Nikita Lukinov at St Mary’s Perivale
The charm and aristocratic style of a star
Nikita barely had time to try two notes on the piano due to a delayed flight from Glasgow but it was time enough for him to give masterly performances of the two important works on his programme. Nikita has done much to create funds for the Ukraine relief fund and so it was particularly poignant that he should have chosen to close his recital with the ‘Great Gate of Kiev’.Two important works played with great authority and a sense of character that brought them both vividly to life and communicated so simply and directly. The occasional expression on his face gave some hint of how he was living every moment of his music making but it was the kaleidoscope of sounds and mastery of architectural shape that was so compelling. With great charm exclaiming after the Beethoven that now he had warmed up he was ready for ‘Pictures’!But it was a masterly performance of Beethoven that we were treated to where his intelligent musicianship helped him to delve deeply into Beethoven’s score following scrupulously the composers instructions. Mussorgsky was given a monumental multi faceted performance of superb control and mastery. It was, though, in his encore of the Tchaikowsky Meditation from his newly released CD that showed off his subtle artistry and beguiling charm.
