MUSIC In West Kilbride's 2024/25 concert season opens later this month with a spectacular programme by the brilliant young pianist Nikita Lukinov.

Widely celebrated as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation, Nikita has earned glowing reviews from critics across the classical music world.

BBC Music Magazine has hailed him as a “rising star,” while The Scotsman praised his “exceptional talent".

Nikita has an impressive international résumé, having performed as a soloist in prestigious venues throughout the UK, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany, and beyond.

His notable appearances include concerts at the Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, and Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatoire. His performances have also been featured on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 3, and Scala Radio, establishing him as a rising force in classical music.

The concert programme promises a rich musical journey. In the first half, Nikita will perform selections from Brahms’ Op. 118, Mussorgsky's Night on a Bald Mountain, and Debussy’s Images (Book 1). For the second half, he will be joined by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland String Quartet to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 58.

The concert ,which kicks off at 7.30pm on Friday October 25 at the Village Hall, will also showcase music in West Kilbride's magnificent Steinway piano, which will be put through its paces in this dynamic performance.

For ticket details, go to musicinwk.org/.