csenki, who, as a student of Zoltán Kodály, instilled in him a deep connection to the mother tongue of Eastern European folk music traditions. He studied at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest and has since performed as a pianist in major concert venues across Europe, as well as in Canada, the USA, China, and South Korea. Since 2017, he has served as the artistic director of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő and the Liszt Festival in Gödöllő in Hungary.
Szilasi's artistic work centers on researching the early 19th-century European Romantic piano tradition, with a particular focus on how innovations in piano manufacturing influenced contemporary performers and composers. His research has led to the creation of groundbreaking recordings that offer a fresh interpretation of Fryderyk Chopin’s oeuvre on period instruments, including some of Chopin’s own pianos (e.g., Chopin: Nocturnes Vol. 1, NIFCCD 032 - 2012; Chopin: Impromptus, Hungaroton - 2015).
His keen sensitivity to historical instruments is reflected in his recordings on authentic 19th-century pianos, such as those featured in the ongoing Hungaroton Complete Chopin Edition (since 2006). His dedication to the finest traditions of piano craftsmanship has also led him to record works by Schumann, Schubert, Weber, and Brahms on C. Bechstein 282 models (Hungaroton 2023, 2024).
These recordings pay tribute to Bechstein’s historical significance, which, in Szilasi’s view, represents the continuation of the 19th-century innovations pioneered by Pleyel, Érard, and Broadwood.
“In the history of piano making, Bechstein stands as one of the rare, iconic brands with both an illustrious past and an indisputable future.”
photo © Adam Urban und Barnabas Szilasi
Go to the website of Alex Azilasi
