Nikolaï LUGANSKY, already a major artist, has been hailed by his former pedagogue Tatiana Nikolajeva as the "next one" in line, in the succession of great Russian pianists. Famed for his interpretations of Rachmaninov, he has been prizewinner in several international competitions, including the Tchaïkovsky International Competition (1994). He made his American début at the Hollywood Bowl in 1990 as a part of a tour with the Kirov Orchestra with V.Gergiev.
Cheered by the international public, the announcement of his concerts fills each year the concert halls in Paris (Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Salle Pleyel), in London (Barbican Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall), in Amsterdam (Concertgebouw), going through Vienna (Musikverein), Salzburg (Mozarteum), Berlin (The Philharmonic), Brussels (Palais des Beaux Arts), Geneva (Victoria Hall), Zurich Tonhalle, New York (Lincoln Centre), Tokyo (Suntory Hall).
Orchestras such as Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), the London Orchestras, the Staatskapelle of Dresde, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco and Cincinnati Symphonics frequently call Nikolaï LUGANSKY for various programs such as Rachmaninov, Brahms, Schumann, Prokofiev, Ravel, Chopin, Tchaïkovsky, Liszt.
His next concerts tours will take Nikolaï LUGANSKY to Berlin, Munich, Paris with M.Janowski in Schumann piano concerto, to Birmingham with S.Oramo in Rachmaninov piano concerto n°2, to Dresden with V.Jurovsky in Ravel in G Major, to London with J.P.Saraste in Rachmaninov n°2, to Vienna with Y.Temirkanov in Tchaikovsky n°1. He will appear in Paris with the Orchestre de Paris under E.Gulberg-Jensen in Grieg and with the Philharmonia under V.Ashkenazy as part of an European tour. He is invited to perform the integrality of Rachmaninov's concerti successively under M.Pletnev and A.Nelsons.
After his performances in Japan with the NHK, he will play in the States with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under C.Dutoit the Ravel concerto in D Major and the Rachmaninov n°3, at Carnegie Hall with the St.Petersburg Orchestra under Y.Temirkanov, then with the Philadelphia Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra Washington.
Nikolaï LUGANSKY is regularly part of numerous festivals such as La Roque d'Anthéron, les Chorégies d'Orange (France), Verbier, Gstaad (Switzerland), the Proms (United Kingdom), Munich "Beethoven Festspiel", Baden Baden, Kissingen Summer, Rheingau.
An acclaimed recording artist on the Warner Classics Int. label, Nikolaï LUGANSKY won the "Diapason d'Or of the Year 2000" for his recording of the complete Chopin Etudes . His next discs of Rachmaninov Préludes and Moments musicaux and Chopin Préludes won him a "Diapason d'Or" in 2001 and 2002 as well. He was awarded the "Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik" and the "Echo Klassik 2005" for his recording of Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 1 & 3 and 2 & 4. His recording of Tchaïkovsky Piano Concerto 1 for PentaTone Classics won "Gramophone Editor's Choice" (February 2004) and "Choc de la Musique". His other releases include a disc of Prokofiev Sonatas 4 & 6 and selections from Romeo and Juliet, a disc of Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and S.Oramo coupled with Rachmaninov Variations on a theme by Chopin, and Variations on a theme by Corelli. In Fall 2005, Warner Classics released his first disc of Beethoven Sonatas that includes the "Moonlight" and "Appassionata" sonatas. A new Chopin recording on Onyx will be released in April 2010.
Last update : 10.02.2010
