Peter Szalai plays North-Indian classical music and is one of the best
west-born tabla musicians of our time.
The tabla is also a curiosity even among other Indian percussion
instruments: it can be tuned to a specific pitch. The many layers of
skin and the special finger technique ensures a distinctive
polyrhythmical sound. Because of all this the tabla does not only fill
the role of a rhythmical instrument, but it also has a rich tone and
musicality.
In the beginning Peter Szalai was the student of the magnificent
Anthony Dass (Delhi gharana) between 1982 and 1984 in both Budapest and
India.
The world-famous tabla master, Ustad Alla Rakha invited him to be his
student. Upon his effect he still strictly follows the traditions of
the Punjab gharana. Parallel to this, he also developed a special
master-student bond with Pandit Ravi Shankar, who he considers his guru
(master) not only in the field of Indian classical music.
Beside being a frequent guest of several Indian music festivals, he has
intensive and lasting connections with his master's sons - Ustad Zakir
Hussain, Fazal Qureshi and Taufiq Qureshi - even after the death of
Ustad Alla Rakha in 2000.
As the member of the Calcutta Trio he plays classical Indian music
since 1980 to this very day. The club of the formation is still
functioning and meets monthly.
A biographical documentary is being made in 2011 about Peter Szalai.
