Growing with the Music: Patrik’s Inspiring Piano Journey
- WOMCO
- May 8
- 3 min read
Patrik Szokolay received multiple awards across several categories at the Debussy International Music Competition 2025 Season 2. He was awarded Platinum Prizes in both the Youth (Age 11–13) and Classical A (Under Age 17) Categories. Additionally, he earned a Gold Prize in the Romantic A (Under Age 17) Category and was honored with the Debussy Musical Sensibility Special Award.
Biography
My name is Patrik Szokolay. I was born on the 23rd of October 2012 in Weimar, Germany in a family of musicians. My father is a pianist. He worked as a professor at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest as well as in Weimar. My mother is also a pianist. She is a teacher at the Hummel Music School and an accompanist in Belvedere Music Gymnasium. My brother also plays the piano, so I had no other choice… But the piano is a wonderful instrument, I love it!
I started at the age of 6 with a very experienced teacher in Weimar, Prof. Sigrid Lehmstedt at the Johann Nepomuk Hummel Music School. With her great knowledge I could learn the basic techniques and stage presence. Unfortunately, she passed away, so I continued to learn from one of her students, Sylvia Knüpfer, at this music school. Through her funny and loving lessons I realised that music means a lot to me, and I would like to know more about it, so I took the entrance exam to Belvedere Special Music Grammar School in Weimar.
Since August 2024 I study there in the class of Susanne Bitar (she was also student from Prof. Lehmstedt), who is my mentor, my teacher and my role model. Her work is so precise and detailed that I often think that I cannot play so perfectly. She teaches me, that music is not black and white. Phrases can be different from one day to the next. We don't know exactly, how the composer wanted it to be played, but there is a stylistic basis, that is important. And also our ideas.
We often have class concerts as well as concerts in the school. They are good opportunities to hear, how the other students can develop. This is also very motivating. I think competitions are also important in my life. It takes a lot of hard work and then you have to show your talent during a few minutes. Online competitions are good, if you cannot travel because of school or other commitments, but you can still show a programme that you have just learnt or practised.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
For this competition I chose "Variations on a Theme from Paganini" by Issak Berkowitsch last summer. My teacher said: Ok, let’s do it. But then – after she spent two hours on one page – I realised how difficult it was. But I chose it. So I should learn it.
This is always the process when someone starts working on a new piece. We should have patience, passion and always new impulses, but in the end, you are lucky to have them. I think this competition is also a very good opportunity to see how many talented students there are in the world.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank (such as mentors, supporters or other team members)?
I am very grateful to my teachers, especially for Susanne Bitar, for spending so much time on my musical development. She has taught me not only technique and stylistic elements, but also the language of music. I am also grateful to my parents and grandparents for supporting me whenever and wherever I need them.
