ZIOS NDR Radio Philharmonic, Hanover

One of today's most inspirational pianists joins this elite German radio orchestra for a concert that exudes wit, melodic beauty and mercurial charm. "The melodies fly so thick here that you have to be careful not to step on one," deadpanned Brahms to his publisher when writing his joyful, sunny symphony. In between, the invigorating freshness and unabashed Romanticism of a youthful piano concerto — Nikolai Lugansky has been hailed by France's Le Monde as "one of the most outstanding artists of our epoch."

Programme: Prokofiev – Symphony No. 1, "Classical"; Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No. 1; Brahms – Symphony No. 2

Performers: Stanislav Kochanovsky (conductor), Nikolai Lugansky (piano), NDR Radio Philharmonic, Hanover