January 26, 2009

• Considered one of the world's greatest pianists

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Music presents pianist Nikolai Lugansky as part of the UAB Piano Series, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Alys Stephens Center's Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for students. For tickets, call 205-975-2787.

Lugansky is among the top five of the world's best pianists, said UAB Associate Professor of Piano, Yakov Kasman, D.M.A. "This will be an exceptional event."

Born to research scientists in Moscow, Lugansky's musical ability was evident very early in his life. At the age of 5, before he had even been taught to read music, he went to a neighbor's house and played a Beethoven sonata from memory, having learned the music by ear. In 1988 he won first prize in the All-Union Competition in Tbilisi and won the silver medal at the eighth annual International Bach Competition in Leipzig, In 1990 he was awarded second prize at Moscow's Rachmaninov Competition. He was awarded "Best Pianist" in 1992 at the International Summer Academy Mozarteum in Austria. In 1994, after recovering from back and foot injuries sustained in an accident, and after the death of his teacher, he won the 1994 Tchaikovsky Competition.

Today Lugansky is widely considered one of the world's great interpreters of piano repertoire. His concerts, recitals and chamber music performances throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas have earned him the applause of critics and audiences alike. His recordings include Chopin's "Etudes," as well as Rachmaninov's "Preludes and Moments Musicaux" and Chopin's "Preludes," all of which won Diapason d'Or de L'Annee awards. In addition to performing, Lugansky teaches at the Moscow Conservatory. Visit his Web site at www.lugansky.homestead.com.