Friday December 13 will be an exceptional night at the Kolarac Hall, when, starting from 8 PM, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will perform alongside the celebrated pianist Nikolai Lugansky, under the baton of Stanislav Kochanovsky. The program features Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 and Anton Bruckner’s Symphony in D minor, also known as the Nullte.

Staying true to its mission of building a better world through art, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra continues its season this Friday, thrilled to welcome back the acclaimed pianist and collaborator Nikolai Lugansky, a long time favourite of Belgrade audiences. Recognised worldwide for his profound interpretations and versatility, Lugansky has earned numerous accolades for his recordings and artistic achievements. He regularly collaborates with some of the world’s most prominent conductors, including this evening’s maestro, Stanislav Kochanovsky. On Friday night, Lugansky will join the Belgrade Philharmonic  Orchestra to bring his artistry to Brahms’ monumental Piano Concerto No. 1. This masterwork, which took Brahms nearly five years to complete, initially faced with a series of unsuccessful premieres before finally gaining recognition. It took two decades for the concerto to overcome its challenging start and become a staple of the classical repertoire.

The second part of the program shines a spotlight on Anton Bruckner’s Symphony in D Minor, often referred to as Symphony No. 0, or Nullte. Unhappy with the work, Bruckner himself disowned it, even crossing it out from his catalog. Such decision was reportedly influenced by harsh criticism from one other conductor, leaving the Nullte symphony unpublished and unperformed for over 50 years. Despite its rocky beginnings, the work has proven itself a piece of significant merit and is today recognised as an exceptional piece that deserves a place in concert halls. The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will bring this under-appreciated gem to life under the baton of Maestro Kochanovsky, a frequent guest of prestigious orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, and the Orchestre de Paris, among others.