On 25th October 2024 we are delighted to welcome the rising star, pianist Nikita Lukinov. Winner of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Governor’s Recital Prize in 2023, Nikita is already receiving accolades for his virtuosity.
Heralded for his “extraordinary breadth and freedom of imagination” (Gramophone), praised as an “Exceptional talent” (The Scotsman), and named the “Rising Star” by the BBC Music Magazine, Nikita Lukinov stands out as one of the most exciting pianists based in Scotland. In his impressive international presence, he performed as a soloist in prestigious venues across the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Poland, Croatia, Germany and Russia. Most notable appearances include renowned venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Usher Hall, Southbank Centre, Palau de la Música, Fazioli Hall, Verbier Festival and Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow. In October 2022, Nikita became the youngest senior staff member at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and across all UK conservatoires.
Nikita is a dedicated member of the Live Music Now Scotland scheme, passionately committed to providing live music of an international standard to socially disadvantaged people. In the 2024/25 season, Nikita tours Scotland with 35 recitals and outreach events throughout the country, spanning from the Scottish Borders to Cromarty and from Aberdeen to the Isle of Skye. This tour is in close collaboration with the Live Music Now Scotland, and Nikita will deliver outreach events in local care homes and schools in the area of his recitals. As part of this tour he will be playing at Abbotsford Care Home, Ardrossan, the day before his WK concert. He says: “It is an unbelievable feeling when people’s eyes sparkle so joyfully and sincerely after the performances, and I know I contributed something valuable for them.”
A disciple of the Russian Piano School, Nikita Lukinov started his musical education at the age of six in Voronezh, Russia. At the age of 10, he gave his debut performance as a soloist with a symphonic orchestra and at 14, he won a full scholarship to study at the Purcell School in London. Nikita was awarded a full scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s
Degree in 2017, a Master’s Degree in 2021, and an Artist Diploma Degree in 2023 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) at the class of Prof. Petras Geniušas. Nikita has finished his Artist Diploma degree in Summer 2024.
An entire Beethoven concerto is an extraordinary ‘coup’ for a village hall, and we believe this is the first time our Steinway grand will have been put to such a test. The ‘orchestral’ part of the concerto will be performed by the RCS string quartet comprising:
Huixin Hu, a violinist from China. Currently she is on the Doctor of Performing Arts Programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Since 2022, she has been teaching at the RCS Junior Conservatoire.
Paul Docherty, violin. Praised for his “completely compelling and musically moving” playing, Paul Docherty is a prize-winning violinist studying at the RCS. Recent solo performances include concerti with the City of Carlisle Orchestra and Glasgow Sinfonia, and chamber music performances include a trio debut in Sweden and providing music for King Charles III.
Annabel Stevens (viola), a violinist and viola player from Nottingham, currently studying at the RCS with Andrea Gajic and Katrina Lee. Since moving to Glasgow in 2021, she has performed across Scotland and in Festivals such as Celtic Connections, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Cantilena Festival which takes place each year on Islay.
Ursula Coe (cello), from Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA. Ursula is a 4th-year cellist studying at RCS with Alison Wells. She enjoys performing in chamber ensembles, specializing in string quartet during summers at Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Ursula is broadly influenced by genres spanning baroque, world folk, and jazz.
Nikita’s concert for us will comprise:
Brahms, selected pieces op.118 (13)
Mussorgsky, “Night on a Bald Mountain” (11)
Debussy Images book 1 (15)
interval
Beethoven, Piano Concerto 4 op.58 with a string quartet
We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of a grant from the Margaret Whitomme Memorial Trust to support the Governor’s Recital prize-winner’s tour 2024-25.
Music in West Kilbride 