«Botvinov and Friends»: NICO Ensemble

Casino Bern plays host to one of the season's most compelling artistic encounters: NICO Ensemble, founded in 2006 by composer-conductor Gediminas Gelgotas, joins forces with Alexey Botvinov — the most celebrated Ukrainian pianist of his generation and the only pianist in the world to have performed Bach's Goldberg Variations more than 300 times on stage. As NICO marks its 20th concert season in 2026 — following landmark debuts at Tonhalle Zürich, the Grand Théâtre de Provence, and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall — the ensemble brings its distinctive fusion of classical and contemporary idioms, enriched by non-traditional string techniques, to the Swiss capital. Known for their high-energy, choreographed performances, NICO perfectly complements Botvinov’s profound artistry. This collaboration offers a rare opportunity to witness the synergy between one of the world's leading Rachmaninoff interpreters and an ensemble that is redefining the chamber music experience for the 21st century. An evening of deep emotional resonance and technical brilliance awaits.


Alexey Botvinov (piano)
New Ideas Chamber Orchestra (NICO)
Gediminas Gelgotas (Artistic Director and Conductor)


The program features the atmospheric works of Philip Glass, Max Richter and Ludovico Einaudi, alongside original compositions by Gediminas Gelgotas.