Rachmaninoff? No—Lyricism: Lugansky Reunites with Seoul Philharmonic After 7 Years
Creatrip Team
6 months ago
Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky reunited with the Seoul Philharmonic after seven years to perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1 at Seoul Arts Center on Feb.12. Under French conductor Ludovic Morlot, Lugansky favored lyricism and delicate tone over explosive virtuosity, shaping a poetic, rubato-rich first movement, a quietly radiant second-movement "Romance," and an energetic finale inspired by the Polish folk dance krakowiak ("Krakowiak"—a traditional Polish dance rhythm). He returned for an encore with Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu, balancing technique and romantic expression. The concert opened with Berlioz’s orchestra showpiece from the opera Les Troyens and closed with Schumann’s Symphony No.2, which the orchestra rendered as a slow-burning narrative of struggle and healing. The program highlighted refined ensemble playing, sensitive dynamics, and Morlot’s clear conducting touch.
