From Denmark to Szeged - interview with Danish musician Frederik Cornelius

Image by Aisha Shakoor

21 year old Danish singer-songwriter Frederik Cornelius moved to Szeged recently. We met at a local café right before the Szeged Youth Days (SZIN), where he was to perform, to talk about his music career and his new life in Szeged.

How did you end up in Szeged?

I first came to Hungary to play music in 2018. I visited the country again and again, gave concerts - also in Szeged - and it just grew on me. I had an interest in Central and Eastern European countries for a long time, and the more time I spent in Hungary, the more I liked it.

When did you decide to move here?

I was playing quite a few times in Szeged, got to know the city, met interesting people, and eventually decided to buy an apartment here. I moved to Szeged in February, on the same day when Russia attacked Ukraine. I was stocked about moving here but I was also trying to digest the news that day - it was surreal.

What is the most appealing to you - the best of the best in living in Szeged?

The trees and the parks. I love that there’s so much nature in the city. In Denmark, in Copenhagen for example, there are hardly any green spots inside the city, only brick and stone everywhere. There has been some replanting going on recently, which is a nice move, but it’s still a long way to go.

Gastronomy is another thing I like in Szeged. I’m a huge fan of Pick salami and the fish soup. I also like the architecture and the vibe of the city, it feels so real. Here I can really feel that I’m living because it’s in between the hypermodern west and the more traditional east. It has the best of both worlds.

Tell me about your music career. You’ve been making music for a long time, right?

I’ve been playing in front of an audience for seven years now. I had - and still have - side projects, I like to be involved in different things. In Denmark I used to work as a radio host and a podcaster, but I’ve been earning a living as a musician for the longest time. My first release came out in 2018.

Which of your songs is the closest to your heart?

Well, I’m really proud of the song I wrote and perform in Hungarian, with the title “A szeretet nyelvén beszélsz”. I went to a course to learn Hungarian. I still have an accent but I understand quite a lot and can even speak on a certain level, but I would love to develop it further and become fluent.

A szeretet nyelvén beszélsz is my tribute to this great country and the Hungarian language.

I saw the Frederik Cornelius trio play that song live at the Szeged Wine Festival in May.

You’ve been there? The Danish TV channel, DR1, was also there, they came to Szeged to make a riport about me, a Danish musician living in Hungary. We had a great time.

Do you have a favourite Hungarian band or musician?

Of course! I love Carson Coma and Margaret Island, can’t wait to see them perform on SZIN Festival!

I saw that you are also going to perform on SZIN this year.

Yes. The Frederik Cornelius trio will play at the World Music Stage (Fonó - Világzenei Színpad) on Friday, August 26, from 6 pm.

What are your plans for the near future?

I’ll be off soon to Denmark to play music. When I come back I will be playing in Szeged at Bortér, at Nyugi Kert, and at Szegedi Sportnap, among others. I’m also planning to perform in Romania, Serbia and Turkey, where concerts are already under discussion.

I’m working on side projects too, like my brand new YouTube channel - This is Frederik Cornelius. Here I’ll share vlogs about life in Szeged, but also many other things about Hungary, music, and travel.