Excellent technique and remarkable interpretive introspection

“During the concert Nikolai demonstrated that he certainly had excellent technique and remarkable interpretive introspection. Obviously serious musicality of the ‘Sonata in F min. op. 80’ by Prokofiev, of which he gave the restless and dramatic reading, perhaps following the indications of the author himself who wanted it to be played with the same effect as the ‘wind blowing’
The performance of the Tchaikovsky’s ‘Meditation op. 42 no. 1’ was melancholically romantic while the explosiveness of the well-known “Carmen Fantasy” by Waxman was engaging… and allowed the soloist to obtain the approval and admiration of the audience.
The audiences had also appreciated the interpretative expertise of the Bach’s “Chaconne” from the “Partita No.2 in D minor” and the “Sonata op. 30 No. 3 in G major”, bursting in lavish applause.”
— Gianluca Bauzano