"It Takes a Team": Zsolt Bognár on 10 Years of Living the Classical Life

<p>Pianist <a href="https://zsolt-bognar.com/"><u>Zsolt Bognár</u></a> had a light-bulb moment while building his first artist website in 2012. What if, instead of short clips of his performances — something every pianist publishes on their website — he interviewed his musician friends about their craft and careers?</p> <p>Inspired by Bognár's love for Bravo's <em>Inside the Actor's Studio</em>, the first iteration of the web series that would become <a href="https://www.classical-life.com/"><u><em>Living the Classical Life</em></u></a> was born. And more than a decade later, it has grown into an incredibly popular, award-winning show that's featured the best of the best in the classical music world.</p> <p>With more than three million views on YouTube alone, Bognár's in-depth conversations with the likes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q007qPtDXcY"><u>Daniil Trifonov</u></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkH6jz1gy3Y"><u>Yuja Wang</u></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf0Nv-3wXbo"><u>Joyce DiDonato</u></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIWAVBis0cc"><u>Lisa Batiashvilli</u></a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yw5M8lvqfk"><u>Susanna Mällki</u></a> illuminate the inner world of classical musicians — revealing the passions, fears, and rewards that fuel their lives in music.</p> <p>To find success in today's content-saturated landscape, Bognár knew he would need to build a network of like-minded professionals who could support his vision for <em>Living the Classical Life</em> not only as a creative outlet, but as a business venture. That's a perspective he hopes to impart on anyone seeking advice on launching a new project.</p> <p>"Seek out people who you are really on the same wavelength with," Bognár shares on the latest episode of the <em>Classical Post</em> podcast, "or you may not have the same values that can connect you with others you'll resonate with. This is a world of business, as much as we don't like to think in those terms. Identify the peopl