Mark Lobenstein

Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even before I learned to play the piano, I listened to my mother’s singing, and in my box I got my first piano. When I was seven, I started playing the piano. From the moment I had my first lesson, I sat behind the piano every day and played for hours on end. Through my first piano teacher I became acquainted with classical music, especially Chopin I found very beautiful, still by the way.

Because music was an important part of my life for me, after high school I went to the Music Conservatory in Utrecht where I studied with Thom Bollen. During my conservatoire training I played with different vocalists. One of the highlights of that time was giving a concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. By then my interest in jazz music and improvisation began. Bill Evans and Miles Davis inspired me a lot.

During this period I made several concert trips to Germany and Belgium and later also to India. There I got to know Indian ragas and other Indian music. Especially my meeting with Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji in 1993 had had a lot of influence in my musical development. Besides playing with Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji, I also played there with many other musicians, including Dr. L. Subramanjam an Indian violinist and composer.

Giving a concert for 15,000 people in India together with Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji is one of the most special performances in my life.

Music is not only a way for me to express myself, but also for giving something to others through music. Technique is not important for me, it is mainly about expressing and conveying emotions and feelings. I like to combine Indian musical elements with ‘western’ music, creating a mix between East and West.

Although piano is my main instrument, I started playing saxophone in 2018. This is a way for me to deal with music in a different way. For me music is an indispensable element in my life. I compose music that I hope can give a lot of people something they need, music for meditation, relaxation and just feeling good.