When Lahav Shani strikes the first notes on the piano, he becomes one with his instrument. The fact that he usually makes another, much larger sound simultaneously. Namely, the orchestra happens quite naturally for him. He also conducts demanding works such as Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto from the piano. “It’s not much harder than just playing. Above all, it’s great fun. As a soloist, you are much more exposed; you have a different control over the sound. As a conductor, it’s all about trusting the orchestra,” he says, describing his performances as conductor and pianist. Shani is a phenomenon, a musician who knows music from three perspectives. From the conductor’s soloist podium and his orchestral experience as a double bass player.
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1989 as the son of a choir conductor, he grew up with music. Mozart, Beethoven and Prokofiev are his favourite childhood sounds. At the age of 15, there was no doubt that he wanted to be a pianist. This only changes when he turns 18 and plays double bass in the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He felt more and more that he wanted to decide for himself how something should sound. Then, he meets Zubin Mehta, who performs with him as a soloist on the piano and as a double bass player in the orchestra. Mehta recognized his potential, attested to his leadership qualities and encouraged him: “You have to try it.”
Shani begins studying conducting in Berlin and attends Daniel Barenboim’s rehearsals. “We talked a lot about music. He was my soloist at my first concert in Rotterdam, and now we are friends,” he says, describing his relationship with his mentor.
