Nikolay Lugansky has received a glowing review from Peter J Rabinowitz at Gramophone Magazine for his latest CD, Richard Wagner: Famous Opera Scenes.

Lugansky’s interpretation of the music has been lauded for its ability to transport listeners from the concert stage and into the very heart of the opera. The review applauds Lugansky’s “spectacular technique” and his ability to navigate the demanding music with finesse. His performance brings emotional and psychological depth to the fore, immersing the audience in the dramatic moments of the opera.

Beyond his impressive virtuosity, Lugansky’s technical magic has been praised. His sense of colour, phrasing, and ability to illuminate key details within complex textures all serve to capture the depth and ambiguity of the dramatic moments.

The arrangements on this album involve the works of different hands, sometimes even multiple transcribers. However, the transitions between pieces are seamless under Lugansky’s skilled hands. His interpretations of the Götterdämmerung excerpts hold their own against the Wagner transcriptions by 19th-century giants.