Lugansky, Santa Cecilia orchestra, Maisky star in HK 'Great Music 2025'

World-class musicians and orchestras will headline Hong Kong’s  "Great Music 2025” festival, including Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky who will make his Hong Kong recital debut.

The event, organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will run from September through November.

Piano recital by Nikolai Lugansky

Lugansky, acclaimed by Gramophone magazine as "the most trailblazing and meteoric performer of all," will perform at Hong Kong City Hall on September 14.

His program spans Beethoven's "The Tempest" Sonata, Schumann's "Faschingsschwank aus Wien”, and culminates with Liszt's "St François de Paule: Marchant sur les flots”.

"Makedonissimo by Simon Trpčeski and Friends" concert

The festival continues with Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski and four fellow musicians presenting "Makedonissimo" on October 21.

This unique concert blends Macedonian folk traditions with jazz and classical music, featuring special collaborations with Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra musicians Ma Wai-him and Chan Pik-sum for an East-meets-West finale.

Piano recital by Dang Thai Son

Pianist Dang Thai Son returns to Hong Kong on November 17 with a program showcasing French composers Fauré and Ravel alongside Chopin's beloved works.

The first Asian winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition will perform nocturnes, waltzes, and polonaises at Hong Kong City Hall.

"Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia - Roma" concert

The Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia - Roma makes its long-awaited return from November 20 to 21 under conductor Daniel Harding.

The ensemble will perform Verdi, Rachmaninov, and Ravel with pianist Beatrice Rana at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Duo recital by Mischa Maisky (Cello) and Lily Maisky (Piano)

Closing the festival on November 22, cellist Mischa Maisky and pianist daughter Lily Maisky celebrate their 20-year musical partnership with works by Beethoven, Shostakovich, and Schumann.

Tickets for all performances go on sale July 23 through URBTIX.

Meanwhile, the department will also present the cross-cultural lecture series "When Chinese Landscape Painting Meets Western Classical Music" from September to October.

(Ayra Wang)