Interview with Luka Okros

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I don’t really remember how exactly it started, as music has been with me my whole life.

I heard music in my head and soon or later it needed to be let out. Luckily, we had an upright piano at home, so when I was 3 ½ years old, I started to spend hours at it, playing random keys, trying to replay what I had in my mind. My parents noticed that and did their best to give me good education. Interestingly, I have no musicians in my family.

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

Many people played huge role in bringing me to where I am now, and I am incredibly thankful to them.

I was 5 when I was introduced to the Stanevsky family (Felix Stanevsky was the Russian Ambassador to Georgia in 1990s). It was a tough time in Georgia. They treated me with so much love and care, helped me get acquainted with people who supported me in getting a proper education. They are like my family.

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

To get to the top of the musician’s career, this is a challenge, especially if you are honest, sincere and would like to stay with principles you believe in. Our profession is far from ideal, full of backstage intrigues, subjectivism. I envy sportspeople – they work so hard, but more depends on them, on the transparent results they achieve. And in our case, it is not enough to work hard and be talented; much depends on other people, circumstances, which you can’t influence. Luck is very important in achieving a great career as a concert pianist. It is not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You should be also ready to take all opportunities and show what you are able to do.

Which performances/recordings are you most proud of?

Hard to say, as every season has its highlights. In March I made my debut at the Alte Opera, Frankfurt performing Rachmaninov’s Second Concerto to a full hall of 2500 people. I really love performing at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, which has a very special atmosphere; also at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. However, to be honest, I’m very rarely proud with the results, as I always think that I can do better’ I’m perfectionist, and I’d like to grow more as a musician and become deeper as a person.

Which particular works do you think you perform best?

The romantic period is the closest to my soul, something which I think is naturally mine. I feel very strong connection with the music of Chopin, Schumann, Liszt and especially with Rachmaninov’s music.

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

I try to choose programmes myself, unless there are some special requests from the organisers. I try to create programmes based on a mixture of my taste and what the audience would like, and always want to keep this balance. I love to create an idea for every concert, to give some contrasts, so anyone can enjoy it.