Roby Lakatos, a descendant of the legendary Janos Bihari, grew up in an environment steeped in Gypsy traditions. But his musical background was not limited to folk music.
Rude expressions and mocking smiles that haunt the Gypsies even in the 21st century made Lakatos determined to defy the prejudices and carve a niche for himself. Today he is a household name in Europe.
“Gypsy music is always moving, evolving, transforming. ... I know tradition is not to be moved. But in my opinion, [traditional] music needs to be made more up-to-date while maintaining and best-portraying the roots,” Lakatos told Weekend Review.
“Something had to be done to allow the evolution of this music and I have tried my best to spread the word and promote the music, and to create a more widespread awareness about it.”
Often referred to as the “devil’s fiddler”, Lakatos is not only a wonderful virtuoso but also a musician of extraordinary stylistic versatility. Music is in his genes and he was drawn towards it from a very young age.
“I don’t believe I could be this enthralled by any art form other than music as it is entwined in my soul,” he says.
Lakatos’s prowess evolved at the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest, where he won first prize for classical violin in 1984.
Many classical violinists have tried to improvise and compose different genres of music, but Lakatos has mastered the art of performing classical music just as comfortably as playing jazz in his own Hungarian folk idiom.
His body of work is more than just bewildering. The mix of “classical music” and Hungarian Gypsy vitality reflects the cultural heritage of the Gypsy people and offers new, refreshing pleasures to the music lover.
According to Lakatos, even deep-rooted tradition evolves with time. “The influence of other music genres, the changing world and everyday issues that have an impact on individual musicians themselves can provide inspiration for the evolution of Gypsy music,” he says.
“My inspiration comes from deep within my soul. The instruments themselves, of course, play a huge role, as does the style of music.”
And as Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms and other romantic composers have already used Hungarian overtones in their compositions, music lovers are used to the confluence of these classics with Gypsy roots.
“Gypsies are nomadic. So it is quite natural and definite for them to adapt to the culture of the place they travel to,” Lakatos says.
“Throughout their travels, Gypsies incorporated and performed what they encountered and heard, regardless of genre; thus developing this music as a ‘mixed bag’ of influences.”
Hungarian Gypsy music, which emerged as a vivid, distinctive and enticing style in the European tradition of classical music, and inspired multiple folk music traditions as well as a generation of classical composers such as Moeller, Rodrigo and Albinez, has many factors responsible for its boom.
“The Turks ruled Hungary for 500 years, so there is an Eastern influence, too,” Lakatos says.
“Even when we look at jazz music of Gypsy traditions we feel the multicultural element. Look at flamenco guitarists or mariachi bands. These days, Gypsy music all over the world is different. There can be differences between regions and even districts within a certain country.
“I endeavour to mix as many influences as possible. Be it jazz, folk or classical,” he says. In the beginning of his musical career, though, Lakatos’s father used to advise him to streamline his music.
“I do not think [Gypsy music] is kitsch. We had the privilege of playing in cafés, which gave us the chance to show what great musicians we were. And with time, my father has learnt to appreciate my approach and is a great supporter of my work.”
Improvisation is key to Lakatos’s way of playing. The kind of imagination in a Harry Potter film is what he believes a true improviser needs, no matter what the kind of art may be.
“I love to improvise,” he says. “The emotions you feel at that moment are portrayed with clarity and your feelings are mirrored in the music. This is the core of being a true musician — feeling the music.”
Through his previous album, the virtuoso had modernised the usual Hungarian Gypsy genre but his latest work, Klezmer Karma, is the first that has brought together Gypsy and klezmer music, along with hints of tango, jazz, waltz and funk with a classical chamber orchestra.
It brings back memories, especially of a recording session of the Jewish prayer Ani Maamin with the Yiddish singer Myriam Fuks. “I was so thrilled to meet such a wonderful singer,” he says.
Lakatos also has such unforgettable moments when he collaborated with Vadim Repin, Stéphane Grappelli and Russian pianist Polina Leschenko on a session that also included the great Argentine pianist Martha Argerich.
Performing with a brilliant ensemble at the great halls and festivals of Europe, Asia and America has ignited Lakatos’s melodic zing.
Lászlo Bóni, the second violinist in Lakatos’s ensemble, had studied with his father and, playing in his orchestra, earned a soloist’s diploma as a Gypsy violinist in 1987. Solo guitarist Laszlo Balogh is recognised for his infatuation with jazz and Gypsy style music.
Double bass player Robert Fehér, pianist Frantisek Janoska and cymbalom player Jeno Lisztes, whose grandfather too was a famous cymbalom player, also form part of the ensemble.
Together with these colourful artistes, it seems Lakatos is on a mission to overhaul Gypsy music — improvising, composing and arranging all at once. “Each time on stage is a zest,” he says.
“For me, there is no life without music. I do not suffer at all being a Gypsy musician. I am happy and love to share my trade and talents with others.”
So what about the concert in Abu Dhabi? “[I am] happy and excited!” he says. “I have heard much about how the city is striving to become a cultural centre and I am happy to be able to contribute. As for what I will perform, let’s keep it a surprise.”
Roby Lakatos and his ensemble will perform at the Abu Dhabi Classics inaugural gala today at the Emirates Palace auditorium, Abu Dhabi.
Layla Haroon is a freelance writer based in Abu Dhabi.
