Nikolai Lugansky’s recently released new album ‘César Franck — Préludes, Fugues & Chorales’ with Harmonia Mundi has been awarded Diapason D’Or by the Diapason magazine in its April 2020 issue. The Classic Review commended “the fine performance of powerful virtuosity and dynamic musicality” of the Finale and the “impressive sound-control” of Prelude and Aria. There was also praise for the pianist’s own transcription of Franck’s organ work Chorale pour grand orgue No.2: “Lugansky’s transcription harnesses the power of the modern piano and his virtuosity to reflect the awesome grandeur of the original version for organ”.
Lugansky himself refers to Franck as one of his favourite composers and admires many of the past recordings of his piano music. His inspiration to adapt Chorale No.2 for piano comes from Jean Guillou and his recording of Franck’s complete organ music. Lugansky says:
