Although Benjamin Lackner has yet to release a solo piano recording, the German-American pianist and composer does perform solo acoustic piano concerts, offering audiences an intimate opportunity to discover his musical world beyond the ensemble format. These performances bring together a selection of his original compositions and spontaneous free improvisations, allowing written melodies to unfold naturally into new musical ideas. With his lyrical sensibility, delicate touch and thoughtful use of silence and space, Lackner creates a contemplative atmosphere in which melody, harmony and improvisation are in constant dialogue.
In his solo concerts, the absence of a rhythm section or other instrumental voices places the piano itself at the centre of the experience. Listeners can encounter the melodic imagination and harmonic sensitivity that define his work with ECM in a more exposed and spontaneous setting, where composed material can serve as a point of departure for unplanned explorations. These performances offer a different perspective on Lackner's artistry: a direct encounter with the pianist, his compositions and his capacity to create music in the moment.