Russian delights with Lugansky and Kochanovsky in Brussels

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op.34
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto no. 2 in G Minor, Op.16
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 5 in E Minor, Op.64

Nikolai Lugansky, piano
Stanislav Kochanovsky, Belgian National Orchestra
Brussels, Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar), 27 September 2019

Conductors do make a difference with orchestras. We were reminded of this once again when Stanislav Kochanovsky stood before the Belgian National Orchestra to lead them through an all-Russian triple bill, gathering Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky. The Russian maestro has been guesting with the BNO on a handful of occasions and their collaboration hints at real chemistry. With the sort of repertoire that only a few years ago in other hands tended towards loudness contests, BNO audiences are now rewarded with excellent, musical performances.

Read the full review on Bachtrack.