Durban concert-goers who were thrilled by the masterly account of Chopin’s 'Piano Concerto No 1', given last week by 25-year-old prize-winner Alex Lubyantsev with the KZN Philharmonic under the baton of Yasuo Shinozaki, will be able to hear this extraordinary artist in a Friends of Music recital in the city on 13 March.

Lubyantsev, a laureate of a string of major international competitions, will perform a hugely demanding programme featuring Haydn’s 'Piano Sonata No 52' in E flat; Rachmaninoff’s 'Etude-tableau Opus 39 no 7', Chopin’s 'Nocturne No 13' in C minor, Liszt’s 'Mephisto Waltz Opus 48', Beethoven’s 'Piano Sonata Opus 110' and Ravel’s 'Gapard de la Nuit'. A red-letter event for music lovers, this promises to be a richly rewarding experience.

The evening’s prelude performer is Emily Bishai, a gifted young viola player currently studying with KZNPO principal violist David Snaith. She is in her matric year at St Henry’s Marist College in Glenwood.

By way of a double whammy for classical keyboard enthusiasts this month, Friends of Music presents another internationally lauded pianist in the same venue the following Tuesday, 20 March at 19:45, when Lobor Novacek from Czechoslovakia will perform works by Beethoven, Brahms, Liszt and Janacek.

Booking for Friends of Music recitals bookings is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com. Tickets are R70 (R60 for FOM members and R20 for orchestral and student members). The Durban Jewish Centre is at 44 KE Masinga Road (formerly Old Fort) and safe parking is provided.