‘National Orchestra of Belgium’

CONTEXT: 19:00: Introduction and encounter with Andrey Boreyko

Since he won the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at 22 years of age, the Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky hasn’t looked back. With his fabulous technique and mature interpretations of the romantic repertoire in particular, he has his place amongst the greats. Today he gives a solo performance of Brahms’ First piano concerto. It was originally intended as a Symphony and you can hear that from the epic, even tragic character of the work. In The Tomb of Couperin, originally written for piano, Ravel pays a musical tribute to the French baroque composer François Couperin. Beforehand we hear the symphonic poem Le chasseur maudit, a great example of the fine orchestral colours which the late Franck appeared to have a patent on.