The St Sava Centre under the sign of top-class art - an unforgettable evening with Dmitry Masleev in Niš

The Great Hall of the St Sava Centre in Niš was the venue of an exceptional musical event that brought together many lovers of classical music at the concert of Dmitry Masleev, one of the most prominent Russian pianists of today and winner of the 15th International Tchaikovsky Competition. The performance of an artist who conquers the world's most important concert stages gave the audience in Niš an evening of top-class piano art, confirming that Niš too can host musical events of the highest international standing.

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Arsenije of Niš, the concert was organised by the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko”, continuing its mission of nurturing musical art and enriching the cultural life of the city. Masleev came to Niš after a performance at the Kolarac Endowment in Belgrade, bringing a programme that combined works by great European and Russian composers.

Special value was added to this musical encounter by the participation of the young Niš pianist Boško Aleksić, born in 2012, a pupil of the Music School in Niš in the class of Professor Mirjana Mladenović. Performing the first movement of Beethoven's “Pathétique” Sonata, Boško opened the concert and had the precious opportunity to present his musical skill on the same stage as an artist of world renown. This meeting of youth and experience once again highlighted the importance of supporting talented young musicians and creating opportunities for their artistic development.

The central part of the evening belonged to Dmitry Masleev, whose victory at the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2015 marked the beginning of a brilliant international career. The artist presented a programme spanning different stylistic eras, revealing the full breadth of his pianistic expression. In the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, exceptional precision, clarity of musical thought and refined tonal culture came to the fore, while the second part of the concert, devoted to compositions by Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev, brought powerful contrasts, drama and dazzling virtuosity.

A special dimension to the musical experience was provided by the top-class C. Bechstein concert grand on which the artist performed. This instrument, which graces the Great Hall of the St Sava Centre, also carries a special symbolism - the monogram of Jesus Christ, connected with the tradition of the Holy Emperor Constantine and the message “In this sign you will conquer”. In the setting of the St Sava Centre, the richness of the piano sound and the artist's exceptional interpretation created an atmosphere in which musical excellence and the spirituality of the space merged into a unique experience.

Throughout the concert the audience followed every musical phrase with special attention, and the silence in the hall bore witness to the power of the artistic expression that captivated those present. One of the most memorable moments of the evening came when the bells of the Cathedral in Niš rang out and Masleev surprised the audience by performing Beethoven's “Für Elise”. This unplanned musical surprise, in which the sound of the piano and the church bells met in a special way, delighted the audience and drew long applause.

The significance of this visit is also shown by the fact that, just three days after the concert in Niš, Masleev was scheduled to perform the same programme in Paris, at a prestigious concert venue on the Champs-Élysées. Niš thus joined the ranks of European musical centres that have hosted this exceptional artist, giving its audience the chance to experience an interpretation of the kind heard in the most renowned concert halls of the world.

The atmosphere after the concert also left a special impression. Many visitors lingered in the foyer of the St Sava Centre, sharing impressions and talking about a performance whose artistic power and directness left a deep mark. This musical evening showed that true art does not end with the last note played, but lives on in the memory and experience of the listeners.

Many friends of the arts also contributed to the concert, including SCERO PRINT, Halo Travel, the media outlets that supported the event, and the distinguished piano tuner Kristijan Bjelanović, whose expertise was invaluable in preparing the concert instrument. Their support is an important contribution to creating the conditions for organising musical events of this artistic calibre.

By organising the visit of Dmitry Masleev, the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” showed once again that its cultural mission goes beyond choral art. Drawing on a tradition of almost a century and a half, the Society continues to connect the local audience with distinguished international artists, supports young talents and helps make the St Sava Centre a recognisable venue for top-class musical encounters.

The evening with Dmitry Masleev will be remembered not only for its exceptional pianistic virtuosity, but also as yet another confirmation that great art finds its home wherever there is an audience able to recognise it and people ready to nurture it selflessly.