Between Sound and Imagination: Csaba Gál on Debussy, Performance, and Musical Identity
- WOMCO
- Dec 27, 2025
- 6 min read
Pianist Csaba Gál from Hungary was awarded the Platinum Prize in both the Etude and Modern categories, the Gold Prize in the Professional category, and the Best Debussy Performance Special Award at the Claude Debussy International Music Competition 2025 Season 4. The season ran from 10 July to 10 October, with the results announced on 29 October 2025.
Following his outstanding success at the competition, we invited Csaba to share more about the story behind his award-winning video performances—how the recordings came to life, his artistic decisions, and the musical journey that led to these results. In the interview below, he reflects on his preparation process, his deep connection with Debussy’s music, and his perspective as both a performer and educator in today’s digital age.
Could you share the background of your award-winning video performance? When and where did you record it, and how did you choose the repertoire?
Csaba Gál:
"Over the past few years, as a professional collaborative pianist and répétiteur, I have taken part in many online competitions by accompanying my students. It has been a joy to see them achieve consistently strong results. One morning it suddenly occurred to me: why not try this world myself again—this time as a soloist—at the age of 40, after many years?
Debussy’s musical universe has always been especially close to me, so it was clear that I wanted to record his works. I devoted the summer months to long, focused preparation and practice.
I moved from Budapest several years ago and I currently live, teach, and work as a répétiteur in Békéscsaba. Even though it is far from the capital, the city has a vibrant musical life. Our local music school has a concert hall with excellent acoustics and a wonderful concert grand, which made it an ideal venue for producing recordings at a truly professional level. The sessions took place at the end of September 2025."
Could you walk us through your approach to preparing and interpreting your award-winning video performance? What were some of the artistic or technical considerations that shaped the final result, and are there any tips or points you think are important when preparing a performance video?
Csaba Gál:
"Today you can find an enormous range of performance videos on online platforms—from simple smartphone recordings to fully studio-level productions. Before recording, I watched many examples myself to understand the expectations and standards of the online competition environment.
As both a performer and a teacher, I believe it is important to present the music as convincingly and at as high a level as possible—whether on stage or online. For that reason, I wanted my own videos to be built on the same artistic foundation. I also felt it was essential that the jury could evaluate my playing with the best possible sound and image quality, so I aimed for a natural, 'acoustic' result.
Performing for a camera and microphone is different from playing in a live concert. It affects touch, dynamic control, and even stage presence. Keeping these factors in mind, I recorded multiple takes and then selected the performances that best reflected both the demands of the pieces and Debussy’s precisely notated intentions."
Having been nominated for the Best Debussy Performance Special Award, what makes Debussy's music stand out to you as a pianist? Are there particular aspects of his compositional style or emotional depth that resonate with you? When performing Debussy’s works, what interpretive or technical approaches do you find most important for capturing his unique sound world?
Csaba Gál:
"When I received the news that I had won the Best Debussy Performance Special Award, I honestly felt happiest about this one—among all the wonderful prizes. As I mentioned, I have been working with Debussy’s music for many years, from his chamber works and songs to his solo piano repertoire. To be recognized in a competition that bears his name felt like a great honor, and a confirmation that I am on a meaningful path toward understanding and communicating his music as authentically as possible.
For me, Debussy’s art is a musical imprint of our inner life. It is a refined example of how a moment, a feeling, an image—or even a scent—can be translated into sound. Just as impressionism in painting reveals itself through brushwork, colors, and shapes, in Debussy the same world appears through harmony, delicate passagework, and an instrument treatment that is boldly light, yet extraordinarily precise.
He captures these moments masterfully—from the melancholic, snowy landscape of Des pas sur la neige to the crackling, whistling fireworks of Feux d’artifice."
Could you talk to us about yourself, your journey in music, and your future goals? Could you also share your perspective on what defines a great pianist in today’s digital age, and what you consider to be the most significant artistic or professional challenges facing musician today and in the coming years?
Csaba Gál:
"Music fascinated me from very early childhood. I had a good ear and strong intonation, so I sang frequently—both in choirs and as a soloist. It felt natural that I would eventually begin learning an instrument, and for me that instrument could only be the piano.
As a student I received prizes at several regional and national piano competitions, and quite early I decided that music would become my profession—at that time, with the goal of a soloist career. Toward the end of my years at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, however, I began to turn more seriously toward accompaniment and chamber music. I completed the collaborative piano / répétiteur program there, and I was fortunate to study with outstanding figures of Hungarian musical life.
Since then, I have worked professionally as a répétiteur with various choirs, orchestras, and chamber ensembles. Alongside this, I teach piano—from the youngest beginners to adult students—and I try to pass on my musical knowledge and the experience I have gained over many years.
I also feel it is important that students preparing for a professional career learn not only the musical craft, but also how to represent themselves and their strengths in today’s world. With the rise of the digital space—whether social media or video platforms—it has become unavoidable that emerging and established artists alike understand how to be effectively present online. Today, almost every performer—whether in classical, pop, rock, or world music—has an official page or artist presence, which has become an essential reference and sign of credibility in the 21st century. In my view, alongside musicianship, this is another key to success.
As for my own future, I hope that through competition results and performance opportunities I can continue building this professional credibility—ultimately with the aim that the artistic world of music can reach as many people, of all backgrounds and ages, as possible.“
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Csaba Gál:
"To be honest, the Debussy Competition was the first online competition I ever applied to, and I was a little nervous about making a mistake in the process. I would like to thank Sophie for kindly answering all of my questions and helping to ensure that my application went smoothly. I am also deeply grateful to my family, friends, and teachers for their support, which made it possible for me to achieve these results.“
Biography
Csaba Gál (b. 1985, Orosháza) is a Hungarian pianist, collaborative artist, and répétiteur. He studied in Békéscsaba and Budapest, and graduated from the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, completing the collaborative piano / répétiteur program (2011). He has worked as an orchestral pianist at the Budapest Operetta Theatre, and is currently a teacher and staff accompanist at the Bartók Béla Szakgimnázium and Music School in Békéscsaba. Since 2012 he has been the permanent accompanist of the Bartók Béla Mixed Choir, and he also collaborates regularly with the Jókai Theatre’s musical productions and the Békés County Symphony Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, he has performed widely in Hungary and internationally (including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, Finland, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Japan), and his performances have been recorded by Hungarian Radio. Notable engagements include a concert at the Hungarian Pavilion of Expo Milano (2015), a Maria Callas centenary concert at the Greek Ambassador’s Residence in London (2023), and a commemorative concert for Hungary’s national holiday in Bern (2025).
In 2025, at the Debussy International Music Competition – Season 4 (online), his piano playing received two Platinum and one Gold prizes, and he won the Best Debussy Performance Special Award. He was also named Absolute Winner (Category X) at the 12th Piano Competition Online (PCO). In addition, he won 1st Prize (Professional – Piano Category) at the Gabriel Fauré Music World Competition.
